The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1909-05-19

ny +. A. mitchell.


Ecopyright. 1909. BY American Press Assoc
clationl
Josh and were fellow laborere
working for Farmer Bathgate. We
went to him when the crops were
ready to be taken In. and he liked us
so well that when the harvest was
over he concluded to keep Us for every
day work during the winter. In the
summer Ruth Bathgate, bis daughter,
used to brlng us out cool drinks and
we two young men soon became anx-
ious for some sign Of preference--not
that either Of Us had any attentions
toward her; It was Just an ordinary
rivalry But Ruth was mighty particu-
lar not 10 make the slightest differ
enee between US
When the autumn came on. the fod-
der was in shock. the weather getting
cold, ard the logs were blazing on the
hearth. the fnHmer and his family and
Josh and I used TO st around the
blaze, talking and telling yarns. That
was a happy winter for both Josh and
me. We didn't either Of as suspect
that We were both dead gone on Ruth,
nor did we foresee what was to hap
pen to break up our pleasant circle
That-s the trouble with pleasant times
there's always something that makes
them pleasant. and, ten to one, it's the
very thing to break up the pleasure.
Since II Is all over know that what
made our enjoyment SO keen was Ruth,
and It was Ruth that spoiled At all
not Intentionally, Tor. as I said. she "a
vored neither Of u. She couldn't have
kept MS two fellows from gradually
falling m love with her II she had
wanted to-
At FIRST Josh and used 20 speak
about little occurrences concerning her
with perfect freedom. Then we ceased
to say anything TO each other that In
viewed any relation with her and fnal.
~ we never mentioned her. A year
passed the pleasantest l have ever
known. and when we'd Oiled the barns
and there was little 70 do one day Josh
said to me:
There's something I want to say TO
you, Ben. The harvest Is ended, and It
doesn't seem just right for two strap
ping fellows ike Us to put Farmer
Bathgate TO the expense Of keeping us
all winter There's enough for one to
do. but not enough for two It's my
opinion he'd let one Of as 60, but
doesn't like to decide between us.
What do you say to playing game Of
seven up to settle which shall get
outT'
II reckon there's something In what
you say, Josh" replied in as melan-
eholy tone as bis. Hes treated US
mighty well, and we ought to relieve
him OF the responsibility OF sending or
one Of us. And you and !, too. have
been square to each other | don't ex
actly like your plan Of playing a game
to find out which shall so, for one
might have more skill than the other |
| think we'd better LET something else
than cards decide between us. Mrs.
Bathgate was making candles this
morning. New, what do you say to
your choosing candle and | choosing /
one out Of the same mold and lighting 1
them at the same time7 The one whose
candle goes out first is to 60"
q think that would be good way
to settle It.
We were IN our room at the time
we occupied a room togethsr-and ]
was going out to get the candles when
met Ruth at the door
ave heard what you two have been
saying she said. through the part-
tion. and you're right Father doesn't
need but one extra hand this winter,
but be won't send away either Of you.
I'll 90 down and go the candles and
light them for you
We were both nightly pleased 70
have her do this and waited patiently
tn she came back With the candles.
would you choose for usT we both
said at the same moment.
aIf ron wish me TO-"
Placing candle before each Of us,
she scratched a match In each hand
and lighted them at the same moment
Then she left the room without
elance at either Of us The candles
were short and would burn cut In be
tween one and two hours. Josh and I
played good many games Of seven
up. occasionally glancing AZ the can
dies with apparent unconcern, but real
Nv with suppressed suspense. II was
not TIL they had burned down 70 with
In an inch of the socket that noticed
q difference. Then. I saw that mx can