River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1905-01-05
A Bean
Threshing
Idyll
BY BELLE MANDATES


assumed huge proportions, his tongue
became tangled and his manner con-
scious-all of which were maddening
to a man who was entirely in love with
a girl, and not assured of reciprocity.
Dolly, dainty and dimpled, was always
friendly and agreeable, but never lent
a helping hand to extricate him from
his foundering state of embarrass-
ment.
There is no saying how things might
or might not have ended had not
DoIly's father sent over to Horkerston
for Walt Symonds to bring his engine
and machine to thrash the beans
which were stocked up in his barn.
Walt was quite gay LothariO, and
Burtons heart fell when he heard that
Walt would be at the Lewis farm all
day. Burton had been asked to help,
so early in the morning he was on
hand Walt and the engine had not
arrived. After watching and waiting
all the morning, Farmer Lewis vouch-
safed the belief that the engine had
broken down on the road somewhere.
Burton hoped it had-and Walt along
with it. About noon they heard the
whistle of the engine over on the east
road At two o'clock they saw it
creeping and stopping at intervals on
the cross road leading to the farm.
Didn't he know any better than to
bring it over that hilly, sandy road?"
asked Burton in disgust.
At three o'clock the engine baked
again at the foot of little rise in the
road, not many rods from the farm.
They all went out to the scene of the
operations, Dolly sitting sympathetic
ally on the bank, watching the UNI
availing efforts of Walt and his men.
Burton had to grudgingly admit that
there was no nonsense about Walt
when there was work to be done. He
pulled and tugged and forced the en-
CINE, but to no purpose.
We've been working this way all
day." he said 1.-THE engine doesn't
act right and this road is bum. was
never through this way before
Haven't you had any dinner?"
asked Dolly, in distress.
mo; we haven't had time to be hun
CRY. Now, for our last effort!"
He put on all possible steam; the
engine started desperately, tugged at
the big machine, which was drawn up
the incline a few inches, only to slip
back again. Burton, who had gone
to the house, now returned with long
chain He suggested to Walt that they
uncouple the engine and machine and
connect them by the chain, which was
long enough to permit the engine to
clear the top of the hill, before the
machine began the ascent.
The plan worked as expected, and
the engine, machine and followers
brought up at the barn.
81 always knew Burton was good,
but / didn't know he was so clever"
thought Dolly, sending an admiring
glance to where he stood. He tow
cred straight and stalwart above the
others. He caught the look, and
straightway became confused and
awkward again. Then in flash, Dol
lys eyes were opened and she laughed
softly to herself.
II do believe Burton is sweet on me!
l never dreamed of his caring for a
girl"
The more Dolly reflected and looked
at Burton, the stronger became her
conviction that she was right, and she
began to wonder if she didn't care a
little bit herself.
~ can see how a girl might love
him." she meditated. "He is so big
and strong and honest"
The plant of love flourishes wonder,
fully in some kinds of soil. Dollys
eyes began to grow softer in express
sion. Burton intercepted one of these
new glances, and something gave him
a sudden hope and courage. He
crossed the barnyard in long strides
to where she stood.
cit was very clever in you to get
the machine up the hill, Burton" she
said, lifting her brown eyes to his.
81 was glad to get the machine up,
but l had just as soon have left the
owner at the foot of the hill-or most
anywhere" he replied, tersely.
What, Waltz" she asked, with wide
open eyes. What have you got
against him?"
He makes love to every girl he
sees"
Dolly turned her face away to hide
a wicked little smile. Then she said,
quietly:
He used to. He doesn't any more!"
"He doesn't any more! How do you
know? l didn't know that you knew
him"
"I haven't known him long, but he
has asked father if he couldn't come
over here often"
The awful look in Burton's face al
most terrified her. He STROBE back to
the barn, and Dolly, gazing after him,
read resentment in every line of his
figure.
She went to the house and held a
little conversation with her sister
Myra. Then the girls both came out
and called to their father He talked
With them a few minutes and then re-
urned to the barn.
Say, boys" he announced. Its too
ate to finish this job tonight, and
rou're all tired out anyway. You can
tay all night and we'll tackle 1t in the
morning. The girls say they will get
ID dance If you'll stay"