The Era-leader., 1921-05-12
HUNTING CULTURE
BY FAY HAROLD

Her name was Mary Ann, spelled
Meran. She hated TO be ordered
about like a child; hated gughaln
aprons loWbroWS and movies. Bat,
most OF all, she hated to See her Ia
ther put his stocI;in&rd feet into the
warm, yawning kitchen oven. She
hated the country and everything vul-
gar.
1T ain't fair" she said stormly
to her patient mother. Il want to
learn things. Can't | 60 to the city?
Can't |? Why do you keep me here?
You don't love me; you hate me"
She demanded her rights hysterical-
ly. The life on the farm was sitting
her She wanted culture in her sur
rounGings. She was lhwarted, dead
encd, here. What was there to see
on a farm?
wait a few years" said Ma Todd
soothingly Your father will sell the
farm. He'll be too old to run it, and
you'll never take any interest in it,
"Years!" walled Merian. "a few
years. III die. | want a career"
"AIy L.ordw said Pa Todd, pulling
his feet from the oven. "What is 1t
new? We've sent her to school; she's
taking three correspondence courses
in some 'ologies' or other! Career,
is it? Your career is right here, help.
Ing mamma"
"But TN stifed," cried Merriam. Il
Il want to write plays!"
"Wrte EN-" said pa. start right
now if you want to-"
Then there was another storm In the
Todd kitchen.
81 always wanted to hear a Sym.
phony concert and climb Bunker Hill
monument myself" said ma, wiping
her eyes On her sleeve in the way
that Jared sensitive Merriam. II guess
the longing is born in you. AS far
as Pm concerned, you can 60 to Bos.
ton for the winter" She shut her
mouth firmly and went out to the
back porch.
Nov, pa" said Merlan gleefully,
81 hope you'll say New. Iork-it's big
ger.'
"If your tna says you can go, that
fyes 1t, and you know It. Boston is
big enough for Hst, guess.
Later On, Ma Todd wept abundant.
ly, and Pa Todd wore a most serious
expression; but Merriam held them to
their promise and prepared for the
city.
That Pa and Ma Todd were lone
they never admitted. Merian's
letters were nOthins put scanty notes
that told nothing of her career. Ma
was for going after her, but pa re-
strained her.
Suddenly she heard pa hollering
and saw the waving Of his hat. She
knew at once Merriam was coming
home. She sprang to her feet, rushed
down the road and drew the girl into
her arms,
"1'se done something awful" said
Merriam otter the kissing and weep
ing was over. n hope you'll forgive
me. I've failed and T."
ave expected that" said pa.
"And wnnt to come home to live."
"Ahd where else would you liver"
asked ma.
"Bnt / want to bring him with me,
Youll like him. I'm m1rried. He
knows everything-he's behind the
fence"
Ma and pa stood staring at the new
husband.
swell, cotne in," said ma practical
lS. 'I'll get supper"
"t'll yet IT," said Meriah firmly.
''tve been fussing a kitchenette six
i16Hths. Amt this grand, Charlie?"
"I'lI sny it is,' agreed the new hus-
band. "Classy here. Some life"
Pa and MA started. Merian In her
search for Culture had found this
Did you climb Bunker Hill1" asked
ma quickly.
"N-no," said Merriam, IT had no
time. It amt in Boston anyway"
"Oh-" said ma In disappointment,
Did you hear the orchestra7'
II forgot. Charlie, you never took
ne.'
"say not" answered Charlie, tax.
ny off his coat. mot for mine"
"But, denrie," went on ina deter
didn't you see the North
,hurch or the burying grounds or
1othine7''
"What we. want to sit round bury.
ng grounds for?" scoffed Charlie.
where's your plan and your Cul-
ure and everythin' ! sent you for?
What have you seen?" asked pa.
"Shes seen everything all right"
'aid Charlie proudly. Il showed her
,bout, don't worry. She's been in ev.
Try cabaret and movie in town. She'll |
settle down now. The country life |
S the life when you're ready for 1t. !
Io q In Whot finn do trnt ~, ha,n [