The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1910-09-30

70 get that sweet corn IN or the hotef||
won't have any for August. Hello
you-want job at good payY.
I'm ready for work Il your show
me how" was the reply.
Hain't used to it. Ell! You don,t
look up to much, but most anybody
can plant corn. Five kernels to q
bill. and cover 'em up well. Hone
you amt q gambler or anything Of
that kind, and that the polics WON'T
be after you
He was assured on that point, and
within an hour the stranger was
working IN the cornfeld beside the
farmer. He chopped his feet with the
hoe several times. but soon got the
hang OF It, and at noon. when he sat
down to the table with the farmer
and his wife he felt that he had made
start.
Both the farmer and his wife were
curious about him. but they learned
little. They came to the decision that
he was no tramp, and that neither
was he horse-thief. When corn
planting was over. Barnes. as the
stranger called himself. was taken on
as a hired man. He learned to split
wood, milk cows, hold the pillow and
do other farm work His back ached
and he got over it. His hands Bills
tered and became calloused. And the
farmer said to him:
Never had hired man who asked
so many questions. He wants to
know all about everything. Shouldn't
wonder If he'd make a pretty good
farmer in time. Mebbe he used to be
what they call confidence man, but
I'm not holdin' it up agin him. He's
seen the error of his ways"
And when August came Judge Girls
comb and his daughter went up to the
Falls house for month, as they had
done for five or six seasons. Newport
and its stupidities for July-the Falls
house and quiet and rest for August
well, Barnes said the farmer to
\
folks are just itchin' for some sweet
green corn. I've been down in the
field, and guess we can pick about
six dozen ears. You may hitch up the
old mare In the mornin' and drive
over there with 'em. Tell 'em more
will be ready in about four days."
Miss Mabel Griscomb sat on a
bench under the shade of a tree at
the corner Of the Falls house. She
looked up from the book that was not
interesting her much to see horse
and wagon coming and aiming to
drive around to the rear of the house.
The driver had on straw hat, was
without coat, and had four or five
days growth of beard. She glanced
at him and gave start of surprise.
He glanced at her. and his sunburned
face took on deeper color. No nod
of recognition-no word. He drove
out of the grounds by another way
Four days later, Miss Griscomb was
wandering along the main highway,
stopping to Gull flower here and
watch squirrel there. when the same
wagon and driver appeared More
green corn for the hotel. She stood
aside as the vehicle came up and
bowed to the man with the lines. He
lifted his hat, but did not halt. Oh,
yes; she was sure of his identity. and
he Of hers.
Every three or four days during the
month he appeared. He brought
green corn, new potatoes, sQuashes,
onions. radishes and other good
things to eat. Always there was q
nod, but no word between the two.
The judge and his daughter returned
to the city at the end of the month.
and society came to life. It asked
after Phillip Barton, but no one re-
piled. September and October came
and went, and one evening the father
and daughter sat down for one Of
their talks.
Father" said Mabel. after a bit.
Phillip Barton is to call here to.
morrow afternoon. He is finished
with his farm work for the season.
He has no longer the wings of SO
ciety butterfly but the sunburn and
callousness of the man who has
earned his living. What shall
answer him?"
Il guess he's the son-in-law I've
had in mind" was the reply as he
bent over to kiss her.
4cf-