The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1909-08-11
The Barn RAISING

hopelessly at a blank piece of letter
paper. Several fragments were scat
tered on the floor, bearing testimony
to fruitless efforts. He was better
educated than the average farmer in
the vicinity Of C%ornsville, and he had
a clear, reasoning mind, but his I'M
dertaking was of a delicate nature.
Moreover, his six feet of manhood
strobe away from other peoples bust
ness instead of poking into it.
He felt that he owed it to his
fathers memory to protect his ia
theirs friend, Stephen Ross, in his
old age In his day Stephen had been
a prosperous farmer. Successive Off
seasons had done their work and the
inevitable mortgage had rolled up its
added interest. His wife's illness and
death had weakened his strength
and ambition. He had lost his farm
and gone to live on a ten-acre strip
saved from the wreck. Then his
only son, who had no aptitude for
farming, had gone west, married,
made a fair fortune in mining stocks,
and had written to his father to come
out and share his luxurious home.
But the old mans heart and mem
cries were too strongly rooted in his
meadow lands to stand transplanting.
So the son had bought the farm back
and let his father live on 1t, also max
ing him a generous allowance.
Stephen was as happy az his solitary
freside would allow him to be, but
the freside was about to be cheered
by his granddaughter, a young girl
of nineteen, whom he had not seen
in fifteen years. Her father was going
to Mexico for a six months sojourn
among some mines, and she had
written that she felt a longing to see
her fathers boyhood home and her
grandfather.
Its really hers, you know"
Stephen had said, when telling Keene
the news. "Her father decided it to
her when he bought it,"
Her coming will cheer you up
wonderfully, Mr.. Ross" ventured
Keene.
YES" agreed the old man, but
there was reservation in his tone, a
foreboding In his eyes, and Keene
gradually drew from the cause. 1t
was this talk which had prompted
the letter to Ruth Ross. Finally he
managed to explain to this pampered
young person that her grandfather
was old and lived entirely in the past,
clinging pathetically to old ways. He
told her he knew that the farm was
hers, but urged her not to make the
Improvements that would doubtless
suggest themselves to her. This the
old man was fearing and dreading
that she would do. He feared that
she might replace the old fireplace by
a furnace. Stephen made a heartfelt
plea for the survival of the old mans
altar fires. 1t .;as a straightforward
letter with no apology for his inter-
ference.
About six days after the mailing of
this letter he looked for a reply, but
none came.
"She is offended and thinks me
nervy," he thought ruefully. Med
oilers always make matters worse.
She'll probably take pains to do all
she thinks I asked her not to do"
A week later Ruth Ross arrived and
Keene went over to meet her. He en-
tered the big living and dining-room,
braced to met a scornful young dam
sci. The room was lighted only by
the flames from the fireplace. The
old man sat in his usual place, look
ing, as Keene's quick, keen glance
noted, ten years younger and twenty
years happier. A slender slip of a
girl with soft, sweet eyes and smooth,
shining hair came forward with ex-
tended hand.
"Mr. Warden, papa has told me so
often of all the pranks you played
when you were a boy that I feel as if
I knew you"
You do" he said earnestly. "The
summer you were here when you
were four and l fourteen we were firm
friends, but, of course, you don't re-
member"
Il am not so sure about that" she
replied. when 1 smell new mown
hay I have a f1eeting vision of a big
boy with a gentle touch who used to
carry me on his back through fields"
Il was that boy" he declared.
Then draw up a chair to our love-
ly fire"
"She likes the fireplace, Keene,"
said the old MAJ in childish eager
ness. "She says it's the most beau
tiful fire in the world"
"Oe course" she asserted, looking
at keene. 1T makes me loathe steam
and COAL"
That night Keene went home with
his heart throbbing. She was not Of
Tended, then, and from the fireplace
proposition it looked as if she were
going to follow out his suggestions.
The next morning he mel her driving
her grandfather over the place.
Isn't it a dear old farm" she
cried.
"keene," said the old man delight
eddy, she loves the fence. She
doesn't want it down.
Want it down." echoed the girl,
looking at Keene. 1T is so pictur-
esuuei And I like the idea of fenc-
ing in your possessions. I'd go far
Their if l had a home; I'd build a wall
around If