The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1905-06-06
How Old Job
Was Won
Copyright, 1905, bu Frank Il. S,oeet


Old Job had objected to his sons en-
gagement because the girl was college
opposed the sons going to college until
the boy in self defense had taken mat
tiers into his own hands and gone away
without permission to work his own
way. Now old Job was sick, and the
farm was under the inadequate care
of hired man, and all the springs and
brooks We're drying up and the cattle
suffering But the obstinate old spirit
was not broken. He now looked up,
snarling:
"a windmill agent, Ell? Well, tell
him to CO."
Something's got to be done, Job
Our man
eyes, yes, known Old Job drew a
deep long breath. But the horses and
cattle were needing more water, and
whatever else old Job might be he low
ed his dumb animals and would do for
them what he would not dream of do
ing for himself The windmill would
be humbug, for there was no water
in the land to feed it, but it seemed
the only thing at hand.
Yes, something's got to be DONE"
he repeated; $50 you can let the man
put in his windmill 1t will be good
for the birds to build nests on if moth
ing more. And Hiram will like to look
up at it when he comes home. But
don't let it go over 5000. That's what
offered our neighbor for half his
spring." grimly. you can let him go
right to work Our hired man will step
spryer for seeing it start He's like
Hiram for newfangled things"
He watched her gather. up his al
most untasted breakfast with trem-
bling hands, an expression on her face
such as he had not seen for years. At
the door he called her back
Being it's on our own land, we
ought to be willing to pay more than l
offered that rascal over the fence for
his spring." he said. Il haven't any
idea what windmills cost, but you can
tell him he may go to $500 and not a
cent more. That will satisfy you and
Hiram and the hired man, maybe
When 1 get out I'll sink well hun
dred feet deep If need be- If that don't
bring water I'll sell and clear out"
"Maybe you'd rather I'd see about
having a well dug instead of getting
the windmill?" his wife suggested.
mo-" ungraciously. I'D rather at
tend to that myself. l don't believe
either one will bring water, but the
wells the more sensible / don't want
folks to say we give up without trying
to do something"
The next day his wife announced
that the farm was being looked over
for the best place, and the day after
that a dry looking knob at the end Of
the barn was concluded to offer better
prospects for water than anywhere
else. Old Job listened in grim silence.
The third day he could hear the sounds
of workmen. Ten days later one or
two of these workmen seemed to be
busy about the house, and he wondered
what they could be doing But his OBJ
stinacy would not let him ask ques-
tfons.
1t was nearly two weeks after this
when his wife came into the bedroom
one day, her eyes shining.
TITS done, job" she said, her voice
quavering a little with the very JOY Of
the news, "and it's all come out SO
nice. Here'-and she laid a roll of
money on the bed beside limits
what there was left, $42"
Old Job stared at her "You don't
mean they've found water off there to
the end of the barn?' he demanded.
YES" TREMENDOUSLY, "and it's such
nice water, just like a spring. We've
got it piped in the barn in three places
and into the house. 1t runs right into
my sink. Oh, job" her voice catching
in happy sob at the thought, ''every-
things going to be so easy for US now.
And you said we could use the $500"
yes" He picked up the little roll
with an odd look on his hard, old face
But I don't quite understand, Betty.
l supposed the man would say the
windmill came to Just $500 and that it
wouldn't pull up water then And
about all the piping you spoke of?
wasn't meaning to do that Didn't it
cost a lot? And what did the man
charger"
"He-she didn't charge cent, Job
little confusedly at was one of the
neighbors And the windmill and pip
ing only cost $240 and some extras
about $50 more. There was $40 left"
Old Job was silent for some min
utes. Then he pushed the money to-
ward her.
put it on some house fixin's, Bet
ty," he said grufiy. 81 was willing to
pay $780,"
''Then let's run some pipe to the up
land pasture behind the barn." she urg-
ed eagerly You know it's always
been too dry to crop. But if it's irri-
gated it'll be one of the best fields.
And it won't cost over $75."
"Did the windmill man say that?"
"Yes, and the bottom meadow on the
lower side, that's always wet, could
be drained for $3.50. 1t would make
splendid land then"
"a hundred and y-seventy-fi
unused old Job thoughtfully "'Twould
pay big if it could be done" Then
gruffly, and turning his face abruptly
to the wall: But what am l talking
about2 Being sick makes a man child
ish. Just because the windmill hap
pens to turn out all right isn't any rea-
son why the next thing should"
When she went out softly his eyes
were closed. But he was not asleep
He was thinking
The next morning when she brought
In his breakfast he was up and dressed,
but trembling with weakness.
Fix me some crutches, Betty" he
said, his voice little less gruff than
usual, cor maybe two stout canes will
do. Then well go out and look at the
windmill. 1 want you to send for the
man to cSme and tell me his ideas
about the bottom meadow and the pas
ture"
When there came light tap upon his
door that afternoon he was in half
doze To his drowsy Come inr' in
stead of a keen, business looking man,
as he had expected, there entered a
neatly dressed young woman with
bright face and quiet gray eyes. Just
now there was something very like
laughter in the eyes. Old Job stared.
Maggie Stanwoodv' he exclaimed.
"Yes, sir. You sent for me-"
"I-sent for your
about the irrigation and drainage,
you know" she FASTENED to add. I've
brought some figures and diagrams"
She drew chair to the bedside and
began to unroll some papers.
Old Job had half risen in bed. Now
he sank down, his mouth opening and
closing. But he was beginning to COM
prehend. You planned the windmill
and all the rest?" he demanded.