The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1897-11-09
.JERRT
AGade o. Choice
BY WILL 8 GRINDLRY.
6"NOW see here, Jerry" exclaimed
IN Farmer Watson to his man

yO0 OO4AhE q WOuGu more / m pay1l
ye. I reckon I've got about ez much
money an kin afford to pay ye about
ez much ez Twitty kin or mebbe a Lit,
tie more.
Yer q fust- class worker, Jerry, I'll
admit that, an I don't want We to be
gettin' dissatisfied or thinkin' Of diggin'
out, so I'll make a bargain with ye
right now before we go any further.
If ye stick to me an work ez well ez
ye've bin workin' right along fer the
next two years, I'll pay ye same as
Twitty offered ye, an at the end of the
two years I'll give ye the best critter
on the place. Yes, stree, Jerry, ye
kin take yer pick of any critter on the
hull place, from a sheep up to a horse,
or even a giraffe or elephant, if I hap,
pen to have one of EN- on hand when
it comes time to take yer choice.
what dye say to that, Jerry; is it
a bargainG"
I'M do il" answered Jerry Brant,
quietly, land there's my hand to bind
the bargain"
That's my way to talk that's jest
what ! wanted TO hear" exclaimed
Farmer Watson, grasping Jerry's ex-
tended palm and giving it a hearty
shake. NOW that business 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 Jerryand his employ
er, until they were seated at the din
ner table, later in the day, and then
Mr.. Watson, with a merry twinkle in
his eyes, glanced Gro the table at
his better fraction and said:
"Well, mother, I had to discharge
Jerry an hire him over again to day"
You seem to be in very good hu
NOR about it, &C I judge the difference
couldn't have been very serious" com
mented Mrs. Watson.
''5erious4 Ye kin bet it isT' ejacu
lated Mr.. Johnson. why, I've got
to pay him 81 a month more'n I did
before, an at the end of two years, if
he stays right along, he's to have his
pick out the critters on the place to
take along with him and keep fer his
own. Iexpect he'll take a horse, but
I can't help it. I wasn't goin' ter let
old Tritty hire him away from me, an
then go around chucklin' over it be
hind my back for the next six
months"
"Mr. Twitty made an attempt to
hire him, did he3"
Yes, an a pretty nervy attempt at
that. offered him 81 more a month,
but I settled the matter in a hurry by
pulling the best critter on the place on
top of that. But if he stays the hull
two years I reckon he'll earn Itch,
Jerry7"
Jerry bluehed and answered that he
would do his best.
Didn't you exempt my pony, papaF
I really can't think Of allow Mr.. Brant
to run eff with that, even if he does
earn ilw exclaimed Farmer Watson's
pretty Is year old daughter May, with
a sldelong glance of admiration at
Jerry's broad shoulders and manly fea
lures.
ION, Jerry Wouldn't be mean enough
to take, the pony, l guess, " i~nterposed
her father.
mo" said Jerry, 81 don't want the
pony-unless the rider goes with il"
he added, soto voce.
"Eh, what's that4" demanded Mr..
Watson-''unless whatQ I didn't ketch
the tail end of that remark, exaztly."
Jerry's face turned crimson, and he
was about to repeat his remark when
the quick witted young lady came to
the escue
Mr.. Brant" (she always called him
by that title, because she considered it
more becoming and dignifed than Jer
ry) "Mr. Brant says he doesn't want
the pony unless the bride goes with it,
1 believe" she explained, ingenuously.
"Huhl I reckon q halter is all he'll
get with her if he takes that pony.
There want anything in the writin's
about THROWN in q bridle," said Far
mer Watson.
You needn't worry. father, I think
Mr.. Brant will be generous enough to
spare me my pony" said May, reas-
suringly.
Eyes, you may keep your pony"
agreed Jerry, with an u~ndisguised
glance of admiration at the pretty
face opposite him.
Mays ey es fell before his, but not
until they had flashed back a look that
- -: ~.- 81 la.& Lib i'll