News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1917-06-20
POLLY AND HER POULTRY /;
BY DOROTHY DOUGLASS.
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| AAN'
easement window at her beautifully
equipped poultry run with its dozens
of well-cared-for chickens. If anyone
had suggested to her some two years
before that she would some day be the
owner of small and profitable poultry
farm Polly would have laughed the
idea to scorn.
81 didn't reckon on my dear broth
er's health, or rather lack of health,
/ then" she ruminated. In her heart
she knew that she would have worked
her fingers to skin and bone If by so
doing she could watch the color return
ing to Don's cheeks and the sparkle
to his eyes. The color was beginning
to appear and the eyes were already
responding to her care. A healthy,
strong man was developing slowly but
surely in her brother.
eff it hadn't been for you" she said
to him, 81 would never have thought
Of the country and never dreamed that
had courage and intelligence enough
to start a chicken farm. Aren't we
lucky to be so independent" Polly
questioned while she whipped up an
egg.
"You are making perfect baby of
me-" the brother said, as he swallowed
| the egg.
"You required babying for while"
| Polly said f; then added laughingly: GAS
soon as you are robust enough I am
going to put you on guard at night by
the henhouse. Two more of our beau
tiful six-months-old Minorcas have
been stolen from the COOP"
A crash as of smashing timber
sounded sharply from the road in
front.
She and Don rushed out and ran
quickly to the side of huge motor
that had plunged madly through the
whitewashed fence that guarded their
property.
"My sister and are not hurt"
mans voice quickly assured her.
A second later Polly stood beside
the owner of the voice. He was bend
ing solicitously over the most lovely
woman Polly had ever seen.
eve have done fearful damage to
your fence" he added; and after as
pertaining for certain that his sister
was not going to faint or perform any
other feminine maneuver he turned his
eyes and attention toward Polly.
"YOu must come inside a moment"
she said hastily. "My brother and I
were just about to have a cupful of
tea. Won't you join us?'
eve will be charmed" Adele Vim
cent said with the delightful frankness
that was part of her nature. won't
we, brother?"
Indeed we WILL" John Vincent re-
piled with alacrity.
Polly led the way, and once inside
went quickly to Dons side.
"Our name is Vincent" her brother
said.
"And ours Parker" Don returned.
eve will enjoy our tea far more IL
you and your brother promise right
now to come up and have dinner with
us tonight. We live just at the top
of the hill" Adele pointed out of the
window to where a rambling old man.
sion cleaned in the sunlight.
"My brother is not very strong. 1
make him 90 to bed with the chick
ems" Polly laughed and cast an affec-
tionate glance at Don. Like so many
people who possess wonderful voices
he is delicately constructed. Could
we rush off rather early?"
w
81 have had the most glorious organ
installed in the library. You will come |
up and sing for me, won't your" She
was all eagerness and Don flushed SEN
sitively.
"Sister is a bit daft on music" John |
Vincent told Polly. "You and seem
to be left out in the cold. However"
he added with a look of keen appre- |
citation at Polly Parker, 81 will show |
you all my patents and inventions |
while they are racketing at the piano."
Polly caught the admonishing glance |
Adele sent him and laughed quickly.
"Never mind, Mr.. Vincent" she said, |
eff you can show me any patent that i
will catch a chicken thief 1 will be 4
hugely interested"
In the evening Don was fastidious /,
about his necktie and Polly fretted
over the lines of her old-fashioned eve /,
ming dress of simple muslin.
1t was at the dinner table that Polly
opened wide her eyes and laughingly +,
held up the drumstick of a chicken. i
"Donny," she questioned, "whose
mark is thatT She |
laughed, but there was wonderment in
her expression. Adele Vincent and her
brother gazed inquiringly at the small
pink celluloid ring that circled the
drumstick Polly was exhibiting.
"By Jove-it's one of your six-month
AIinorcas :" Don exclaimed. Vincent
called the cook into the dining room.
"Ah done buy them pullets from ma
vegetable man." she told them. Il see
that pink ring on the leg and done put
it back when it come out Of the oven
Just to see what you-all thought about
it."
"That vegetable man, Martha, is a
chicken thief and has been robbing