Shoshone journal. [volume] (Shoshone, Idaho) 1884-1931, 1919-06-27
THE HIRED MAN
BY VINCENT C. PERRY.


fathers farm but without success. A
ten-acre track farm did not require
more than one mans attention, but Il
might just as well have required ten
Blanche did not want TO have 10 wire
her father 10 return from the rest the
doctor had ordered him to take lie
thought the farm WAS being well
taken care Of How was he to know
that the man lac had left Ia charge
had gone away without even giving
Blanche noticef She had managed 20
keep things from going to pieces for a
week. but her strength would not hold
out, she knew. A gir fresh from col
legc couldn't rough II like an ordinary
country girl. The farm was a 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 10 lei u 20 10 waste Just be
cause her living did not depend
npon n
The drive from the city had given
her an appetite. A sudden craving
Tor hot biscuits took possession Of
her.
.Now. II there was only someone
to help me eat them" she murmured,
rcsretfuliy. as she viewed the fin
ished products, set out 10 row.
"Whew. those smell good
Blanche turned quickly. There
stood young man inhaling the aroma
OF the cooking. An applcant TO her
adyertlsement-she knew II the min
ute her eyes lighted upon him. and
FASTENED 10 corral him. A plan had
suggested itself 10 her.
Come right IN" She invited, US she
threw open he screen door that sep
arated them "lou are Just In time
for supper"
The young man was ariayed IN a
linen dusier from head TO foot and
was dust bcsmeared bat blanche
didn't mind Tint He looked strong
aud able 10 work That Is what count
ed with her
1T won't take me minute to
poaoh fresh egg for you. aud thc
tea Is brewing now" The man was
too surprised 70 speak Banche walt
"a until ne finished the meal before 7
She mentioned the farm.
Aren't you glad you came 10 an (
swcr my advertisement she said +
"You'u really ike 1t here and the
work Is light II Is merely gardening,
sou know Esen a city man could do
that The meals you viii Ike, ! am
sure. They viii all be us nice as this
onc--many Of them nicer, This was
a nice meal. wasn't ~"
1T certainly was" he answered en-
Enthusiastically That was all the ac-
eeptance Blanche required.
II took two weeks 20 get the little
farm back into It's original shape. For
a day or two the new man, who gave
his name as clifford Towers. was
rather awkward at the work. but II
aid not take him long to grow luto the
way OF II.
III you can dnd weed In that gar
den or y spot that hasn't either been
hoed over, OF hiled up. I'll work with
out wages" clifford said as he came
In for supper two weeks FROM the
day he had arrived.
"Ifs Just 0ne." Blanche told him,
gratefully. II believe | could let you
have a holiday"
II don't want one ne laughed. Il
wouldn't Miss one OF your meals for
The world Let's so Tor a walk to-
night. You don't mind walking with
he hired man. do your
AS II that would make any dlfrer-
enee :" Blanche exclaimed. reproach-
fully. 1--WE Will 60 Just as soon as
we finish supper" :
II was a pretty county,. aud they
found many things OF interest on their
walk
"why. there IL an automobile in
among those trecx-s roadster!"
Blanche cried rs she pointed In the
direction OF ciump OF bushes. !
Sure enough Il Isl" clifford cried
n turn.
Jump in." he said. as he started ?
he engine eve will 20 for ride
.But the owner" Rlsnche pro
ested. 7
After long spin he drove into the
ate al Blanche's farm.
AI1i get out. and you take Il back" v
blanche said uneasily "What n the !
iwner nnds out7'
ale has found out now" clifford 9
mlled. Il am the owner" &
you r. Blanche almost shrieked a
With surprise.
ayes, / was stalled ont there two 4
seeks ago and came here for water
.ou employed me before had Il
nance 20 explain" Il
She was speechless for minute. "
at At last gasepd III you are not
arm hand. what are youf" a
"A lawyer" he smiled quietly, en- p
owing her surprise TO the utmost. q
II was some time before Blanche e.
as able 10 think clearly. n
you will be going away tonight" b
be said at length. "The Joke has be- II
ONE tlreSome to you"
I'm going 10 stay right here until b