St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1911-02-25

pay me one cent; the second day two
cents; the third, four cents, and SC
on. Is it go?"
Mr.. Vane stared as if he considered
the young. man bereft of his senses
"Humph! Of all the hair-brained idi
OTIS, young man, you are certainly the
worst I have ever met with" he ex
claimed; then, sudden light dawning
in his eyes, he added coldly. But
just to teach you good lesson, I'll
take you up on that. Perhaps a little
hard work will put some common
sence into your head. Edna, get the
pen and ink and some paper from my
desk"
Edna threw Farrows look OF
amazement as she passed behind her
| fathers chair. Five minutes later. the
agreement was drawn up and properly
signed, and each party was in posses
| sion of a copy
After Jack left Edna went to her
room and busted herself with pencil
and paper as he suggested. After a
short period Of figuring she lifted q
beaming face to the glass opposite and
regarded herself with eyes filled with
happy surprise.
Edna Vane," she exclaimed joy
fully, you're just the luckiest, hap
piest girl that ever lived and you're
not half worthy of him either!" Then
girl like, she snatched Jacks photo
graph from the table nearby and GOV.
cred it with kisses.
Had not Mr.. Vane taken 1t for
granted that Jacks sole object in ma
king so unusual an offer was simply to
be near his daughter while working
about her home he would have given
the matter more serious thought. AS
| it was he took secret delight in de-
stroying his plans by sending Edna On
a visit to a distant relative. The
money part of the agreement he did
not even take the trouble of consider
! ing; it was agreed that Jack was to
collect the entire amount Of salary
due him when the 20 days were over.
1t was on the evening of Edna's ar
rival home that Farrows took the lib
erty of calling, moment of triumph
which he had patiently waited and
longed for
"Humph! You have evidently for
| gotten your place. sir The rear door
is the proper entrance for my hired
help, and besides Roberts has entire
charge of all servants complaints and
quarrels."
why, papa, how can you?" ex'
claimed Edna, Indignantly. Farrows,
however, remained perfectly at his
ease.
Begging your pardon, Mr.. Vane. y
he began in mock humility, but am
no longer in your employ. My time
was up yesterday, If you please, sir.
| and I've come to present you with this
little bill for my services"
Take it to Roberts, say. He'll set
tie it up for you," replied Mr.. Vane,
impatiently waving it aside.
But will Roberts have enough cash
to settle it, sir? This little bill calls
for exactly $5,242.5S, sir"
"What?" snorted Mr. Vane con-
temptuously. mo fooling, no fooling,
young man. I have no time to waste
on jokes. Just let me take your pen
Gil for a moment while l get this thing
Strengthened out
Farrows threw Edna a look of tri-
umph as her father jotted down sew
eral rows of figures; then he gasped
and hastily went over them again.
/ Edna, frightened at the explosion Of
wrath which she felt sure was to fol-
low, grasped Jacks arm and waited.
There was a pause, during which Mr..
Vane seemed vainly endeavoring to
control himself. Then he suddenly
rose and offered Jack his hand
Young man, apologize. took you
for an idiot when I was one myself
instead. You have certainly had the
best of me in this deal and I admire
you for 1t, l declare l do. Five thou
sand and some odd dollars is a pretty
stiff price to pay for few days work
about the house, but an agreement is
an agreement and I'll stick to my part
of it. never fear. Edna, where's my
check book?"
Papa" cried Edna, running over
and throwing her arms about his neck
Jack doesn't want your money, really
he doesn't. All he wants Isl, and
oh, daddy, we care SO very much for
each other! If you will only let US get
married" Here she suddenly broke
down and buried her face in his Shout
der.
Mr.. vane was clearly bewilGered.
well, WE'LL" he said, patttng her
gently upon the back. $50 you took
sides against your dad in this deal,
did you? There, there, don't cry any
more. There seems to be something
to the boy after all, for it isn't every
one who could get the best of me as
easily as that If Jack will take a
third partnership in the banking bust
ness Wen just settle matters up that
way and as for that check, I'll write
that out for wedding present.