Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1886-08-19
CHAPTERL
THE NEW FARM HAND.
'Do you want a farm handPr

THE NEW Farm HAND.
''Do you want farm handP"
II don't know" answered Mr.. Miles,
well-to-do farmer in the unassuming
neighborhood known as Preston Flat,
The farmer who was engaged ia re-
pairing n broken whipplotree rested
his axe upon the large chopping block.
and gave the speaker SEARCHING
glance from head to foot The appli,
cant was slender, delicate yo1np
man, with mild blue eve and auburn
hair. He was not over twenty or
twenty-one years of age, and his soft
white hands controsted strangely with
the hardened, sun-burnod palms of the
farmers two sons, who stood near bv,
one with wagon whip and the other
with bride IN nis hand.
don't Snow," repeated Mr.. Miles
MS he scanned the youth still more
closely. you don't look as If YOU
ever did any farm work.
II can learn replied the pale
youth, his face showing a despairing
look as his eyes fell on his only earthly
possession-a small budget of clothes
tied up in a red HANDKERCHIEF. and stick
run through them.
On approaching Mr.. Miles he had
taken the bundle from his shoulder
and carried il in his hand
The applicant was dressed neatly,
Though not expensively. His clothes.
however, as well as the bundle. were
covered with dust. He raised his des-
pairing eyes 20 the farmers face, with
look that at once appealed to his heart.
did you ever work on the farmpi
asked the kind-hearted Mr.. Miles.
but very little, sir, | can soon learn,
though, and am willing to do all can. -
Have you long been seeking en-
ploymentP"
'fes, sir, have been travelling from
house to house, for more than n week.
and the young man, or youth, for he
could scarcely be called a man, gazed
down the long dusty road up which he
had so recently come.
Preston Flat was strip of country
lying on the east side OF Preston creek
about dozen miles in extent and
four or five miles in width. 1t was a
settlement completely shut in by sur
rounding hills and bluffs. The valley
was undulating and very fertile.
The valley had n small village at the
head OF IL under the significant name
of Bushville. In Preston Flat the nm
ambitious farmer was born, grew old
and died, little knowing or oarin0
about the great conflicts which agitated
the outside world.
lie raised bis corn, oats and wheat:
ne fed his corn TO his hogs, horses, cat
iie ana sheep; his wheat was ground
into Hour by the miller &C Bushville.
and furnished him bread.
Nearly every farmers wife was a
weaver, and the bang of looms and the
"hirr OF wheels could be heard from
one end OF the valley TO the other.
lhe women made the jeans for the
men and linsey clothes for themselves.
Inc other necessary clothes were
purchased at the store in Bushville,
winch also afforded a miserable market
Tor the products of the farm and what
livestock the farmer had to sell. We
Are not speaking Of Preston Flat of to-
day, but as It was many years ago, at
me opening of our story.
Every tribe has chief, so every COM
munity head man, and Preston Flat
was not an exception. ASIDE from the |
great mogul" who owned the village |
store and post Office at Bushville and |
with whom every body liked 10 show /
their familiarity by calling him "Dave," |
was Mr.. James Miles, the farmer His /
farm was larger, in better condition, |
and better location than any other i'm /
the entire fiat The great farmhouse /
which stood upon a slight elevation. |
iitty rods or more from the broad. hard
Beaten road, was pointed 10 with pride |
by the other farmers of the neighbOr- |
nnnn flsr -. Al
valley regarded II as the highest honor
10 take her knitten" and spend the
day with Mrs. Miles.
The farmhouse was surrounded by
stately elms, maple and oak The barn
lots ana barn attachments 10 the same.
ana The vast fields lying beyond filed
with riPening corn stretching away for
Two miles, indicated wealth and COM
IL was 70 this thrifty farmer Walter
broH nheld, with pale face dust-coy-
eree, worn-out and disheartened APP
Piled for work. Day after day had he
uamped from house 10 house seeking
employment, 10 be turned aside with
the assurance that no hands were
wanted.
lie did not understand that his white
@tNN anu SUN MtIt tue tDleI
cause Of his being turned away. What
spare change be had was spent in pay
ing lodging bills. and the last night he
had been compelled 10 sleep in a barn.
No wonder his pleading soul was in
his face as having waited long and
earnestly for 81 answer, and it coming
not, he said;
"Will you be so kind as to give me a
trialPH
The stout farmer boys who had been
attracted by the young man, stood tit
terlng. as they compared his slender
form with their own muscular frames.
Il don't know" was the hesi.ating
answer Of the farmer ''You see the
farming Season Is nearly over There
n ra lly not much 10 do now"
''fon certainly can give me work
enough 70 pay for my board and clothes
any way" said the anxious young ap-
pIIcant
The farmer took his foot down from
W. phpqplnE block drove ne axe deep