The Lee County journal. (Leesburg, Ga.) 1904-19??, 1906-11-30

old farm yet?'
The speaker, leaning languidly
against the top rail Of the fence, heid
cigarette in the most improved style
between his two forenngers and oc.
casionally pulled slowly at it.
Phil Dryden looked up from his
planting and responded. Why pa,
IS THAI you? When did you come
down."
Ran down last night on the early
train. Taking a few days vacation,
and thought I'd like to see the ola
place" Phil glanced rather enyiously
at the well dressed smoker, and then
dropped his eyes a little shameface1iy
to his own coarse, ill-6tting and FADED
clothes
"Why do you stay down here, PM,
and use yourself up on this old farm !!
Ed Spencer continued 4 should
think you'd go to the city and get
better job If You hate farming IS
always did, you would
Phirs face flushed a trife. The
contrast between his appearance and
that Of his old school friend made him
uneasy
q have thought of it several times, >
he replied slowly, but there's SO mueh
to do here. and then
ooh. shucks! You hate to make the
plunge. So did /. But after the first
break it's all so much better Clea
sailing then. ! just picked up my
things, and made the start. And now!
well, I'm going to get raise next
month. and then I'll take 1t easier
than now"
Il suppose the work is pleasanter,
Phil stammered, land the pay is bet
ter"
"Better?" answered Ed, little con-
temptuously Why, you get cash
there for your work, but on the farm
you don't. I'll bet you haven't seen
as much money as this in a year.
Producing a roll Of bills, the speak
er dipped them carelessly through his
singers, exposing to view several Of
high denominations.
That's what you get in the city"
be continued. TITS cash-every week
or month"
Phil said nothing, but his mind was
feverishly active. Suddenly he asked
anxiously: Il suppose it's hard to get
a good position at first. isn't it?"
Yves, and no If you have influence
it's dead easy; If you don't you have
TO hunt around a bit"
Ed Spencer flung away his cigarette,
and added confdentially;
"If you're thinking of making she
change. let me know may help you.
/ know the ropes a little. just send
me word when you've made up your
mind"
Phil kicked lump of dirt with the
toe of his shoe. Ed seemed to compre-
bend the state of his mind, and asked,
smilingly: How are the crops, any
way?-slow as ever?"
A flash of resentment appeared in
Phls eyes, for he knew the question
was asked in well-bred derision.
"Oh, they're pretty good" Phil re-
WAANN Win AASAttJs "a AAttA 'N2N q
good crop this season if
If potato bugs don't eat up every
thing. and cabbage worms don't finish
what's left, laughed Ed, as he turned
to leave well, | must be going.
want to see the old place and get back
TO the city soon's | can. It's pretty
slow here,
He consulted a handsome watch
which hung at the end of gold
chain
Remember me to Bess" he called
over his shoulder Il suppose she's
we'll"
When the two separated, Phil Dry
den picked up his hoe and stood for
several minutes staring at the retreat
ing form Contending emotions pos
sessed him The old rebellious spirit
rose up to make his thoughts bitter
and disQuieting
Life on the farm was drudgery, he
thought, and dozen times he had sec
reilly longeG to leave it behind, to be-
gin work in the city. The opportunity
had never been presented quite so
forcibly as today, and he felt that the
decisive moment had come.
"I'll do it, he firmly muttered after
the space of i've minutes OF silent
thought I'm do it now. Uncle Ned
can get along without me. He can
hire someone else in my place. I've
delayed too long already"
Thereafter the planting progressed
slowly. Phil's mind was not on his
work and several times he had TO 80
over his hoeing to repair damages
carelessly done.
Ii was late in the afternoon, and
nm - ~ an,.a .nnrl. shnrt hu On