Alaska sentinel., 1908-06-04
The Return Home

Hello, Phi, digging away at the cid farm yet?'
 The speaker, leaning languldly against the top rail of the fence, held a cigarette In the most approved style between his two forefngers, and occa- sionally puffed slowly at 1t.
 Phil Dryden looked up from his planting and responded: Why, Ed, is hat you? When did you come down?" train. Taking a few days vacation and thought I'd like to see the old place
 Phil glanced rather enviously at the well dressed smoker, and then dropped his eyes A little shamefacedly to his own coarse, lll-ftting mad faded clothes.
 "Why do you stay down here, Phil, and use yourself up on this old farm:' Ed Spencer continued. Il should think you'd go to the city and get better job. If you hate farming as l always did. you would"
 Phlrs face flushed a trihe. The con trast between his appearance and that of his old school friend made him un- easy.
 "I have thought of 1t several times" he replied slowly, but there's 90 much .o do here, and then"
 "Oh, shucks. You hate to make the plunge. So did I. But after the first break its all so much better. Clean sailing then. just picked up my things and made the start. And now-well. I'm going to get a raise next month, and then I'll take It easier than now
 T suppose the work is pleasanter." Phil stammered. and 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 year"
 Producing a roll of bills, the speaker Tipped them carelessly through his fin gers, exposing to view several of high denominations.
 That's what you get in the city" he continued. Its cash-eyery week or uonth."
 Phil said nothing, but his mind was feyerishly active. Suddenly he asked anXiously: "I suppose it's hard to get a good position at first, isn't lt;'
 Yes, and no. If you have influence it's dead easy; if you don't you have to hunt around bit"
 Ed Spencer flung away his cigarette, and added confdentially
 If you're thinking of making the change. let me know. I may help you I know the ropes a little. Just send me word when you've made up your mind"
 Phil kicked lump of earth with the toe of his shoe. Ed seemed to compre- bend the state of his mind, and asked slow as ever"
 A flash of resentment appeared In Phils eyes, for he knew the question was asked in well-bred derision.
 .'Oh, they're pretty good" Phil replied with some dignity. I'll harvest a 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. I want to see the old place, and get back to the city soon's can. It's pretty slow here.'
 He consulted a handsome gold watch which hung at the end of gold chain.
 Remember me to Bess," he called over his shoulder. "I suppose she's we'll"
 When the two separated, Phil Dryden picked up his hoe and stood for several minutes staring at the retreatlng form. Contending emotions possessed him. The old rebellious spirit rose up to make his thought bitter and disquiet- ing.
 Life on the farm was drudgery, he thought and a dozen times he secretly ,onged to leave it behind to begin work in the city. The opportunity had never been presented quite so forcibly as to- day. and he felt that the decisive mo- ment had come.
 I'll do It." he firmly muttered after the space of five minutes of silent thought. I'll do it now. Uncle Ned can get along without me. He can hire someone else In my place. I've delayed too long alread.."
 Thereafter the planting progressed slowly. Phil's mind was not on bis work and several times he had to go over his hoeing to repair damages care lessly done.
 It was late In the afternoon. and Phil cut the days work short by an hour.