Wheeling majority. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1907-192?, 1913-04-17

he hadn't thought much about the in
cident, such solution of an economic
problem by childrenrof larger growth
furnished a suggestion to his now.
why not kill the hens?" he thought.
But after reflection he was revolted
at the idea of destroying life; and
he finally hit upon plan that seem
ed humane, and looked feasible. He
wondered that it had not occurred to
him before.
The Eext day during recess at school
three of the locality's most promising
young financiers were discussing the
egg trade. Said Johnny Summers the
leader to Eben Grimes, Are you SELL
ing any eggs now for your MAJ"
No. replied Eben. "They ain1
worth morn five cents; ma says, don
pay to take them to Smiths" Urial
Sands echoed "We amt selling either
Mr.. Smith says there's too many eggs
for the people that want them"
Suppose we gather up nearly all
the eggs every day, and throw then
away, proposed Johnny. you and
, Uriah do this and | will do it, and
We'll tell Sam Long and the other boys
to break their eggs. After awhile
eggs will be scarce, and we'll get a
good price. People burnt up cotton
once to raise the price. | believe we
can get fifteen. cents dozen, as we
used to, and maybe more We needn't
let our mothers know we are doing it. /"
The two listeners Strengthened up,
and looked wise; and in few minutes
there was an agreement entered into
by three boys about to become mani
| pulators of the market At~the first
opportunity they inspired several
other boys to cooperate in the de-
struction of eggs for the benefit of
the community.
| In short time III various out of
the way places eggs were being daily
! smashed against stumps, stones and
all sorts of objects which offered pro
per resistance They were hurled
with "a force, born of an enthusiasm
for the right. Each actor was silent
and thoughtful, having but one aim in
yiew-to get fair price for eggs
Meanwhile, these market manipulators
lkept their ears open for market re-
ports that might issue from Smiths
store, and housewives began to re-
mark that 1T was unusual for hens
to quit lagin' Sc sudden. No matter"
! they said,s I'VE couldn't get anything
for eggs now. any way"
Unsuspecting hens cackled on, and
continued the supply for destruction,
while unsuspecting. women were will
ing to do without what they could not
sell
At last one day, news went over the
neighborhOod that Mr.. Smith was ask
in fNy AAR =
dozen. Before the boys came home
from school their mothers had heard
of the advance in price, and had be
gun to think of ways and means to
induce hens to lay.
About the time when Uriah Sands
should have arrived at home his
mother took notion to go to the
barn and other nesting places to see
what her hens had been doing, and to
learn what might be on hand for the
market. To her surprise she saw
Uriah moving stealthily from the barn
toward the woods, carrying a basket
of eggs. Curious, she followed at al
distance, and watched him go to a.
large tree, and dash the contents of
the basket against it. CONSERVATION
at first, then anger, and lastly cur
iOsity possessed her. Confronting her
boy, as he turned out of the woods,
she said sternly:
"Uriah. what did you do that for?"
Uriah was startled and cowed. ITO
raise the price Of them,' he replied
with suppressed fear. "All the Toys
in the neighborhood are doing it," he
added desperately Johnny Summers
said they burnt cotton to raise the