The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1883-01-20

| by the time he had managed to oYercom
her lodges and maneuvres, and finally go
the brute safely into the barn-yard, he SAY
the farmer and his wife driving in, ant
knew from her manner that Rachel wa
telling them all about the fight. As h
came forward to reclaim his mended coat
Mahlon Stacy met him with beamin
countenance.
''Thee has placed me under obligation
again, friend Paul, " he said. II hear the
was obliged to resort to force. 1t is agains
the principles of Friends, but since the'
had to do it, Tam glad to learn thee did i
well. A big man, too, for [ think the ont
we met with blood on his face was the on'
thee dealt with.
"There was no trouble in handling him
sir. The matter is not worth speaking of
I am only too glad to have been of service
to the young lady" With these words h'
moved off -.------...--
STAY friend" cried the farmer ''I
thee won't have compensation for thy ser
vice. thee'll at least grant us another favor
and take supper with us
The Young man hesitated, but glancing
at the woman, said: ''I-I am not in iii
condition for the table; /"
s'If that's all, eagerly rejoined Mahlon
sswe can arrange that Come with me.
And the young man was speedily ushered
into chamber, where his host gave him
shaving materials. and left him, to hear
more definite particulars about the encoun-
ter, in which, like many men of peaceful
habits, he took deep interest.
At the supper table, John Paul, in evad-
ing minute inquiry, let them know that he
lived in New York when at home, and
gave them some account of the metropolis,
of which they had heard, but never seen,
and did it in plain and lucid way that
showed he kept his eyes open while he was
tramping.
After supper Mahlon Stacy and John
Paul sat on the veranda while the woman
folk were clearing the table, and the form
er, after two or three preliminary hens,
spoke his mind.
"Thee was looking for work, perhaps,
friend?'
"No, | can't say that was
'Thee would take job if thee could get
one, maybe?"
That depends on what it is"
"Can thee NOW p
A smile broke over the young mans
face ''Not very well, he said. Il did
learn how to swing a scythe once-when l
when was on a farm for month in the
hay season but I'm not an expert mower.
That might come by practice" rejoined
the farmer. "You see, my man was
obliged to leave me before the hay was all
made; and when met thee | was going
after some one to take his place, and did
not succeed. Thee might be of help if
thee would and l would give thee fair
wages.
'SWell, sir, it is new business for me
but I'll do the best | can for you till you
can do better; and as for the wages, We'll
not differ on that.
Then thee'll stay here, and we'll tackle
the south field tomorrow" exclaimed the
farmer, joyously. Naomi, thee'll get a
room ready for friend Paul. He's going
to help with the hay
SO John took service with Mahlon Stacy,
or, as he put it to himself that night, "I'm
hired to Rachers uncle and he laughed
at the same time as though it were the
funniest thing possible.
The hay-making was over in three days,
but john as they all called him now, re-
manned He evidently knew very little
about farming, but took teaching kindly.
He developed a great knowledge Of horses,
their needs and wants, and altogether
Mahlon was satisfied with his raw hand.
The fourth day it rained so that outdoor
work was stopped. The farmer and John
sat in the kitchen, the farmer in Il rather
down-cast mood John watched Rachels
motions for some time, as she moved about
gracefully, and then took book which
stood upon the shelf, and began reading.
Mahlon smiled grimly.
''If thee likes to read, he said, "there' S
''No Cross, No Crown" and Barclay s.
Apology in the sitting-room. That is a
foolish book of poetry that Rachel delights
in. But it can do no one any good. 1t is
funny in parts, though
1t was Hood poems.
"Some of this is by no means funny,
said John, ''the Bridge of Sighs,' for in
stance"
II don't remember Will thee read it
out?"
John read the poem. and in way that
no one there had heard-read it with feel
ing and force.
''Thee reads remarkably well, John, -
said Mahlon.
'Poor creature!' y said Naomi. She re-
ferred to the heroine, and not to John.
Rachel said nothing, but her eyes were
full of tears.
On Saturday John got two hours leave
of absence, and returned with bundle,
which he carried to his room. The next
day he came down to breakfast in new
light suit. Mahlon made no comments,
but after breakfast asked John if he would
go with them to Friends meeting, or to
some other place of worship, or would he
stay at home. 1--WE go to meeting, of
course; but Rachels father was 'Piscopal,
and Rachel goes there Then there's the
Methodists and Presbyterians.
II shall go to the Episcopal church, "
said John.
"Ah Well, we drop Rachel at the
cross-road always, and thee can get out
there"
So John walked from the getting-ou
place to the church, which was mission
AIRY chapel, where the rector of an adjoining
parish gave service every alternate Sun
day. There were few attendants, and the
coming of fne-looking young man made
a sensation. When service was over, how
ever, and they all came out, some one
whispered that the new conner was 'Mahlon
Stacys hired man" and the sensation died
out
Absalom Browning was waiting in his
buggy.
''Shall l drive thee home, Rachel?" he
asked
"Thank thee, no, Absalom, 1 came in
the carrv-all with uncla and amt and