The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1892-11-29
FARMER JAMEsoN's THIEF.

IaInIey had happened, and TalnIey
was decidedly uncomfortable about it.
Ofcourse every body knew-asevery
body knew everything IN hat delight
fui place, where each neighbor was a
friend, eachtriend a brother-and what
the village folk knew was this-the
miller, old Harvey Jameson, had been
robbed.
"A queer business" said the miller,
shaking his dusty head sOlemnly, and
telling the circumstances for the
fftieth time t. his neighbOr, Farmer
Greene, who had dropped in to SYM
pathize with his Did friend; nobody
knew 1 had the money but my daugh-
ter Jennie and young Levoo, and |
can't suspect a single soul, | put the
money in a tin box and I put that
among a lot Of other boxes in the cup
! board, waitln' till l could go to the
bank with it, an 10 and behold! when
1 went to get it out yesterday there
wasn't q single sign of box or money.
| can't understand it."
Neither can I, neighbor," said
Greene, running a brawny hand oyer
his shock of untidy hair; neither can
L. But 1 do think We set too much store
by that young man we've took into
your house, an mebbe we've mistook
him. He's a deal too fine about his
| clothes an his hands an his hair to be
any too honest, but, cautiously. as he
saw the flush that stole over Jameson's
face. but mebbe I'm talkin' too fast,
but it's mighty curious, and one don't
know what to think"
lone might try tothink nothin' that
weren't charitable" said the miller,
gravely, an 1 don't suspect the lad.
It's morn I'd like to lose, for it takes
a time to earn it. But young LevOe>
didn't have nothin' to do with the
stealin'-no mOre'n you or mean I'd
rather people wouldn't kinder hint he
had"
"'Tain't in nature not to think it see
in he's q stranger an nobody knows
what or who he is; an he has fine ways
with him an talks like q school mas
ter" said Greene, stubbornly. 81
don't like to see you took in, neighbor,
and I'm mighty much afraid you are
by that mill hand of yourn."
Then Greene held out his hand to
the miller; who was deep in thought,
and babe him good day, and betOok
him to his duties on the farm near the
mill.
But the farmer had left a seed of
doubt behind him; and when has such
a seed not found soil to nurture it until
it's fruit hung heavy on the giant tree
whicl Swallowed a friendship or dark
ened forever a soul immortal?
In Talmley there was but one who
had not been born there, and that
was Dick LevOe, the stranger who had
been born there, and that one was Dick
Levoe, the stranger who had crossed
his threshold six months before 10 ask
for employment.
Jameson wanted a hand in the mill,
and hired Dick, taking him as a
boarder. The young man had fine
ways" as Greene said.
He was not especially handsome, but
he was cheerful, courteous and willing
to work, and yet, for all that showed
unmistakable signs of hsving had no
Occa ion to perform any labor, at some
time not far past. He was educated
even Jennie, who had spent a ear at
boarding school, could be instructed
by him.
I'll just keep my eyes open and not
let on for aW lille" thought the miller,
but as Greene said, who else could
have stolen the money!"
He perceived no change in Dick, no
confusion, no sign Of quit, but greatly
to the good mans CONSERVATION he dis
covered something else. The young
man was in love with pretty Jennie,
and she was fully conscious of the FACT.
There was a new difficulty, and one
which the miller did not care to meet.
He was bordering over it one day
three weeks after the robbery when
G avin, of Hollow, called and paid him
&10 which had been due some time.
Il hear your house isn't a very
secure place for money" said Glavin
with a smile, "but L hope nobody will
walk off with this while you're asleep"
IN take care of that" said the
miller, conscious that Dick could hear.
Il don't calc'late on bein' robbed twice
by the same person, and I've got over
thinkin' everybody I meet is honest.
Good day, sir. Much obliged"
Glavin departed and the miller went
into the house.