Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1898-08-07
JERRY,s CHOICE.

work, we needn't git Uneasy Jest be-
cause old Podgers hez offered We a
dollar month mole'n I'm payin' We.
reckon I've got about ez much money
an kin afford to pay We about ez much
ez rodgers kin or llebbe little more.
Yer a fust-clsss worker, Jerry.
III admit that. an | don't want We to
be gettin' dissatisfied or thinlSin' of
dlggin' out. so III make bargain
with We right now before we go any
further If ye stick 10 me an work
ez we'll eZ you've bin workn' right
along fer the next two years. I'll paw
We the same as Pc6gers offered We. an
at the end CT the two years I'll give
!e the best crltte!' on the place. Yes,
Stree. Jerry, ye kin take yer pick OF
airy critter on the hull place. from a
sieen up to Il horse. or even a giraffe
or elephant. il | happen TO have one of
EN- on hand when it comes time TO
take yer choice.
What dye say to that, Jerry? Is
it a bargain?"
III do it," answered Jerry Rrant,
quietly, and there's my hand 10 bind
the bargain.
That's the way to talk; that's jest
what | wanted to hear exclaimed
Farmer Johnson. grasping Jerry's ex-
tended palm and giving it Il hearty
shake. Now that biz mesa 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 a merry
twinkle in his eyes. glanced across the
table ut his better traction and said:
We'll. mother. had to discharge
Jerry an hire him over ag!n TODAY"
You seem to be in very good humor
about it. SO | judge the difference
couldn't have been Very serious" com
mented Mrs. Johnson. Who used TO be
Yankee scEooina'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" e;acu-
II i
pay him 81 Il month more'n did he
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. I expect he'll take a horse.
but can't help it. I wasn't goin' ter
let old Podgers hire him away from
me. an then so around chucklin' over
it behind my back for the next six
MONTHS
Mr.. Podgers made an attempt to
hire him. did heo"
Yes, an a purity nervy attempt at
that. Offered hin. 5 more :; month
but settled the matter in a hurry by
pun the best criiter 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 :.
I really cant 1hink OF allowing Mr..
Brant to run Off with that even il
he does earn it," exclaimed Farmer
Johnson's pretty lS-year-old daughter.
May. with 4 sidc!uny glance of admir-
alton at Jerry's broad shoulders and
manly features:
oh, Jerry wouldn't be mean enough
to take the pony. ! guess" in,erposed
her father.
NO said Jerry. Il don't want the
pony-unless the rider goes with it,
he added SOTO voice
Eth, what's thtt?" demanded Mr.
johnson. Unless what? didn't
ketch the tail end OF that remark. ey-
zactly."
Jerry's face turned crimson and he
was about to repeat his remark, when
the quick-witted young lady came to
the rescue.
Mr.. Erant''-she always called him
by that title, because she considered
it more becoming and dignifcd than
Jerry-"Alr Brant says he doesn't
want the pony unless the bride goes
with it. I believe" she explained, in
genuously.
Huh! I reckon halter is all he'll
get with her ii he takes that pony.
There want anything in the writin's
about THROWN il Bride" said
Farmer Johnson.
you needn't worry, father, | think
Mr.. Brant will be generous enough to
spare me my pony said May. re-
assuringly.
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 not
until they had dashed back a look
that caused his heart TO beat high
with hope.
The fact OF the matter was that
stalwart, go1,d-lookng Jerry had long
admired his employers handsome and
accempi ished daughter, bat to-day was
the first time he had dared to let her
know it. either by Look or speech.
After that, however, their acquaint-
ance rapidly ripened and a few weeks
1.y