The daily Alaskan., 1909-01-08

against the white pallng fence. "To- morrow Is Sunday, and l should like to walk home from church with you, Rosybel,"
 "But you can't" provoked RosybeL because dad win be there"
 And three's a crowd, I've noticed, Do you happen to know, beloyedest, what is wrong about your little Dick"
 Nothing, of course. only dad thinks you are loafer and don't know how to work"
 "Wem show dad his little mistake. Some one said he was short handed for the having next week. Is that so|
 "Yes. He can hardly get help, but what The sound of approaching wheels threatened Farmer Johns ar rival. and her question was not tn- ished.
 Early Monday morning stranger applied to Farmer John for work. He wore heavy, silver trimmed spectacles, and his hair was sllcked down over his forehead in a bang. His clothes were all that a farm hands should be- from torn straw hat to sullied shoes.
 Farmer John was nearSighted and never interested in matters of person. ality. He chuckIed afterward over the good bargain he had made, for in ad- ditlon to the horse and hnyrack which the man offered along with his services he would furnish his own meals.
 He realized that this was unusual, the stranger said, but he had indiges- ton and could only eat his own cook ing Farmer John was delighted, and Rosybel, listening around the corner, did not know whether to laugh or be glad at her lovers sense of honor which prevented his eating forbidden salt
 Every evening after that they met under the elm tree, and Dick showed her the new callous spots which the day had brought forth, the while he boasted of hIs prowess in the field. Rosybel listened eagerly and let her eyes tell him what she thought of him, which was very pleasant for Dick and made life altogether worth living.
 By Saturday the hay was well in eX- cept from a choice patch of clover which the farmer had been obliged to leave out overnight. It was all sea- soned and cooked and ready for the fork. The weather had been fine all the week, and when the men turned Into their beds at an early hour there was still no threat of change.
 In the middle of the night, however, Dick was wakened by low rumble of thunder. The young mans first thought was of those haycocks over in the west moving; his next was to get there before the rain Stopping only for trousers and shoes, he rushed out to where his horse was picketed. The moon gave light enough between gath ering clouds for him to see his way to the field. where he put in half hour of such work as he had never known, even in football season.
 The hayrack was loaded and under way for the barn before the rain struck. Farmer John met him in the farmyard with q lantern as he drove up In hurry and stared at him In astonishment.
 "Open that barn door, you loafer" Dick yelled in his excitement, quite forgetting that he was addressing the father of Rosybel Farmer John was not used to being called loafer but when he came to understand the sltu- ation he rather liked 1t.
 When the hay was safely housed and the barn door padlocked he invited the young man into the house to dry of. There he hustled about and built a fire In the kitchen stove, and while Dick was toasting his feet in the oven the old man surveyed him thoughtful- ly. Presently he inquired mildly:
 "What do you do for a living, young renow?'
 Going into politics" Dick responded modestly.
 "Grange or capital?" demanded Farmer John. It was a crucial Ques- ton.
 I'll stand TOT lue ldIulcsS NN''' time," Dick assured him, and that set ted it. The two were earnestly dis. cusslng the ownership of wild lands when the sitting room door opened and Rosybel appeared.
 Neither saw her. and presently the conversation took a more personal trend
 DO I understand" asked Farmer John, 'that you're talking of getting Rosybel to finish your education for ye?
 with your consent, yes" replied Dick politely.
 "She can teach ye a lot, Women folks mostly can. Well, seeing as you've the makings of a farmer If poli- ties fail, she can have the job if she wants it."
 A little gasp from the girl brought them both to their feet. Dicks inter est in the farm versus capital was for the moment in abeyance as he crossed quickly to her side.
 "When does school open, RosybelY