Rensselaer Republican, Volume 23, Number 15, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 11 December 1890 — Why He Could Do Nothing: [ARTICLE]

Why He Could Do Nothing:

An amusing incident happened one day last summer at a farm house in one of the interior counties of this State, says the-New York Tribune, The farmer had a houseful of summer boarders, and one morning he was busily engaged in killing chickens for dinner. Just as he was about to decapitate an old black hen the house was discovered to be on fire, and a scene of confusion immediately ensued. The farmer rushed aimlessly about in all directions, holding the hen under his arm and doing nothing , toward assisting in putting out the j flames. At last his wife caught sight ' of him as he was prancing about, and, rushing up to him, wanted to know why he did not help put out the fire. Looking at ter with astonishment he exclaimed: ■•Why, Mariar, how can I do anything? An't I holding the old black hen?”