The citizen. (Honesdale, Pa.) 1908-1914, 1908-11-25

ana tOmOrtOW lS sunday, Bdlu tno
young man when the rest had gone
and his heart was singing songs
against the white paling fence. ITO
morrow is Sunday, and should like to
walk home from church with you,
Rosybel."
"But you can't" provoked Rosybel.
because dad will be there"
"And threes a crowd, I've noticed.
Do you happen to know, belovedest,
what is wrong about your little Dickr
Nothing, of course, only dad thinks
you are loafer and don't know how
to work"
"We'll show dad his little mistake.
Some one said he was short handed
for the haying next week. Is that so?"
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 sullicd shoes.
Farmer John was nearsighted and
never interested in matters of person
ality. He chuckled afterward over the
good bargain he had made, for in ad-
ditOn to the horse and bayrack 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-
tion 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
boosted of his prowess in the field.
Rosybel listened eagerly and let her
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 well 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 get
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 a 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
astonishment.
OpSh tDil Dulh ooOly Jou iOulCAi
Dick yelled in his excitement, quite
forgetting that he was addressing the
father of Rosybel. Farmer John was
not used to being 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 living, young
fellow?"
"Going into politics." Dick responded
modestly.
Grange or capital?" demanded
Farmer John. 1t was a crucial ques-
ton.
III 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 moro personal
: trend.
: do l understand" asked Farmer
John, "that you're talking Of getting
Rosybel to finish your education for
! yea"
"With your consent, yes" replied
,, Dick politely.
"She can teach ye q lot. Women
folks mostly can. Well, seeing as
, |, you've the makings of farmer If poll
: ties fail, she can have the job II she
= wants It,"
A little gasp from the girl brought
them both to their feet Dicks inter
= est in the farm versus capital was fol
. the moment in allegiance as he crossed
. quickly to her side.
when does school open, RosybelF
he demanded tenderly. Farmer JohI
. picked up q candle and stumped to
: ward the back hall door.
= Usually begins bout Septembe