180 FARMING IT 



to order every one off the stage but the stage 

 people, for the curtain was "goin' up in about 

 three seconds." 



There was a scurrying and giggling, a heavy 

 fall and a burst of half-stifled laughter, and then 

 the curtain rose very jerkily and disclosed : 



SCENE: A Country Store. 



[Counter, hams, rubber-boots, wooden pails hanging from 

 the ceiling, advertisements tacked to the walls, stenciled 

 adv., etc., steel traps, sign, 



W. I. Goods and Groceries 

 TIMOTHY G. SEED 



[Within, MR. SEED, in linen duster, brimless straw hat, 

 leather boots with trousers tucked into the legs, chin- 

 whiskers and rich brown wig, is busy chasing the cheese 

 back into the cage. 



Mr. Seed. Dang this 'ere pesky cheese, 's allus gittin' 

 aout a' skally hootin' raoun' rite afore customers. Seems 

 so the old scratch was in the cussid stuff. (Thumps cheese 

 with pork-barrel stick.) Thar, dum ye, guess naow ye air 

 stunted, ye '11 lay quiet a while. Ezry! Ezry! whar is that 

 dumbed worthless boy, Ezry! 



[Enter EZRA : boy, jumper, shortish overalls, one suspender 

 fastened with a nail, boots turned over at the heel, chewing 

 and swallowing something. 



Thar ye go, allus eatin' suthin'. Been at them dried apples 

 agen ? Ti ketch ye eatin' any more dried apples, I '11 skin 

 ye alive. It's a wonder they don't swell up 'n' bust ye. 

 Hev ye sanded the sugar, Ezry ? 



