Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1921-09-13
scientific
NONSENSE"
BY WILLIAM FALL
8. 1871. western N.wsp.per linton

little thing has a lazy bone In her
body. She's bright, clipper and &C
commodating, but it's ell the wrong
way"
Eyes, working embroidery and train
ing roses don't count like milking and
making butter" observed the practical
housewife. There's Ellen. now. She's
worth her weight In gold at the
churn."
"And Mary" added the old farmer.
"Why, that girl just makes fun Of
pitching hay"
Ellen was the wife of James Green,
and Mary had married his brother.
Ethan. They were great strapping
fellows, both Of them, and their
wives mated them. The old farmer
had declared they had showed rare
common sense in selecting helpmates
who knew how to earn their living.
Its all come Of John going to col
lege," mourned the old man. He
came back with his crazy scientific
farming ideas, and q little doll Of q
thing who never wet her fingers In
the way Of work"
The little doll Of a thing" Madge
Green, the bride Of a month, was at
that very moment crying as II her
heart would break. In vine embow-
cred corner Of the front porch. She
had heard every word spoken by the
farmer and his wife.
II won't be a nobody, even here T.
exclaimed Madge. after good crying
spell. II love John, and his folks,
too. I'm going to learn how to please
them, no matter how hard 1t seems"
1t was this sudden resolve that led
to vast surprise on the part Of bluff.
hearty John Green half an hour later,
as he came around the corner OF the
barn to face most amazing scene.
Madge, wearing long apron and
all Hurried and excited. was stamping
her foot at q COW. The animal was
swinging her tall and paving the
ground. Behind the COW lay cream
pitcher In pieces.
"Why, little girl, what does this
meant" challenged the big-hearted fell
low.
In an instant Madge was In his
arms and sobbing out her pitiful
story.
Its no use, John" she walled. Il
wanted to learn how to milk. just
like Ellen and Mary. That hateful old
mooley wouldn't let me, and kicked
the pitcher to pieces. Oh. John, I'll
never be Of any use for anything"
John Green had to laugh at the abb
surd situation. Then. all manly ten
derness, he strOked the golden hair OF
his young and pretty wife.
There were good many changes
at Willow farm inside Of few weeks.
James Green caught the Texas fever,
Ethan had a chance to superintend an
immense Dakota farm. 1t was rather
lonely after they left. Then Mrs.
Green was taken down with rheuma-
tism. A week later the farmer broke
a limb in a runaway accident, and the
doctor prescribed invalid treatment
for both.
Little girl" said John one day,
when Madge proudly showed him the
result of her bread baking, "this work
Is coming pretty heavy on YOU"
"Oh, john" declared Madge, i love
It."
81 was thinking that perhaps we
had better induce the old folks to set
tie In town and give up the farm
they can afford It,"
"Oh, John give up the dear OLD
home? Don't think Of it," pleaded
Madge. 1--WE are getting along splen-
didly. Why, l heard father say to
mother yesterday that the little dell
cacles / made for him were making
him well faster than the doctors med
icine. Then mother said l was the
best nurse in the world. Think OF II
poor little mel"
That evening, after Madge had CIV
en- them some music on the piano,
John drew a paper from his pocket
covered with figures.
Father" he said, there are the re-
turns from the eighty-acre field. !
find that my scientific nonsense as
Won call it, has brought in more than
all the rest of the farm put together
with half the usual help"
"John," exclaimed the old man
after staring stupidity at the paper
"it's like q dream!"
stubborn facts, father declared
John. cheerily. "Now I've got prop
osition to make. You and mother have
worked hard enough for one lifetime
Let me run the farm. Madge Will gel
a strong hired girl to do the rough
work."
IF my own little efforts only SUIT
broke in Madge wistfully.
.Suiti" cried the old man. why
saw. this broken limb OF mine mas
lust been luxury with the fine feeding
you'ye given me. And. look at ma
all perked up with the collar and
apron YOU made. Why. last night
caught her humming over one OF those
old time tunes YOU play for us. Jus'
like she used to when she was
young girl"
Mrs. Green reached over to Madgt
and pulled her towards her. She drew
the fair face down to her own and
kissed her softly, her eyes humid ant
grateful.
Eyes Madge is jewel" she said.
acha. 20 better than that!" cried
old Farmer Green-"she's q householt