Sioux County pioneer., 1922-09-14
A Hen That
Walked Backwards
BY WILLIAM FALL
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%. 1921. Western Newspaper union.)

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%. 1921, Western Newspaper Union.)
"Why, Colonel Travers sends 500
miles for plate Of Strawberries cost
ing dollar piece, If he takes q no.
tion," 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 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 Hillsdale hall Gregory was very
much interested. He was given many
On odd task well paid for by the col
onel. The matron of that lordly es-
tablishmcnt 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 it's
furniture and moving vans were visi-
bic down the road. Susan had the keys
Of the house in her hand and looked
lonely. .S
"You've been crying, Susan" OBJ
served Gregory, sitting down beside
her.
"Yes, I'll admit it," confessed Susan,
making room for him. "It 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. 1t is useless to talk about 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, Susany pressed Greg
ory, anxiously.
"Why, the day you can make a
start to stock up the farm I will be
glad and willing to 60 into life part
nership with you."
"1t's good, sensible woman you
are" declared Gregory, warmly. "I'm
going to deserve you, and then I'm.
going to have you."
II hope so," returned Susan with an
encouraging smile. "Oh, Gregory,
would you do favor for me?" T
"You don't need to ask that"
'.The colonel Nsold off >all his barn
stuff, the chickens among them.
There's 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?' !,
II WILL" promised Gregory, land
think Of what kind-hearted woman
you are every time look at it."
Gregory located the lone chick on
its r0ost, 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.
"Hello!" hailed the storekecper,
"gOipg to mover"
"Pretty nigh that, silas," replied
Gregory. "bee here, want little ac-
commodatiOn Of YOU"
"What Is it, GregoryT'
u want to borrow $25."
The st0rekeeper proceeded to his
old iron box Of safe. Gregory be-
came Immersed in reading the glaring
poster on the wall of a 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 a letter.
Dear Sweetheart Susan" 1t read,
"Tve ordered that farm outfit and I'm
coming home. Get ready to begin
that life partnership this fall-beautl-
ful sunsets. harvests and all