The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1897-12-01
JERRY'S CHOICE.
ny WILL =. aRrDLEy.

Farmer johnson to his man of all
work, eye needn't git Uneasy jest be-
cause old Podgers hez offered ye
dollar n month more'n I'm payin' ye.
1 reckon I've got about ez much
money an kin afford to pay ye about
ez much ez Podgers kin or mebbe n
little more.
eyer fust-class worker, Jerry,
I'll admit that, an don't want We to
he gettin' dissatisfied or thinkin of
diggin' out, so I'll make bargain with
we right now before we go any fur
ther. If we stick to me an work ez
well ez ye've bin workin' right along
fer the next two years, I'll pay We the
same as Podgers offered We, an at the
end of the two years I'll give ye the
best critter on the place. Yes, stree,
Jerry, we kin take yer pick of ary
critter on the hull place, from sheep
up to horse, or even a giraffe or ele-
phant, if / happen TO have one of 'em
on hand when it comes time to take
yer choice.
"What dye say to that, JerryP Is
it bargain?"
"Ill do it," answered Jerry Brant.
quietly, ''and there's my hand to bind
the bargain"
"That's the way to talk; that's jest
what 1 wanted to hear" exclaimed
Farmer johnson, grasping Jerry's ex-
tended palm and giving it hearty
shake. "Now that biz'ness is settled
satisfactory to all hands an we kin
pitch into the work with clear con-
sciences"
No further mention was made of the
bargain between Jerry and his en-
plyer until they were seated ut the
dinner table, later in the day, and
then Mr.. johnson, with merry
twinkle in his eyes, glanced across the
table at his better fraction and said
"Well, mother, had to dischage
Jerry an hire him over agin today"
"You seem to be in very good
humor about it, so I Judge the differ
ence couldn't have been very seri-
ous," commented Mrs. johnson, who
used to be q schoolma' am before she
married, and therefore did not handle
the United States dialect with the off
hand familiarity of her husband.
'Serious? Ye kin bet it isl" ejacu-
lated Mr.. johnson. ''Why, I've got
to pay him 81 month more'n did
before, an at the end of two years, if
he stays right along, he's to have his
pick out of the critters on the place
to take along with him and keep fer
his own. I expect he'll take horse,
but can't help it. wasn't goin'te
let old Podgers hire him away from
Inc, an then 60 around chucklin' over
it behind my back for the next six
months" ,.t
"Mr. Podgers made an attempt to
hire him, did hep"
Eyes, an a purity nervy attempt at
that. Offered him 81 more a month,
but I settled the matter in hurry by
pilin' the best critter on the place on
top of that. But if he stays the
hull two years I reckon he'll earn it
eh, Jerry?"
Jerry blushed, and answered that
he would do his best.
'Didn't you exempt my pony, papa?
I really can't think of allowing Mr..
Brant to run off with that, even if he
does earn it!"exclaimed Farmer John
son'spretty 1s-year-old daughter, May,
with sidelong glance of admiration
at Jerry's broad shoulders and manly
features.
"Oh, Jerry wouldn't be mean
enough to take the pony, guess, +"
interposed her father.
"No," said Jerry, 81 don't want
the pony-unless the rider goes with
it," he added, sotto voce.
"Eh, what's that?" demanded Mr..
Johnson. 'Unless what? / didn't
ketch the tail end of that remark, ex-
actly."
Jerry's face turned crimson, and he
was about to repeat his remark, when
the quick-witted young lady came to
the rescue.
''Mr. Brant'-she always called him
by that title, because she considered
it more becoming aud dignified than
Jerry-"Mr. Brapt says he doesn't
want the pony unless the bride goes
with it, believe" she explained in
genuously.
''Huh! l reckon halter is all he II
get with her if he takes that pony.
There want anything in the writin's
about THROWN in bridle," said Far
mer Johnson.
"You needn't worry, father. think
Mr.. Brant will be generous enough to
spare me my pony" said May, reas-
suringly.
"Yes, you may keep your pony
agreed Jerry, with an undisguised
glance of admiration at the pretty
face opposite him.
Mays eyes fell before his, but no,
until they had flashed back look that
caused his heart to beat high with
hope.
| The fact ofthe matter was that stal
wart, good-looking Jerry had long ad
mired his employers handsome and