The Arkansaw traveler., 1886-03-20

The novelty had already worn away and hard, uncompromising, laborious fact had taken its place.
 Some one with the power of a Joshua must have commanded the sun to stand siill," Len unused. "I am certain that it seems just as high as it was two hours ago. I'd like to go over to the river and catch some fish. Catfish are biting now. l must ask grandma if she does not want a mess. There's not cloud in the sky. Bet it doesn't rain for two weeks but why should want it to rain when grand. pa is so anxious to get this land broken up? fine knew my thoughts he would call me lazy, but don't see why man should wear himself out this way. Git up there Getting tired too, eh2 We'll you are not more anxious to stop than am."
 For hours the sun seemed to hang in the tops of distant trees. Slowly it faded and then, like ball of subdued fire, it sank out ofsight. Len staggered as he walked toward home, and, forgetfully, stepped over imaginary clods. He was asleep by the time he touched the bed |, and then, before turning over, his grand father called him.
 "Not time to get up yet, is it?'
 The old man laughed. Why" said he, talking from the foot of the stairs, tits broad daylight everywhere"
 "When you called me did not think that you had gone to bed"
 |" But l have been to bed and l don't think l ever passed longer night.'
 "I know that never passed as short night"
 Well, hurry up and feed yo' horse s agin we git snack ready. We've played long enough an it's time to do somethin'. Hurry up."
 Len was so stiff and sore that he could scarcely get out of bed, and at breakfast he was so sleepy that he could hardly keep his eyes open. His work was a painful drag and several times during the day he was tempted to sit down and rest, but the fear that his grandfather was watching him, spurred him onward.
 How he longed for Sunday. "It used to be very dull day to me-" he unused, " but now it will be day of enjoyment"
 Sunday came as usual, but to Len 1t was not commonplace. He sat down in the yard aud lazily enjoyed the sunshine. He leaned back against tree and dozed of to sleep, and had begun to step over clods and watch the turning soil, when some one exclaimed
 Wall, ef yer ain't lazy"
 Len sprang up. Ned Hobdy stood near him.
 "Why, my little girl, how do you do ?"
 "Didn't " tell yer that want CT little girlr
 "Yes, but you are not very large girl"
 I'm large enough. come over ter go ter meetin' with yer gran'maw an thought I'd walk erroun' while she is glt- tin ready"
 suppose l may go with you"
 I'm goin' with yer gran 'maw."
 Yes, but cannot go with you2"
 No, fur we don't want no men folks with us"
 Len insisted, but Ned was memorable The young man comforted himself with the hope that after her return from church he might walk home with her, but bis 2, grandmother returned alone.
 won't be outdone," the young man unused. "I will go over and see her."
 He hurried toward Hobdy's house, hoping to overtake Ned, but he was dis. appointed. He found Hobdy much inn proved in health.
 That talk lhad with yer ther other day he'ped me nightly" said Hobdy. five had very little cause ter hope fur anything in this here world-that is, sense that awful erfair an now, even ter ketch holt uv CT fioatin' leaf keeps my head er- bove water"
 "Where is Ned2"
 Don't know. She wuz here jest CT mint ergo. I'll step out an call her"
 He called but received no answer. "I don't know whut could CT went with her so quick" Hobdy remarked when he re- entered the house.
 Len thought that he knew, but he did not venture an opinion. He thought that she had seen him coming and had fled into the woods. He was disappointed, heart sick.
 "You have not told me yet, MT. Hobdy, whether you would be pleased with me as your son-in.law."
 "Ef ever thing could be cleared up I'd