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Show Dad, By R. V R. Racine. Copyrighted 1903 by The Authors Publishing Company. Dad sat In the doorway of his ehan-(t- y smoking his pipe and gazing in ruminative fashion across the arid, dusty, Australian plain. This gold field was not a particularly pleasant view at any time. In fact, it mas hideous. It could save given the San Joaquin Valley of California, of early days, a handicap and won out aaeily. Not a leaf on the few trees moved. The only sound which broke the torrid stillness, wa the click of a pick In some claim, or the listless' bark of a half starved cur. Last Chance was down on its luck. TEveryone said there was dust in the ravine, but whether they believed It or not was a question. At least Dad had plenty of metal, a portion of which he was not slow to give to those in need, if he considered them But to all inquiries as to worthy. how he got it, his invariable reply was, "I have a claim, boys, similar to yours." and that was all any of them found out. with the exception of ( Service of The National Publishers Supply Co. "Yes. it seems that way," Dad said, listlessly, as he refilled his pipe. "Who was telling you?" the "That little slip of paper door there." Long Jim hastily stepped to the door and read the following words written in a neat hand: Das We are going to take yan ana your sack. A word to the wise you know. Yours in haste. Queen of the Bushrangers." "Wsll, I'll be hanged, if that ain't nerve! She must feel very confident. Ain't you afraid they will get you, Dad!" Dad leaned his thin on his hand and looked absently across the plain. "I don't know." he replied at last. "I suppose they will some day." "That's what most of them at the camp says," remarked Jim, as he resumed his seat. "Seems to me there won't be any of us left if we ain't careful. Two more ready for the undertaker this morning and four mere about ready to pass in their cheek. e-- - . ir.stant Dad iloored L'.i antagonist threw his weapon twenty feet away. He felt a hand upon his arm and a small voice said in his ear, "No, N l don't Tom, don't. He isn't worth !t " Dad held his antagonist down and knocked his head on the ground without taking heed to the small sacred "You sneak vagavoice by his side. I know Not you at last. bond, viper; content with wrecking ray life, you must hound me all over the face of the globe. Jim Woodbrook, I shall have ta kill you," he said in a voice terrible, In its unnatural calmnetj. "Woodbrook, I shall have to kill you" he repeated. His face was white, his Us set, and the grey eyes seemed ta THE VALUE OF NEST EGGS. Among the Poultry, Feed plenty of buttermilk to the hens. Stale bread soal;ed In milk Is a good feed for young chickens. . Turkeys are more susceptible of being trained than any other domestlo They Give the Hens an Assurance That the Nests Are Safe Places. Perhaps it may be a whim, or possibly it may be because my grandmother thought an egg should be left in the nest, that I think so. too. At fowl. any rate, my grandmother was right, i In mating to give strength and good as usual, and experience teaches me health to the offspring, the pullet each year that It pays to provide nest should be a year younger than the esgs. The reason ia not hard to see. cock. One of the best breeds to keep It is apparent to any one who will obin close quarters Is the Light' confined serve the nature of fowls. The cause Brahmas. They are quiet in disposIs true of all blrdklnd. Anything that are and ition easily confined. excites suspicion that the nesting flesh The a fowl fattened quickly of place is unsafe causes them to hunt a more is much juicy and tender thaa new one, and the same exciting cause flash fire. one of which has been fattened jthat tends to retard egg production, as j slowly. "No, Tom, please don't" implored the does fright or change ot location. A lazy, idle hen will lay Tolce, and the pressure on his arm It is an inherited instinct, a splendid s pull feathers from her com increased. 'egga, example of Darwin's great law of the not and be Into only continually Dad turned his head aad glanced at survival of the fittest. This is easy the speaker for an Instant, the sight to understand. In the wild state it mischief, but teaching others. Fowls appreciate good food as well of whom seemed almost to overcome would be a fool hen that, having stol other animals, but it is unkind to ;as him. He trembled in every 11ms and en her nest and having had her eggs limit them to one kind, be It ever so shook as If with the palsy. Long Jim eaten by a fox, would keep right on good. They must have variety. took advantage of- - the opportunity. laying In the same old place, thus One advantage of crude petroleum Dad seemed to forget his presence. keeping the fox in eggs all summer. over as a wash for the kerosene He stood gazing at the little Such hens, no doubt, have existed is that the kerosene poultryhouse stranger attired in a buckskin suit, from time to time, but they failed to while the evaporates very rapidly, with sombrero and high boots, whlls perpetrate themselves they were not in strikes and and is petroleum stays, over the waved shoulders. fit. The wise hen, when her eggs long hair ' Blood was issuing from the stranger's V.ere destroyed, straightway sought a usually much cheaper. A good way to tell a fresh egg Is by side, and a faint smile lit up the pele new and safer place to lay her eggs the air bubble on the large end. The countenance. and rear her young. Her prudence smaller the air bubble the fresher the Dad did not realize his peril until saved her family. They naturally InA fresh egg must be examined egg. he felt the muzzle of a rifle pressed herited their mother's good sense. to see the air bubble. Before he could This Inherited trait, transmitted closely against his temple. Embden goslings mature and feathturn he heard the angry growl of through countless generations, be- er and If liberally fed very quickly, came an inherited Instinct Tige and the thud of a body fallta are soon ready for the table. They to the ground. When he did turn he That Is why hens always prefer to are good foragers. All the feathers saw Jim lying upon his back, with hide their nests. That is the reason being white, they will bring the highthe great Dane standing over him. they like nest eggs. That is one ex- est prices when sold. "Hattlie, for God's sakee," flow did planation why bens often prefer to When a hen's comb becomes frostyou ever come here, and in that garb?" lay in the same nest with others ed she will not lay until It heals. Rub he exclaimed turning to the figure in rather than in a nest by themselves. a few drops of glycerine In the combs the buckskin suit. They feel that other hens have found and wattles three or four times a "Don't, Jim, don't be harsh. I am the place safe, therefore they do not week. Clipping off with shears is an dying.' The bullet that Jim intended have to find out for themselves. It Is other remedy, but it is a brutal act to end your life has cut the brittle not, I am charitable enough to believe, How to Raise Onions. thread of mine, and I am not sorry, because they want the credit of layThe or loss In onion culture One nest nestful. whole egg I the profit me. will ing Tom, if you only forgive on the conditions of to depends Beems largely they them, though I do not deserve satisfy know you forgivesoil. can the more. like only Heavy clay soils should be death they will Perhaps make easier. but it ness, count one. However that may be, it avoided, because they are deficient In Will you forgive me. Tom?" vegetable matter, and are difficult to How did you come pays to have that one. "Yes. Hattie. here " The nest egg should not be a doubt cultivate, the surface bakes and cracks the rain, unless stirred "It is a long story, part of which ful egg. That should go without say- Just at after the proper time; sand and After you dis- ing. It is too apt to get broken and you know too well. soils should not be selected covered Jim with his arm around me befoul the nest and injure the other gravely because of their Incapacity to resist that day, I was almost heartbroken at eggs. Eggs are very apt to absorb bad to and retain fertilizers; drought Is your leaving without even a word. odors, as is milk. Besides, there In decomposed black much abounds But Jim at last persuaded me that I always a chance that the doubtful nest matter and vegetable possesses the would make him a better wife than I egg will get into the egg basket by , to an abundant retain power are supply could you, and that you never de- mistake. Plaster of paris eggs of moisture. are dirty. Medicating He gambled good, but they served a wife anyway. Fields which have been overrun some while It lasts. do them good may me then and left the you money away with weeds should be cultivated In to is and not br.t does last it apt long compelled me to go to Australia with a year or two to destroy hoed china crops the eggs eggs. Generally, him, where he tame in touch with the taint seeds which the would otherwise germost are the are, satisfactory. They In the course ol time bushrangers. minate and Increase the cost are to not greatly odorless, broken, get apt I was put in command of the gang, of onions. the true from weeding and Jim went from camp to camp ire easily distinguishable but by touch, j Onions can be grown on the same setting up his tent, distributing whis- eggs, not only by sight ' is which Moreover, they ground year after year with Increasimportant. key and spotting those who had ue dust, then we would swoop down are cheap. Buy some. Then make ' ing yield by liberal fertilizing. Conhens can hide. tinuous culture should not be followupon the victims and relieve him of some nests where the soft some in Put an-clean, hay, the nest ed in localities where Insects and I of tired Jim, their metal. grew nens go not. diseases are prevalent. A strict rotau men see ana tne egg. Tom. but for out went you, my love York tion of other crops should be followed effort. New your I did not know where you were. My reward in such cases. Tribune. only desire was to make a fortune The onion requires a liberal amount and return to California to live int TOMATO TREE. NEW of THE of rest the my days, plant food In the more available dependent would not have recognized that Dad form. Beginners, fall most frequently of Last Chance was ry Tom. if I From the Vines a Tree Specimen That' perhaps from lack of knowledge of Bears Fruit Has Been Propagated. this fact than from any other cause. had not seen you in that rage. I am considered would me one be If Promise Tom. you quite The quality and quantity of manure fast, falling will not stain your hands with that 'ne one should not discuss the tree which would make cabbage or tomato man's blood. Have no fear of tin .omato even yet Otherwise one is profitable would not be at all suffirangers. I have ordered them to their Ikely to be reasoned with gently an5 cient in onion culture. rendezvous. Tom. say you forgive informed that tomatoes grow on vines The most expensive Item in growme." As the speech ended the figure n stead of on trees. All this to the con- ing onions Is labor. It costs frortn 150 swayed; but Dad caught her In his trary notwithstanding, there really is to $100 per acre to start the seeda tree tomato. A branch of such a arms and pressed ber to his bosom. the soil, transplant cultree Is here shown as It Is grown by lings, prepare I My forgive you. "Yes. Hattle, weed and pull the crops when tivate, Mrs. 8bepherd. at Ventura. Cal. She poor Hattle." the new onion culture Is adapted. The A faint smile crossed her face and bas grown It several years, and feels cost of labor Is 90 per cent as great she closed her eyes in the last long that It has a great future as a fruit for for a crop of 400 bushels as for acix thipping. It comes Into bearing along of 1,000; therefore. It Is good economy sleep. the holidays, when fruits are for the back. Jim Woodbrook, during stand "Tige, to be liberal In perI give you until six o'clock tomorrow scarce, and ships long distances Ihe ose of fertilizers. Barnyard mato leave I ant Chance; if in the morn- fectly. Some say it Is practically hardy nure Is indlspensible) in the production ing I find you in the camp, you are In California. This tree, however, of superior bulbs; from forty to seventy-fa dead man," said Dad. as he tuderly grows under glass. ive loads per acre should be apAs to the fruit, there seems to be no carried the mortal remains of bis wife If a large yield Is expected. Hen plied understanding. Some call this rich, manure Is very Intoo the cabin. highly esteemed by tomato-tinteproduction fruit; others pnion ; wood ashes are very growers Instructions have been sent to Rear tomato, which Is equivalent to a vegetvaluable. They have the qualities of the able. As to flavor. It Is said to be Admiral Barker, commanding the mechanical condition North Atlantic fleet at New York, to cross betwefn the tomato and the Improving 9f the soil, making it loose and friable assign to his fleet the six midshipmen plum, and is equally delicious as a nd Unsupplying the potash. of the Peruvian navy who recently ar- salad or a dessert Experts think th sre six bleached ashes or preferable; rived In New York to receive prac- day is not far off when It will be ex acre will be tons sufficient per tical instruction aboard United 8tates tenslvely grown. One good specimen, tight Do make not the mistake of In were to lo educated end about the easiest They get at here of seed uncertain vitality, bean U In one naval and act Bronx bo the the East, the school, the Peruvian cost cause of seed is it is cheap. The of comity will be allowed to perform tanlcal collection In New York. Fof a small with the Item, compared ofof fuV some time watch duties has tree this the regular junior past hung of these rosy, plum shaped fruits, oi Cither expenditures necessary for a ficers on our warships. an attempt to revegetables, which bang singly or It profitable crop, and of cost duce the production by purMrs. Margaret Long, daughter of the dusters of two or three or four. Phil chasing Inferior seed Is always poor former secretary of the navy. Is one of sielphla Record. marasment the six women who hsve received the t.n One twentieth of the wealth of Beginners In onion growing shonM degree of doctor of mdif Ine at the not cf the Johns Hopkin? German nation Is in commencement attempt more than one half lonnq share cor.t in the first year. Farmers' the class. panies. university. She stol high . ; soft-shelle- d pan-lion- , I i jz 'He stood gazing at the little stranger attired in a buckskin ' suit, with high boots. couple of envious, inquisitive diggers, who had learned that Dad worked his claim only two days in the week. They undertook to track him, tut when they had proceeded about half a mile, a bullet made its trade mark In one of their bats, and they at are had urgent business at Ixmg Jim's tent, where the proprietor wa always ready to drown their cares in his peculiar brand of whisky. . Dad's shanty was situated a mi hi pr more from the tents and cabins ot SLast Chance. lie was the object ol envy, for he always had the dusA. JHowever, he was respected. There il was not a reckless anions them who possessed more nerve arid pluck than did Dad. He was all grit, and they knew he was as ready with his gun as he was to lend an out.ee of dust. As the sun was going down to Atone up for the next day's scorch, a solitary man came slowly across the Dad puffed away at bis pipe, j)iain. after casting a keen glance at the Uanes, which were bis sole companThe man walked op with ions. a lagging gait and threw himself down on a box by the side of the caoin door. Ills muscular frame was clothed In a suit of corduroy, with trousers tucked Inside of high boots. On thc back of his head was a sombrero, while his blue flannel shirt was open at the neck, exposing a portion of hU broad, hairy chest. But he seemed to dwindle as he seated himself, for h. looked like a boy compared with Dad's stalwart figure. "Well Dad." be said, mopping ths perspiration from his face, "heard any more news about the rangers?" "Yes, I understand they Intend to rail on me replied Dad, sending a cloud of smoke Into the sultry air. '7h devil! Seems as if thfy will never give im any prate, don't it?" ft dare-dev- wait and bury them aJl at the same time. But the rangeis lost a few, too. Seems as though thy Guess we'll wanted your scalp worse than tiy one's. Guess It's because those irons of yours throw lead about twice as far as any other guns In the country. Now Dad. you know I am a friend cf yours, although you don't patronize my tent or approve of. my business. In But on the square. I would Ilk know why your Irons shoot so far?" Dad smiled absently as he answered. "It's the way I handle them, as I have told tne boys dozens' of times." "It's something you put in the powFor der. Dad, you can't fool me. some of the boys stole a rifle from you. you remember, and the cartridges In It would shoot twice as far as the ones they had." ''"Come In and have supper Jim," said Dad, as he arose and proceeded to make a fire in the little sheet Iro.i stove. "Tlge, take a round." One rf the great Dane yawned, shook himself, and disappeared in the gathering twilight "Well. I don't care If I do. Dad. being as I don't get around this way often." As Dad was putting the meal on the table, Tige came bounding In through the open door. At the same mount the screech of an owl was plainly Dad dropped his pipe and heard. rushed to the door, revolver la haid. Suddenly, he beard to the right of h'm, It was the repeated cry of the owl. He turned to reach for an Imitation. As be did so. Long Jim his rifle. hurled himself upon the man whoM hospitality he had accepted, like a thunderbolt and struck blm twice with the, butt end of a revolver. A blind rage possessed Dad. He grasped Jim by the throat and, as he lightened his hold, he was almost deafened elt by a report and simultaneously a sharp pain ia his arm. The nxt ! onion-growe- r -- d pur-Chasi- men-of-wa- r. C0 j-- re Vci-ro- . |