Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1912-06-26
Harvest Hands
(CoDyrish,. rsIr. b. As.oei.ssd Lis.r.ry Press,

tuht VeEy hiSu WaSoo WSf0 ouerSu
and agents sent east to talk and ad-
vertise. It was free fare out, with
keep on the road. and then 50 per
day and the most liberal board for
weeks and weeks. 1t was the great
est chance for the students working
their way through college. and scores
OF them took advantage OF It.
Dwight Carleton. OF Columbia.
looked upon II as q special interpo-
sition OF Providence. In six weeks he
could earn sufficient to take him
through the winter term. He had
no wealthy father to back him.
Fourteen hours per day in the har-
vest field. and the farmer carrying a
crouch because he could not make it
fifteen, A bed on the hay In the
barn. and every man still hungry as
he arose from the liberal table,"
The husky workers groaned and per-
spired and stood IL. Those who had
never roughed It kept on as long as
they could. and dropped out and were
paid Off and told to go. And when
Dwight Carleton was handed his
wages. after ten days OF back
breaking work. he found them insult
ficient even to pay his railroad fare
back as far as Chicago. And then
some one stole his spare clothing. and
when he 'hit the pike" he had
nothing to carry IN his hands.
There came a day to Dwight Garlic
ton when he had to sit down by the
roadside and wonder II he could ever
make another mile. Exhausted with
hunger and tramping and exposure.
and a fever burning him. he sat with
his head in his hands and his courage
all gone. And then the children from
the country school. a quarter OF a mile
away. came along on their way home
and stopped to look at him and make
comments. And a little later came
the schoolma'am in her pink sunbon-
net and clean calico dress.
You are H." she said as she
glanced at the young man.
He nodde his head
well. come back to the first
house. That's where live. My faith
er is a farmer. but I'm teaching this
school this term. You are i'll and
weak. Take my arm"
But I'm penniless." replied the ex.
harvest hand with a rueful smile.
Come now, and we'll walk slow
ly."
1t was after the patient had got to
the house and found a bed and the
that the farmer came up from the
Avld to say to his daughter:
For the last two years you've
been trying to turn this house into
q tramp hospital. and now you've
done it! That Teller is playing pos
sum on you. He's got to get out o.
this and move alongi"
The father was taken into the bed
room of the half-asleep, mutterint
young man and shown the palms o
his hands. They were blistered.
Guess he's been at work some
where's and played out. but 1t ain
for US to pay his doctor bills anC
nurse him"
81 can pay. father. from my schoo
money"
"Humph! And when he gets abb
to go. he'll steal my best horse"
II was two weeks before the pa
tient was able to leave his room, an,
two more before he was moving
around outdoors. Before that he ha,
told his story and written letter t
be mailed to New York city.
Trying to get through college
hump" was the farmers reply. "Ms
| to- htntt hA
lieves every word that Teller says
and you keep your eye out that the
don't elope together. That letter t
New York was only blind. I'll
never be took notice Of"
But II was There came an ar
swer and a big money order. an
young Mr.. Carleton was to get som
clothes and come on as soon as h
could. He owed something to tn
farmer. At family council tn
farmer reckoned that $50 would b
about right.
HE shall never pay It, father!" e.
claimed the daughter as the re
blazo1 up in her cheeks.
Then who will?"
81 will! / told you so in the b,
ginning. That money Is only loa
from a friend"
Out in the orchard, the day befor
he left, the ex-harvest hand tried I
pay the money to his nurse. but sh
held her hands behind her and sal
she wanted to be his creditor
For how long?" he asked.
It'll you-you-"
81 shall come back some day to pa
my debt. When / do ! shall ask fC
something I dare not speak OF nov
How long will you waltz"
isn't cash In thirty days the rule
she blushingly asked.
One spring day three years late
| Tho rlnnfher ra, down into thu An1d 4