The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1886-08-27

was labor and pain, but food and shel
ter. He contrasted his pleasant labOri
GUS condition, with his life of a few
months ago. How different How h,
had been Inundated. The sense O
the great wrongs he had endured
seemed to steel his arm and rouse hi
fainting spirits.
Try as he would he could not com
pete with the robust son of his employ
or. Like a raging hurricane Johr
Miles swept around Walter, leaving
naught but the bare field, while the in
experienced youth was struggling witt
q few hills of corn.
Would that arm never tire, would
that piercing whistle never cease;
thought Walter, as he struggled te
keep up with the young farmer. John
saw that he was doing all in his power
to keep pace with him, and knowing
that no farmer in the entire fiat could
do that. he did not attempt to hurry
him. Thus hour latter hour passed.
To the painting Walter, it seemed
ages; John Miles seemed to gain un-
tired strength and rapidity with each
stroke. His blows fell faster and he
heaped the corn up higher while his
whistle sounded louder and shrillel
upon the morning air.
They had peen continually advanc-
ing into the dense wilderness, and there
had seemed no end to it. Not breeze
was stirring or could stir in that dense
corn, to cool the brow of the almost
youth.
At last when his head grew heavy
and thrObbing, when he was dizzy
from heat, and felt as though he was
chilly instead of warm, they suddenly
burst through the wilderness, and a
neat little farm cottage that stood i'm a
grove of elms and oaks, was just across
the fence.
Lets 60 to Uncle Dams and git a
drink" said John, as the last shock
of fodder in the row was completed,
the knife in the ground.
Walter was willing to do any thing
which promised a momentary respite
from the sultry heat of the burning
sun.
The sweet. cool breeze came to kiss
his forehead the moment he emerged
from the tall, dense corn.
They climbed the fence, and walked
through the grove of elms to the cot
tage door.
A pleasant-faccd old man. near sixty
years of age, was sitting on the front
porch in his large, easy armchair, en-
oying the cool breeze that swept
round his cottage.
Hello. John. We have been at
work this mornin'?" said the old
gentleman. who's this We got with
rep"
''This is our new hand, Walter
answered John with his
native awkwardness.
'.Wall, how dye do. Walter?" said
he old gentleman, arising and eX-
his hand to that individual.
. You boys must sit down on the
porch, for know you are. hot and
ired: take cheers?' and he placed
wo split bottoms for them.
'.We're nearly chOked for a drink,
Uncle Dan," said John.
I'm course We are; might knowed
t; jest sit still an I'll go an git some
resh water from the spring"
The old gentleman put on his hat.
Ook his cane and went into the cot
age, where he told his wife, pleasant
Id lady known all over the flat as
AUNT Margaret, to hand him the water
'ucket.
Aunt Margaret came out to talk to
he tired boys. The awkward John
lilies did not attempt another intro
|uctiOn, so Walter was compelled to
it in embarrassing silence until the
notherly old lady asked him his name,
where he was from, all about his par
nts, and numerous other questions far
more embarrassing than the silence.
Uncle Dan returned with 4 cedar
'ucket (they call pail a bucket in the
VesD full of cold water, and gourd.
Walter was sure he never drank water
o sweet, so clear and cold. and had not
he kind old lady cautioned him against
too much while he was warm
he result might have been disastrous
o his health.
..How long hev We been in this
Walter?" asked Uncle
IAN.
Il only came yesterday" answered
Y alter.
"Well, how long hev ye been farm
ng?'
This might be called my first trial
t hard work"
The old gentleman opened his eyes
ride, and looked at John Miles.
81 guess it's so," said John, with
rim on his broad face. He was as
wkward in the corn this morning as
d be in Dave Blacks store; but he
arnt most tarnation quick, and he's
.rit, by hockey"
They took another drink each from
he gOurd, and then returned to the
eld to cut another row of shocks be-
ore dinner.
Il wonder why that young chaps
,orkin' on farm? He looks like he'd
o better as skule teacher, a lawyer
r a clerk in some store" said Aunt
Iargaret.
Il don't know" said Uncle Dan.
itting in his great rustic char and
the young man as he climbed
he fence.
Il don't know why he's here in the
lat, but l know he's all right. He's
good honest young man. l can see
rom his face"
CHAPTER ".
BILL MARTIN.
Two weeks of farm drudging had
assed. John Miles, the tirelcss young
armer, and Walter Brownfield had
cen comrades in labor. Walter had
rown sunburned, and his once soft
ands had become hardened with toll.