The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1915-09-17
HUNTING FOR HEALTH
In Its Pursuit Peter Perkins
Found His World Changed.
BY DOROTHY DOUGLAS.

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 acquaintance so long as he had
obtained three years lease on her
property.
Peter was run down, physically,
while the Miss Stanwood was finan-
Cially embarrassed. The transfer of
property was step in the right di-
Fection for both parties concerned. 1t
left Madge free to go into the city
and pursue congenial labor, 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 fiatter-
ing degree before his health-or the
lack Of it-had sent him to the coun-
try,
The Stanwood property was sadly
dilapidated. The gardens, both vege-
table and floral, were all but wrecks;
the lone COW was pitiful sight to a
lover of animals, while the few hens
and rabbit were forlorn creatures The
orchard, once bearing choice and rare
fruit, required pruning, looping and
care to an alarming extent, but with
It all Peter felt sanguine as to the
results he would obtain from healthy
labor on the property.
Peter had worked with feverish in
SEPARATION on his art, and by so doing
had arrived on the precipice of nerv-
GUS breakdown. The Stanwood place
came as a blessing to him. Since he
might not make further use of his
brain during its process of rebuild
ing he rejoiced in the physical activ-
2ty that would be demanded of him
during his three years in the country.
1t was difficult at first to fling off
the inertia that gripped him after leav-
ing the steam-heated studio and his
paints and models; but the trimming
of shrubs that was necessary, since
it was late autumn, sent Peter out
with hedge scissors and an augment
ing sense of zeal Having come orig
inally from the West, Peter was at
heart adapted for outdoor life. Farm
ing and the artists temperament went
strangely hand in hand in Peters men
tally. 1t was not difficult then, dur
ing the lull OF the artists brain, for
the farmer to come readily into &C
&ivity.
When the shrubbery had been
trimmed the trees in the orchard
came next Peter Perkins was COM
panioned and served only by old
Gregory, who was both an intelligent
gardener and handy man about the
house.
mo social intercourse and no
pottering with paints. Remember
that" had been the doctors parting
words to Peter. For one year at
least"
And so Peter had forgotten the
pleasure of seeing even Doris Brown,
the girl whom he had almost def
nitely 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 it to me-even if ! fire
you for not doing So" he had COM
manded Gregory, and the old man
kept the key.
Before the cold weather came the
cowshed was mended, the chicken
coops whitewashed and a cockerel
and some fine hens added to the
meager flock, and all other prepare
lions for an excellent springtime
were made. The poor little rabbit was
given mate and, that being the last
of the domestic arrangements among
the barnyard life, Peter and Gregory
turned their attention to their own
habitation.
During the winter months they
painted every inch of the interior of
the Stanwood house and mended
roofs and drafty doors and windows.
Creeping vines were trimmed so that
with the springtime rosebuds would
seek admission to the old living room
with its great stone fireplace and
lofty ceilings.
It was not until the arrival of
spring, when the verdure was brill
liant and the fruit blossoms in
full and odorous bloom, that Peter
really threatened Gregory with dis
missal.
IT'S chance in an artists life,"
he stormed at the imperturbable serv-
ant. Those blossoms are perfect
there never. was an orchard so beau
tiful. could win a thousand dollar
prize with just small sketch" His
tone had become somewhat wheed-
ling.
The blossoms'll be out again next
year." was all Gregory said, and Peter
raved in vain for the keys to his
paints and brushes. He eyed Peter
with glow of pride. Somehow he
felt responsible for the glow of health
that was slowly progressing in Peters
body.