The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1909-04-30
Cbe
Candle OeSf
BY r. A. mitchell.
-o.to.oI-o..oto-toI-o-to..

working for Farmer Bathgate. We
ready 10 be taken in. and he liked US
SO well that when the harvest was
over he concluded 10 keep us for every
day work during the winter. In the
summer Ruth Bathgate. his daughter.
used 10 bring rs out cool drinks. and
we two young men soon became anN-
iOus for some sign OF preference mot
that either Of Us had any intentions
toward her; it was just an ordinary
rivalry But Ruth was mighty particu-
lar not 10 make the slightest differ
ence between us.
When the autumn came on. the fod-
der was IN shock. the wea ther getting
cold. and the logs were blazing on the
hes h. the farmer and his family and
Josh and ! used To sit around the
blaze. talking and telling yarns. That
was "A happy winter for both Josh and
me We didn't either of us suspect
that we were both dead gone on Ruth
nor did we foresce what was To hap
pen 10 break up our pleasant circle
That's the trouble with pleasant times
there's always something that makes
them pleasant. and. ten 10 one. it's the
very thing TO break up the pleasure.
Since il is all over | know that what
made our enjoyment SO keen was Ruth
and II was Ruth that spoiled II all
not Intentionally. for. rs | said she IA
vorcd neither Of us She couldn't have
kept US two fellows from gradually
falling in love with her If she had
wanted 10.
At first Josh and | used TO speak
about little occurrences concerning her
with perfect freedom. Then we ceased
To say anything TO each other that in
VOWED any relation with her. and final
ly we never mentioned her. 4 year
passed. the pleasantest | have ever
| known. and when we'd filed the barns
and there was little to do one day Josh
said To me:
There's something | want TO say 10
you. Ben The harvest is ended, and it
doesn't seem Just right for two strap
ping fellows like us TO put Farmer
/
all winter. There's enough for one TO
do. but not enough for two. It's my
opinion he'd let one OF us 60. but
doesn't like TO decide between us.
! What do you say TO playing a game OF
seven up to settle which shall get
outf
Il reckon there's something in what
] \ Ia.
choly tone as his. Hes treated us
mighty well. and we ought 10 relieve
him OF the responsibility Of sending Off
one OF us. And you and |. too. have
been square TO each other. I don't ex-
actly like your plan Of playing a game
10 ind out which shall go. 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 Now, what do you say TO
your choosing candle and choosing
one out Of the same mold and lighting
them at the same timer The one whose
candle goes out first is to go"
II think that would be a good way
to settle IT,"
We were in our room at the time -
we occupied a room together-and !
was going out TO get the candles when
| met Ruth at the door
i've heard what you two have been
saying" she said. through the parti-
ton and you're right Father doesn't
need but one extra hand this winter,
hut he won't send away either Of you.
I'll 20 down and get the candles and
light them for you"
We were both nightly pleased To
have her do this and waited patiently
till she came back with the candles.
Would you choose for usT we both
said at the same moment.
III you wish me to-"
Placing a candle before each OF us.
she scratched match in each hand
and lighted them az the same moment.
Then she left the room without a
glance AT either Of us. The candles
were short ana would burn out in be
tween one and two hours. Josh and |
played a good many games Of seven
up. occasionally glancing at the can
dies with apparent unconcern but real
~ with suppressed suspense. 1t was
not TIL they had burned down TO with
in an inch of the socket that noticed
difference Then saw that my can
die was burning the slower When
Josh's began 10 flicker there was still
three-eighths Of an inch Of mine left.
lie blew II out and turned away 10
conceal his feelings. | expected Ruth
TO show enough interest in which Of
US was 10 remain. 10 ask before going
} 10 sleep. but she didn't "Wel." said
TO myself. lit doesn't make any differ
ence. after all. which goes first. Wen
both 90 soon enough. She doesn't want
either Of US"
The next day Josh told the farmer
that he thought he'd look for work in
the city and left us. lie had no sooner
gone than Ruth began to bestow upon
me little attentions. This was quite
enough TO induce me to show my feel
ings, and ] met with every encourage
meE. In less than month after