Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1922-06-25


stood in the middle Of a half-plough-
ed held Several tracts Of land
which seemed prepared for winter
sowing wero covered with stones
The farmhouse yard. into which they
presently passed. was dirty and un-
tidy. SeGcrson leaned down and
knocked on the door with his whip
After short delay. Il slattcrnly-
looking woman. with tousled fair
hair. answered the summons
''Nr. Crockford in?" Scgerson ask
You'll find him in the living
room" the woman answered curtly.
| with stare at Lady Jane. Here's
himself"
She retreatcd into the background
man with flushed face. without
collar or tie. clad in trousers ana
shirt only. had stepped out OF the
parlor. lie stared al his visitors
in embarrassment
II came over 10 have word or
two with YOU on business. Mr.. Crock
ford" Jane said colby Il rather
expected 10 find you on tho land"
The man mumhled something and
threw open the door. OF the sitting
room.
Wont you come I'M" nc invited
There's just Mr.. Pettigrew mere
the vet from Barnstaple Hes come
over to look AT one Of my cows"
Mr.. pc,tigrew. also flushed. rose
TO his feet. Jane acknowledged his
greeting and glanced around the
room. 1t Was untidy. dirty and close.
smelling strongly OF tobacco and
beer. on the table was bottle OF
whisky. half empty. and two glasses
There IL really no reason why l
should disturb YOU" Jane said. turn
ing back upon the threshold -, let
ter from MIR. ScEcrson will do"
crockford, however, had pulled
himself together. y prcmomitlon Of
his Impending fate had already pro-
duced certain sullenncss
"Pet,isrew." he directed won get
out and have another look At the
COW. II you've any business word
10 say TO me, your ladyship, I'm
here"
Jane looked once moro around the
sGualid room, watched the unsteady
figure OF Pettigrew departing and
looked back at her tenant.
Your lease Is up on March the
twenty-ffth. Crockford," she re-
minded him. II have come TO tell
you that shall not be prepared to
renew IT."
The man simply blinked a. her
Ills fuddled brain was not equal 10
graphing with such catastrophe.
Your farmsis favorably situated"
she continued. and. although small.
has great possibilities find Won
are dropping behind your ncighbors
and your crops are poorer each sea
son. Have YOU saved any money,
Crock ford?"
saved any money" Tho man
clustered, with shepherds wages
alone a; TWO pounds week and a
weeks rain starting in the day be-
gan hay-makinG. Why. my barley
You started your hay making ten
! days too late" Scgcrson Interrupted
Sternly. You had plenty Of warn
!hs And as for your barley, you
sold 1t In the Kings Arms at Barn
staple. when you'd had too much to
drink. at thirty per cent below its
value"
Jane turned towards the door.
II need not stay any longer" she
said. IT wanted IN 1ooL q,
farm for myself. Mr. crocLford
thought Il onlv rich, ,ba, -,
should have early NOTICE or nv IN
tention TO ask Won IN v,cata ~
place"
The cold truth was andine lie w,,
into the mans consciousness I, had
a wonderfully SOLDERING effect
Look here. ma'am." h. demanded
rs i; true that Won len, E,rn.r
Holroyd four hundred nouuds n h,,
| his own farm and IN. croc,.p,h.
brothers two hundred each?"
Quite true" Jane ronlied coidr.
! ''Wha, Of it?"
What OF it?" IN. man r.nea,o,
You lend them Youngsters mo,ov
and then YOU come to me man
who's been ON this Ioud for ,y.n,r
two years. and you've nothing 10 say
hut get out" Where am to find
another farm at my time of life?
Just answer me that will you?"
1T is not my concern" Jane de-
| clared. II only know that I decline
TO have any tenants on my property
who do not do justice to the land.
When ] sec that they do Justice to
it, then il is INV wish that tbov