The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1889-02-01
Walter BrOwnfield
oh
THE MYS Terry OF PRESTON TLkl.
BY JOHN H MUSiCK.
CHAPTERL
THE sEw FARM HASD.

ncighbOrhOOd known as Preston J. lat.
The farmer who was engaged in re-
pairing broken whippletrec rested
his axe upon the large chopping block,
and gave the speaker a searching
glance from head TO foot. The appli-
cant was a slender. delicate young
man, with mild blue eye and auburn
hair. lie was not over twenty or
twcnty-one years Of age, and his soft
white hands contrastcd strangely with
the hardened, sun-burned palms Of the
farmers two sons, who stood near by,
one with a wagon whip and the other
with bride in his hand.
al don't know repeated Mr.. Miles
as he scanned the youth still more
closely You don't look rs if you
ever did any farm work.
Il can learn replied the pale
youth his face showing q dcspairing
look as his eyes fell on hi, only earthly
possession small budget Of clothes
tied up in n red handkerchief, and stick
run through them.
On approaching Mr.. Miles he had
taken the bundle from his shoulder
and carried it in his hand.
The applicant wa, dressed neatly,
though not extensively. His clothes,
however, as well ~ Ic bundle, were
covered with dust. lie raised his dcs-
pairing eyes 20 the farmers face, with
a look that at once appealed To his heart
Did you ever work on the fdrmP'
asked the kind-hcartcd Mr.. Milo.
But very little, sir. / ctn soon learn,
though, and am willing 10 do all can. y
"Ilayc you long been seeking en-
ploymcnt?'
ayes, sir, have been travelling from
| house 10 house, for more than week,
and the young man, or youth, for he
| could scarcely be called man, gazcd
down the long dusty road up which he
! had 50 recently come.
Preston Flat was n strip of country
! lying ON the east side of Preston creek
! about a 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 II small village at the
! head Of it under the significant name
| of Bu>hvilc. In Preston Flat tho un-
! ambitious farmer was born. grew old
! aud died, little knowing or caring
about the great conflict, which agitatcd
the outside world.
He raised his corn, oats and wheat;
he fed his corn Il his hogs, horses, cat
tie and sheep; his wheat was ground
into flour by the miller at BushNille,
and furnished him bread
Nearly every farmers wife was n
weaver, aud the bang of looms and tho
whirr of wheels could bc heard from
one end of the valley To the other.
The women made the Jeans for the
men and linscy clothes for themselves.
The other necessary clothes were
purchased ut tie store in Bushvlllc,
which also Afforded Il miserable market
for the products Of the farm and what
live stock the farmer had ~ sell. We
arc not speaking of Preston Flat of to-
day, but as It was many years ago. at
the opening of our story.
Every tribe has chief, Socvcry COM
munity head man, and Pre- tom Fat
was not an exception. Aside from the
"grcat mogul' who owned the village
store and post Office at BushviIle and
with whom every body liked To show
their familiarity by calling him Dave,
wa, Mr.. j mes Miles, the farmer His
farm was larger, in better condition,
and a better location than any other IN
the entire Hat. The great farmhouse
which stood upon II sight elevation,
iify rod, or more from the broad. hard
beaten road, was pointed II with prid,
hy the other farmers Of the nCighbor'
hood, and every pprN dame in the
Vail regarded il aS the hiyhcSt honor
10 take her kuittcn' and spend the
uav with Mrs. Miles.
The farmhouse was surrounded 10y
stately cms. maple and oak. The barr
lots and barn attachments To the same
and the vast fields lying beyond iillet
with ripcning corn stretching away fol
two miles. Indicated wealth and com
fort.
1t was 10 this thrifty farmer Walter
Brownlicld, with pale face. duSt-cov
cred, woru-out and diShcartcn"d ap
piled for work. Day after day had h'
trampcd from house To house scckins
cmpluymcn,, 20 be turned aside will
the assurance that no hands wcr,
wanted.
He did not understand that his whit,
face and soft hands were the chic
cause of his being turned away. Nha
spare change he had was spent in pay
mo lodging bills, aud the last night h,
had been compelled To sleep in barn
No wonder his pleading soul was II
his face rs having waited long an'
earnestly for IN answer. and 1t comm!
, not he said:
"Win YOU he So kind rs to give me
' trial?'
The stout farmer boys who had bee,
attracted by the young man, stood tlt
tCring. rs they compared his slcndo
form with their own muscular frames.
IL don't know was the hcSltatin
answer of the farmer "lou see Tn
: farming season j. nearly over. lher
is rally not much to do now
You certainly can give mo wor
= enough To pay formy boarl and c'othc
I any way said the anxious young al
= icant r..
The farmer took Ms foot down froi
the choppng biuck. drove the axe dee
! into It. then with In, elbow on knee
and his head in h hands, seemed To |
I. thinking the matter over.
!. "You say We never did much far'
: work." hc finally asked. shifting h
: foot, knee. hand and head. TO 3,
/ another look at the applicant.
, "No. sir. never but very little.
/ "Where are We fromp"
q al came from QuceIstown.'
''What is your namep'