Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1886-08-19

into Il, then with his elbow on his knee
and his head in his hands, seeshed to b,
thinking the matter over
'f~u say We never did much farm
workr' no finally asked, shifting hi
foot, knee, hand and head, to ge
another look at the applicant
''No, sir, never but very lltue,n
'Whcre are yc fromfn
81 came from Queenstown.
what y your nameP"
"Waltet Brownfielhn
''Walter Brownfeid," repeated th,
larmeN rcHectively, still Keeping h,'
head iL his hand, in medi,n.ise man
ner II never hear, of that name be-
fore; as / am Not acquainted in Queens
town II Is nothing strangc.n
"Thank Heaven" mentally eiacu
lated the tired youth, ''you are not &c
quainted with either Queenstown oi
my name. Why did I not change III
1t would have been safer vet I could
not live up 10 deception.
The farmer then straiahtehtd him.
self up and leaning on his axe began
TO put what In his estimation were
some astute cross questions.
when did YOU leave Queenstown
"About ten days ago"
"What have you been doing slhceai
Travelling about The country and
looking for wcrk,"
"ls this the first time you ever played
The tramppn The question was SHARPE
ly put, and made the checks of the
young man tinglo with shame.
Poverty aud hunger had subdued, 20
a great extent, his once proud spirit
that a few weeks ago would not have
borne such an insult. In tono both
sad and truthful. he answered,
Yes, sir, it is"
"What business have YOU been en-
gagged In, in Queenstown"
This question made the young man. $
heart leap.
He had both expected and dreaded Il
from the beginning,
Looking the farmer in the face, he
answered without the slightest hcsita-
ton.
~ was clerk, SIR"
"in whatP"
"a store
"What klndPn
General retail dry-goods store"
"Why did you quit itP"
VI suddenly found myself thrown
out of employment by a business
change in the firm. -
This answer was all truth, vet Wal.
ter felt that he was telling falsehood
in keeping back part.
why did you not seek employment
In some other store; there are plenty OF
them in Queenstown"
"There are" admitted the youth,
"and ! applied to all, but they did not
want clerks. Times are hard on mer-
chants, and at la0t resolved to 90 To
the country and seek labor on farm.
] med the exercise, and don't feel my
self above work.
The last expression pleased the prac.
teal farmer, who held in contempt the
man or boy who summed manual toll.
That Is sensible, young man, and
believe that in spite of your soft white
hands you will succeed. We have not
much to do for which it is necessary
to employ hand, but thero is corn
cuttin', and it will soon be gatherin'
time. The sorghum's to grind and
make, and plenty o. chores guess to
Keep all three O. you boys busy"
Hepaused abruptly as though he were
again debating the question In his
mind.
Walter fearing that he might alter
his resolution and send him on as so
many others had done. said:
81 assure you, sir, | shall do my best
to please you. l only ask You TO give
me a trial, and II fail you can then
discharge me"
That's fair, but declar' there's not
much to do, said the farmer
"Then, sir. the wages car be fixed to
correspond. ann tired of tramping
about the country said Walter, al
most despairingly.
81 II tell ye what I'll do, the farmer
ut last said. I've not got much 10 do.
but If you'll work here at six dollars n
month, its all right. If the work'll JUS
tify it, III raise your wages
The price was a mere pittance. but
learning thatit included his board, Wal
ter accepted rather than trudge far
ther.
The farmer then told his Youngest
son. strapping youth Of seventeen, to
carry the young mans bundle into the
house, while John, the older son, and
Walter went after a load OF rails to
mend the fence. II was thus that Wal.
ter Brownheld commenced as hired
hand for Mr.. Miles, the chief farmer of
Preston Flat