The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-12-12

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mer Johnson 10 his man-of-sll- work we
needn', git Uneasy Jest because old Pod
gers hex offered ye dollar month
more'n I'm payin We. ] reckon I've got
about ez much money, an Kin afford TO
pay ye about ez much en- Podgers kin or
meoee a little more.
Yer a fast-claSs worker Jerry. I'll.
admit that. an don't want we to be get
tan dissatisfied or thlnkin' OF diggin' out
so III make bargain with We right row
before We go any further. II We stick TO
me an work ez well ex we've bin workin'
right along fer the next two years I'll
pay We the same as Podssrs offered We.
an at the end of two years I'll give ye
the best critter on the place. Yes, Stree
Jerry. ye kin take yer pick OF airy critter
on the hull place, from sheep up to
norse. or even giraffe or elephant. IL
happen to have one OF EN- on hand
when Ii comes TO take yer choice.
what dye say to that, Jerry? Is it
a bargain?"
quietly. "and there's my hand to bind
the bargain"
That's the way TO talk; that's Jest
what l wanted TO hear" exclaimed Far
mer johnson. grasping Jerry's extended
palm and giving 1t a hearty shake. Now
that biz'ness Is settled satisfactory to all
hands an We kin pitch Into the work
No further mention was made Of thu
bargain between Jerry and his EMPLOYER
until they were seated at the dinner
table. later in the day. and then Mr.
Johnson. with merry twinkle In his eve.
glanced across the table at his better
fraction and said:
Well; mother. ] had to discharge Jer-
ny an hire him over agin today"
You seem to be in very good aumor
aoout It. so judge the differences
couldn't have been very serious" com.
mented Mrs. Johnson, who used To he a
YANKEE schoolma' am before she married
and therefore did not handle the United
states dialect with the off-hand familiar.
ity OF her husband
Serious? Ye kin bet n tsr, e,oo,,,n..a
MI. Johnson. 'Why. I've got To nav h;r,
u month more'n did before. an at the
END or two years. IL he stays right along
mes TO have his pick out of the critters
on the place to take along with him ana
keep Ter his own. I expect he'll take a
morse. nut | can't help Il. wasn't goin'
Ter iet Old Podgers hire him away from me-
an then go around chuckiin' over il be-
hind my back for the next six mcnths''
MT. Podgers made an attempt to hire
him. did hep
Yes, an purity nervy attempt at that
offered him 81 more a month but I settled
the matter In a hurry by plin' the hest
critter on the place on top of that But if
he stays the hull two years / reckon he'll
earn Itch. Jerry?'
Jerry blushed and answered that he
would do his best
DIDN'T you exempt my pony papa7 I
really can't think Of allowing Mr. Rrant to
run of with that. even if he does earn itrs
exclaimed Farmer Johnson's pretty IS
year-old daughter May. with a sidelong
glance OF admiration at Jerry's broad
shoulders and manly features
oh, Jerry wouldn't be mean enough to
take the pony, l guess" interposed her
father
NO" said Jerry, 81 don't want the pony
unless the rider goes with it," he added.
soto voce.
'Eh. what's fhat?" demanded Mr. John
son. Unless what? / didn't ketch the tail
end of that remark exactly"
Jerry's face turned crimson and he was
about to repeat his remark. when the
auick-witted young lady came to the res
cue.
Mr. Brant"-she always called him by
that title, because she considered 1t more
becoming and dignified than Jerry-''Mr
Brant says he doesn't want the pony I'M
less the bride goes with 1t. believe" she
explained ingenuously.
Huh! reckon a halter is all he'll get
with her If he takes that pony. There
want anything in the wrtins about
THROWN In a bridle," said Farmer John
son.
you needn't worry. father. / think Mr..
Brant will be generous enough to spare me
my pony" said May. reassuringly.
Yes. you may keep your pony" agreed
Jerry. with an undisguised glance of adj
miration at the pretty face opposite him.
Mays eyes fell before his. but not until
they had flashed back look that caused
his heart to beat high with hope.
The fact OF the matter was that stall
wart. good-looking Jerry had long admired
his employers handsome and accomplish
ed daughter but today was the first time
he had dared to let her know 1t. either by
look or speech.
After that however. their acquaintance
RAPIDLY ripened. and a few weeks later
Jerry surprised Mr. Johnson by asking for
the hand OF his daughter in marriage.
Mr.. johnson was engaged In the pastoral
occupation of milking a COW at the mo-
ment this question was sprung upon htn,
and he nearly fell Off the stool In astonish
ment
want to marry my darter Mayg' he
gasped. Il guess not young man! Not IL
the court knows itself. I've bin edyercatin'
her fer suthin' higher than niarryin' her
fathers hired man"
easily be removed" interposed Jerry. II
don't expect TO remain anybody's hired
man after my two years are up. / believe
told you when I came here that / had
Just graduated from college. and intended
TO make the pursuit OF agriculture my life
business. instead OF going into medicine or
law or any other OF the already overcfoWd-
ed professions. l believe man with brains
can put them to as good use and make as
much money In farming as in anything
else. and propose 10 prove IL. am study
ing the practical side of the business now.
and at the end of my two years propose
10 go West and buy a ranch and strike out
for myself AS far as my education IL
concerned. don't think shall ever give
YOUR daughter occasion 10 be ashamed or
me. and as 10 supporting her comfortably
and In becoming style. I believe / shall be
abundantiy able TO do SO. and
Can't help that. jerry broke In MI
Johnson II haint Eointer nave yu rug
gin May OF Jest because We two young
folks ina CINE ye'h in love. woman Is a
mighty queer an onsartiu' sort Of critter,
ANYHOW. as you'll find out soon enough
when We git hooked up In double harness
fer Hfe with one OF 'eu. an II was In yer
place I woudn'; BE in any hurry ooas TAX
in a yoke OF that kind on my shoulders
ANYHOW. II We insist on gittin' married
in spIss Of my warn!n', yen halter pick
out some other pardner besides the one
we've got yer eyes sot on a. present. NJ
darter is soln' hack TO college next week
tn finish her edyerca:ion, an when she gifts
shrn0gh her schooiin' Il will be plenty tirae
enough fer her 10 commence fhtnktn bout
the men. She'll forgit We by that time fast
enough, 40 ye nigh, as well give w AL
hone right now OF ever gitfin' her. ike
va well enough other Ways. Jerry. bat 1
dau't care fer We In the role OF son-iu law.
There. row. yeye cot yer answer fair an
square an ef ys want % stay an WORK cat
the balance OF yer time. well drop the love
ii