Evening star., 1916-09-12
old ways, KNOWN there was plenty for
us and that we couldn't ever help You

old ways, KNOWN there was plenty for
! us and that we couldn't ever help You
| any"
you would better plan giving it to some
| one else" John placed his hand af1ec-
tionately upon the old mans shoulder.
Il have established my life elsewhere,
father" he said. IT has seemed @ best
steps. I had hoped you and mother
could live with rs. but YOU seem happier
| on the farm. I understand the old as
| sociations of the place and how you
be for you to know the farm might be
sold into strange hands. And you know
| it is too far from my home to visit very
| often. So l have thought that If you
| could find some nice young man in the
neighborhood. whom you like and who
| likes farming. and would be contented
to make the farm his permanent home,
you might give it to him.
Yes. ! s'pose mehbe that would be
the best plan" agreed the. old man,
little wistfully: I've felt a long time
that the farm couldn't come into your
life any more. l guess you. pay your
orchard manager in a single year twice
what the old farm would bring. Yes,
/ guess it's the best way. Ma and me
win look round and pick out somebody.
And as to the orchard and all the rest
you've ponted|out. l guess you're right
! bout their needin'. to be brought along
! to date. But ! do hate the thought o.
cuttin' and slashin into them old apple
trees, they're such longtime friends.
You've got thousands O. trees in your
| big orchard. John. and I've only fifty or
SO, all oldern me. with some p their
limbs grown white like my Old head.
and some rheumaticky like my legs.
They're pretty old. and I guess they do
need dynamftinf and subsoilin' and
bathin'. I'll study it over. John. But
there's your automobeel chuggin' over
from the barn. SO it must be
house the old man turned to the gnarled
old apple tree near which they had been
standing. One big limb crooked down
! toward the ground and then rose almost
straight upright, as though in an effort to
one tiny twig, which had several green
leaves. The old man regarded the limb
rcniniscently.
Cut you off," he said aloud. when
the first basket of apples I carried in to
Esther the day after we were married
came from your branches. and we used to
sit in that crotch and make plans! Why,
Id as soon cut off one O. my own arms!
John, he don't quite understand, that's
ALL
AS the automobile moved slowly down
the rough lane toward the main road a
figure that had been standing in the barn
doorway came toward the house. The
| farmer waited. His wife, with apron to
her eyes, went inside.
We'll, Tommy, what is it?' asked the
farmer. Anything wrong?"
Yes. SIR; but not about the farm. It's
only me. You needn't order that suit 1
spoke of, and 1 won't want the little
three-room house of yours down in the
meadow-at least, not just yet"
why. amt you and Bess going to get
married. in surprise. ''Of course, you'll
! need the suit. Tommy. and you needn' t
pay for it. nor any rent for the house
till you're good and ready-if that's the
Tommy shook his head.
1T isn't that. Mr. Garth. only IL can't
afford it just now. l told Bess. and she
agrees with me. Well, them as the eyes
continued to regard him inquiringly. its
like this: My sisters boy has got into
trouble and I'll have to send on my wages
for year or so toto get him straight.
After that-maybe-if Bess waits-we
might want the house"
Let's see, Tommy" abruptly. how
long i've you been workin. for me-much
as TIVE We years or more, amt it?"
Fourteen. SIR
$50 long-though l know it's since you
was small boy. And in all the time
there's never been hard word between
You know the run o. the farm as wells
me. and-and l think you've learned to
love it. too, haven't you-so you'd be glad
! to remain on it all the time?"
Tommy hesltated. and then shook his
head.
II hope to own a little farm Of my own
some time, SIR" he apologized. Il guess
everybody does Bess and l have talked
it over lot. But it's going to take
years of work and saving, and I'll be glad
to spend that time with you. | like this
farm better than any know. being raised
on it. But-you understand how it is.
Mr. Garth-soons mans able to own it
he wants to be on land of his own"
Yes. I understand" There was a
twinkle in the old farmers eyes now. He
turned and Aodded toward the farmhouse
refiectively.
Lots O. waste going on there, Tommy -
he said, "ten rooms and ma and me only
use four Now, l want you and Bess to
get married and help fill the house up
"Move right in with you?' asked Tom
my. incredulously.
'.Of course I'm getting along in years.
risin' of seventy. and can't do, all I'd
like. And ma amt SO young and spry
as she used to be. Both of us need some
, body to make things easier. You take the
farm on shares a few years. SO long as
ma and me are here. Then it shall be
yours"
"But-your son!'' gasped Tommy. as
founded
He started the idea. You know, he's
awful rich. And, same's me, he don't
like the idea O the old farm being sold to
somebody who wouldn't care for It, He's