The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1915-02-23
At HOLLY FARM
BY VICTOR R~EpcLiFFE.


Copyright. 1914. by w. G. chapman.o
1T won't do, Reuben. Father says
you need tanning down. and he's goingi
to get you a position in a town store
and see if he cant repress some of
your surplus animal spirit, as he calls
it."
THAT so?" retorted stalwart, inde-I
pendent Reuben Marsh "WeIl it won't
work"
Then you'll be in the back of his
books WHEN It Genes to dividing up the
property"
Who cares for his property" burst
out Reuben. Its him l care for. He's
a jolly good father, only I'm too rough
and ready to suit him. That isn't my
fault; l was born So"
For once in his life old Godfrey
Marsh was sharp and severe with Reu- !
ben when be called him to a secret in
terview in the library. !
I've blocked out your course" he,
said. Il expect you to follow it,
And Reuben was resolute. and to his
fathers way of thinking almost inso-
Lent, as he replied sturdily:
1T can't be done, dad One week shut
up in a store would kill me. Let ME
go to road-making or caring for the
horses, but don't shut me away FROM
nature"
You've heard mel pronounced his
determined sire definitely. I'm trying;
to make something of you besides a
stable boy. It's obedience or" /
The open road2" smiled Reuben I'M
quiringiy. "An right. You've been a
good father, but I'm not Of the silky.
heightened class of Ray and Bertram.
I'll go it on my own hook, 1 reckon" s
He'll be back in a week." pref
dicted Mr.. Marsh to his mourning
wife after Reuben had gone.
Il fea- not quavered the anxious
mother. Reuben is too proud to-
weaken on his own course. He'll
for he is all go-aheadativeness,
but we shall miss him dreadfully."
Reuben was thinking of his mother
Just that moment He had swung
away down the road. a stout stick overs
his shoulder bearing a bundle on its
end.
Early the following morning Reu-,
ben saw at a distance a scattered
group of farm buildings.
I'm tired of tramping," he solilo
quized. IF there's a place for me
I'll Just camp down for al
He came to the farm, a big one. an
hour later. i was 70 SEQ three me
women anG ssine children s-oaped
together about a pit. There was dis
cussion and commotion. All were ex-
cited except a girl who stood interest
eddy watching what was going on.
Reuben thought she was the fairest
creature he had ever met.
"Hollo-a stranger" suddenly ejac-
ulated the old man of the group, OBJ
Reuben.
yes" nodded the latter in a pleas
INT, off-handed way. Whats going
here, may l ask2"
Just take a look and see was the
'eply. and Reuben pressed close to the
a deep, boarded-ap affair.
aha! he spoke out readily
wolves, four of them!"
"As you see" nodded the old far1scr.
The pests have got so thick we set
raps for 'em. Expected to catch an
occasional one, and here's four in a
The animals were big and fierce.
They leaped about wildly in their a V
Lge rage, but could not scale the sides
II the smooth boarded pit.
And you want to get rid of them?"
Reuben lightly.
Got to-some way"
Reuben glanced about him till he
coated a heavy wagon spoke neal by.
lie threw off his coat and grasped the
ormidable cudgel firmly.
Stand aside he ordered b~rusquely.
The old farmer looked shocked.
His pretty daughter, Amy, caught
ler breath with a quick thrill. Down
nto the pit landed Reuben.
Swish-thud!-once, twice, thrice,
our times. His brawny arm swung
Ike a fail With cracked skulls the
avage beasts lay painting out their
Est breath.
Lower a rope and haul them up IN
ordered Reuben
A hand Of iron, that of the old farm
r, clamped his shoulder as he in
urn was drawn to the surface.
You'll dol" he cried a~dmiringly,
nd then as Reuben viewed the grateful
aces of those about him and felt the
parking c~ommendatory glance of the
air young girl, he realized that he had
t last found an environment where
is strength and courage were appre-
IF you should be looking for a. job
ow-" ventured the old farmer long
lgly, and just then Reuben met again
ae witching eyes of Amy.
Il am" he answered promptly.
That was the beginning of an ideal
fe for the wayfarer, who had found
is mission and right environment at
ast.
One year to a day after his leaving
ne old home, Reuben returned to visit
is old father and mother, his bride
pom his arm.
Married, happy and settled, father"
9 said cheerily. and Mr.. Marsh could
OF g~ainsay him, and kissed his blush
lg daughter-in-law tenderly. If you
ad made me a lawyer as you planned.
would probably have whipped all my
walls in court A dentist. I'd have
roken my patients jaw first time. A
l%erchant, I'd have pinned away. Sim.
lie, natural Reuben, only a farmer.
ut the happiest II in all the wide
nrldio