Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1888-05-16
THE INSURANCE.

Squire Newcomb was standing, one
morning, at his front yard gate, cogi-
tating over tie prospect of his spring s
wOrk-fOr he was a New England far
mer IN prosperous circumstances, not
strictly unimpreSsible or clOse-hsted
but thoroughly puritanical in his theo-
logical prOclivItIes rs became a living
representative OF the descendants of
the MaytlOwer-when he found himself
abruptly accosted by a sturdy, manly
looking young fellow, who chanced
lust at that time TO be passing along
the highway. From head TO toe he
was as tine a specimen of physical
strength and beauty rs the squire had
ever set eyes on; besides, there WAS a
look OF unusual intelligence and energy
in the eyes of the handsome young
tramp that pleased him wonderfully.
"GOod-moruing, sir"
"GOOd-mOruiug,n - said the squire
as this Squire Newcomb's placer"
"Well, It IS presumed TO be IL his
debts are paid;'' was the prompt reply.
For n moment the young man hesl-
tated-
IF may be so bold, are you he?"
II am he, D." was the laconic answer
The young man scratched his brown
curly head, as though a little puzzled
how 10 proceed He rallied, however,
the next instant, and SAID:
~ heard that you wanted MANI"
''Mebbe do, mebbe 1 don't" +" was
the SeutentlOus reply Of the squire.
what can you dor"
"Oh, a little OF everything" was the
modest rejomder. IL was brought up
on farm, and ought to be able to DO
something"
The county farm, suppose?n was
the depreclatlye suggestion
The young strangers cheek flushed,
FOR the suggestion was true He had
been brought up To the age of fourteen
on one OF the neighbOring county
farms, and he felt in his sensitive soul
that SO humiIiating a circumstance
must necessarily confer a lasting dis
grace upon his humble though honest
name.
Reuben Vance, at fourteen, had been
bound out by the authorities, till he
was twenty, TO a hard taskmaster-a
rough, uueducated farmer of the neigh
bOrhOOd; and the six years of service
having now fortunately expired, he
had declined serving his ungracious
master longer upon any terms, pre-
ferring to carve out his own fortunes
by seeking employment in some other
locality, and among strangers, who
might be presumed to know nothing OF
his antecedents.
He carried his entire wardrobe wrap
ped IN a small bundle, which caused
him not the slightest Inconvenience;
and, aside from this and the few dol
lars he possessed, he could have boasted
the possess ION of no other earthly
thing, save a clear conscience, health
and good lOoks-ir we except solled
and crumpled letter from An uncle In
California, which he had inherited
among his mothers scanty effects-a
reservation generously granted him by
the aforesaid authorities, in considera-
tiou OF its being Of no pecunlary ad-
vantage to the town in which, at the
tender age OF nine years, he had been
left an orphan and pauper-
Three years prior to the date or the
soiled letter in question, his father and
uncle had started for the Pacific shores,
IN the fond hope OF accommodating a
speedy fortune. In this they had been
unsuccessful, aud the letter from the
uncle, three years later, had brought
them tidings of his fathers death
4 y
the reception Of the news, and Reuben
was left an orphan and friendless; but
even at that tender age he had con-
ceived a vague hope of some day visit
ing California, If he should live TO grow
up.
This was still the one grand purpose
OF his life, rs he stood on this particu-
lar morning, eleven years later, in the
..F
As we have said, his cheek flushed
scarlet at the squire's impertinent sug-
gestion, and he dropped his eyes in
great confusion, as though the dis
agreeable fact of his ever having been
pauper might be construed by the
bullying and burly squire into the full
measure OF a crime; but he neither ad-
mltted nor denied the Intimation- lie
was silent TIL the squire again spoke.
"SuppO,iug you are a competent
hand, and Will answer my purpose for
the coming season, what wages do you
eXpeCt-say for seven monthst" de-
mauded the squire, grutliy.
Twenty-Five dollars 1 should say
was little enough" answered Reuben,
mOdestly.
"what2 Twenty-Five dollars for
seven months, eh?'
NO" replied Reuben, confusedly,
twenty-five dollars a month"
"Ohl that makes difference, young
man, wide difference; but III take
you at your offeT-that Is, provided
you suit. :"
Thank you. l will do the best 1
can" And Reuben went handIly to
work within the hour.
At noon he was summoned from the
ueld where he was ploughing by the
blowing of a horn. When he entered
the kitchen he was wholly unprepared
Tor the vision that greeted his eyes-a
beautiful girl of eighteen or nineteen,
whom the squire grudgiugly admitted
10 be his daughter Alice, by way OF
introduction TO the new hired man.
Poor Reuben fell in love before that
nrst meal was over. How could he
help itS Alice Newcomb was one of
The lOveliest and most sensible girls In
existence, and he one of the most sus-
ceptiole and bashful of young fellows-
As he goaded up his oxen to renewed
eXertiOns that afternoon, the more
tully TO meet with the squire's appro-
val, his old visions of California gradu-
ally faded from his thoughts. and were