The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-07-27
THE EVENING STORY
Corthell's Health Cure
(By w. B. Bryan.)

(By w. B. Bryan.)
Corthell strobe along briskly The
clear morning air, the bright sunlight
and the fertile fields bordering on
the road were all source of delight
to him.
as much as he had the homeIy break
fast provided at the little country hotel
where he had put up the night before,
and where he had left the trunk that
held his city clothes. Now, in a we'll
worn suit, he was tramping along the
dusty road with much the same feeling
as that enjoyed by a boy who plays
hockey from school for the first time.
In years Corthell had not felt justi-
fed in taking a vacation. Finally
through a combination of circum-
stances, he had been able to get to-
gether some capital and by unremit-
ting effort, this had been doubled and
trebled into the fortune that made
him prominent in the money market
Then came the breakdown. The fam
Gus specialist in nervous diseases had
insisted upon a vacation. Its either
few weeks vacation or years in an
insane asylum" he said bluntly. You
know best which you want. Make
your own choice
In the end, Corthell had eapitulated
and had suggested Newport as the
place for a vacation. The specialist
regarded him with disgust
Il think / should have saved time
by sending you to the asylum first"
he said. He was paid $25 for a con-
sultationand could afford to say what
he pleased. You get an old suit and
comfortable pair of shoes and take a
walking tour. Don't go to any place
where you are liable to meet friends
I know just the route. I will send
you road map"
He bowed Corthell out. Three days
LAT he IN a
tiny hamlet in, the northern part of
the state, and this was the first day, of
his trip. g1,>~
He had stopped to watch some men
haying when one of them came toward
him.
Looking for a Job ?" he demanded
Corthell laughed.
81 don't know that am he an
swered. II was going farther on
''I'll give dollar and a half day
to drive OF the rakeS," he offered.
CortheI smiled. His team of bays
had a dozen blue ribbons to their
credit.
81 can drive some" he admitted.
Jump up and drive that rake then"
was the mans curt answer, and to his
surprise Corthell found himself climb
ing the fence and moving toward the
horse rake.
1t seemed ages since he had per-
formed similar services on his fathers
farm The bony horse he was driving
bore little resemblance to his own
prize winners, but he derived more
real pleasure from. the task than had
ever come from a spin along the bou-
levard. He was surprised at the fight
of time when the horn blew for dinner.
He was still more surprised at the
appetite he had for the pork and po-
tatoes that formed the menu. He ac-
copied two helpings and still had room
for a generous cut of the green apple
pie.
help pitch the sweet-scented hay upon
the cart He worked until the muscles
of his back were sore and smarting, but
gave no sign of his distress. only
worked away with clenched teeth.
When at last the men knocked off and
the final load started to the barn he
heaved a sigh of relief
Most o fthe men were from nearby
farms. and these were paid off and
started for their own homes. Corthell
was the last of the line, and the farmer
paused.
"I won't take anything off for the
time before you came" he said. Want
to stay on til. hayin's over ?"
Corthell nodded.
1T guess 1 WILL" he agreed. Work
seems to agree with me-"
Come on up to supper" ordered the
farmer. "I guess mother can fix you
up with a place over the woodshed.''
CorthelI followed his grim employer
across the fields, wondering what his
town associates would say could they
know that he he'd hired out for dol
lar and a half a day.
There were only three of the men at
supper, and Mrs. Binder, with her
daughter Ruth, sat down to the table
with them. Ruth had been busy in the
kitchen during the noon meal while
her mother had served. At sight of
her Corthall vas more than ever glad
he had take nthe job
Ruth reminded him of the little girl
who had been his first boyish sweet
heart. She had died Just after he had
gone to the city, and in the absorption
of business he had come to divide
women into two classes-stenograp phi
ers and scrub women. For the first
time in years he felt more than a pass
ing interest in woman. and when he
and Ruth sat on the steps he rested his
tired body against the railing and
chatted until bedtime.
Ruth, he learned, taught school in
winter, and further. she was gradu-
ate of a well-known woman's college,
She en- her side, recognized in him a
person better educated than the other
farmhands, and plainly showed Iler-in-
terest.
The next few days CorthelI toiIed
from davbreak to shutdown for the sake
of those quiet evenings in the sum-
mer dusk. and love grew rapidly in
their hearts
broad tho progress of the harvest. In
!, faw DAYS only the regular hired man
would be needed, and this knowledge
gave Cortheu courage to speak.
They were leaning over the top rain
Of the fence that lay beside the road.