Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1912-08-02


seeded for the cake, Bert Simmons
promised three quarts of cream for the
sillabub, and Jim Barrett said he
would make up the rest that might be
needed. Ruth Howard would donate
four, and another offered chickens for
the salad, and SO on down the list.
BE sure to bring them picked,
George Adams" said Miss Ellen,
laughing, to the lad who had donated
the chickens. ''for II Sally Stovall Is
there you will be Of no assistance, as
We know from experience. And two
Of you girls must come prepared to
spend the night Of the ball to help clear
away the remnants the next day." All
volunteered, and Miss Ellen had hard
time to choose between them, 80 high
" was this honor priced. The rector,
coming out and hearing what oil the
chatter was about, delivered lecture
upon the frivoliT Of youth and ended
by saying:
"And II no one has seen about the
music promise to furnish that as my
share. l will bring my old violin and
be one Of the band myself" which an
nouncement was greeted with APP
plause, for heard afterward that no
one could keep such good time as Mr..
Lamb. and the darky band always
played better when he led It.
That afternoon q number Of older
people in the county called, and Miss
Ellen served tea on the shady side OF
the house under the porch. Later Bud
and I rode horseback. He took me to
see the camping ground Of General
Sherman, which Miss Ellen had point
ed out to me the night Of my arrival,
and from there we took circuitous
route home. He told me many Of the
difficulties of farming in the county.
We passed a number Of farmers. and
from each / learned something and
stored up in my mind many quaint
anecdote for my letters from these
simple country folk. One time when
Bud had ridden forward to consult
some one about getting extra hands ]
rode up to a stolid looking individual
whom I saw sitting on a rail fence
near by whiting a stick. His beard
and hair were unkempt, and his whole
attitude was one of supreme indiffer-
ence to his surroundings.
''Good morning" said.
"Same to you" he answered without
looking up to see who had addressed
him.
How are your crops this year?" I
asked.
Poor" was his monosyllabic reply.
"Good last year?'
"Nup." with maddening indifference.
II hope your crops will be better
next year." l ventured again.
doubt it." was all he would answer.
The field back Of him did not look en-
couraging. Despairing finally of get
ting any information from him, drew
rein, preparing to join Bud. adding.
however. before leaving:
''Well, that's too bad"
With sudden animation he stopped
whiting for moment to look up and
remark:
"'Tain't as bad as you think. my
friend. don't own this land"
I rode off, laughing at this quaint
conception Of the value Of land He
had not intended to be either witty or
humorous, but was sincere in trying to-
disabuse my mind Of false impress
sion l might have Of the extent Of his
troubles. When Bud rode up he ex-
planned to me that the man farmed
only on shares and had he owned the
land he would have been held respon-
sible for the interest on the mortgage
Indeed, he said that to own certain of
the land around that section was re-
garded as q calamity.