Amador ledger., 1909-08-13
5be
Candle OeSf
ey r. A. mitchell.

working for Farmer Bathgate We
went to him when the crops were
ready tO be taken in, and he liked us
so well that wien the harvest was
over he concluded to keep us for every.
day work during the winter. In the
summer Ruth Bathgate, his daughter,
used to bring 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 intentions
toward her; 1t was just an ordinary
rivalry. But Ruth was mighty particu-
lar not to make the slightest differ
ence between us.
When the autumn came on. the fod.
der was in shock. the weather getting
sold, and the logs were blazing on the
hearth, the farmer and his family and
Josh and | used to sit around the
blaze, talking and telling yarns. That
was n happy winter for both Josh and
me. We didn't either of us suspect
that we We're both dead gone OH 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 it is all over | know that what
made our enjoyment so keen was Ruth.
and 1t was Ruth that spoiled it all
not Intentionally, for, as said. she IA
vored neither of us. She couldn't have
Kept us two fellows from gradually
falling in love with her If she had
wanted to.
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
volved any relation with her, and final
E we never mentioned her. A year
passed, the pleasantest l 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 l want to say to
YOU Ben. The harvest is ended, and it
doesn't seem just right for two strap
ping fellows like 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 us go, but
doesn't like to decide between us.
What do you say to playing a game of
seven up to settle which shall get
out?'
81 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 off
one of us And you and |. too. have
been square to each other. | don't eX-
actly like your plan of playing IL game
to find out which shall go, for one
might have more skill than the other
I think we'd better let something else
than cards decide between us. Mrs.
Bathgate was making candles TINS
morning. Now, what do you say TO
YOUR choosing a candle and choosing
one out of the same mold and lighting
them at the same time? The one whose
candle goes out first is to go"
81 think that would be a good way
to settle it."
We we're in our room at the time
we occupied room together-and |
was going out to get the candles when
l met Ruth at the door.
1--WE heard what you two have been
saving" she said. Through the partl-
ton. and you're right. Father doesn't
need but one extra hand this winter.
but he won't send away either of you.
TIL 90 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 u.s." we both
said ut the same moment.
IF YOU wish me to-"
Placing q candle before each or us,
she scratched a match in each hand
and lighted them at the same moment
Then she left the room without a
glance at either Of us. The candles
were short and would burn out III be-
tween one and two hours. Josh and |
played good many games OF seven
up. occasionally glancing Mt the can
dies with apparent unconcern. but real
" with suppressed suspense. 1t was
not till they had burned down to WITH
in an inch of the socket that l notlcen
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.
He blew it out and turned away to
conceal his feelings. ! expected Ruth
to show enough interest in which OF
rs was to remain, to ask before going
to sleep. but she didn't. well" ! said
10 myself. "it doesn't make any differ
ence. after all. which goes first. Wei
c,l. lInnc,nst ,,,n M