Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1886-09-22
JOBS RUSE.

JOBS RUSE.
A New England winter scene-the
hemlock forests all draped with ermine
frIngeS of SnOw-the hills and the val
leys white as if they were coated with
pearl. while from the farmhouse CHM
news in the gray thicketS of leafieSs
naples under the rocks blue spiral of
smoke went wreathing and curling up
into the steel january sky, and the sun
set reflected on the myriad tiny window
pineS of the western front, made an
orange sparkle of brightness that sup
Piled the otherwise lacking element of
color TO the frigid landscape.
Farmer Westerbrook had just brought
nan armful of snow-cruS,ed logs from
the wOOd-pile at the north end of the
house. throwing them down on the ample
stone hearth with noise like a small
earthquake, when Sibyl Harrington
started up.
Five O'Clock, Oh, 1 hadn't an idea
il was 50 late. must be going"
ALLOW me to accompany you, Miss
Harrington.
You viii let me see you home,
Sibyl?''
Captain Meredith and Max Crossley
both spoke at once, and rose simulta
neouSly-but Sibyl shook her head.
Il would prefer to walk alone" she
said, gayly.
And about the sleighing party to-
morrow night?" said Max anXiously.
IL have half promised Captain
Neredith,'' said the village beauty, her
long eyelashes dropping, and delicate
shade of rose suffusIng her cheek.
'But. Sibyl, thought it was an un-
derStood matter between you and me,
three good weeks agoi'' Max, exclaimed,
with contracting brows.
"WaS it? / am sure / had forgotten
it,
Max was silent. Captain Meredith's
smooth, softly-intoned voice filled up the
silence.
Il exact no promise" he said gal
lantly; but if | am not punctual TO the
hour and the spot, Miss Harrington may
draw her own conclusions.
And Sibyl went out, her light foot
steps making a low, pleasant music on
the brittle snow.
She was very pretty, this gazelle-eyed
New England damsel, with big blue
eyes turning tC limped purple whenever
she was in the least excited; hair short,
hung in a golden fringe over her broad,
low forehead, and the sweetest of rosy
mouths, with three sentinel Ximple5 on
cheeks and chin, Max Crossley had
loved her ever since they were children
together. and Captain Meredith, who
had come to pass the holidays with his
cousins, the WeSterbrooks, had been
caught in the meshes of that bronze
gold hair and the interlacing network OF
thelashes that overhung the purple-blue
eyes, and had prolonged his visit into
January.
Upon my word, she's a regular
beauty said the captain, staring
through the tiny wIndow-panes at the
Tetreating footsteps of Miss Harrington.
Max CroSsley looked quickly up at
him, as if he would have particularly
liked to knock him over the handirons
in among the logs; but perhaps he
thought better of it, for lie refralned
from any such demonstration.
"a beauty went on the Captain;
sand it's thousand pities size should
be thrown away on any of the country
pumpkins who vegetate among these
wllderneSSeS. Job, you young villain,
are those boots of mine blackened YET!
Farmer Westerbrook' IS hired, boy, who
had Just come in to warm his empurpied
hands at the merry red blaze, looked
glum.
''No, they amt" said Job brusquely.
well, what's the reason:"
"'CauSe | amt 'ad time"
''See that you find time, then, and
that quick. tool'' said the Captain.
And Job glowered after him, as he
went gayly up the stairs.
II just wish had the servin' OF him
out" said Job, gloomily. ITS ,JoD,
do this, and Job. do that and 'JoD,
where's the warm water, and Jop,
what the deule do you mean by lettih
my fire 90 out?' as if l was his BOND
slave. and not a red cent has he guv me
yet-nO, nor so much as a pleasant word!
wonder if he means to stay mere
always"
you and are equally partial to HIM,
Job, said Max CrOsSley, laughing. ,
Il heerd him talkin' with Miss Slbyi
about goin' sleigh-ridin' tomorrow
night said job, shrewdly. 81 should
les' like TO put Kicking Billy IN the
shaftS-I would, if it warn't for Miss
Sibyl. He don't know n0thin' about
horses, that there militia Cap'n DON'T y
And job chuckled.
Il say, Mr.. Crossley," he resumed,
why don't You get beforehand WIN
hlm-she's only dazzled like"
Max Crossley frowned slightly; non.
est Job was not exactly the kind OF
Ganymede he cared to have meddle Win
MS love affairs.
Miss Harrington must choose 1oi
herself, job" he said; and JOB went
back TO his work, secretly wondering
how young lady, gifted with ordinary
common sanse, could hesitate for a mo
ment between the Captain and MI. MAX
CrosSley. :,
The next night came-a night OF aii
nights propitious for sleighing expedi,
tons and rustic love-making, The roads
Delightfully."- hard and well-packcd, a'o
glorious full moon shining down ~
Whitley as if a rain Of silver were
deluging the whole world! :,
Couldn't be better weather." s'iio