The Tupelo journal., 1913-08-29

some foolish investment again, lika
that oil well you discovered where a
kerosene can had tipped over, or the
flying machine inventor who nearly
killed both of you.'
I'm all right this time" announced
Gregory with a chuckle of surety.
The storekeeper proceeded to his
old iron box of a safe. Gregory be-
came immersed in reading the glaring
poster on the wall of a circus exhibit
ing fifty miles away. 1t showed for
four days, and this was the last one.
Just in time," he said to himself.
Thank you. Silas, I'll pay you back all
right" he added aloud. MAY be away
from town for a spell. Got to catch
the midnight train. So long"
Cheerily Gregory put the money
away. Gaily he waved the covered
box. 1t contained the lone hen Susan
had asked him to care for.
There was great gossip as to the
mysterious departure Of Gregory. At
the end of two weeks, however, the
storekeeper received a draft for his
money. That same day Susan was
handed a registered parcel by the post
man. Inclosed was a neat gold breast
pin. On the card were these words:
June is the month Of brides, roses,
song-birds. sunshine"
A month later, from another city,
came a ive-pound box Of chocolates.
It's cover bore the legend, 81 make it
January-mistletoe, merry sleigh
BELLS"
81 declare" said Susan to her sister,
81 can't understand all this extrava'
gance and mystery. I'd rather have
Gregory back with nothing than have
him away. maybe in all sorts OF
bother and hard work. Poor fellow!
drove him away, and Susan dis
solved in tears. F..
A week later there came a letter.
Dear Sweetheart Susan" it read, i've
ordered that farm outfit and I'm com.
ing home. Get ready to begin that
life partnership this fall-beautiful
sunsets, harvests and ALL"
Susan gave a scream Of delight as
she opened the door n morning and
found Gregory on the doorstep. He
was dressed in a neatly-fitting suit; he
wore a welltrimmed mustache. Con
fdence and opulence were suggested
by his bearing. Love, too-his loyal
eyes told that as he boldly kissed SUI
san.
Gregory" was her first word as
they were seated on the sofa, what
does it all mean? Did some n cave
you a %fortune?"
Better than that" replied Gregory
buoyantly-"a chance to earn every
dollar I've got. 1t was the chicken,
Susan"
what chicken" asked Susan, for
getfully.
The one you asked me to care for.
Susan, that was a wonderful fowl. No
more crazy that you or I-only queer"
How queer. Gregory"
well, it walked backwards. Think
of a hen that walked backwards-the
only one in the world, a-a-' and
Gregory foundered and consulted a
circus bill. "A rara avis, that's it. /
went straight to the city where a cir.
Gus was showing. A side show was
interested. Not that a chicken that
walked backwards was so strong an
attraction of itself, but with the tat
tooed boy and the trick %porcupine it
made a big draw. Snowman gave me
twenty-five dollars a week. The
chicken just caught the farmers. A
rival Snowman offered me the same
and a percentage OF admissions. Last
week another Snowman offered me
1000 cash for the curiosity, so I'm
here with the money to stock up that
farm. What do you say, Susan?"
THAT you are a husband worth
waiting for" replied Susan tenderly.
Copyright, 1913. by w. G. Chapman.)