The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1890-11-05

OF course Martha was perfectly will
ing to do so.
She would not only have a pleasant
ride, but would also have the pleasure
of seeing Joe Smith, who "clerked it, in
Piketown's one store.
Accordingly, after packing few
dozen eggs in oats and placing several
rolls of golden butter in an earthenware
jar, "Old Jerry" was hitched up, and
Martha, with great huttering of rib
bons and rustling of skirts, climbed into
the old buggy wagon and started for
Piketown.
She reached the village without mis-
hap, did her trading, and after convers-
ing for some time with Joe Smith head
ed old Jerry for home.
She had left the village about two
miles behind when she saw young
man trudging along ahead of her in the
dusty road, a dilapidated carpet bag in
hand.
He seemed to be footsore and tired,
and as Martha was kind hearted little
thing, and as there was plenty of room
in the big, coffin boxed buggy, she halted
and asked him to ride.
The invitation was accepted with alac-
rity, and Martha found herself seated
beside broad shouldered, trim built
young man, perhaps 25 years of age.
His curly chestnut hair was closely
cropped, and his sandy mustache had
been recently trimmed. His dark and
flashing eye proclaimed him to be q
quick tempered individual, while his
square, massive jaw denoted determine
ton, if not obstinacy and pugnacity.
Have you walked farP" queried Mar
tina after old Jerry had logged on some
distance.
"About fifteen miles," was the reply.
"Fact is I'm looking for job. Do you
know of any one around here who would
like to hire man for few months3"
"Why, yes" said Martha. "Papa's
hired man has left him, his farm work
is in terrible shape and he is sick am
quite sure he will hire you You, how.
ever, will find him very cross. He is al
ways that way when he is ILL.,"
"Oh, | shall not mind that in the
least" replied the young man cheerfully
81 am out of job and out of money
and under the circumstances would worl
for Lucifer himself May inquire YOU
name?"
my name is Martha Cummins. Ant
yours
"Is Robert Sharp"
At that moment old Jerry turned int
the Cummins door yard and sedatel,
walked mp to the kitchen door.
Martha, with the assistance of Rober
Sharp, unloaded her purchases, and TAX
ing Jerry by the bride started for tn,
barn.
Let me be your hostler," said thu
stranger, stepping forward. "You g
into the house and | will a.tend to tn,
horse"
The young man soon returned to tn,
house, and was ushered into the oil
farmers presence.
AS Peter was greatly in need of help
and Robert Sharp was greatly in need o
employment. bargain satisfactory t.
both was soon struck.
Peter at once saw that his new hiret
man was a great worker.
Within a week he had the blowing al
done and a part of the ground ready 70
planting.
The old husbandman's mind bein
thus placed at rest he soon got the bel
ter of his rheumatism and went to wor
with will.
AS has been already stated, Pete
prided himself on the fact that he ha
never had an employee who was able t
do as much work in day as could he.
It had always been his custom {
race it" with every new man he hired.
When after more or less close and e1
citing contest his antagonist eithe
tacitly or openly admitted his defea
Peter would say:
wal, yew dew wot We kin. Yey
can't hev more NV of Il cat than her skin
an it hain't to be expected that yew, e
any man in this part Nv the kentry. Xxi
keep his eend up with old Peter. De,
wot We kim"
One evening, having fully recovere
his health and strength. Peter said
Robert Sharp:
"I'm goin' deown tew Piketown thi
evenin' tew buy me a new hoe. Tev
morrer, yew know, we air tew plant tn
Green lot tew wife flint corn. Yew g
to bed arly an rest jest all yew kin, fl
yew'll hev tew git right tew the fror
tew-morrer, an don't yew furgit it"
Bright and early the next morning I'll
two men started for the "Green lot
the hired man carrying bag of see
corn, while Peter fourished two brigl
new hoes.
Said the farmer as soon as the lot wa
reached:
"T'm jest a-going tew make this ne
hoe fly tewday. This piece has got te
be planted afore night"
With these words, having filled
OVERLOOKING his planting bag with cor
and his mouth with tobacco, he struc
out at terrific rate Of speed, the hire
man following after.
The sun having just arisen Peter ha
discarded his wide brimmed straw ha
and for greater freedom of movemeI
had thrown his suspender from his rigl
shoulder. This latter useful article {
wearing apparel having become detache
"a front streamed out behind like III
tail of kite. His long gray hair W.
blown about his swarthy face. h
blue checked shirt, filled with wint
pulled out like a balloon; his tan colorc
overalls bagged at the knee, and h
mammoth boots pushed along tbrong
the soft, sandy soil, made shallo
canal on each side of his row.
Firmly grasping in one big hand h
new hoe and in the other no less than
half pint Of corn Peter, putting al
blowing like locomotive, worked hiI
self across the field at high rate
speed.
Looking behind him occasionally h
exulting husbandman would yell:
"Come on. Come on. Thought ye
, knew heow to plant corn. Git gait {
ye. Git a gait on ye. Hawi haw! haw
At the end Of the first "bout" b
hired man was several yards behind, al
Peter, in high state of exultation al
perspiration, took double shuttle on