Subject: Farm Business

An Illinois farmer got in his pickup, drove several miles to a neighboring farm and knocked on the farmhouse door.

A young boy, about 12 years old, opened the door.

"Is yer pa home?" the farmer asked.

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

"Well, said the farmer, is yer ma here?"

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

"How about your brother, Joe, is he here?"

"He went with Ma and Pa." The farmer 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 borry one. Or maybe I could take a message fer Pa."

"Well," said the farmer uncomfortably. "I really wanted to talk to yer pa. It's about your brother Joe 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 $25 for the boar hog, but I really don't know how much he gets fer Joe."