Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-10-30
THE DAILY SHORT STORY
Fair Exchange

d ETER PERKINS came into temporary
J. possession of the old Stanwood prop
erty through mutual friends of his own
and the last remaining member of the
Stanwood family. He did not know
Madge Stanwood. nor was he in any way
interested in making the girls acquaint-
ance so long as he had obtained n three
years. lease on her property.
Peter was run down physically, while
Miss Stanwood was financially en-
barrassed The transfer of property was
step in the right direction for both
parties concerned. 1t left Madge free to
go into the city and pursue congenial la
Dor, while Peter Perkins could seek the
robust health he had lost In his effort to
find that vague pedestal called fame. His
channel had been through art, and Peter
had succeeded to flattering degree be-
fore his healthier the lack of it-had
sent -!Jas-to the country.
The Stanwood property was sadly di-
lapidated. The gardens, both vegetable
and floral, were all but wrecks: the lone
COW was a pitiful sight to lover of ami
mails. while the few hens and rabbits
were forlorn creatures. The orchard, once
bearing choice and rare fruit, required
pruning, Topping and care to an alarm
ing extent, but with 1t all, Peter felt san
guine as to the results he would obtain
from healthy labor on the property.
Peter had worked with feverish inspira-
tion on his art, and by so doing had ar
rived on the precipice of nervous break
down. The Stanwood place came as IA
blessing to him, Since he might not
make further use of his brain during its
process of rebuilding, he rejolced in the
physical activity that would be demand
ed of him during his three years in the
country.
1t was difficult at first to fling off the
inertia that gripped him after leaving the
steam-heated studio and his paints and
mOdels but the trimming of shrubs that
was necessary, since il was late autumn,
sent Peter out with hedge scissors and an
| augmenting sense of zeal Having come
originally from the West, Peter was at
heart adapted for outdoor life Farming
and the artists temperament went
strangely hand in hand in Peters mem
tality 1t was not difficult them, during
the lull of the artists brain, for the
farmer to come readily into activity.
When the shrubbery had been trimmed
the trees in the orchard came next. Peter
Perkins was companioned and served only
by old Gregory, who was both an in
teligent gardener and handy man about
the house
mo social intercourse and no potter
ing with paints. Remember that" had
keen the Doctors parting words TO Peter,
For one year at least
And so Peter had foregone the pleasure
of seeing even Doris Brown, the girl
whom he had almost definitely fallen in
love with, and he had locked up his
paints and brushes in the attic room
and had bravely given the key to old
Gregory.
Don't give II to me-even II fire you
for not doing So" he commanded
Gregory, and the old man kept the key.
Before the cold weather came the cow
shed was mended, the chicken cOOps
whitewashed and cockerel and some
new hens added 10 the meager flock, and
all other preparations for an excellent
springtime were made, The poor little
rabbit was given mate, and that being
the last of the domestic arrangements
among the barnyaTd life, Peter and
Gregory turned their attention TO their
own habitatIon.
During the winter months they paint ed
every inch of the interior OF the Stan
wood house and mended roofs and
draughty doors and windows. Creeping
vines were trimmed so that the SPRING
time rosebuds would seek admission to
the old living room with its great stone
fireplace and lofty ceilings.
Ii was not until the arrival OF spring,
when the verdure was brilliant and the
fruit blossoms in full and odorous bloom.
that Peter really threatened Gregory with
dismissal.
TITS a chance In an artists life he
stormed at the imperturbable servant
Those blossoms are perfeet-there never
was an orchard so beautiful. | could win
a thousand-dolla prize with just a small
sketch" His tone had become somewhat
wheedling.
'sThe blossomsll be out again next
year" vas all Gregory said, and Peter
raved n.Vain ior the keys to his paints
aud brushes. He eyed Peter With glow
Of pride. Somehow he felt responsible
for the glow OF health that was slowly
progressing in Peters body.
What ever viii We do with the fruit,
chickens. eggs. milk AMI vegetables that
Ne viii be having before long?" ques-
toned Peter as he realized the prolihe
tendencies that work at Stanwood farm
was beginning TO make evident I'VE viii
have a hundred ane little rabbits II We
don+ watch out" He laughed. The ques-
ton. however, was a serious Que. "Old