Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1921-09-21
A Hen That
Walked Backwards
By WILLIAM FALL
(@, 1921, Western Newspaper Union.)

(@, 1921, Western Newspaper Union.)
"Why, Colonel Travers sends 500
miles for a rlate of strawberries cost
ing a dollar a pince, If he takes a no
tion," was the l.ay 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 a good deal Of money with the
village ~storekeepers. There was,
therefore, considerable regret when it
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 we'll paid for by the col
onel. The matron Of that iordly es-
tablishment was Mrs. Susan Morton.
She was q 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 a 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 divested 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.
Eyes, I'll admit it," confessed Susan,
making room for him. ut grieves me
to leave such a kind, liberal family"
SUSAN" said Gregory, with longing
eyes, you know my feelings towards
your"
81 do, Gregory" acknowledged Su-
san, frankly, "ond feel honored by
them. 1t is useless to talk sbont that,
though, just now. All I have Is the lit
tie plat Of farm land my mother left
me. You will have to wait till you get
some steady position"
"And then, SusanT pressed Greg
DRY, %anXiously.
"Why, the day you a make a
start to stock up the farm I will be
glad and willing to go into life part
nership with YOU"
"It's a good, sensible woman you
are" declared Gregory, warmly. I'm
going to deserve you, and then I'm
going to have YOU"
81 hope So" returned Susan with an
encouraging smile. ooh, Gregory,
would you do q favor for me?"
"You don't need to ask that"
1.-THE colonel sold off all his barn
stuff, the chickens among them.
There's q poor witless hen the pur-
chasers wouldn't take. They said it
was crazy and would annoy the other
layers. They've left the homeless
thing behind. Won't you take care
Of it?"
81 WILL" promised Gregory, land
think of what a kind-hearted woman
you are every time I look at It."
Gregory located the lone chick on
its roost, found a 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
tiers for the night when Gregory
rushed into the place.
"Hello!" hailed the s%torekeeper,
"goIng to mover"
pretty nigh that, Silas," replied
Gregory. "See here, 1 want a little &C
eommodation Of you"
"What is 1t, Gregory"
az want to borrow S25."
The s%torekeeper- proceeded to his
old iron box of q safe. Gregory be-
came immersed In reading the glaring
poster on the wall Of a circus exhibit
ing so 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 a letter.
Dear Sweetheart SLsan," 1t read,
"I've ordered that farm outfit and I'm
coming home. Get ready to begin
that life partnership this fall-beauti-
full sunsets, harvests and all"
Susan gave a scream Of delight as
she opened the door one morning and
found Gregory OF the doorstep.
Gregory" was her first word as
they were seated on the sofa, what
does 1t all mean7 Did q one leave
you a %fortune?"
Better than that" replied Gregory
buoyantly-"a chance to earn every
dollar I've got. 1t was The chicken,
Susan"