Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1910-07-26
II Story Of
Farm Life
Copyright. 1910. by American
Press Association

been here?'
II didn't do anything" said JEFF II
an embarrassed tone. "I'm going t.
plow the rest Of the forenoon, though
Father gave me Il day off. and ! wa!
going down to the creek to fish. bu
believe I'd rather stay here ant
plow."
Gladys laughed outright. III YOU'D
rather plow than 60 fishing you may,
she said You'd better come up t.
the house and get some new whiffle
trees. though"
While JEFF was fixing the whiffle
trees Gladys went into the house ant
came back with a couple Of fres|
doughnuts.
Boys are never happy unless they
are eating" she remarked with the
wisdom Of her sixteen years expert
ence. You can't guess what were
going to have for dinner" she added
JEFF Strengthened up In sudden fear
Il can't stay to dinner-not with your
OuM mere, ue CTieu.
"Dh, yes. you can" Gladys smiled
misrhievously. III you won't eat you
can't plow."
I'll stay. then" announced Jeff re,
Eignedly as he drove away to the field.
That dinner was torture for the
awkward boy. for Gladys had told
the story of the runaway. giving JEFF
most of the credit. and both Mrs.
Sanders and her sister showered him
with praise until his face was rs red
as the tablecloth and lie was forced
to wipe the self conscious perspiration
out Of his eyes with his napkin. He
brought the uncomfortable occasion to
a close as quickly us possible and left
the table before he was half through
on the preteXt that he heard the colt
kicking out In the barn.
About the middle Of the afternoon
Gladys went out to the field where
JEFF was working with big apple pie
under her arm
81 know you didn't eat half enough
dinner" she said. 1T was too bad for
them to bother you So"
81 ate all | wanted" lied jeff, at the
same time hungrily eying the pie.
"Then you don't want this? said
Gladys. starting to turn away.
"Oh. yes!" he cried In sudden alarm
THAT Is. maybe could eat part OF
| n II looks awful good"
Gladys held it out to him.
"Did you make it?" he asked as he
started on the second quarter.
Yes" replied Gladys. but it isn't
any better Oh that account"
81 like 1t better" said JEFF as he
handed, her the empty plate and brush,
ed the crumbs from his overalls.
1t was Gladys turn to blush now.
IF you don't stop making such
speeches III hate you as badly as
do Harold Du VAL" she said.
"Do you hate himY cried Jef e1'
citedly, jumping to the ground.
NO." answered Gladys quickly. Its
Just the speeches hate. like Har'
old very much. He'd be as nice as
any one If he wasn't boy and had q
little ambition"
JEFF climbed slowly back to his seat
again. "Did you know l was going
away? he asked.
"Now cried Gladys, with sudden In
terest. Where tor"
"ro college want to find ou'
things-why corn won't grow just as
we'll If the ground isn't plowed. why
there's 80 many angleworms after
rain. why cream turns to butter wher
1t is churned. why
"Why boys like pie" laughed Gladys
looking at the empty tin.
you're making fun Of me now" Jen
said In an aggrieved tone.
Indeed I'm not" protested Gladys
T'll be proud to have a college boy
for my friend"
At the picnic Harold could not hell
brooding over Gladys slight. as be
chose to call 1t. in not coming. He
devoted his entire attention to freez
ing the ice cream and making the
Lemonade and left the others to the
merrymaking.
He was turning away with all his
might on the crank Of an Ice cream
freezer when he was startled by
teasing voice close to his elbow. "Yor
don't seem to be enjoying the picnic
very much," 1t said.
He looked up and saw Mabel stand
ing with one pretty elbow leaning or
the lemonade barrel. He noted will
an approving eye that her dress was
Of the latest pattern and that 1t fttee
her perfectly; also that her hair. while
not quite so wavy as Gladys. framed
a face almost as pretty.
"Im not much of hand to get ovel
disappointments easily" he said. Civ
ing the handle a vicious turn. "Wha
have | done to make that sister OF
yours dislike me so?" he added.
"She doesn't dislike you. and If sh'
did II wouldn't be for what you've
done. but for what you haven't done
There 1t goes again!" be answered
Grossly. us it u crime for a fellow
to spend his fathers money when hi
father is willing?"
"Tm sure | don't know" said Mabel
81 suppose that's for you to decide
Let's talk about something else"
"All right; let's sample this ic'
cream"
But at the first taste Harold emitted
whoop that brought Beth hurryini
over to see what was the matter.
Maybe | did put too much vanilla
in It," she admitted. Mamma said Il
use plenty" ..
81 guess you did all right" sale
Harold ironically. "That means ii
have to 60 back to town and get some
already frozen, as I wanted to do II
the first place"
1T won't seem like picnic withou
Ice cream. You'd Just as soon 60 aftel
some. wouldn't you" asked bis siste
coaxingly.
"Y-yes," he replied-"that Is. If Ma
bel will 60 with me-"
81 suppose must sacrifice myself tt
the general good" said Mabel laugh
ingly.
do you know" said Harold sud
denly as they were on their way back
I've a good mind to 60 to college ant
study law. Don't tell Gladys, though,
he went on. She'll think I'm doing i