The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1890-03-01

elLhef or ther
thought she made a pretty picture
fitting in and out among the snow
linen, the slanting sunbeams falling Oh
her shapely form and comely face an,
shining black hair, he did not say so Z
his fellow; for, though Farmer Barclay
hired men had plowed and plante,
and hoed side by side through the sprini
and summer days, and at night slept to
gether in the big chamber over tn
kitchen, they we're not on confidential
terms. Samuel Dale, who had been oI
the farm half a dozen years, was iealou
OF the growing influence of a compare
tive stranger, who, it seemed likely
would supplant him in more ways thar
one.
Early the previous spring, wei
dressed, good looking man, about 81
years of age, knocked at Farmer Bar
clay's door and offered to hire out fol
the summer. The farmer took him upor
trial-hands were scarce that year-and
when his month was out, engaged hin
for the season. He was smart to yorl
--as man needed to be who could hoe
his row with Samuel Dale-clever al
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-loolled 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 a respectful Difference of man
ner, accompanying them with well
worded compliments and admiring
glances that were very hattering 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
at the pump, apd Thomas Tyler, after
carefully brushing the dust from his
clothes and running a 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 a ruddy, open face and
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 in his
chair, and the setting sun shone full
upon his jolly red face and gray hair
Father Barclay" said Samuel Dale,
Il want to know how much longer you
are going to let this go onf"
"Ehl 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 spile the best piece OF
land in the state of Ohio"
'See here, Father Barclay" said the
young man. Il have that on 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 a 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
~ by dexterous movement, he threw a
coil over the girls head. She struggled
to free herself, but it was plain to see.
10y her laughing, blushing face and the
yielding motion Of her supple, frame
toward her captor, that she was no un-
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 thatl" he said, angrily. !
Its been going on for weeks, and he |
winding himself round the girl US he's |
that rope round her now. Do |
you want to see her tied hand and foot,
Father Barclay, and never lift finger |
to stop it?''
"Shol shol Samnlyi what's come over
We, boy? You look as black rs a thunder
cloud. Gittin' jealous, heyl Why the
girls foolin' little, that's all. Girls win |
be girls, you know, and Tom Tylers a
good lookin' chap, with smooth tongue
in his head for women folks. And, now
! think Of it, he's always round the girl.
You must stick up to her, Sammy. / !
can't do your eoUrtin' fol ye. Show a
little pluck, my boy, II Tom Tyler talks
soft do you talS softer. Women folks
like coaxin' and aatterin'; and mebbe
you haven't Civ Sue enough of It."
VI am no match for Tom Tyler at that
game said the young man, moodily.
Your daughter has known my mind
these three years, and don't need any
soft words to tell her Of it, Aud, Father
Barclay. the foolings that's been going
ON for the last fortnight is kind can't
put up with thought you might have
something TO say about her throwing
herself away on fellow whose very
name was strange 10 her three months
NO; but | see you have no notion to
neddle. She is likely to follow her own
oent' suppose, for all your opinion or
mine But there's one thing; she's
played fast and loose with me long
enough. I'll have il out with her tins
night. She shall take her ohoioe between
ls, and
He stopped abruptly, and turned upon
bis heel, for Thomas Tyler and the farm
sr's daughter were coming up the walk
bearing the basket Of clothes between
hem.
lnaf evening" when ths ulpper tabls