Smyrna times., 1919-06-04
THE HIRED MAN
BY VINCENT G. PERRY.

one. Blanche brennan was willing to
admit it. For over a week she had
been trying to obtain help for her
fathers farm but without success. A
ten-acre truck farm did not require
more tnan one mans attention, but it
might just as we'll 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
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 col
lege couldn't rough it 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 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.
"NOw, if there was only someone
to help me eat them" she murmured,
reeretfully, as she viewed the fin
ished products, set out in a row.
rron6 ~
Blanche turned quickly. There
stood young man inhaling the aroma
of 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
arated them. "You are just in time
| for supper"
The young man was arrayed in
linen duster 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.
ut won't take me a minute to
pOach a 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
swer my advertisement" she said.
You'll really like it here, and the
work is light. It 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
a nice meal, wasn't itY'
at certainly was" he answered en-
Enthusiastically. That was all the ac-
ceptance Blanche required.
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.
IF you can find a weed in that gar
den or a 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 1 could let you
have a holiday
"I don't want one" he laughed. "
wouldn't miss one of your meals fol
the world. Let's go for a walk to
night. You don't mind walking witt
the hired man, do you"
GAS if that would make any differ
ence!" Blanche exclaimed, reprOach
fully. 1--WE will go just as soon al
we finish supper"
1t was a pretty country, and the!
found many things of interest on thei
walk.
"Why, there is an automobile IL
among those trees-a roadster
Blanche cried, as she pointed in tn
direction of a clump of bushes.
"Sure enough it isl" Clifford crie'
in turn.
Jump in," he said, as he starte'
thp engine. we Will BO lOA d AAOC'
"But the owner" Blanche pre-
tested.
After a long spin he drove into tn
gate at Blanches farm.
"Tn get out, and you take it back
Blanche said uneasily. "What If tn
owner finds out?"
"He has found out now," Clifror
smiled. 81 am the owner"
your Blanche almost shr1eke
with surprise.
ayes, was stalled out there tw
weeks ago and came here for waite
You employed me before had
chance to explain"
She was speechless for a minute
1t but at last gasepd: "If you are not
IS farm hand, what are yOu?"
k, "a lawyer" he smiled quietly eI
" loving her surprise to the utmost
Is IT was some time before Blanch
was able to think clearly.
Ia 'You will be going away tonight
N she said at length. "The joke has q
fo Won -