The Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 191?-19??, 1919-04-05
THE HIRED MAN
BY VINCENT q. PERRY

1.-The labor problem WAS q serious
ere. Blanche brennan was willing to
admit It. For over a week she had
Aeen trying to obtain help for her
xather's farm but without success. A
Aen-acre truck farm did not require
more than one mans attention, but 1t
might just as well have required ten.
Blanche did not 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
Chat the man he had left In charge
Md gone away without even giving
Blanche notice? She had managed to
Keep things from going to pieces for
week, but her strength would not hold
cut, she knew A girl fresh from col
lege couldn't rough it like an Ordinary
country girl. The farm was hobby
OF her fathers more 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 be-
cause her living did not depend
upon it.
The drive from the city had given
her an appetite. A sudden craving
for hot biscuits took possession OF
her. f.
Now, if there was only someone
20 help me eat them" she murmured.
Eegretfully, as she viewed the nm
Sshed products, set out in row.
"Whew, those smell good!"
Blanche turned quickly. Theirs
stood a young man inhaling the aroma
u the cooking. An applicant to her
advertisement--she knew it the min
ute her eyes lighted upon him, and
hastened to corral him. A plan had
suggested itself to her.
Come right in" she invited, as she
threw open the screen door that sep
grated them. "You are just in time
for supper"
The young man was arrayed in
linen buster from head to foot and
was dust besmeared, but Blanche
didn't mind that. He looked strong
and able to work. that Is what count
ed with her
at won't take me minute to
poach fresh egg for you, and the
tea is brewing now" The man was
coo surprised to speak. Blanche wait
ed until he finished the meal before
abe mentioned the farm.
HAren't you glad you came to an
swer my advertisement" she said.
~Youn 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, / am
sure They will all be as nice as this
One-many of them nicer. This was
q nice meal, wasn't it?'
ut certainly was" he answered en-
Enthusiastically. That was all the &C
eeptance Blanche required.
Ttitook two weeks to get the little
fam back into its original shape. For
day or two the new man, who gave
his name as Clifford Towers, was
rather awkward at the work, but it
did not take him long to grow into the
way Of it..
eff you can find weed in that gar
den or spot that hasn't either been
hoed over, or hllled up, I'll work with
out wages" Clifford said as he came
In for supper two weeks from the
day he had arrived.
'.It's just fine" Blanche told him,
gratefully. Il believe could let you
have a holiday"
II don't want one" he laughed. Il
wouldn't miss one Of your meals for
the world Let's go for a walk to-
night. You don't mind walking with
Ahe hired man, do your"
"As if that would make any differ
ence!" Blanche exclaimed, reproach-
fully. eve will go just as socn as
we finish supper"
It was a pretty country, and they
found many things Of interest on their
walk.
'sWhy, there is an automobile in
among those trees-a roadster |"
y oche cried, as she pointed in the
8fA IN Of a clump of bushes.
TheenAA ,uough it Isl" Clifford cried
"Shre =
IN turn he said, as he started
Jump I'M will 60 for ride"
the engines. "VGS y blanche nro-
aBut the Owner@
tested. "a into the
After a, long spin he dr0r>
Rate. at Blanche's farm. a."
'R1l get out, and you take 1t bas>
said uheaslly. "What II the
aHEst Hhds 1utF"
aHe has found out now" CLIFFORD
smiled. ~ am the owner"
aYou~ Blanche almost shrieked
with surprise.
eyes, / was stalled out there two
weeks ago and came here for water.
Won employed me before I had a
chance to explain"
gne was speeches. for minute
me II last gasepd:: IF you are NOT 4
ssrm hand. what are your
.sA LAWYER" be smiled quietly, en-
,.svinr her surprise to the utmost
n was some time before blanche
80 = ,Nm