Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1892-04-27

oo',eu' ouU, alone, he could do little,
and was compelled to employ q hand
10 help him about the place.
Ihls, OF course, was a heavy drain
upon the resources which were scarcely
suinclent to maintain the family, and
reuben began to experience the same
anxiety to make both ends meet, which
mad invaded the lives of his ancestors
Tor several generations.
one day while at work in the hay
held where his father had first con.
nded his perplexities to him, he was
surprise to hear, cherry voice call.
ing
Reuben! Reuben Bemis, step here
moment. l would like to speak to
YOU"
Looking up, the farmer lad saw q
well-dressed, pleasant-loolxing man,
seated In a buggy that was drawn up
to the side of the road.
Throwing his hoe over his shoulder
the youth walked to the wall to as
certain what his visitor had to say.
81 have driven over to try and
make bargain with you for this
place. l will pay you well, in fact,
more than it is worth, for l want to
throw it into mine. which adjoins,
and establish an extensive stock.
farm."
81 am very sorry, Mr.. Stewart" re-
piled Reuben, slowly shaking his
head, 81 cannot SELL"
"And why not, pray?" asked the
man of money.
Because, sir, it was my fathers
wish that the old homestead should
remain in the family"
But" argued Mr.. Stewart. 81
should think it was losing struggle
on your part, tilling this sterile soil.
l do not see how you are able to Oh
tain bare living from the ground. "
ut Is very hard, admit" was the
answer, ''but as long as mother and
Mary do not complain, l shall not"
"Listen, young man, to what i will
do. If you will sell me the farm, l
will give you position in my stoIe in
Worcester at good wages which would
enable you to support your mother
and sister in much better shape than
with your utmost efforts you can do
here in Princeton
81 am very grateful for the offer,
Mr.. Stewart; but trust you will not
be angry with me if l cannot accept
it."
"Well, WE'LL" returned the other
Talk the matter over with
the folks at home, and II you do make
up your mind to sell, let me be the
for, as said before, will
give you more than any one else in
this neighborhood." And Mr.. Stewart
rode away to his country residence,
which was situated about half mile
while Reuben returned to
his work, a prey to conflicting emo
tions.
CHAPTER Ill
Hurry, Nathan, there's a thunder
shower coming, and we must get this
hay into the barn before it begins to
rain" "
Il reckon We'll have to work purity
lively then, Rube, cause that's heavy
Dne, and it'll be rainin' great guns
here in less'n ten minutes" and the
hired man glanced anxiously over his
shoulder toward the threatening
clouds which were rapidly forming in
he west.
Reuben and his assistant bent to
their labors with will, and as the
first drops began to fall the shambling
oxen drew their load into the barn.
LET the animals stand in the
yoke, Nathan. Shut the door and
come into the house; wei. take a
breathing spell and eat dinner while
the storm lasts"
In a few moments the two hay
with Mrs. Bemis and her
daughter were seated at the table
of the monday repast.
"You were fortunate, my son, in
getting the hay under cover before
the rain came. l was afraid you
would scarcely be able to do it,"
"We had to stir around pretty
lively, that's a fact. Goodness!
That was a terrible crash!" exclaimed
involuntarily shading his
eyes with his hand, for the fash and
the report were almost simultaneous.
81 guess that must a hit some tree
purity handy" drawled Nathan, 'for
I've heerd say that when the thun-
ner comes close after the lightnin'
got struck in the neigh
borhood."
Probably wen find a shattered
tree near by when we go out. "
s'Then we should be thankful that
It was not the house or barn." said
Mrs. Bemis.
"The barnl" reiterated her son,
to his feet. while a look of
iismay overspread his face. 1.-The
barnl Perhaps it was. Come, Ma
than. let us seeI" And snatching up
mis- straw hat from the chair on which
he had it, the young man rushed out
Of the hCslse followed by Nathan.
Scarcely had Reuben reached the
yard when a cry of horror burst from
mis- lips, for there, from the right
pole of the roof he saw issuing vol
Ime of black smoke which whirled
away before the tempest.
"Quick, quick, Nathan! Help me
TO back out the cattle, they must be
saved"
Rushing to the big doors of the
barn the young farmer threw them
open in frantic haste! But what a
sight awaited MIN!
The strong yoke of steers. which he
prized so highly were lying dead upon
the floor, stricken down by the ter
rible bolt, while the hay IN the NOW
was all ablaze.
"Too late, too late!" groaned Reu.
ben in despair.
As he saw the flames making such
terrific headway he bethought him
Of the house.
"Get buckets and fill them with
water. Hand them to me ON the
shed. The barn must go, but we will
do what we can to save the house. ,
Like heroes the two men worked,
yet despite their utmost efforts the
woodshed became ignited.