The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1908-10-02

Some one said he was short handed
for the haying next week. Is that SOP
Eyes. He can hardly get help, but
what The sound of approaching
wheels threatened Farmer Johns ar.
rival, and her question was not fin
ished.
Early Monday morning a stranger
applied to Farmer John for work. he
wore heavy, silver trimmed spectacles
and his hair was slicked down over
his forehead in bang. His clothes
were all that farm hands should be-
from torn straw hat to sullied shoes.
Farmer John was nearsighted and
never interested in matters Of person
atty. He chuckled afterward over the
good bargain he had made, for in ad,
dition to the horse and hayrack which
the man offered along with his services
he would furnish his own meals.
He realized that this was unusual
the stranger said, but he had indiges
ton and could only eat his own cook
ing. Farmer John was delighted, and
Rosybel, listening around the corner
did not know whether to laugh or be
glad at her lovers sense Of honor
which prevented his eating forbidden
salt.
Every evening after that they met
under the elm tree, and Dick showed
her the new callous spots which the
day had brought forth, the while he
boasted- of his prowess in the field
Rosybel listened eagerly and let bel
eyes tell him what she thought Of him
which was very pleasant for Dick and
made life altogether worth living.
BY Saturday the hay was we'll in ex
cept from choice patch Of clover
which the farmer had been obliged to
leave out overnight. 1t was all sea
soned and cooked and ready for the
fork. The weather had been fine all
the week and when the men turned
into their beds at an early hour there
was still no threat of change.
In the middle of the night, however
Dick was wakened by low rumble OF
thunder. The young mans first
thought was of those haycocks over In
the west moving; his next was to gel
there before the rain. Stopping only
for trousers and shoes, he rushed out
to where his horse was picketed. The
moon gave light enough between gath
ering clouds for him to see his way to
the field, where he put in half hour
of such work as he had never known,
even in football season.
The hayrack was loaded and under
way for the barn before the rain
struck. Farmer John met him in the
farmyard with lantern as he drove
up in a hurry and stared at him In
establishment.
"Open that barn door, you loafer?'
Dick yelled in his excitement, quite
forgetting that he was addressing the
father of Rosybel. Farmer John was
not used to baing called loafer, but
when he came to understand the stu
alton he rather liked it.
When the hay was safely housed and
the barn door padlocked he invited the
young man into the house to dry off.
There he hustled about and built a
fire in the kitchen stove, and while
Dick was toasting his feet in the oven
the old man surveyed him thoughtful
ly. Presently he inquired mildly:
What do you do for a living, young
fellow"
"Going into politics." Dick responded
modestly.
Grange or capitalT' demanded
Farmer John. 1t was q crucial ques-
ton. =.
"I'll stand for the farmers every
time" Dick assured him, and that set
tied It, The two were earnestly dis
cussing the ownership of wild lands
when the sitting room door opened and
Rosybel appeared.
Neither saw her, and presently the
conversation took more personal
trend.
do I understand asked Farmer
John, "that you're talking of getting
Rosybel to finish your education for
yep
with your consent, yes" replied
Dick politely.
"She can teach ye a lot Women
folks mostly can. Well, seeing as
you've the makings Of a farmer if poll
tics fail, she can have the job if she
wants it."
A little gasp from the girl brought
them both to their feet. Dicks inter
est in the farm versus capital was for
the moment in allegiance as he crossed
quickly to her side.
when does school open, Rosybel2''
he demanded tenderly. Farmer John
picked up candle and stumped to-
ward the back han door.
Usually begins bout September
round these parts" he grumbled as he
went out. he foresaw that on the
next day. which was Sunday, he would
walk home from church alone.
"But it's you who will be the teach
er," corrected Rosybel some time later,
and Dick, after the way Of men, was
not at too many pains to set her right. i.