Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1901-11-08

much TO the farmers delight At The
end OF the season the farmer ma ie
the young mar a lii raj offer for TIC
ensuing year. And thereuDon ensued
long and confidential conversation
between the two.
Give me twenty-four hours to make
up my mind" said Moore. at last.
Tomorrow morning you shall have
your answer"
So. when the four o'clock train from
the city thundored past the farm that
evening the new hand stood on the
lawn alone and watched 1t with
thoughtful eyes. Taller and straighter
he looked than when he first came to
the lone pine lands, and there was
a healthy flush on his cheek, beneath
the sunburn, that told tales Of dit
ferent, nobler. hoiier life, than the
former one had ever been.
The farmer was busy at the barn.
The good housewife, in the kitchen.
was hurrying onward her preparations
for tea, and Jane, with a two-quart
tin basin in her hand, came out of the
house and turned toward the garden
as he looked that way. Her errand
was for f7uit for the supper table,
but before the first handful of berries
had ratified down upon the bottom
OF the basin, the girl started, listened
a moment, and then turned crimson
as the new hand came up beside her.
The berries were neglected. He stood
still a moment, then dropping basin
and berries upon the grass, he held
her by the hands
Jane. your father has asked me to
stay here and help him with another
year" he said. He offers me good
wages. And l am safe here-safe
from many a temptation that you
know nothing about-thank God.
am better and a happier man for
my stay here this summer but there
is room for improvement yet. 1t rests
with you to say if that improvement
shall be made"
with me?" said Jane, glancing up
at him with a gentle smile.
With you; with you alone"
Then stay"
He took a pocketbook from ths
breast of his coat and opened it.
Jane, you see that ten-dollar bill?~
"Yes."
That marks the turningpoint in
my life. l was going headlong to de-
struction when a friend held me back.
l had but ten dollars to begin the
world with again if gave up my place
and salary in New York. Yet my
friend advised it. 1t was what he had
done, and in three years he had earned
home and wife in another place.
He had been as wild and as reckless as
| was then, and it was seeing what
a little sober effort had done for him
that encouraged me to try. l came
here-and you know my life and
thoughts and habits from that day.
We have been happy here together,
Jane"
oh. very happy. was her reply.
But now there must be change. l
cannot go on in the old way any
longer, Jane; your father likes me and
l believe l may stay here forever so
far as he ard your mother are CON
cerned. Now, for their daughter.
There is ten dollars, Jane, and there
is what | have earned by sheer hard
work these last six months added TO
it. shall receive four times that
sum another year from your father if
stay. WEI it be enough, Jane for
me and my wife?'
She was silent. Bending down to
look at her he saw that her eyes were
full of tears.
Cant you like me. then?" he asked.
in dismay.
"Oh, it is not that. 1t is father and
mother" she whispered. Il must not
leave them"
There is no need, my love. I may
tell You now that your father has
given his consent, and your dear
mother will not be long behind him.
Oh, Jane, my darling! l found my
hope, my JOY and my salvation that
day | came to the Lone Pine farm"
And not single berry for supper"
bewailed Mrs. Halliday. when they re-
turned at last to the house. But
fearful smile succeeded the lament,
*. after a brief whisper f.om jane,
she kissed and blessed the 'new-hand''
as ser prospective son-in-law-New
York News