The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1922-04-06


man was, indeed, replica of the old
er. and although they had their dis
agreements. constant association had
developed fine cOmradeship, and, on
the part of the son. loyalty equal to
any strain. The hired man, Jim, was
lighter and finer of feature, and his
white teeth cleaned against the nut
brown of his face in quiet smile
that refused to be displaced in any
emergency, and at times left the be-
holder in considerable, doubt as to the
real emotions working behind.
The men all wore blue erals. dark
blue or gray shirts, and heavy boots.
They were guiltless Of coat or vest,
and tossed their light straw hats On
the water bench as they passed. There
was quick splashing of greasy hands
at the wash basin, followed by a more
effectual rubbing on towel made
from a worn-out grain sack. The
hired man paused to change the water
and wash his face, but the others pro-
ceeded at once to the table, where no
time was lost in ceremony. Harris
helped himself generously to meat
and vegetables and having done SO,
passed the platters to his son, and in
this way they were circulated about
the table. There was no talk for the
first few minutes, only the sound Of
knife and fork piled vigorously and
INTERCHANGEABLE by father and son. and
with some regard for convention by
the other members Of the family. John
Harris had long ago recognized the
truth that the destiny Of food was the
mouth. and whether conveyed on knife
or fork made little difference. Mary,
too, had found carelessness of little
details both Of manner and speech
coming over her, as her occasional
''ain't" betrayed, but since Jim had
Joined their table she had been on her
guard. Jim seldom said anything, but
always that quiet smile lay like q
mask over his real emotions.
When the first insistent demands Of
appetite had been appeased, Harris,
resting both elbows on the table, with
knife and fork trained on opposite
corners of the ceiling, Strengthened
himself somewhat and remarked:
"Allan an mes goin' to town to-
night; anything you want from Semp-
ter's store, Nary.
'aThat lets me in for the cows" said
Beulah. you were in town night be-
fore last, too, and it was $3.50 before
/ got through milking"
.Oh. well, Jim was away that
night" said Allan.
"Jim has enough to do, without milk
ing cows after hours" returned the
girl. ''What do you want to go to
town for again tonight, anyway"
Got to get more coal" said Harris.
We'll take two teams, an it'll be late
when we get back"
Il think it's all nonsense, this day
an-night work" persisted Beulah. 4Is
there never going to be any let-up on
It'll"
"Beulah. you forget yourself" said
her father. IF you'd more to do you'd
have less time to fret about it. Your
mother did more work In one summer
than you have in all your life, an she's
dom more yet"
.Oh. Beulah's a good help" inter-
posed Mary. II hope she never has to
work like / did"
Il guess the work never hurt u.s."
said Harris. helping himself to pre-
served strawberries. "Just the same,
I'm glad to see you gettin' it bit
easier. But this younger generation
1t beats me what we're comm to.
Thinkin' about nothin' but fun and
gaddin' to town every night or two.
And clo'es -Beulah there's got more
clo'es than there were in the whole
Plainville settlement the first two or
three years"
Il got more neighbors, too," inter-
jected the girl. Then springing up,
she stood behind her fathers chair
and put her arm around his neck.
''Don't be cross. Dad" she whis-