The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-03-25
BOWSER'S ABANDONED FARM
And 1t Is Left Abandoned and Lonely
Once More

Mrs. Bowser was greatly surprised
the other evening when Mr.. Bowser
brought man home with him to din
! ner and introduced him as Mr.. Banks.
The stranger was invited to partake
of dinner, and nothing was said as to
any errand he might have until the
meal was finished and the trio had as
cended to the sitting room Then Mr..
Bowser said:
Mrs. Bowser, you know that for
several years past I have been want
| ing to turn farmer
Il think I have heard you say so
once or twice." she replied
II have wanted to turn farmer not
| only for the profit there is in farm
| ing, but for the sake of my health.
Every time I bring up the subject you
oppose it, and make me out a good
! deal of an idiot. I have brought Mr..
| Banks to you to set you right about
some things. He is a practical farm
er and can tell you all about it."
Mr.. Banks scratched his head and
moved his feet uneasify. as Mrs. Bow
ser fixed him with look. In reply
to what Mr.. Bowser had said, he an
swered:
Yes, I think I can answer all your
questions about farming
| Il am glad of that" said Mrs. Bow
| ser. You wish to sell Mr.. Bowser a
farm, do your
IT have made him an offer of one"
was the reply.
'And mighty good offer. too"
Clipped in Mr.. Bowser.
And where is the farm?'' was
asked.
well, it is up New England way
I shall not deceive you about it
When I took it it was what is called
an abandoned farm. That is. no one
| t1o fnF two Or-f
But that doesn't hurt the farm
| any" said Mr.. Bowser. 'In fact, it
helps it. The soil of any farm needs
a rest once in a while the same as
people need a vacation"
And have you abandoned the farm.
too ?" queried Mrs. Bowser of Mr..
Banks.
why, yes was admitted '"Tha:
is, 1 haven't been there for a year
or two. But, of course, the land Is
still there
And does that make about four
times this farm has been abandoned %
| What if it has been abandoned
seven or eight times!' demanded Mr.
Bowser. Didn't I just say that the
soil of any farm was the better for a
rest?''
This saved Mr.. Banks from stating
how many times the farm had been
abandoned, but Mrs. Bowser was soon
after him with:
MI BANKS, Is there any SOIL on
your farm to rest and recuperate
itself -
''Why, of course there is son,'' he
replied. You couldn't have a farm
without soil, could you %
Yes, in some part sof New England
you could You could have a farm
composed of rocks and stones. How
is it with your farm %
well, there is a few stones there,
as there is on most any farm
"Of course, there isl" exclaimed Mr..
Bowser. What sort of a farm would
it be that didn't have a few stones
scattered around. They are needed on
a farm for building purposes
. "Mr. Banks, how long did you live
on this farm ?"
IA year or two, ma'an. "
Did you raise any crops9''
why, 1 raised some turnips. /
could have raised something else, but
strained my back and was laid up"
Were there more than a score of
turnips, Mr.. Banks? You strained
lyour back, but do not strain the truth.
AS matter of fact, couldn't you call
this property a stone quarry as truth
, fully as farm %
! i've heard it called thus was the
evasive reply.
Mrs. Bowser!'' shouted Mr.. Bow
= ser, as he rose up, you are insulting
, Mr.. Banks. You have no right to ask
him such a question. He admitted
2 there were some stones on the farm
l. wouldn't buy a farm without stones