Wichita eagle., 1890-02-02

1houSnt eHe Hldue pretty picture,
fitting in and out among the snowy
linen, the slanting sunbeams falling on
her shapely form and comely face and
shining black hair, he did not say SO to
his fellow; for, though Farmer Barclay
hired men had plowed and planted
and hoed side by side through the spring
and summer days, and at night slept to-
gether in the big chamber over the
kitchen, they were not on confidential
terms. Samuel Dale, who had been on
the farm half dozen years, was Jealous
of the growing influence of compare
tive stranger, who, it seemed likely,
would supplant him in more ways than
one.
Early the previous spring, a we'll
dressed, good looking man, about 30
years of age, knocked at Farmer Bar
clay's door and offered to hire out for
the summer. The farmer took him upon
trial-hands were scarce that year-and
when his month vas out, engaged him
for the season. He was smart to work
as man needed to be who could hoe
his row with Samuel Dale-clever at
contrivance and handy with tools. He
kept the farmers mouth stretched with
his jokes, though he seldom showed his
own white teeth in laugh.
"A sharp witted, wide awake fellow"
said Farmer Barclay, ''who pays for his
bread and bacon by his good company"
The new hand was no less favorite
indoors. Susie Barclay, the farmers
only child, housekeeper and mistress
her mother was dead-looked with in
creasing favor upon the gallant stranger,
who, when he was by, would not allow
her to bring a pail of water from the
well or handful of kindling wood from
the shed, but performed these offices for
her with respectful Difference of man
ner, accompanying them with well
worded compliments and admiring
glances that were very fattering to the
simple country girl. Meanwhile, Sam
uel Dale lounged on the porch or sat
dangling his long legs from the kitchen
table.
On the Monday evening when our
story commences the two men washed
carefully brushing the dust from his
clothes and running a pocket comb
through his crisp black curls, fastened
to join Susie Barclay in the clothes yard,
while Samuel Dale went out to the far
mer on the porch.
Dale was tall and somewhat ungainly
in person, with a ruddy, open face and
pleasant brown eye. He was simple and
straightforward in manner, had a sunny
temper, and was honest through and
through.
The old farmer was half asleep in his
chair, and the setting sun shone full
upon his jolly red face and gray hair.
Father Barclay" said Samuel Dale,
81 want to know how much longer you
are going TO let this go on:''
"Eh, What, Sammy said the old
man, waking with start. ''You reckon
we'd better put it down to oats, don't We?
The way we've been goin' on with that
medder lot would Spite the best piece of
land in the state of Ohio"
"See here, Father Barclay" said the
young man. Il have that Oh my mind
lately that leaves me no heart for farm
work. Look yonder, will you? That
girl has been as good as promised to
me these three years, and we'd been
man and wife before this, only you said
she was too young, and coaxed me TO
wait a spell. Now look at her, will
your"
The porch commanded view of the
green yard sloping down 20 the meadow
bank behind the farm house. SUsie's
task was completed, and the great round
basket at her side was beaped high with
the snow white linen. Her companion
was taking down the line, when sudden
", by dexterous movement, he threw a
coil over the girls head. She struggled
10 free herself, but it was plain to see,
by her laughing, blushing face and the
motion of her supple frame
toward her captor, that she was no I'M
willing prisoner in his grasp. Thomas
Tyler, holding the ends of the rope in his
right hand. looked toward the porch and |
showed his white teeth in a smile.
The sight was not agreeable to Samuel |
Dale.
do YOU see that?' be said, angrily. |
Its been going on for weeks, and he /
winding himself round the girl as he's |
tightening that rope round her now. Do |
YOU want to see her tied hand and foot, |
Father Barclay, and never lift a finger |
to stop it,
''Shoi shot, Sammy what's come over /
ra hov2 Won, l>Ol oS blarl- aS q thunder /
cloud. Gittin' jealous, hey? Why the
girls foolin little, that's all. Girls will |
be girls. you know. and Tom Tyler's a /
good lookin' chap, with smooth tongue !
N his head for women folks. And. now |
think of it, he's always round the girl |
You must stick up to her. Sammy. /
amt do your courtin' for We Show q
little pluck, my boy. If Tom Tyler talks /
,oft, do you talk softer. Women folks
Ike coaxin' and fatterin'; and mebbe
7ou haven't Civ Sue enough of it
Il am no match for Tom Tyler at that
-ame," said the young man, noodily. |
Your daughter has known my mind
hese three wears, and don't need any
off words to tell her of it. And, Father
Barclay. the fooiings that's been COINS
N for the last fortnight is kind can't
mt ND with. l thought you might have
onethins to say about her throwing
herself away on fellow whose very
,ame was strange to her three months
.ro: but l see you have no notion to
najd,s She is likely to follow her own
al .N-Nnya