The Caucasian. (Clinton, N.C.) 188?-1913, 1913-03-06
HOW ROBERT FOOLED HIMSELF,

HOW ROBERT FOOLED HIMSELF.
Robert walked up the path to
where Ruth was waiting. He had
been to the lower end of the field and
there was q shrewd look on his
freckled face. "Pll tell you what!
You take the first three rows, Ruth,
and I'll take the next three. There
aren't nearly as many weeds in the
fiEst three rows" he added magnani-
mousiy. "See, my rows are just full
Of that horrid parsley. I'd rather
pull anything in the world than par
sIeV, wouldn't you?"
Ruth admitted that she hated par
sieY.
well pull by three all the way
through the field. Huh. it's just as
easy! 1 can pull three at once"
Robert boasted
The children had undertaken to
weed out the onion bed, and they
were to get ten cents row.
ooh, can beat you all to pieces!
Just watch the way I do it. Why
don't you do the way l do?"
Because it doesn't get the roots
out Clean" replied Ruth conscien-
tiGusly. "It doesn't do any good if
You don't get out the roots-they'll
sprout right up again; besides it
doesn't loosen the ground so the lit
tie onions can grow. You only break
off the tops that way"
eyes, but what's the difference?"
Robert questioned. cit all looks the
same. My rows look as we'll as
yours, and it doesn't take me half
as long to do them
eft may look just as we'll, but it
isn't" Ruth persisted firmly. "Pd
be ashamed to cheat father"
But it isn't cheating. He never
said we were to get out every last
one Of the roots, and anyhow, I'm
not to blame If they break off. We
woa't get done to-day at that rate"
"n's cheating when you make
things look better than they really
are, and I don't care IL I don't ever
get done. I'll do them we'll as far as
CO."
|tOh we'll, I'll get ten cents apiece
for my rows just the same as you
do" tainted Robert.
Anxious to prove his dexterity, he
soon passed his sister and was work
ing at the other end of the field
when Ruth had progressed sufficient
iy to see why Robert had been SO
anxious for her to take the first
three rows. They were considerably
longer than any other in the field,
and as Robert had passed through
on his way from the pasture, OF
course he knew about it and had
taken an unfair advantage.
But there was one thing he had
not seen-he had not gone over the
entire field and did not know that
the last three rows, which, counting
by threes, would naturally fall te
him, had not been worked with th&
rest OF the field, and being nearest
the fence row, were unusually full Of
graas and weeds, and that the
gsnnd was hard and full Of roots
against which even SO dexterous 9
weller as Robert could make small
hesNway.
He was OF a sociable nature ant
sas6 tired of working ahead of Ruth
a. Cell behind so they could talk.
'Kou see how easy it would be tt
best you If I wanted to-" he boastet
graaaiy. eft would make my, arm.
anlke to work as you do"
"Wal, they don't need to ache OF
my account" Ruth retorted holly
She did not accuse him of cheating
m regard to- the long rows. but sh'
cctld act help showing her indigna
asa. She met ali his friendly ad
WAGES with cool contempt.
What's the matter, sis?" he ques
tienabiy boldly, flicaking her HAND
with a thorny weed. "Mad?"
fI'm not mad, Robert Reynolds
rm disguised" she said with dig
nSty. not lifting her head. "Befor,
Fa. stoop to anything SO small"
email! How'd you 'spose I knew
tAsse three rows were longer thar
the rest?" Robert tried to defent
himself.
'why, you saw them. OF course,
Ruth remarked dryly; then. she re
fused to talk more.
Fore I'd be mad about a littl
thing IfkA three rowe OF onions.