Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1890-08-13
FARMER JENCK'S HIRED HAND,
yELMA C. MELVILLE.

The questioner was young man of
good figure, with closely shaver head
and face, and pleasant voice. When
he smiled-as be seemed continually
doing despite an earnest look that con-
displayed a fine set of worries.
Farmer Jencks-the man addressed
looked him over in puzzled, undecid-
ed way, evidently little uncertain
where to class him.
'I dunno" he said at last, in care
less patois so common among farmers.
''What kin We do?"
ooh, II can do almost any kind of
farm work"
"Where dye hail from ?'
"Well I've lived about here and
Cedar Creek last; but have been sick,
that is, not well, for some time past,
and SO am out of ajob."
sTrampin' it, be We ?"
There was sudden accession of color
in the young mans cheeks as be added,
Il am not a tramp, however"
ooh no, you don't look like one"
laughed the farmer, the puzzled look
coming into his face again, as he noted
the stylish cut of the barely seeded coat,
and the white shapely hands.
''No, We don't look like it, he re-
peated, as if to himself
Il have recommend here said the
young man, as if suddenly remember
ing it, written by the Mr.. Johnson l
spoke of. I believe tramps generally
do not carry such papers"
"Never had one showed me before"
After considerable more talk farm
er Jencks admitted that he was in need
of an extra hand, and finally he en-
gagged the stranger.
"Ye kin come to supper when the
bell rings, and tter'ards Tidal show
We where We kin bunk"
As there seemed to be nothing else to
do, the youth deposited small grip
sack in one corner of the porch and
strolled off to view the premises.
'Who was that, father?"
This time the speaker was a tall, Wig
orous-looking young woman, with bold
black eyes, nut-brOWn skin and naughty
mien.
"Jest Teller trampin it lookin' fer
work, SuSe."
ooh, tramp I hope you have not
hired him, 'medreadfully afraid of the
OdiOus creatures"
Nonsense, Suse and he amt no
tramp either. Fact is he dresses finer
and has more the air of a swell than any
city chap L ever see"
"And he will eat at the same table
with the family, | suppose, moaned the
young lady.
''Sartainly."
Susan Jencks knew when her father
said "sartainly'' in just that way that
there was no appeal, SO she founced
back into the house to complain to her
mother.
The Jencks were very well-to-do
farmers, the family consisting of father,
mother, Susan (the belle and beauty
and Tilda (the family drudge.)
The new man, who had given his
name as John Brownleigh, proved to be
very quiet, industrious and courteous,
and was soon liked by all except Susan,
who always referred to him, as the
tramp.
Now Susan had been "off to school,"
in common phraseology, and had very
high opinion of herself and her accom-
plishments Mrs. Jencks was some
thing of an invalid, and could do little
more than superintend her large house,
and, as Susan considered homework far
below her, it all came on Tilda and one
hired girl.
Tlda was neither beautiful nor bril-
liant. She was only a pale, blue-eyed,
iow-voiced individual, who from in
Common clay" when compared with
her sister.
Her mother said she had no talent for
anything but work Brownleigh-who
was very observing for SO quiet a per-
son, and only hired man, too, soon
understood chow the land lay" and
Tilda could but feel grateful for the 500
little things that he did to tighten her
toll and save her steps.
They naturally came to be pretty well
acquainted as, aided by the hired girl,
they MIXED twenty COWS night and
morning, and did good deal of other
work in company. Once or twice the
girl had praised him in her sisters
presence, but the sneers and SCOTS
were too much for the timld soul, and
she adopted a discreet silence.
Susan spent ner time either remodel
ing her own gowns, making crazy patch
work, or drumming a few tunes on the
organ.
One Sabbath afternoon, when by
merest chance there was no one left on
the farm but Brownleigh and Tilda, the
former surprised the latter by asking
permission to use the organ a little
while.
i used to play little, he explained,
Nand if you care to listen to my efforts
] shall be glad to have you"
Tllda was not used to attention, and
this mans courteous, protecting man
ner toward her was very pleasant, even
if he were tramp, as Susan called
him.
s'Ten me, please, if you see any of the
family returning" he said, and sat
down at the instrument. In five min
utes' time, Iilda Jenck's forgot herself
her hard life, the dreary future, even
Brownleigh's order, and enjoyed such
feast as she Dad never known before
To her inexperienced ear there had
never been such music evoked, and
probably there never had, from that in
strument.
Suddenly she started up, crying ex-
citedly: They're coming"