The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1915-04-02


working for Farmer Bathgate. W,
went 10 him when the crops were
ready to be taken in. and he liked Us
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-no
that either OF us had any intentions
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 gettinc
cold, and the logs were blazing on tn,
hea -th. the farmer and his family anj
Josh and used TO ST around tn
blaze. talking and telling yarns Tina
was a happy winter for both Josh an,
me. We didn't either Of us suSpec.
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 time
there's always something that make
them pleasant. and. ten to one, it's the
very thing 20 break up the pleasure
Since il is all over i know that whaf
made our enjoyment so keen was Ruth
and it was Ruth that spoiled 1t all
not Intentionally. for. rs | said. she fa
vored neither Of us She couldn't have
kept us two fellows from gradually
falling in love with her if she haG
wanted to-
At first Josh and | used TO speal
about little occurrences concerning he
with perfect freedom. Then we ceased
to say ANYTHING TO each other that in
volved any 4 her, and final
~ we never i,.4,. ed her. A year
passed, the p.easaItest l have ever
known, and when wed filled the barns
and there was little to do one day Josh
said to me:
There's something | want TO say to
you, Ben. The harvest is ended, and II
doesn't seem just right for two strap
ping fellows like US to put Farmer
Bathgate 10 the expense OF keeping US
all winter. There's enough for one to
do, but not enough for two. It's my
opinion he'd let one of us go, but
doesn't like to decide between US.
What do you say TO playing a game Of
seven up to settle which shall get
out?
Il reckon there's something In what
you say, JOSH | replied in as melan-
choly q tone as his. Hes treated us
mighty well. and we ought to relieve
him Of the responsibility of sending off
one of Us. And you and |. too. have
been square 10 each other | don't ex-
actly like your plan of playing game
to find out which shall 90, for one
might have more skill than the other
l think we'd better let something else
than cards decide between us. Mrs
Bathgate was making candles this
morning. Now, what do you say 10
your choosing a candle and | choosing
one out of the same mold and lighting
them at the same tiTef The one whose
candle goes out first is TO 60"
81 think that would be good way
TO settle it,
We were I'm cur room at the time
we occupied room together-and
was going out TO get the candles when
met Ruth ut the door
I've heard what you two have been
saying" she said. through the parti-
ton. and you're right Father doesn't
need but ore extra hand this winter.
but he won't send away either Of you
I'll go down ana get the candles and
light them for you"
We were both nightly pleased to
have her DO this and waited patiently
till she came back with the candles.
"Woud you ohoOse for us?" we both
said at the same moment
"If you wish me to-
Placing Il candle before each OF us,
she scratched a match in each hand
and lighted them at the same moment.
Then she left the room without
glance at either Of us. The candles
were short and would burn out in be
tween one and two hours. Josh and
played Il good many games OF seven
up. occasionally lancing at the can
dies with appau unconcern, but real
ly with suppress suspense. 1t was
not tin they had med down to with.
In an inch OF to ocset that I noticed
a difference Th-l saw that my can.
die was burning he slower. When
Josh'S BEGAN 10 1isi.cr there was still
three-eighths Of mn inch OF mine left
He blew Il out and turned away e.
conceal hls ceilings. | expected Ruth
10 show CaCsh interest I'm which OF
Us was 90 re- ain. 10 ask before goine
TO sleep. In; hc C,du't Well" said
TO myself III docn't make any differ
ence. after all vhieh saes first. Wei
both 90 seen cncuA sac doesn't wan,
either of us"
The next day job told the farme
that he thoneht he'd hook fcr work T.
the city anG left n. re he'd no soonel
gone than Ruth leran 10 hc low upo,
me little attentions This WAS quii
.0aueh 80 irdN~e nc ~ how ny Zee.
ings. ana met VS. 81
ment. In less f3aa al4
IrrBs- f.s.avHs.... q