The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1890-12-24

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He was also great worker, being able
to 'out-hoe, out-mow, out-chop an out
eat" any man that he ever had in his
employ.
martha" said Susan a day or two
| after the hired man had taken his de-
parture, 1--WE are out of sugar, molasses
and spice, and you'll have to go to the
village with some butter and do some
trading"
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 a great futtering 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 a young
man trudging along ahead Of her in the
dusty road, 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 a broad shouldered, trim built
young man, perhaps % 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
quick tempered individual, while his
square, massive jaw denoted determine
ton, if not obstinacy and pugnacity.
Have you walked far?' 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 a man for few months"
"Why. yes" said Martha. "Papas
hired man has left him, his farm work
is in terrible shape and he is sick. l am
quite sure lie 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 a job and out of money,
and under the circumstances would work
for Lucifer himself May inquire your
name?'
MY name is Martha Cummins. And
yours
SIS Robert Sharp"
At that moment old Jerry turned into
the Cummins door yard and sedately
walked up to the kitchen door.
Martha, with the assistance of Robert
Sharp, unloaded her purchases, and tax
ing Jerry by the bride started for the
barn.
Let me be your hostler," said the
stranger, stepping forward. You go
into the house and will attend to the
horse"
The young man soon returned to the
house, and was ushered into the old
farmers presence.
AS Peter was greatly in need of help,
and Robert Sharp was greatly in need of
employment, bargain satisfactory to
both Was soon atruck
Peter at once saw that his new hired
man was great worker.
Within a week he had the blowing all
done and part of the ground ready for
planting.
The old husbandman's mind being
thus placed at rest he soon got the bet !
ter of his rheumatism and went to work |
with will.
As has been already stated, Peter
prided himself on the fact that he had |
never had an employee who was able to |
do as much work in a day as could he.
1t had always been his custom to |
trace it with every new man he hired.
When after a more or less close and ex- |
citing contest his antagonist either |
tacitly or openly admitted his defeat |
Peter would say:
oval, yew dew wot We kin. Yew
can't hev more NV of cat than her skin; |
an it hain't TO be expected that yew, er
any man in this part NV The kentry. kin
keep his eend up with old Peter. Dew
wot We kin"
One evening, having fully recovered
his health and strength. Peter said to |
Robert Sharp:
I'm goin' deown few Piketown this
evenin tew buy me a new hoe. Tew- |
morrer, yew know, we air few plant the
Green lot tew wife flint corn. Yew go
to bed arly an rest Jest all yew kin, fer
yew'n hev tew git right tew the front
tew-morrer, an don't yew furgit it."
Bright and early the next morning the
two men started for the Green lot"
the hired man carrying bag of seed
corn, while Peter flourished two bright
new hoes.
Said the farmer as soon as the lot was
reached:
I'm jest a-going few make this new
hoe fly tewday. This piece has got tew
be planted afore night"
With these words, having filed to
OVERLOOKING his planting bag with corn
and his mouth with tobacco, he struck
out at a terrific rate of speed, the hired
man following after.
The sun having just arisen Peter had
discarded his wide brimmed straw hat,
and for greater freedom of movement
had thrown his suspender from his right
shoulder. This latter useful article Of