Rockingham post-dispatch. [volume] (Rockingham, N.C.) 1917-1965, 1921-08-18
A Hen That
Walked Backwards
BY WILLIAM FALL
'.~~~~I~~~~~~-~~~~


Ing dollar ii piece, if he takes a no
tiOn," was the way Gregory Jones usu-
ally descanted upon the immense
wealth of the proprietor of H:lIsdale
hall. "They say, too that he has bank
notes hound up into books in his
library"
The Travers family lived in grand
style. They We're pleasant, liberal, and
spent a good deal of money with the
village storekeepers. There was,
therefore, considerable regret when 1t
was known that the hall had been sold
for seminary.
In Hlllsdale 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 a buxOm widow, CHEEKY but
all business.
On the day that the hall family
moved, Gregory brushed up his best
suit ana 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 it's
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" oh
served Gregory, sitting down beside
her.
Eyes, 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"
Il do, Gregory" acknowledged Su-
san, frankly, land feel honored by
them. 1t 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"
And then, SusanT pressed Greg
CRY, anxiously.
~Why, the day you can make a
start to stock up the farm l will be
glad and willing to go into life part
nership with you"
"Tt's a good, sensible woman you
are declared Gregory, warmly. 'I'm
going to deserve you, and then Tn
going to have you"
II hope So" returned Susan with an
encouraging smile. "Oh, Gregory
would you do favor for mel"
"You don't need to ask that"
"The colonel sold off all his barn
stuff, the chickens among them
There's poor witless hen the pur
chasers wouldn't take. They said il
was crazy and would annoy the Other
layers. They've left the homeless
thing behind. Wont you take care
of it,"
II WILL" promised Gregory "ant
think of what klnd-hearted woman
you are every time l 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
tiers for the night when Gregory
rushed into the place.
"Hello!" hailed the storekeeper,
"going to mover"
Pretty nigh that, Silass" replied
Gregory. "See here, want little &C
commodation of you"
"What is If, Gregory"
Il want to borrow $25."
The storekeeper proceeded to his
old iron box Of a safe. Gregory be-
came immersed in reading the glaring
poster on the wall of 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.
4 week later there came letter
Dear Sweetheart Susan" it read
1--WE ordered that farm outfit and I'm
coming home. Get ready to begin
that life partnership this fall--beauti-
full sunsets. harvests and allw
Susan gave a 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 it all mean? Did some one leave
YOU fortune?'
Better than that" replied Gregory
buoyantly-"a chance to earn every
dollar I've got. 1t was the chicken,
SuSal."
what chickenT asked Susan for
getfully.
"The one you asked me to care for.
Susan, that was wonderful fowl. No
more crazy than you or I-only queer"
"FIow queer, Gregory"
well, it walked backwards. Think
of hen that walked backwards
only one in the world. l went straight
to the city where circus was show
ing. A side show was interested. Not
Al. n III A. IL