The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1909-11-12

"a lCopyright 1919, bN American lreSs ASSo-
ciationl
Josh aud were follow laborers
working for Farmer Bathgate. We
went 10 him when the crops were
ready 10 be .aken IN. and he liked us
SO well that when the harvest ives
over he concluded TO keep US for every
day work during the winter. I'm the
summer Ruth liathgate. his daughter.
used 20 bring us out cool drinks. and
we two young men soon became anX-
ious for some sign of prcfercnce-not
that either Of us had any intentions
toward her. IL 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 weather getting
cold, and the logs were blazing on tho
hea tn. the farmer and his family and
Josh and used 10 sit around the
blaze. talking aud telling yarns Thai
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 foresee what was 10 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 To one. it's the
very thing 10 break up the pleasure.
Since it 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.
vored neither Of us. She couldn't have
kept Us two fellows from gradually
falling in love with her IL she had
wanted 20.
At first Josh and | used to speak
about little occurrences concerning her
with perfect freedom. Then we ceased
20 say anything TO each other that IN
volved any relation with her. and final
~ We never mentioned her. A year
passed. the pleasantest I 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 20 say to
you. Ben. The harvest is ended, and II
doesn't seem just right for two strap
ping fellows like US 10 put Farmer
Bathgate TO the expense Of keeping us
all winter There's enough for one toI
do. but not enough for two. It's my
opinion he'd let one Of us 60, but
doesn't Ike TO decide between us
What do you say TO playing a game OF
seven up 10 settle which shall get
outT
Il reckon there's something In what
you say. JOSH" replied in as melan-
choly a tone as his. Hes treated US
mighty well. and we ought TO relieve
him OF the responsibility Of sending of
one Of US. And you and /. too. have
been square TO each other. | don't ex
actly like your plan Of playing a game
10 find 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
moving. Now, what do you say TO
your choosing a candle and | choosing
them at the same time? The one whose
candle goes out first is to 60"
Il think that would be a good way
10 settle IT."
We we're in our room at the time
we occupied a room together-and
was going out TO get the candles when
I 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.
but he won't send away either Of you.
I'll 20 down and get the candles and
light them for you"
We we're both NIGHTLY pleased TO
have her do this and waited patiently
till she came back with the candles.
Would you choose for usY' we both
said at the same moment.
"If you wish me to-"
Placing a candle before each Of us,
she scratched a match I'm each hand
and lighted rlem at the same moment
Then she left the room without a
glance at either OF us. The candles
were short and would burn out I'm be
tween one and two hours. Josh and ]
played a good many games Of seven
up. occasionally CHANGING at the can
dies with apparent unconcern, but real
ly with suppressed suspense. 1t was
not till'they had burned down TO with
In an inch Of the socket that noticed
a difference. Then | saw that my can
die was burning the slower. When
Josh's began to flicker there was still
three eighths Of an inch OF mine left
Tie blew IL out and turned away to
his feelings. ! expected Ruth
TO show enough interest I'm which Of
US was to remain, TO ask before going |
10 sleep, but she didn't We'll" ! said
TO myself. 1T doesn't make any differ
ence. after NIL. which goes first. Wei |
both 20 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 I
the city and left US. He had no sooner 1
gone than Ruth began TO bestow upon /
me little attentions. This was quite |
enough 10 induce me to show my feel /
lngs. and ] met WITH every cnvv,- asv
ment. In less than month after /
Josa's departure I was engaged.