The central record. (Lancaster, Ky.) 18??-current, 1919-03-20
THE HIRED MAN
-
BY VINCENT G. PERRY.

admit II. For over n week she had
been trying to obtain help for her
fathers farm but without success. A
ten-acre truck farm did not require
more than one mans attention, but II
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 lie
thought the farm was being well
taken care of. How was he to know
that the man he had left I'm charge
had 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
out. She knew. girl fresh from cob
Iege 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 IN LET II 90 TO WASTE lust be-
cause her living did not depend
upon It.
The drive from the city had given
her an annette. A sudden craving
for hot biscuits took possession of
her.
"Now. II there was only someone
to help me eat them" She murmured,
regretfully, as she viewed the fin
ished products. set out in a row.
"Whew. those smell good"
Blanche turned quickly. There
stood A young man inhaling the aroma
of the cooking. An applicant to her
Observation-Disclosures knew it the min
ute her eyes lighted upon him. and
FASTENED to corral him. A plan had
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 sumner"
The young man was arrayed in a
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 Y minute to
poach fresh egg for you, and the
tea is brewing now" The man was
too surprised to speak. Blanche wait
ed until he finished the meal before
she mentioned the farm.
Aren't you glad you came TO an
swcr my advertisement she said.
You'll really like 1t here, ana the
work is light. II is merely gardening
you know. Even "A city man could DO
that. The meals you viii ike, l am
sure. They viii all be as nice as thls
one-many of them nicer. ms was
nice meal. wasn't ny
ut certainly was he answered en-
Enthusiastically That was all the nc
ceptance Blanche required
II took two weeks TO get the little
farm back into lis original shape. FOE
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 II.
IF you can md weed In mat gar
den or spot that hasn't either been
hoed over, or hilled up, I'll work with
out wages" Clifford said as he came
in for supper two weeks from the
day he had arrived.
ITS just fine" Blanche told him,
gratefully. 81 believe could let you
have holiday"
ct don't want one" he laughed. Il
wouldn't mis-, one Of your meals for
the world Let's 90 for a walk to-
night. You don't mind walking with
the hired man. do you?'
As II that would make any differ
encew blanche exclaimed, reproach-
muy. Eve will go Just as soon as
we finish supper"
II 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 n clump of bushes.
"Sure enough It isw Clifford cried
in ,urn.
"Jump in" he said, as he started
the engine. ave will 60 for a ride"
.Rut the owner" Blanche pro-