Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1891-10-21
MY FIRST ENGAGEMENT.
BY HORACE WALKER.

"Are you out OF work, young man?'
The question had come very sudden
ly. NV interlocutor WAS rather rough
looking, but kindly withal. Howeve,
this may be | felt little discounted
and if had consulted my natural trep,
idation, and my aversion to utter
strangers, the presumption is that
should have turned on my heel, and
disappeared But something in his
manner arrested my attention, and ]
replied:
''Yes, sir, am unfortunately out OF
employment for the time being" at
the same moment wondering where his
funds could possibly come from to
meet financial obligations; for. assured
", he was most unprepossing, and
hardly an element about him tended to
diminish this first inference of mine.
He was rather Of stumpy build, a stout
old Cornish farmer, one might venture,
full bearded and bowlegged. On his
shaggy head ne wore a slouch hat
faded by many hot suns, and all sorts
of weather. Overalls concealed almost
completely his dress. They were oi
blueieans bleached almost white 10
some places, and yet L will be fair,
there Was just one redeeming quality
about the old gentleman's makeup, he
had the klndliest, most humane express
sion on the exposed part of his face
that l remember to have seen since q
mere lad. This alone could have led
me into trouble had he been disposed.
Know how to work?"
This was rather abrupt, and inclined
TO be a trife ssucy. Bat the persistent
kindly expression dispelled this inten-
tlon, and replied:
"Yes, sir"
What kin yer do? saw? split? pile
burnP"
THAT is very menisl labor"
"Guess 80. Git in my wagon
Afraid"
"No."
81 1--we three miles out.
Almost before knew it 1 found my
self comfortably ensconced In his old
farmer wagon, and on my way to Hart,
ley -Four Corners.
"For there is where l live. My
father lived there before me. / myself
have been there some thirty odd years.
Quite a while, allow. but average-to
do farmers usually take root, SO to
say, guess may be [ have. Love the
country, young msn?"
Up to this moment he seem ed mainly
to be addressing himself, and thus left
alone, had fallen into a partial ft OF
abstraction. II was q matter of small
concern to myself what my probable fu
ture would be. My parents were dead
II may have been said, and not un.
fairly, that l was friendless and alone
In the world. What If happy chance
should so decree it that this rough
diamond should prove my good Samari.
TAM
"Do you love the countryP"
"Yeur pardon. l had in my review
forgotten your question. Yes, am 9
The rural districts are my decided pre-.
ference"
know anything about farming
and he cast queer glance upon me,
one that seemed inquisitive, and one
that partook of what might possibly
be.
Something of farming, yes"
Can you prepare the ground for
seed?" and he seemed to be talking
to the horse as much as to me, but as
that animal made no reply, 1 said:
''Yes, Mr.. Dearborn"
''Plsnt potatoes?" Dig potatoes?
Eat potstoes?"
made an affirmative reply.
Know horses? Understand cattle z
Can milk? Do chores? Break colts ?"
and his singular interrogations were
frequently interspersed by loud "hud-
ups, the old mare never varying from
her dogtrot gait, and paying little
heed to the mouth emphasis and the
nnlntermittent sdmonitions of the etub
whip.
''Sir, or rather, Mr.. Dearborn, 1
protest. You require me to know the
entire psraphernalis of farming. Your
experience alone would suffice for such
questions"
However, I'll try you, If you
DON'T do | can turn you off. How'll
that suit?"
ne was certainly very abrupt, but 1
IePlied that 1t was immaterial to me if
dld not give satisfaction. Yes told
eim should certainly try. And try l
old- found the old fellow in posses
non OF qulte large farm, many and
many good broad acre, many and
many treeclad hill, mountain away
70 tne north, one very large brook
shlch came tearing down through the
oo9oing ferns, swaying watercresses,
aug eventually losing itself across an
otns[ mans meadow. At glance 1
could see that il the old fellow owned
these brosddelds he was really at no
great disparity with the world, IN fact
nlu got quite beyond the rains and
storms OF life in a commercial sense,
20 enn II might rot lie bad policy to
favor.
How d. likc?" he inquired, after 1
n1u passed few days in his employ, as
We sat about the kitchen stove, for the
SHOWS were still in the lap of spring,
Lu young sapling fire was not an
Uncomfortable acquisition to the
We'll indeed "
we had been keeping bachelors hall
W.. Ii tne nT lev days sinco NY arrival, as
@ ,ne expected housekecper had not as
Sst arrived. Finally, one morning,
quite early, he said:
lou arc cool horseman. Take
tnUo INC oiu mare Drive her down to the
S.S ;ISn fctch homo Tie lady and the