The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1898-06-07
JERRY'S CHOICE.

reckon I've got about ez much none
an kin afford to pay ye about ez mucl
ez Podgers kin or mebbe little more
Yer fust-class worker, Jerry
I'll admit that, an l don't want We t.
be gettin' dissatisfied or thinkin' o
diggin' out, so I'll make a bargain
with We right now before We go an.
further. If We stick to me an worl
ez we'll ez you've bin workin' RICH
along fer the next two years, I'll pa!
We the same as Podgers offered We, an
at the end of the two years I'll Civ
ye the best critter on the place. Yes
Stree, Jerry, We kin take yer pick O.
airy critter on the hull place, from {
sheep up to horse, or even giraffe
or elephant, If l happen to have one Of
'em on hand when 1t comes time tt
take yer choice.
What dye say to that, Jerry? Ii
1t bargan?"
"I'll do it," answered Jerry Brant
quietly, land there's my hand to bind
the bargain"
That's the way to talk; that's jest
what I wanted to hear" exclaimed
Farmer johnson, grasping Jerry's ex-
tended palm and giving it a. 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-
ployer until they were seated at 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 discharge
Jerry an hire him over agin to-day"
you seem to be in very good humor
about 1t, so I Judge the difference
couldn't have been very serious" COM
mented Mrs. johnson, who used to be
a Yankee 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 l did be-
fore, 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. / expect he'll take a horse,
but can't help it. l wasn't goin' ter
let old Podgers hire him away from
me, an then go around chucklin' over
it behind my back for the next six
months"
"Mr. Podgers made an attempt to
hire him. did he?"
Eyes, an a purity nervy attempt at
that. Offered him 81 more a month,
but settled the matter in a 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 Itch,
Jerry?"
Jerry blushed, and answered that he
would do his best.
Didn't you exempt my pony, papa?
really can't think OF allowing Mr..
Brant to run off with that even il
he does earn it," exclaimed Farmer
J0hnson's pretty 1S-year-old daughter,
May, with a sidelong glance of admir-
alton at Jerry's broad shoulders and
manly features.
"Oh, Jerry wouldn't be mean enough
to take the pony, l guess" interposed
her father.
mo" said Jerry, Il don't want the
pony-unless the rider goes with it,"
he added, soto voice.
"Eh, what's that" demanded Mr..
johnson. UNLESS what? didn't
ketch the Tail end of that remark, ex-
zactly."
Jerrys 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 and dignified than
Jerry--"Mr. Brant says he doesn't
want the pony unless the bride goes
with it, l believe" she explained, in
genuously.
Huh! I reckon n halter is all he'll
get with her If he takes that pony.
There want anything in the writin's
about THROWN in a Bride" said
Farmer Johnson.
you needn't worry, father, I think
Mr.. Brant will be generous enough to
spare me my pony" said May, re-
assuringly.
Eyes, you may keep your pony"
agreed Jerry, with an undisguiset
glance of admiration 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
;talwart, good-looking Jerry had long
admired his employers handsome and
daughter, but to-day was
The first time he had dared to let her
Know it, either by look or speech.
After that, however, their acquaint-
'nce rapidly ripened and a few weeks
alter Jerry surprised Mr.. Johnson by
skiing for the hand of his daughter
n marriage.
Mr.. Johnson was engaged in the pas
oral occupation Of milking a cow at
he moment this question was sprung |
lpon him, and he nearly fell off the
tool in establishment
want to marry my darter, May"
lie gasped. Il guess not, young man!
tot If the court knows itself. I've bin
dyercatin' her fer suthin' higher than
larryin' her fathers hired man"
ooh, If that is the only objection.
can easily be removed" interposed
cry II don't expect to remain any
ody's hired man after my two years
re up. ! believe l told you when l
anne here that l had just graduated
rom college, and intended to make
he pursuit Of agriculture my life busi-
opn Il, e |