The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1915-01-06
ATaHOLLy FARM
BY VICTOR R%EDcLiFFE.

NSOpykA6hbT StS ~ W
1T won't do, Reuben. Father says
you need tanning down, and he's going
to get you a position in a town store
and see II he can't repress some OF
your surplus animal spirit, as no calls
it."
THAT so?" retorted stalwart, indie
pendent Reuben Marsh. We'll, it won't
work" o.
Then you'll be in the back Of his
books when it comes to dividing up the
property" ~. 80.
"Who cares for his property" burst
out Reuben. TITS him I care for. He's
q jolly good father, only I'm too rough
and ready to suit him. That isn't my
fault; I was born So" "
For once In his life old Godfrey
Marsh was sharp and severe with Reu.
ben when he called him to q secret In
terview in the library. s.
i've blocked out your course" he
said. 81 expect you to follow It."
And Reuben was r~esolute, and to his
fathers way Of thinking almost inso-
lent, as he replied sturdily:
TT can't be done, dad. One week shut
up in store would kill me. Let me
90 to road.making or caring for the
horses, but don't shut me away from
nature"
you've heard met" pronounced his
determined sire definitely. I'm trying
to make something Of you besides q
stable boy. It's obedience or"
"The open road?" smiled Reuben in.
quiringly. "Au right You've been q
good father, but I'm not of the silky,
heightened class Of Ray and Bertram.
I'll go it on my own hook, I reckon"
Hell be back in q week" pre-.
dicted Mr.. Marsh to his mourning
wife after Reuben had gone.
81 fear not" quavered the anxious
mother. Reuben is too proud to
weaken on his own course. He'll
thrive, for he is all go-aheadativeness,
but we shall miss him d~readfully."
Reuben was thinking Of his mother
at Just that moment. He had swung
away down the road. q stout stick over
his shoulder bearing 8 bundle on its
end. 2
EARLY the following morning Reu.
ben saw at q distance q scattered
group Of farm buildings.
I'm tired of tramping," he solilo'
quized. IF there's q place for me
yonder I'll just camp down for a
spell"
He came to the farm q big one, an
hour later. It was to see three men,
two women and some children grouped
together about q pit. There was dis
cussion and commotion. All we're ex'
cited except q girl who stood interest
eddy watching what was going on,
Reuben thought she was the fairest
creature he had w met
"Hello-a stranger" suddenly ejac'
ulated the old man Of the group. OBJ.
serving Reuben. X
EYES," nodded the latter In a pleas
ami, off-handed way. Whats going
on here, may ] ask?"
"Just take a look and see," was the
reply, and Reuben pressed close to the
pit, a deep, boarded-up affair.
"Aha! he spoke out readily
wolves. four OF them!"
"As you see" nodded the old farmer,
"The pests have got so thick we SET
traps for 'em. Expected to catch an
occasional one, and here's four in q
bunch" :
The animals were big and fierce
They leaped about wildly in their saw.
age rage, but could not scale the; sides
Of the smooth boarded pit g.
"And you want to get rid Of themT
queried Reuben lightly.
SCOT to-some way"
Reuben glanced about him till be
located q heavy wagon spoke near by,
He threw OF his coat and grasped the
formidable cudgel firmly. - G.
"stand aside" he ordered b~rusquely.
The old farmer looked shocked.
His pretty daughter, Amy. caught
her breath with q quick thrill Down
into the pit landed Reuben.
Swish-thud!-once, twice, thrice
four times. His brawny arm swung
like a fail. With cracked skulls the
savage beasts lay painting out their
last breath. -
Lower q rope and haul them up In
turn" ordered Reuben
A hand Of iron, that Of the old farm'
er, clamped his shoulder as hei In
turn was drawn to the surface. z
You'll dol" he cried admiringty,
and then as Reuben viewed the grateful
faces of those about him and felt the
sparkling commendatory glance of the
fair young girl, he realized that he bad
at last found an environment where
his strength and courage were appre
ciated. .
If you should DO looking for aljoh
now" yentured the old. farmer long
ingly. and Just then Reuben met again
the witchinsr eyes Of Amy.
II am" he answered promptly.
That was the beginning Of an idea
life for the wayfarer. who had found
his mission and right environment al
last.
Ona wear 10, a, day after his leay1na