The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-07-15
EVENING STORY
The Hired Man.
BY VINCENT G. PERRY.

bureau, advertised, interviewed men
old and young. but without being able
to persuade one man even to come out
to look at the farm. A ten-acre truck
farm did not require moie than one
mans attention. but it might just as
well have required ten. Blanche did
rot want to have to wire her father to
return from the rest the doctor had
ordered him to take. He thought the
farm was being well taken care of.
How was he to know that the man he
had left in charge had gone away
without even giving Blanche notice?
She had managed to keep things from
going to pieces for a week, but her
strength would not hold out. she knew.
A girl fresh from college couldn't
rough it like an ordinary country girl.
The farm was a hobby of her fathers
mere than anything else. Just the
same, the country needed all the food
the land could produce that year. and
Blanche wasn't going to let it go to
waste just because her living did not
depend upon it. In desperation
Blanche inserted another advertise
ment in the Help Wanted column of
the local daily paper and went back to
her farm to await results. Just let
one man put in an appearance and he
won't get off this farm until 1 have
persuaded him to stay" she exclaimed,
as she glared at the weeds in the plot
at the front of the house.
The drive FROM the city had given
her an appetite. A sudden craving for
hot biscuits took possession OF her and
for few minutes her cares were ror-
gotten as she rolled out dough. She
didn't stop at biscuits. either. The
very cr1spest kind of cookies she knew
how to make were turned out next and
then she tried her hand at a cake.
NOW, II there was only some one to
help me eat them" she murmured, re-
gretfully, as she viewed the finished
products, set out in a row.
Whew, those smell good!"
Blanche turned quickly. There
stood young man inhaling the
aroma of the cooking. An applicant
to her Notwithstanding knew it the
minute her eyes lighted upon him, and
suggested itself to her.
Come right in,' she invited. as she
threw open the screen door that sep
arated them. You are just in time
for supper
The young man was arrayed in a
linen duster from head to foot and
was dust besmeared. but Blanche did
MT mind that. He looked strong and
able to work; that is what counted
with her.
1T won't take me a minute to
poach fresh egg for you, and the
have somebody to help me eat this
baking up 1 bake often. If 1 had
known you were coming 1 would have
baked more. 1 am a dandy at straw
berry shortcake, but we can have
those later on" The man was too sur
prised to speak, but Blanche would
not have given him an opportunity to
get word in edgewise if he wanted
to. Blanche showed him where to
wash and placed a chair at the table
for him. She poured his tea and
waited on him, smiling and talking as
1v q he caI1fd a
What hungry man wouldn't do justice
to that supper? Blanche waited until
he finished the meal before she men
toned the farm. The satisfied sigh
he gave as he devoured the tenth bis
cult told her that the time was OPP
perfume.
Aren't you glad you came to an
swer my advertisement? she said.
you'll really like it here. and the
work is light 1t is merely gardening.
you know. Even a city man could do
that The meals you will like, I am
sure. They will all be as nice as this
one-many of them nicer. This was
nice meal. wasn't it?"
ut certainly was he answered en-
Enthusiastically That was all the ac-
ceptance Blanche required.
Then. come right out and I will
show YOU where you are to sleep. We
have a nice room out in the barn for
our help
The young man tried to offer a word
of protest. but Blanche was on the
way to the barn. He hesitated but
minute. and then followed.
It took two weeks to get the little
farm back into its original shape. For
a day or two the new man. who gave
his name as Clifford Towers, was
rather awkward at the work. but 1t
did not take him long to grow into
the way of it. 1t was great encour-
agement for Blanche to get good meals
ready and then watch the way Cliff
ito compliment her on them, either.
He was a very pleasant hired man to
have around; and Blanche wondered
whatever she would do when he left.
She just wouldn't think about 1t, that
was all.
IF you can find a weed in that gar
den or a spot that hasn't either been
out wages" Clifford said as he came
in for supper two weeks from me day
he had arrived.
Its Just fine" Blanche told him.
gratefully. IT believe could let you
have a holiday
II don't want one" he laughed. "I
wouldn't miss one of your meals for
the world. Let's go for a walk to-
night. You don't mind walking. with
the hired man, do you ~
LAS if that would make any differ
ence." Blanche exclaimed, reproach-
fully. I'VE will go just as soon~as
we finish supper"
1t was a pretty country. and they
found many things of interest on their
walk.
why. there is an automobile in
among those trees-a roadster"
Blanche cried, as she pointed in the
direction of a clump of bushes.
Sure enough it isl" CLIFFORD cried
in turn. They hurried to the spot and
looked the car over. Clifford discov-
cred the radiator needed water. Be-
fore Blanche could stop him he was
on his-way to the house, and re-
turned with a pail of water
Jump in," he said. as he started
the engine. I'VE will go for a ride"
But the owner" Blanche pro-
tested.
Won't know a thing about it, Cliff
ford said with a smile that she couldn't