The Arkansaw traveler., 1886-04-03
LEN GAuSETT.
BY OPIE P. READ.
CHAPTER XVII.

OhAGlEh AhIl
 Hot weather came. Len struggled manfully to keep the cuckleburrs sub dued but they grew like Jonah's gourd- vine. Far down the corn rows the hot air danced and the buffalo gnats, with their annoying sting, swarmed under the trees The bell COW and the scrub calf ran with desperate rush through the bushes, and the horse, with sudden start of terror, wildly threw up his head as the nit fly dipped" him under his throat. Would it never rain2 Dust arose in the field and the blades of the corn were twisted like ropes. One even ing the sun went down behind murky bank ofclouds, and, in the night, Len was awakened by downpour of rain The next morning everything was fresh The roses in the yard, no longer de- pressed by thirst, held up their glowing lips in pertimed pout, and the cedar trees which yesterday bore wart-like buttons, were now ladened with fungus knots, resembling great yellow spiders Too wet to blow today, Lenqubees," said Mr. Gansett as the family sat at the breakfast table.
 I'm glad it is,' observed Mrs. Gan sett Pm jest glad it is for Len has mighty nigh worked himself to death in that bottom field. An, Lord, child, you'll find the life O a farmer a mighty hard one Yo' DO father uster say that h" would quit it jest as soon as he got three times seven an he did.'
 Yes, the old man replied, an efhe had stuck to if he mout O been alive vii"
 Now, Bob tiansett, whats the use II talkin' thatway. The Lord in His own good time called our son. an no matter where he might O been he would had to go, Len, it sometimes peers to me that yo' granpa is inferdel. He gifts wus and wus all the time"
 old Bob winked at Len. The old lady continued. "The last time Brother Murry was here it was all could do to keep yo' granpa in the house while Brother Murry prayed"
 The old man winked again and said: :" l like to hear good prayer, Sarah, but it strikes me that Murry's got more appetite than religion"
 ." reckon the old dapostles had to eat.
 Yes, but they didn't go round the country for that special purpose
 "Oh, with a sigh, "1 know you would muzzle the OK that treadeth out the grain
 It's all right about the OK that treadeth out the grain, Sarah I don't want to muzzle him, but then l don't think it's right to take the halter off of a calf an turn him in the field"
 Bob Gansett, you shan't compare Brother Murry to calf for l won have it. Just look how he has built up the circuit sence he come here"
 Oh, yes, yes that's well enough. He's built one log house and patched up an other, and-well, he's done well enough. He's good, strong healthy man and generally eats what is set before him. If he'd take that appetite O his'n to some big town he could sell it for enough money to build several churches"
 For the goodness sake, hush If l didn't have no mo religion than you let on like you've got I'd stop goin to church. Len, have another cup of cof- fee. It'll be a long time till dinner
 It won't be so long to-day, grandma" ]" Len replied. Its too wet to blow"
 Old man Gansett laughed. Mrs. Gan sett, slowly shaking her head, remarked: {:
 To gran'pa would like to see ever body work themselves to death. It's a wonder he ain't wore himself out to a trazzle long ago. l reckon you'll be glad when you git to printin' yo' news paper"
 Yes" Len replied, must say that am looking forward to the time with more than usual interest"
 l am sorry to lose such a good hand, said the old man, this time wink ing at his wife, "but if you must go reckon you must"
 Don't let him worry you, grandma" Len rejoined. He and I have talked over the matter and thoroughly under stand each other"