The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1909-09-10
Cbe
Candle CeSf
Observation-Disclosures
BY. =. A. MICHEL.

working for Farmer Bathgate. w
went TO HIM W hen the crops wer
readyto be taken in, and he liked u
SO well that when the harvest We
over he concluded TO keep us for every
day work during the winter. In th.
summer Ruth Bathgate. his daughter
used TO bring us out cool drinks, anc
we two young men soon became anx
ious Tor some sign OF preference-not
that either OF us had any intentions
toward her: II was just an ordinary
rivalry. But Ruth was mighty particu
lar not % make the slightest differ
ence between US.
When the autumn came on. the fod
der was In shock. the weath.r gettine
cold. and the logs were blazing on thu
hea tn. the farmer and his family and
Josh and used TO sit around ia,
blaze talking and telling yarns. Via,
was happy winter for both Josh anC
me. We didn't either OF us susnect
that we were both dead gone on Ruth
nor Cid we foresee what was To hap
pen To break up our pleasant circle
That's the trouble with pleasant time
there's always something that makes
them plea SAINT, and, ten 10 one, it's tho
very thing TO break up the pleasure
Since II is all over | know that what
made our enjoyment so keen was Ruth
and was Ruth that spoiled IL all
not Intentionally, for. as I said. she IA
vored neither Of Us She couldn't have
kept us two fellows from gradually
falling in love with her II she had
wanted 10.
At first Josh and used TO SPEAK
about little occurrences concerning her
with perfect freedom. Then we ceased
10 say anything to each other that IN
volved any relation with her, and final.
ly we never mentioned her A year
passed, the pleasantest have ever
known. and when we'd filed the barns
and there was little TO do one day Josh
said 10 me:
There's something I want to say to
you. Ben. The harvest ls,ended, and II
doesn't seem just right for two strap
ping fellows like us 10 put Farmer
Rathgate 10 the expense OF keeping us
all winter. There's enough for one 10
do. but not enough for two. It's my !,
opinion he'd let one Of us 20. but
foesnt like 10 decide between us
What do you say to playing a game OF
seven up 10 settle which shall get
1ut?' q
II reckon there's something In what I
Tou say. Josh" replied In as melan i
holy tone ms his Hes treated us q
Mighty well. and we ought to relieve n
lim Of the responsibility Of sending of +.
me of rs. And you and /. too, have :,
'een square to each other don't ex =
city ike your plan Of playing a game
0 md out which shall 60. for one I.
night have more skill than the ether n
mink we'd better let something else a
han cards decide between us. Mrs Il
'athsate was making candles this n
forming. Now. what do you say to u
our choosing candle and choosing =,
ne out Of the same mold and lighting =
lem at the same time? The one whose "
lndle goes out first Is 10 go" Y
II think that would be a good way II
settle it"
We were In our room at the time
g occupied n room together-and
as going out 20 get the candles when
met Ruth at the dsor.
I've heard what you two ha~e been
ylng." she said. through the parti
on. and you're right. Father doesn't to
ed but one extra hand this winter
It he won't send away either OF you -
! go down and get the candles and ~
,ht them for you" %
We were both nightly pleased I, 0e
we her do this and waited patiently co
! she came back with the candles. "a
Would you choose for usf" We both mi
Id nj the same moment ~
If YOU wish me to- Il.
Placing a candle before each OF us -
G scratched n match In each hand nc
d lighted them az the same moment -
len she left the room without IN
lnce at either Of us. The candles ne
re short and would burn out In be lbO
cen one and two hours. Josh and
lyed good many games Of seven an
occasionally glancing at the can. >; :
IS with apparen, unconcern, but real. -,
with suppressed suspense. Ii was 'a
tilf they had burned down'to with od'
an inch OF the socket that l noticed pa
Inference. Then | saw that my can 20
was burning the slower. When liz
his began TO flicker there was still sci
ee-eighths OF an inch Of mine left mr.,
blew II out and turned away to rio
lcear hs feelings. expected Ruth ~ I;
show enough interest In which OF
was. to remain TO ask before going
sleep, but she didn't WELL" said vel
myself 1T doesn't make any differ. ser
e, after all. which goes first. Wen TAI
b go soon enough She doesn't want pre-
Ter 6f us" IL
he next day Josh told the farmer tic,
[ he thought he'd look for work in RI
city and left us. He had no sooner ~.
e than Ruth began to bestow upon II
little attentions. This was quite
ueh TO induce me to show, my feel mo