When You're From The Country . . .

[Mrs. Roger]

A Montana rancher got in his pickup and drove to a neighboring ranch and knocked at the door. A young boy,
about 9, opened the door.

'Is yer Dad home?' the rancher asked.

'No sir, he ain't,' the boy replied. 'He went into town.'

'Well,' said the rancher, 'is yer Mom here?'

'No, sir, she ain 't here neither. She went into town with Dad.'

'How about your brother, Howard? Is he here?'

'He went with Mom and Dad.'

The rancher stood there for a few minutes, shifting from
one foot to the other and mumbling to himself.

'Is there anything I can do fer ya?' the boy asked
politely. 'I knows where all the tools are, if you want
to barrow one. Or maybe I could take a message fer Dad.'

'Well,' said the rancher uncomfortably, 'I
really wanted to talk to yer Dad. It's about your
brother Howard getting my daughter, Pearly Mae,
pregnant.'

The boy considered for a moment. 'You would have to
talk to Pa about that' he finally conceded.

'If it helps you any, I know that Pa charges $50 for
the bull and $15 for the hog, but I really don't know
how much he gets fer Howard.'