The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1918-03-01
6be
Candle 6e1

Josh and were fellow lxoora
working for Farmer Barlrzh v
went to him vixen the crops xsr
ready to be taken In, and he hked !,
20 well that when TIE harvest "
ever he coacluded to keep rs Cor eve,
day work durips,t the winter. In t..
summer Ruth Bsthgate. his aauybi
used to bring US oct asol thinks. c
we two young men soon ;b1esms ar
ious for some sign Of prefsrsnce-b
that either OF Us had any intcntic
toward her; it'Swas just an ordinar
rtvslry. But Ruth was mighty partie,
hr not to make the slightest diffe,
ence between Us.
When the autumn came on. the fod
der was In shock. the weather gettin.
cold, and the logs were blazing on II,
hearth, the farmer and. his family an,
Josh and used to sis around th.
blaze, talking and telling yarns. Tha
was a happy winter for both Josh an
me. We didn't either Of us suspec
that we were both dead gone on Rutl
nor did we foresee what was to haI
pen to break up our pleasant circl,
That's the trouble with pleasant time
there's always something that max
them pleasant, and, ten TO one. it's I'll
very thing to break up the pleaSur
Since 1t is al oyer~I know that VIII
made our enjoyment 50 keen was Ruil
and 1t was Ruth that spoiled 1t all
not Intentionally. for, rs said. she f
vored neither Of u.s. She couldn't hay
kept US two fellows from gradual,
falling In love with her if she hao
wanted to.
about little occurrences concerning be
with perfect freedom. Then we cease,
to say anything to each other that in
VOWED any relation with her, and final
ly we never mentioned her. A yea
passed, the pleasantest I have eve,
known, and when we'd filed the barns
and there was little to do one. day Josl
said to me:
There's something want to say e.
you, Ben! The harvest is ended, and Il
doesn't seem just right for two strap
ping fellows like US to put Farme.
Bathgate to the expense Of keeping Us
Ill winter. There's enough for one II
10, but not enough for two. It's my
opinion he'd let one of us go, bu
Doesn't like to decide between us
What do you say to playing a game OF
seven up to settle which shall ge
,utr'
81 reckon there's something In what
you say, JOSH" l replied in as melan
holy a tone as his. Hes treated US
mighty well, and we ought to relieve
him Of the responsibility Of sending of
one Of US. And you and Il, too, have
oeen square to each other! don't ex.
lctly like your plan of playing a game
o find out which shall 60, for one
night have more skill than the other
think we'd better let something elst
han cards decide between US. Mrs
3athgate was making candles this
Now. What do you say Il
'our choosing a candle and choosin.
ne out of the same mold and lightiR
hem at the same timp! The one who's i.
.a0dle goes cut first is to go"
"I think TINT would be good wa.
. sett1e IT."
We were IN eur room al tue tiuR
re occupied rccm tocsiher and =
vas going out ~ get the candies wiz i. :
met Ruth at be door
1--WE heard what ycu two have lie,
aging" she said ''tlirough .hr par
ion, and you'rc right Eatbar deesi
iced but one Extra hand this Yint. .
'ut be won't send away eithes Of y0
II 60 down and get the ceIalss al
lght them for y9u." -.
We were both nightly nleasA
ave her do this and waited. pa tlRti
LII she came back with the AndisA
Would you choose for usY' We boil
aid at the same moment.
IF you wish me TO-"
he scratched a match In each hand
nd lighted them at the same moment
Then she left the room without 6
lance at either Of US The candle
7ere short aud would burn out II De
ween one and two hours. Josh and
layed good many games Of seyel
p. occasionally glanciig at the can
les with apparent unconcern, but real
: with suppressed suspense. II wa
OF till they he'd burned down to with
D an inch OF the socket that ! noticed
difference Then saw that my can
le was burning he slower. When
osh's began TO flicker there was still
hree-eighths Of an inch OF mine left
Re blew 1t out and turned away &C
onceal bis feelings. expected Ruth
, show enough interest IN which o.
8 was TO remain. to ask before goins
, sleep, but she didn't. We'll" / saic
} myself. 1T doesn't make any differ
nee, after ally which goes first Wen
9th go soon enough. She doesn't want
lther OF u.s."
The next day Josh told the farmei
lat be thought he'd look fer work ia
be city and left Us. he had no sooner
one than Ruth began 10 bestow upon
le little attsnuons. This was quite