Beaufort Republican. [volume] (Beaufort, S.C.) 1871-1873, 1872-05-30


"Neither will l." answered the other
hotly, sand if any sneak says that shirb
my work, because [ don't grub like mig,
ger all the time, it won't make any differ
ence with my going to town when | choose
to-"
Next morning, as the old farmer sat or
the porcn after breakfast, reading biz
newspaper, John came around the house
and asked leave to 60 to the village fol
the afternoon.
Looking over the top of his spectacles
the old man said -" Well, John, we are
pretty well driven, you know; last week:
rain has given the weeds such start that
we shall have brisk work to prevent their
getting ahead of us; though, of course,
you understand that and wouldn't ask tC
get off unless it were necessary. You can
CO."
As John passed through the gate, Mr.
Foster turned to his daughter, who sat
near by, busy with the farm accounts, and
said; "Mary, just see how many days
and half-days that young man has laid of
since the Spring work commenced.
Running Ter nimble fingers over the
pages, she said: "Why, father, you don't
intend to charge them to him, do you"
Certainly not, child, only want to
know if old Hiram Foster isn't loCsing
too much money by hiring a hand who
has so much business off the farm in the
busy season."
.'He has been away three whole days
and five half-days, since work in the sug
ar-bush stopped. Shall | go back any
further than that2"
sNo, that will 90. l guess that shall
have to recommend John to turn his at
tention to something not quite so contin-
ing as farm labor, after his month isup."
"That means, sir, that you will dis
charge him, / suppose"
"Humph! you have guessed it very
nearly" he replied. 81 cannot encour-
age loose business habits in p man whose
only capital lies in his muscles, and l new
er refuse a men leave to go when he asks
it. Each must judge for himself as to the
number of holidays which he requires, for
wish to satisfy those whom employ"
In a few minutes, Mary closed her book
and was gliding through the half-opened
door. when her father said: "Child,
there was young man from the village
out here, yesterday, while you were down
at the lower farm, and he wanted to know
if | should object to receiving him as
The girl opened her eyes very wide.
$50 you are getting tired of me tatherT'
What put that into your silly pate2 2?
"Why, sir, you know you have brought
US up to consider your own occupation the
most healthful end among the most
worthy of earthly pursuits. Now, OF
course, if / were to go into the village
for suppose was wanted since you are
Speaking to me-where would be all my
girlish fancles of
little farm well TILED and little wife we'll wlled'
and all that 2''
Nonsense, girl, thought that young
Granger's name was Joe not WM."
This time the rich blood, mounting
swiftly to cheek and brow, left no doubt
as to the fate of the young man from the
village.
g Is that all father9"
"No. Just see how much that saucy
fellow, the mere mention Of whose name
brings up so much color, is entitled to call
on me for Expect he will be asking for
it one OF these days"
"Joe has your note for five hundred,
sir, and he only takes up half his wages
every month
"Oh ho! so you can tell without look
ing, can you, Miss Bookkeeper2 Then it
has gone SO far as that, has it? Pray, how
much do owe you for butter and eggsF
THE egg money belongs to Kate faith
err"
Yes, yes, so it does. You girls have
that fixed to suit yourselves. What were
the profits on your flock of sheep last
year2"
about two hundred dollars, sir, and
there was not quite a hundred dollars
worth Of butter sold. But | must go and
skim the milk, if you are through with
me-"
Don't be in hurry, child; to-day is
your birthday, isn't it2"
Eyes sir"
Chow old are you?"
"Why, father, you know that ! ain
twenty, don't you2"
Suppose l should, puss, if | stopped
to think about it; but it is easier 70 ask
you than to reckon up. How much Will
Won Give for the lower farm z"
"Why,I haven't enough to pay for the
stock that is on it, to say nothing of the
farm. | haven't over eight hundred dol
lars besides my flock of sheep"
"Go to my secretary, and bring me that
large envelope that is in the little drawer
on the left side"
The girl did as she was hidden.
open it, child" he said, as she again
stood before him, land see you will
agree to the provisions Of the document" "
Hastily running her eyes over the pa
per, she threw her arms around the old
ma; s neck, exclaiming, "Why, you dear,
good father, if you meant to give Inc the
farm, why did you put in the deed that
was to pay you dollar for it 2"
Because q gift without consldera-
ton therefore, does not constitute legal
transfer. But, Mary, has Joe ever asked
YOU to be his wife 2"
"He has said that he should, sir, if
were not the daughter of man in so
much better circumstances than himself
"What did YOU tell him 2"
What could say, sir7 He didn't
ask me to say anything"
"What would your answer have been
if he had 2"
"That nv father began life with moth
ing, and that his daughter has been taught
not 20 no-,e;1ar on in1uS StriOnS yOnDU man