Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1881-09-22
THE NEW HAND.

4
but willin'," said Farmer BrysOs, as be
and his worthy mate sat in family
council on the days events, according
to their wont.
The topic was George Dyer, the new
hand Mr.. Bryson had hired that day
with something less than bis usual cir
cumspection; for it was not his custom
to employ chance eomers, OF whom be
knew nothing, without reference. But
it was the throng of the season, and la,
borers were scarce, and the young man
had an open, honest countenance, sup
pie, well-knit frame, and didn't look q
bit lazy. So the farmer took him on
trial.
81 don't think he's ever done farm
work afore," continued Mr.. Bryson
"his hands don't look like it. But he's
amazin' quick at takin' up things. He
don't need mors'n 4 wink to take a
hint"
"And he's downright good lookin',"
added Dame Bryson, stepping to take
up a stitch she had dropped in her
knitting.
"Tas first virtue in a woman's eyes,
of course" retorted the farmer, with q
bantering chuckle. "But there's more
to him than good looks. l can tell you.
He's got a head full of sense. You
know what q knowledgable clap Hiram
Gooch sets mp to be. Well, he come
along at restin' time to-day. and tack
led the new hand on the labor questl' n.
Dyer fought shy at first, but, when Hi
ram crowded him, he just turned on
him with few keen p'ints which Hi
ram said he hadn't time to answer
then. and it's my opinion it'll be long
time afore he will
81 wonder what keeps Nora" said
the farmers wife, looking anxiously at
the clock. -,N
81 guess she's stoppin' awhile to
chat with Neighbor Dutton's gals" re-
piled the farmer. "You know how it Is
with youngsters. But where's Dyerf
I'm. almost sorry 1 spoke up so
thoughtless to Nora about bringin' that
money Farmer Dutton promised to send
for the oats. think Dyer's all right,
but one can't be too partic'lar with
strangers" "'a.e
"Tve no fears on the new hands ac-
count" Mrs. Bryson answered; "but
that i'll lookin' tramp that had his sup
per in the kitchen was just goin' out
of the front gate when you spoke to
Nora, and he may have heard you"
An anxious look came over the farm
er's face. and, donning his hat and TAX
ing up stout stick he sailed out.
The evening shades had gathered,
and it was almost dark when Nora Bry-
son left Farmer Dutton's to return
home. Her path lay through lonely
wood, and she felt little nervous as
she hurried along, starting now and
then as an occasional rustic broke the
stiffness. She had completed nearly
half the way, and was wishing the 9TH
er half safely finished, when sound of
hurried and, as she imagined, stealthy
steps, approaching the path little in
advance, and as il from one side, ar
rested her attention.
The next moment q mans form
blocked the way. Nora would have
turned and fed, but fright overcame
her, and she stood trembling and
speechless.
"Give me the money you have about
youn commanded voice, coarse and
brutal.
IL have no money" Nora mansg-
ed to falter. And she spoke truly, fol
Farmer Dutton had not been ready to
send the amount she had been commits
stoned to receive, promising to bring
it over himself in few days.
at is falsew the man growled saw
agely, and when Nora repeated her de-
NAL his rage became unsovsrnable.
"Give it to me instantly or I'll kill
your he hissed through his clenched
teeth.
Nora uttered faint cry and turned
to flee, but the mans hani grlrped hel
arm like q wise, and, with = shudder
she felt the cold muzzle Of pisto
pressed against her temple.
i With the quickness OF flash anoth
er figure appeared upon the scene, anC
two well-directed blows, delivered in
such quick succession that they must
have seemed to their recipient as one
sent Morals assailant sprswling 20 th,
earth.
! She was conscious Of no more till sh,
found herself supported by atronl
arm with. the dim outlines Of sn snx-
ious face hent over her.
"Do you feel better, Miss BrysoLY
inquired voice, which she instantly
recognized az that os the new hand.
"Yes, l feel quite well now, she an
swered, in tone full of unspoker