The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1915-10-15

Josh and / were fellow lab0rer
working for Farmer Bathgate "
went 10 him when the crops wer,
ready to be taken in. and he liked
so well that when the harvest We
over he concluded tc keep Us for every
day work during the winter. In the
summer Ruth Bathgate, his daughter,
used to bring us out cool drinks, and
we two young men soon became anx-
ious for some sign Of preference-notl
that either of Us had any intentionsl
toward her; it was just an ordinary
rivalry. But Ruth was mighty particu
lar not to make the slightest differ.
ence between us.
When the autumn came on, the fod
der was In shock. the weather Settins
cold. and the logs were blazing on the
hea -th, the farmer and his family and
Josh and ] used 10 sis around th1
blaze. talking and telling yarns. Thai
was a happy winter for both Josh ant
me. We didn't either OF Us suspect
that we were both dead gone on Ruth.
nor did we foresee what was to hap
pen to break up our pleasant circle
That's the trouble with pleasant times
there's always something that makes
them pleasant, and, ten to one, It's the
very thing TO break up the pleasure.
Since it is all over l know that what
made our enjoyment so keen was Ruth.
and It was Ruth that spoiled 1t all
not Intentionally, for, as said. she IA
vored neither Of US She ccaldn't have
kept us two fellows from gradually
falling in love with her II she hae
wanted to.
At first Josh and I used to speal
about little occurrences concerning he
with perfect freedom Then we ceased
to say anything 10 each other that IN.
volved any relation with her, and final
ly we never mentioned her. y yea
passed. the pleasantest have ever
known. and when we'd filed the barns
and there was little 10 do one day Josh
said to me:
There's scmct3ing want to say to
you, Ben. The harvest is ended. and II
doesn't seem just right for two strap
ping fellows like us 10 put Farmer
} Bathgate to the expense Of keeping us
all winter There's enough. for one &c
hdo. but not enough for two. It's my
opinion he'd let one of Us 60, bu
doesn't Ike to decide between US
What do you say 10 playing game OF
seven up to settle which shall &c
out?'
81 reckon there's something In vha
you say. Josh" replied in as melan
choly q tone aS his Hes treated u:
mighty well. and we ought to relieve
him Of the responsibility Of sending of
ono &C US. Aud YOU ara |. too. have
been square 10 each other. | don't ex
actlv like your rlap Of playing gam
TO find cut which shall go, for on
might have more Skill than the other
think we'd better lCt something els
than cards decide !, tween us. Mrs
Bathgate vas making candles thi
morning. Now, what do you say t
your choosing candle and | choosing
one out of the same mold and lightin
them at the same time? The one who's
candle goes cut first Is to 60"
81 think that would be a good wa,
to settle H."
We were In our room at the time
| we occupied a room together-and
| was going out 20 get the candles whe
| met Ruth at the door
i've heard what you two have bee
! saying" she said. Through the part
j ton, and you're right. Father doesn
i need but one extra hand this winter
\ but be won't send away either OF yot
| I'll 60 down and get the candles an
light them for you"
n We were both nightly PLEASED
have her do this and waited patientl
TIL she came back with the candles.
y Would you choose fer US" we bot
said at the same moment.
- IF you wish me to-"
Placing a candle before each OF u
she scratched a match In each han
and lighted them at the same momen
\ Then she left the. room without
glance at either Of us. The candle
were short and would burn out in b
tween one and two hours. Josh and
played a good many games of seve
up. occasionally glancing at the ca
| dies with apparent unconcern, but rea
ly with suppressed suspense, 1t W.
not til'they had burned down 10 wit
In an inch Of the socket that | notice
difference. Then saw that my ca
die was burning the slower. Wht
II Josh's began 10 flicker there was ST
N three-eighths OF an inch OF mine lei
4 He blew 1t out and turned away
Il Conceal his feelings. | expected Ru'
| to show enough interest 10 which
US was to remain. to ask before goir
Al Ito sleep. but she didn't. Well" / sa
= to myself. "it doesn't make any diffe
| ence, after all which goes first. We
4 both 90 soon enough Sic doesn't wa
I either OF US"
= The next Gay Josh told the farm
- that be thought he'd look for work
the city and left Us. lie had 10 soon
gone than Ruth BEGAN 10 bestow ups
ME little attentions. This was qui
lsuocxh 10 induce me 70 show nv fe'