The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1890-12-31

said, cor angry, or discouraged, or what
ever else you choose"
"What's wrong with you now, Jack3"
the girl asked with smile wE$S. seemed
to indicate that she was accustomed to
have the young man unburden himself OF
his troubles when he came to see her.
'sIt's the same old story" he replied;
"everything goes wrong, and however
hard work am powerless to set things
right. Father insists on working the
farm just as grandfather worked it fifty
years ago, and when he gets further and
further behind he thinks the times are out
Of joint, and won't believe that he could
make things more prosperous If he would
count upon the changed conditions OF the
country and adopt different methods OF
cultivation and grow different crops"
"That sounds like one Of your articles
for The Agricultural Review" she said
with an amused smile.
Suppose it does1" he asked. "Does that
prevent it from being true? That's the
kind of thing father would have said. He
blames me every day for having worked
my way through college. He calls me
stuck up and conceited. I think I am
humble enough, but, plague on it, l am
tired Of the whole business. We get up
early in the morning to have an early
breakfast, to get to work early and have
an early dinner, to get to work early to
have an early supper, to go to bed early 80
as to get up early in the morning. And 80
it lie, day in and day out all the year round,
and then we find that the mortgage is as
big as ever and the interest not paid"
"Maybe the interest would be paid and
the mortgage reduced if some one know
worked with more contented spirit"
Emma Rogers said seriously.
perhaps; but content don't come mere
ly at the bidding. and am resolved to cut
loose and see is~4eap,t do something Oh
my own account"
~"That is what you have said any time
for two years."
II know that, but it is different now.
Tom was not old enough to be Of much
good on the farm then, but he is now, and
he gets along perfectly with father. They
will be happier and better off when l am
gone"
"When do you start, Mr.. Hsnord2" che
girl asked, with mock formality.
Monday morning." he replied.
And whittier do you go?" she asked,
with the same tone and manner of mockery.
"To New York"
"And over which bank will you preside,
Mr.. Hartford, or will you choose to take
charge of one of the great trunk lines of
railway" she continued.
Don't mock me- Emma. 1should rather
have your sympathy and love than any
thing else. With your love to inspire me
I really believe l could accomplish some
thing"
Nonsense, Jack! If you ever do any
thing it will be because you have it in you.
If you are really going / tell you frankly
that am glad of it. But at the same
time must say that think very much as
your father does; that You are entirely too
conceited it may be that you will get
something Of that knocked out of you in
New York. That will be a good thing
anyhow"
Jack Harford's face WAS as red as fire
and his lips trcmblcd as the girl finished
He rose from his chair and said with a
forced smile:
"Well, Miss Rogers, have to thank you
for your great candor. beg your pardon
for having presumed to think that you
would be interested in my movements. l
will bid you good evening and good-by."
And lie bowed stif1ly.
"Don't be goose, Jack" she said. Il
am interested in your movements and In
terested in you. Had l not been"-and
now Miss Rogers got upon her dignity