The Sunday morning news. [volume] (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1886-1891, 1890-02-02


fitting In and out among the snowy
linen, the slanting sunbeams falling on
her shapely form and csAAely face and
shining black hair, he ciII not say SO TO
his fellow; for. though Farmer Barclay s
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 we're not on confidential
terms. Samuel Dale, who had been ON
the farm half a dozen years, was jealous
of the growing influence of a compare
tive stranger, who, it seemed likely,
would supplant him in more ways than
one.
EARLY the previous spring. well
dressed, good looking man. about 80
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 was out, engaged him
for the season He was smart to work
-as man needed to be who could hoe
his row with Samuel Dale-cleyer at
continuance 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 a 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
chances that were very fiattering to the
simple country girl. Meanwhile, Sam
uel Dale lounged on the psrch or sat
dangling bis long legs from the kitchen
table.
On the Monday evening when our
story commences the two men washed
at the pump, and Thomas Tyler, after
carefully brushing the dust from his
clothes and running pocket comb
through his crisp black curls, hastened
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 rudy, open face and a
pleasant brown eye. He was simple and
straightforward in manner, had sunny
temper, and was honest through and
through.
The old farmer was half asleep Ia his
chair, and the setting sun shone full
upon his jolly red face and gray hair.
4sFather Barclay" said Samuel Dale,
II want to know how much longer you
are going to let this 20 on?"
aEhl What, Sammy said the old
man, waking with a start. ''You reckon
we'd better pat it down to oats, don't yer
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. ST have that on my mind
lately that leaves me no heart for farm
work. Look yonder, viii your 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 q SPELL Now look at her. will
your"
The porch commanded view of the
green yard sloping down to the meadow
bank behind the farm house. Susie's
task was completed, and the great round
basket at her side was heaped high with
the snow white linen. Her companion
was taking down the line, when sudden
ly. by dexterous movement, he threw a
coil over the girls head. She struggled
to free herself, bat it was plain to see,
by her laughing, blushing face and the
yislding motion Of her supple frame
toward her captor. that she was no I'M
willin,. 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 smile.
The sight was not agreeable to Samuel
Dale
ssDo you see thaty' he said, angrily.
'sIt's been going on for weeks, and he
winding himself round the girl as he's
tsghtening that rope round her now. Do
you want to see her tied hand and foot,
Father Barclay, and never lift finger
70 stop it.'
''Shoi shol Sammy what's come over
ye, boy2 You look as black as thunder
cloud. Gittin' Jealous, hey2 Why the
girls foolin Little, that's al. Girls will
Be girls, you know, and Tom Tyier's a
goc.Llookin' chap, with smooth tongue
IA bis head for women folks. And, now
] think OF it, he's always round the girl.
You must stick up to her, Sammy.
cant do your courtin' for ye. Show a
aittle pluck, nay boy. II Tom Tyler talks
soft, do you talk softer. Women folks
like coaxin' and aatterin'; and msbbe
you haven't Civ Sue enough OF it.
II ana no match for Tom Tyler at that
game" said the young man, moodily.
ssYcur daughter has known my mind
these three years, aud don't need any
soft words to tell her Of it. And, Father
Barclay, the fooiings that's been geing
on for the last fortnight Is = kind can't
put up with. I thought you might have
something to say abort her throwing
herself away on fellow whose very
name was strange TO her three months
ago; but see you have no notion to
meddle. She is likely TO follow her own
bent, ! suppose, for all your opinion or