The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-09-29
Euening Story
His Neighbours Hen.
BY H. L. RAYBoLD.

seated on the edge of the wheelbar-
row in temporary res from his
labors. There she came again, step
ping ever so daintily and headed un-
mistaliably for the just appearing row
of tender green pea sprouts, first fruits
of his planting That COMPOUNDED
white hem
He had supposed that at last he had
stopped every gap in the fence where
she might gain access-yet here she
was, punctual and voracious as usual.
Was he to be pestersd to death by
neighhers who kept hens and let them
roam unrestricted? He hated to live
in unfriendliness with those around
him. Already he had a grudge against
the neighbor in his rear, who hap
pened to be his landlord and who, ex-
efcising the prerogatlves thereof, had
jumped his rent an absurdly unrear
sonably ten dollars a month
And now these people on his left
were forcing him to become unpleas-
ant by ignoring his ostentatious bank
ling of the wire fence with dirt and
his loudly uttered shooings of their
troublesome fowl.
Thunderation! She was scratching
his beans just where the soil was
broken with the efforts of the. seed
lings to reach the light. TOO much
is enough'' he cried, and started in
pursuit. The chase led him in circles
around his garden and in diagonals
across 1t and ended in mass of
tangled shoots at the base of the white
lilac hedge which lined part of the
renee. But he caught the intruder
and, for temporary safekeeping,
slowed her away in a burlap bag lust
emntied of seed potatoes.
Then, after considerable hopping
OF his brow. he searched in his pocket
Tor a card and pencil and, after
moments elaboration, wrete very
plainly the following sentiment:
regret to state that next time 1
return this bird will feel called to do
so on a platter
Attaching the card about the hens
neck with a piece of the Irvine he
mad been using to straighten his rows.
George dropped the hen over the fence
ana returned TO his hoeing.
The white lilac hedge concealed
from MIN the greater part of his
neighbers yard and when, some time
OF the bushes he at first paid no heed.
Ihen, gradually, certain rising in
rlectlon and several calculations
caught his attention and he became,
in spite of himself, aware of their
words. In fact, he at length quite
shamelessly ceased heeing and in
elined mis- ear very definitely in the
direction of the hedge,
Well-of all thingSi"
did you ever %
Il suppose he thinks-"
Every one says he's odd and this
proves it. But he doesn't mean it. He
wouldn't darei'
The last three words really settled
the fate of the hen. Wouldn't dare
kill that cid beast that. was eating up
his garden faster than he could plant
it? But bark, what were they saying?
&c right aleng back and dig up his
old garden!" Laughter.
Two days later, after discovering the
nibbled remains OF the first spears of
the Golden Bantam corn, George made
neat job of it, down to the plucking
and dressing and singing. Then arose
the question of presentation. 1t would
never do to thrust the bird under the
hedge and leave it to be discovered.
That would be equivalent to pro=
yiding a banquet for all the cats in
the neighborhood. No, he must de-
moment of his revenge had actually
arrived, George, who was not by ma
ture vindictive, shrank from making
the most of it. However. he was not
one to put his hand to the pillow. to
use a seasonable metaphor, and then
turn back.
Shortly after dusk, strengthening
his resolution with memories of his
wrongs. his arms burdened with a
platter Gas promised in the nete) on
which rested the remains invitingly
ready for the oven, George peered thru
the hedge. Yes, some one, indistinct
in the twilight. was watering down
garden. Great idea. that-keePing
ones pet hen into somebody elses
garden.
'Ahem." he gently invited attention,
I'm sorry. but I had to keep my
word. Here she Isl" He deposited
the platter and turned quickly away.
He had seen the hose drop suddenly
at the sound of his voice and he had
gathered an incaherent, "what-why
who" Then silence, unbroken and
deep.
Two mornings later. George leaned
on his wheel=hee and contemplated
his two-inch peas with satisfaction.
Peas by the middle of June-that was
his fond ambition. His beans were do
of stringiess green pods for success
sion, also some bush linlas. He hoped
his lettuce would head. He must set
out cut his Chalks Early Jewel to-
mate plants.
II beg your pardon. Mr.. Davis. but
I'm returning your platter. And the
hen was simply delicious
She had a wonderful Voice. Even
in his embarrassment George made
note of that In fact, if he had known
the owner of that perfidious hen was
an enhancing young thing with blue
eyes and brown gold hair and apple
blossom cheeks and
He was blushing awkwardly. ut
was an objectionable thing to do" he
blurted forth. land it's quite too late
to apologize"
"Oh, don't bother about that" said
the girl with the sweetest of smiles.
But tell me. Mr.. Davis why are your
peas SO much taller than ours?"
From that moment dated many long
discussions on peas and other vege
tables and the weather and the peace
treaty and our national parks and how
much it cost TO furnish a home And
tho transition from one topic to an
other was effected so easily and nat
urally that neither realized just how it
came about. Even Elaine's mother
said afterEard that the whole thing
seemed "preordained," considering the
hen and all
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