Elmore County Republican. [volume] (Mountain Home, Idaho) 1910-1915, 1911-08-12
THE BARN RAISING


! "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 it 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 it dear old farm" she cried
''Keene," said the old man delight
eddy, "she loves the fence. She doesn't
want 1t down."
| Want It DOWN." echoed the girl,
looking at Keene. 1T is-so pictur'
esque! And I like the idea of fencing
| In your possessions I'd go farther IL
| had home: I'd build 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 slight
flush in his withered cheeks and .
light in his dimmed eyes.
"She's decided the farm back to me.
Keene." he said with sob. "She said
had worked out my life on it. and
| that 1t belonged to me. OF course ]
shall will 1t to her. hut 1t is mines
now"
"She has made him a man again"
Keene told himself, his heart full OF a
tender reverence for the generous
young grandchild.
Each day brought some new evi-
dence OF her thoughtfulness for the
old mans comfort and happiness.
Towards Keene, himself. she ever
showed gracious air Ut good fellow
ship.
Next Thursday" she announced
one day, 'is grandfather's birthday.
and l am going to give him a barn. .
big, red barn."
This had been a long-felt want of
the old mans. and he was greatly ex-
cited over the prospect.
We'll have 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
1t used to be. They have new tangled
machinery and just a few men who
bring their own dinner with them"
How was 1t in the olden timer
TT was a great event. Men came
from miles around, rs or 30 Of them,
with their families. We set long
tables and most always killed 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 SO quickly If I had no,
written to her. 1t is sweet In hel
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 Of
the guests, he was left alone with her
he opened his heart to her, and she
shyly responded to his love.
Well live here in the dear ole
home with grandfather" she pleaded
when he was saying goodnight.
Tomorrow" he thought. as he was
walking home, Il will speak to her o.
the letter"
When he went into the house ht
found a missive from the dead letter
ONCE. Opening 1t, he found his letter
which had been misdirected. HI
watched 1t burn.
II will never tell her." he concluded
Gibbons Memorial Hall.
| O. ,rarred has heen the interest n