The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1911-07-20
THE BARN RAISING
BY BELLE MANIATES

II am not so sure about that" she
replied when | smell new moSn
hay, have a feeting vision Of big
boy with a gentle touch who used to
carry me on his back through fields"
II was that boy" he declared.
Then draw up chair to our lively
fire"
she likes the fireplace. Keene."
said the old man In childish eagerness.
She says it's the most beautiful fire
In the world"
"Of course" she asserted. looking at
Keene. 1T makes me loathe steam
and coal?"
That night Keene went home with
his pulses throbbing. She was not
offended. then, and from the fireplace
proposition 1t looked as II she were
going to follow out his suggestions.
The next morning he met her driving
her grandfather over the place.
Isn't 1t a dear old farm" she cried.
"Keene." said the old man delight
edly, she loves the fence. She doesn't
want II down"
Want It down." echoed the girl.
looking at Keene. 1T is 80 pictur'
esque And like tho idea OF fencing
In your possessions. I'd go farther II
had home; I'd suild wall around
It,"
Il was afraid you'd think us old
fashioned" suggested her grandfather
Maybe, now. you'd like some new
chairs and sofys."
why, grandfather. you couldn't buy
such beautiful old things anywhere. II
would spoil the place to put anything
modern in 1t, wouldn't it?" appealing
to Keene.
Indeed It would" he replied. his
heart warming
The next day he met Stephen driv'
ing from town. There was a slight
flush in his withered cheeks and a
light in his dimmed eyes.
She's decided the farm back to me,
Keene." he said with a sob. she said
had worked out my life on 1t, and
that It belonged to me. OF course |
shall will It to her. but Il is mine.
| now"
"She has made him man again"
Keene told himself. his heart full OF a
tender reverence for the generous
young grandchild.
Each day brought some new evil
dence of her thoughtfulness for the
old mans comfort and happiness.
Towards Keene, himself she ever
showed a gracious air OF good fellow
ship
Next Thursday" she announced
one day. rs grandfather's birthday.
and am going to give him barn.
big. red barn"
This had been a long-felt want OF
the old mans. and he was greatly ex'
cited over the prospect.
Wen have a barn raising" he de-
cided
What is that?" asked Ruth won
deringly.
When the old man had explained,
he added with sigh. 1T amt what
It used to be. They have new tangled
machinery and just a few men who
bring their own dinner with them"
How was It in the olden time?"
1T was a great event. Men came
from miles around. 25 or 30 OF them.
with their families. We set long
,ables and most always killed a sheep.
Your grandmother made few dozen
pies. and in the evening we had dane
ing and games"
Wen have Just such one this
time" she cried ecstatically.
Forthwith they began to plan ac'
cordingly. This renewal OF an old
custom was looked forward to in the
whole district, and when the eventful
day arrived, Keene was the first one
on hand. He caught the infection OF
the old mans delight and helped to
make the day success. and the din
ner was one never to be forgotten
what wonders she has worked -
thought Keene, looking at the happy
young hostess. How glad am
gave her the keynote She is so good
she could not help being generous tc
him, but she might not have grasped
the situation 20 quickly II | had not
written to her 1t is sweet in ber
never to have alluded to 1t In any
way"
His courage was inspired to the
point he had been yearning for since
that first glimpse OF her by the fire
side. When. after the departure oi
the guests. he was left alone with her
he opened his heart to her, and she
shyly responded to his love.
Wen live here in the dear ole
home with grandfather" she pleaded
when he was saying goodnight.
Tomorrow, he thought, as he wa'
walking home. 81 will speak to her o
the letter"
When he went into the house h
found a missive from the dead lette
, office. Opening It, he found his lette
which had been misdirected. II
watched 1t burn.
81 will never tell her" he concluded