Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1921-09-01
A Hen That
Walked Backwards
By WILLIAM FALL
F~~~~~~~~S~~~~~S~~~ 4
20, 1921. Western Newspaper Union.)


"Why, Colonel Travers sends 500
miles for a plate of strawberries cost
ing dollar a piece, If he takes no
hon,' was the way Gregory Jones usu-
ally descanted upon the immense
wealth Of the proprietor of Hillsdale
hall. "They say, too, that he has bank
notes bound up into books in his
library"
The Travers family lived in grand
style. They were pleasant, liberal, and
spent good deal of money with the
village storekeepers. There was,
therefore, considerable regret when 1t
was known that the hall had been sold
for a seminary.
In Hillsdale hall Gregory was very
much interested. He was given many
an odd task well paid for by the col
onel. The matron of that lordly es-
adjustment was Mrs. Susan Morton.
She was buxom widow, CHEEKY but
all business.
On the day that the hall family
moved. Gregory brushed up his best
suit and started for the hall with de-
termined, though anxious face. He ex-
pected to find Susan there, and he did
seated on the top step Of the porch.
The house had been Invested of all Its
furniture and moving vans were visi-
BILE down the road. Susan had the keys
Of the house in her hand and looked
lonely.
you've been crying, Susan" OBJ
served Gregory, sitting down beside
her.
yes, I'll admit IT," confessed Susan,
making room for him. 1T grieves me
to leave such kind, liberal family"
Susan" said Gregory, with longing
eyes, you know my feelings towards
your
II do, Gregory" acknowledged Su-
san, frankly, ''and feel honored by
them. II is useless to talk about that,
though, Just now. All have is the lit
tie plat of farm land my mother left
me. You will have to wait till you get
some steady position"
sand then, Susanr pressed Greg
ory, anxiously.
why, the day you can make a
start to stock up the farm ! will be
glad and willing to go into life part
nership with you"
Its a good, sensible woman you
are" declared Gregory, warmly. I'm
going TO deserve you, and then Pm
going to have you"
81 hope So" returned Susan with an
encouraging smile. "Oh, Gregory,
would you do favor for met"
'You don't need to ask that"
"The colonel sold off all his barn
stuff. the chickens among ~them.
chasers wouldn't take They said IL
was crazy and would annoy the other
layers. They've left the homeless
thing behind. Won't you take care
of it?
II WILL" promised Gregory, "and
think of what kind-hearted woman
you are every time look at It."
Gregory located the lone chick on
Its roost, found bag, said good-by to
Susan and took his prize home, The
keeper of the village general store, was
just getting ready to put up the shut
ters for the night when Gregory
rushed into the place.
"Hellor hailed the storekeeper,
'going to mover
Pretty nigh that, Silas" replied
Gregory. See here, want little ac-
commodation of you"
"xNhof Ie IL GraUnrv
II want to borrow $25"
The storekeeper proceeded to his
old iron box of safe. Gregory be-
came immersed In reading the glaring
poster on the wall of circus exhibit
ing 80 miles away.
"Just In time" he said to himself
"Thank YOU, Silas, I'll pay you back all
right" he added aloud.
There was great gossip as to the
mysterious departure of Gregory.
A week later there came letter
Dear Sweetheart Susan" II read,
"I've ordered that farm outfit and I'm
coming home. Get ready TO begin
that life partnership this fall--beautl-
full sunsets, harvests and all !"
Susan gave scream Of delight as
she opened the door one morning and
found Gregory ON the doorstep.
Gregory" was her first word as
they were seated on the sofa. what
does II all mean2' Did some one leave
YOU fortune?'
Better than that" replied Gregory
buoyantly-"a chance 10 earn every
dollar I've got. II was the chicken,
Susan"
"What chlckenT asked Susan for
getfully.
"The one you asked me to care for.
Susan, that was wonderful fowl. No
ioore crazy than you or l-only queer"
"How queer, Gregory"
well, II walked backwards. Think
of hen that walked backwards--the
only one In the world | went straight