The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1910-01-07
Cbe
Candle CeSf

BY z. A. michel.

copyright. 1903. by American Press Asso-
ciation.l .
Josh and | were fellow laborers
working for Farmer Bathgate. We
went 10 him when the crops were
ready 10 be taken In. and he liked us
so well that when 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; II 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 I'm shock, the weather getting
cold, and the logs were blazing on the
hea nth. the farmer and his family and
Josh and | used TO sit around the
blaze, talking and telling yarns. That
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 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 II is all over | know that what
made our enjoyment 50 keen was Ruth.
and Il was Ruth that spoiled II all
not Intentionally. for. as said. she ia
yored neither OF US She couldn't have
kept us two fellows from gradually
falling I'm love with her II she had
wanted to.
At first Josh and I used to speak
, about little occurrences concerning her
with perfect freedom. Then we ceased
10 say anything 10 each other that In
volved any relation with her, and fnal-
ly 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:
a There's something want TO say "a
y YOU Ben. The harvest is ended. and II
:. 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
a do. but not enough for two. It's my
d opinion he'd let one Of US go. but
4 doesn't Ike TO decide between us.
o What do you say to playing a game or
, seven up 10 settle which shall get
outT
, Il reckon there's something In what
/ you say. JOSH I replied in as melan-
s. cboly a tone as bis. Hes treated US
d mighty we'll and we ought TO relieve
him OF the responsibility OF sending on
one Of US. And you and !, too. have
been square 10 each other. | don't ex-
actly like your plan Of playing a game
10 70 find out which shall go. for one
: might have more skill than the other
a I think we'd better let something else
z than cards decide between US. Mrs.
70 Bathrate was making candles TINS
~ incoming. Now, what do you say TO
- vour choosing a candle and choosing
y one out of the same mold and lighting
~ them nj the same timer The one whose
y candle goes out first is TO go"
III 81 think that would be good way
In 10 settle IT."
Us We were In our room at the time
as we occupied a room together-and
10 was going out to get the candles when
:, I met Ruth at the door
"I've heard what you two have beer
40 saving" she said. through the paru
nI tIon. and you're right Father doesn'
ls need but one extra hand this winter
e. bnt he won't send away either OF you
I'll 20 down and get the candles anc
light them for you"
We we're both nightly pleased t'
e hive her do this and waited patientl,
:. I'm she came back with the candles.
- would you choose for usT' we botl
said at the same moment
"If you wish me to-
ed Placing n candle before each OF US
lis she scratched a match in each han'
be and lighted rhem at the same moment
m Then she left the room without
ha glance at either OF us. The candle
4. were short and would burn out In be
y tween one and two hours. Josh and
nlayed n good many games or seve
hu up. occasionally glancing at the car
er dies with apparent unconcern, but rea
ms " with suppressed suspense. IL wa
in not tin,they had burned down to witt
e. in an inch OF the socket that | notice
"a n difference Then I saw that my car
- die was burning the slower. VINE
P' Josh's began to flicker there was sti
three-eighths Of an inch OF mine lei
He blew II out and turned away
conceal his feelings. ! expected Ru'
10 show enough interest In which
I,S ne was to remain. 20 ask before goin
10 TO sleep. but she didn't Well ] sal
nj 10 myself. 1T doesn't make any dine
an ence. after all. which goes first We
ire both 20 soon enough. She doesn't wal
ow either OF u.s."
~ The next day Josh told the farm'
= that he thought he'd look for work
the city and left US. He had no soon'
me- gone than Ruth began TO bestow up'
rs. me little attentions. This was oui
onoush 10 induce me TO show my -