Semi-weekly south Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1883-1889, 1884-08-12
THE NEW HAND.

"He's o little awk'ard at some
things, but willin', " said Farmer Bryson,
as he and his worthy mate sat in family
council on the days events, according to
their won't.
The topic was George Dyer, the new
hand Mr.. Bryson had hired that day
with something less than his usual cir
cumspection for it was not his custom
to employ chance corners, Of whom he
knew nothing, without reference. But
it was the throng Of the season, and
laborers were scarce, and the young
man had an open, honest countenance,
a supple, well-knit frame, and didn't
look bit lazy. So the farmer took him
on trial.
g. don't think he's ever done farm
work afore," continued Mr.. Bryson !;
his hands don't look like it. But he's
Gmazin' quick OF takin' up things. He
don't need more'n a wink to take a
hint"
"And he's downright good lookin', +"
added Dame Bryson, stopping to take
up a stitch she had dropped in her knit
ting.
"The first virtue in woman's eyes,
of course" retorted the farmer, with a
bantering chuckle. "But there's more
to him than good looks, can tell you.
He's got head full of sense. You know
what o knowledgable chap Hiram
Gooch sets up to he. Well, he come
along at restin' time to-day, and tackled
the new hand on the labor questi'n.
Dyer fought shy OF first, but, when
Hiram crowded him, he just turned
on iim with a few keen p'ints which
Hiram said he hadn't time to answer
then, and it's my opinion it'll be o long
time afore he will"
AZ wonder what keeps Nora" said the
farmers wife, looking anxiously at the
clock.
IT guess she's stoppin' awhile to chat
with Neighbor buttons gals" replied
the farmer. "You know how it is with
youngsters But where's Dyer I'm
almost sorry I spoke up SO thoughtless
to Morn about bringin' that money Farm
er Dutton promised to send for the OATS
think Dyer's all right, but one can't
be too particular with strangers"
"I've no fears on the new hands ac-
count" Mrs. Bryson answered; "but
that ill-lookn' 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, DOMINIC his hat and TAX
ing up o stout stick, he sailed out.
The evening shades had gathered, and
it was almost dark when Nora Bryson
left Farmer buttons to return home.
Her path lay through lonely wood,
and she felt little nervous as she hur-
ried along, starting now and then as ali
occasional rustic broke the stiffness.
She had completed nearly half the way,
and was wishing the other half safely
finished. whom q sound OF hurried and,
as she imagined, stealthy steps, ap-
preaching the path little in advance,
and us If from one side, arrested her at
tention.
The next moment O mans form
blocked the way. Nora would have
turned and fed, but fright oyercame
her, and she stood trembling and
speechless.
"Givo me the money you have about
you F." commanded voice, coarse and
brutal.
CT have no money!" Nora man
aged to falter. And she spoke truly,
for Farmer Dutton had not been ready
TO send the amount she had been com.
nissioned to receive, promising to bring
it over himself in a few days.
1t is false |" the man growled saw.
agely; and when Nora repeated her dc.
nial his rge became ungoyernable.
"Give it to me instantly or I'll kill