Daily tobacco leaf-chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1890-1895, 1890-11-05


1t was well understood that when Peter
said thing he meant it. He was not
only handy with his No. 10 boots, but
was a very muscular man and noted
''rough and tumble wrestler.
In fact Peter stated no more than the
truth when he said:
II kin down anything within ten mile
in Piketown, with one exception -thet's
the rheumatic"
He was also great worker, being able
to "out-hoe, out-mow, out-chop an out
eat" any man that lie ever had in his
employ.
Martha, said Susan a day or two
after the hired man had taken his de-
parture, tive 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 great futtering Of rib
bons and rustling Of skirts, climbed into
the old buggy wagon and started for
Piketown.
She reached tho 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 tIudging along ahead of her in the
dusty road u 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 ALAG
rity, and Martha found herself seated
beside broad shouldered, trim built
young man, perhaps 25 years of age
His cuily 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
tion, if not obstinacy and pugnacity.
''Have you walked far?' queried Mar
tina after old Jerry had logged on some
distance.
"Abou5 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 a few monthsS
"Why, yes" said Martha. '.Paps.'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 gross. He is al
ways that way when he \ ILL.,"
"Oh, | shall not mind that in the
least. replied the young man cheerfully.
81 am out of u job and out OF money,
and under the circumstances would work
for Lucifer himself. May inquire your
manner"
"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 struck
Peter at once saw that his new hired
man was great worker.
Within week he had the plowing 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 a will.
As has been already stated, Peter
prided himself ON the fact that he had
never had an einploye who was able to
do as much work in day as could he.
1t had always been his custom to
trace it, with every new man he hired.
When after more or less close and ex-
citing contest his antagonist either
tacitly or openly admitted his defeat
Peter would say:
"Wal, yew dew wot ye kin. Yew
can't hev more NV of a 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
wet ye kin.
One evening. having fully recovered
his health and strength Peter said TO
Robert Sharp:
I'm goin' deown tew Piketown this
evenin tew buy me new hoe. Tew-
morrer, yew know, we air tew plant the
Green lot tew w1te 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 fourished two bright
new hoes.
Said the farmer as soon as the lot was
reached:
I'm jest a-going tew make this new
hoe fly tewday. This piece has got tew
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