The Florida agriculturist. [volume] (DeLand, Fla.) 1878-1911, 1878-12-25
The Farm Hand.

She was on the front stoop, mend
ing Farmer Thornley's stockings,
when Baxter, the new farm hand,
came and sat down on the rude seat
by the door, and hung his palm-leaf
hat upon his knee, and took his pipe
from his mouth. do you mind the
pipe?" he asked. Polly looked up
in surprise; none Of the farm hands
had ever consulted her one the sub
iect before; even Mr.. Thornley, HIM
self smoked and smoked without a
dream of asking her permission; that
is, whenever Miss Hannah was not
near to reproach him with turning
their substance into smoke. Mind
the pipe?" returned Polly. mo; L
like it better than Mr.. Thornley's."
There's difference in tobacco"
Polly, not being posted in the merits
of the staple, dropped the subject,
and the frogs filled the intervals with
melodious piping. What are you
thinking about ?'' asked Baxter, as
she delayed her needle and meditated.
"L-I was thinking that Mr.. Thorn
ley's hand would make two Of yours.
You weren't cut out for hard labor,
Mr.. Baxter"
+" But the hard labor was cut out
for me, ell ? (" It's a mighty fine night,
Miss Polly, Wouldn't you Ike to-
walk down by the brook and find
some violels?n
"Yes, but Miss Hannah may want
me. Miss Hannah has put on her
cor rrc,eekc-- 5 asse-rss paper, sinr Thcff-
ley's stealing q smoke in the orchard.
It's as good as play to see him tuck
his pipe into his pocket, at the risk of
setting himself on fire, whenever he
hears footstep." And then the two
young people strolled off to the brook,
and listened to whip-poor-will max
inc pensive music in the edge Of the
woods, and watched the evening star
push the filmy clouds aside and step
fourth.
Young Baxter had been on Thorn
LEWIS farm q month or so. He hap
pened one day to knock at the door
and ask for nights lodging; he had
a small bag slung across his shoulder,
and o sunburned countenance, which
quickened Miss Hannah's pulses.
"A tramp "said she. "Good gra-
cions, Polly, shut the door quick
No, no, we don't take dodgers. Well
be murdered in our beds-and the
spoons my grandfather left me !?
Didn't I tell you to shut the door,
Polly? No, we don't take folks in
you'll find communication further
down the road, at Hooker's Or"
But just then Mr.. Thornley, came up,
cautiously knocked the mud off his
boots and said:
"a tramp Polly? ?"
give been wandering and tramp
ing some distance" said the stranger,
with frank smile, "And I'd like to
put up for the night somewhere.
However, if your family's uncomfort.
able at the idea, may be you'd let me
sleep in the haymow "Hrj
"The imprudence cried Miss
Hannah from within That would
be mighty handy for him to make off
with Lightfoot and the colt, wouldn't
it now? Where's your wits, Hiram?
Why don't you say mo- up and
down ?n a-iF 'g.sff i.l fs .rI
GAS to that, fellow must sleep
somewhere" drawled Thornley, land |
then s'pose you wouldn't mind |
working it out in the morning, Ell 2"
with an eye to the main chance.
+" I've got some blowing I'd like done
right OFF, s'arHa'ea liza
"rll drive your plow for a nights
lodging, and thanks" returned Bax-
ter; =" or mend your fence, or repair
your clocks, Pm not above earning an
honest penny" -'sl .i' /
Lori he's willing to lsnda hand, !" |