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If one cloud dimmed the happiness of the De Vere household on the following morning, it was too small to be seen. Reuben awoke with the birds and from the chicken yard ominous squawks foretold what would constitute one item in the bill-of-fare for breakfast. "Molly," Cornelia's Jersey cow, was poking her nose through the bars ready to contribute a generous supply of rich milk, and soon afterward Margaret's "Co, boss!" made her step lightly aside while with shining pail that worthy woman lowered the bars and entered the barnyard.

"Oh, Reuben!" she shouted, "what yo' doin' to dem chickens? I 'clare to goodness, yo'll drive me plumb crazy."

"Nebba yo' min' dem chickens! Yo' jes' pay 'tention to Molly."

He appeared just then around the corner of the barn with three headless chickens, and