The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1897-12-16
already there and well down in his sev:

10ey WORKED until dark; then the old
man took out his pocketbook. Bob
shook his head and grinned. II don't
want no money, mister; but if you'll
let me come again tomorrow I'll be
much obliged"
"Come all You want to. There's
plenty of work, an we can settle when
we're through. But it seems sort Of
hard for you to come down here on 4
vacation an then work all the time"
"Oh, that's all right; I like farm
in';" and with quick spring he was
over the fence and running across the
field.
1t took three days to weed the
onions, and when they were finished
the old man again took out his pocket
book, but again Bob shook his head.
The old man looked perplexed.
"Come, come, boy, take the money"
he urged. II don't want nobody to
work for me for nothin'. You've
ARMED it, every cent"
Bob shufled his feet and looked at
the old man sideways. II didn't come
for no money" he said; "but there's
something else. Has-has my work
suited?"
Eyes; good works I ever had. I'd
like to hire you for year"
The boys eyes sparkled.
"An' would you be willin' to hire q
man, too?" he asked, eagerly; zone
who could work lots better than me?"
mo, I haven't work for two hands,"
The eager countenance fell.
II thought maybe you would" and
Bob began to climb over the fence de.
jectedly. 1--WE wouldn't ask much
wages, an we'd work like anything."
"1s he some Of your folks?"
"My dad"
| "U'm! Well, there'll be no trouble
about work, I guess. Good hands are
scarce, an your father could git plenty
to do in the neighborhood. Perkins
hires help, an so does Brown an
Thompson. I've got an old house that
I'll rent to you cheap, an you can move
in any time you like an go to work.
I'll keep you stiddy-an' be mighty glad
to git rid of onion weedin'," grimly.
But Bob's face did not brighten as he
expected.
II don't b'lieve dad would come, 'cept
he was sure of gettin' work." he said
| 1--WE went out in the country last
summer an tried lots Of farms, but
nobody would hire him. Dad said he
wouldn't try again." Then, in answe,
to a look Of incredibly, he added, with
a sudden flush coming into his face:
"You see, it's just this way. Dads the
best man in the world, an he's a splen.
did worker; but he's that easy like an
pleasant he won't say no to nobody
He didn't drink any fore mother died
an he often goes weeks without it now
he did when I was sick last summer
Him an me is all there is, an some,
times he tries to give it up on my
count; but most folks like him, an
there's ten whisky shops in sight of our
door. faint easy for man to 20 past
all of 'em. Dad says he just can't do it.
If we lived way off in the country there
might be some show"
IF he only drinks now an ag'in,"
said the old man, refectively, 1T seems
sort of strange that he can't git work
nowhere. l know good many hired
men who drink little"
Bob flushed and looked embarrassed
"You see, he-he can't stop when he
once gets started,'' he explained; 'he's
so awful easy an'-an' good-natured."
"Um! Drunk most of the time eh -
Bob remained silent, but shuffled hi.
feet uneasily along the rails
mo, 1 don't want him. said the
old man, decidedly; II amt reformin'
drunkards.'
HE amt no drunkard!" cried Bob
fiercely. "He's easy; an we've lived al.
ways among rumshops. He smells
whisky just as soon as he steps on the
street, an there's plenty of men to give
him drink. He can't stop, but tell
you he amt no drunkard. He amt! he
amt! he amt! 1 guess know, for I'm
most always with him. sit up with
him nights, anil foller him when he goes
out. l wouldn't be here now, only he
went off with a lot of men for two
weeks, an I couldn't go long. !
thought maybe there'd be chance for
us out here; an worked for you Just
as hard as ever could, an hoped you'd
be willin' to help me give him show.
He amt no drunkard, an he don't use
no swear talk, an he don't fight. He
never struck me in all my life-not once.
Even if he does drink he's good man,
an he amt no drunkard-no, not if
nobody in all the world will hire him, ~
Farmer Brownlee's face had lost its
severity during this explosion. Now he
laid his hand detainingly upon the boys
arm.
mo, I don't believe your pa is all
bad" he said, gravely; IAN maybe I
said more than meant. I'll think it
over tonight, an you come round
again in the mornin'. I once had a
brother who must a-been some like
your pa; but that's long time ago.
Well. goodnight"
Bob watched him until he was lost in
the shadows, then he slipped down from
the fence, and went across toward the
Perkins farmhouse.
In the morning he was back again
long before Farmer Brownlee was astir.
When the old man appeared he was ex-
aiming the beets and carrots.
HIN! more weedin' for Won "
chuckled the old man, as he approached.
"Well, about your pa. How'd you like
to farm it a little for yourselves?'
Bob looked at him wonderingly.
How can we?" he asked; I'VE amt
got no land"
"pll fix that. I can't hire Won an