The Kennewick courier-reporter. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1914-1938, 1933-03-09
More Than a Joke
By DUFoRD JENNIE
g 5y Mcclure Newspaper Syndicate.
wNIi Service

IN
w country postmaster and said,
MIR. Stacey, know of any place
round here where 4 could work for
my board this winterP"
$50 you want to farm it. ehT'
Mr.. Stacey said with his usual
twinkling smile.
why not? don't want to 60
back to the city; and I know that
Rhode Island Reds are not apples
but hens. and that the young son of
a bull is not a bullet"
wal, you ought TO do a pile OF
farmin' on that knowledge. my boy,
but, howsOever. I'm not the man TO
stan in the way of q young man
goin' back to the soil. Hum-let's
see" His eyes twinkled. "You go up
to Laurel Hollow-up 10 the Hill.
view farm. They need a man there
and need him bad"
"rm the one they are looking
for" Wilbur said as he started off
Laurel Hollow" Wilbur unused
to himself. '0nght to be about right
Tor busted-down poet"
He began Immediately to walk to
Laurel Hollow. He had good rea,
sons why he wanted the Job and
right off. The summer In the hills
had won hi. back to fair health
after the long grind of his work in
the city, but he hated to 20 back
until he was stronger and he al
most wished he never had to re
turn. Then he was short Of funds
In fact. hill refuge was about all
the refuge left to him. a-
A half hour later he faced the
farmhouse on the Laurel Hollow
road It'd. .-..
"a wonderful view. and probably
good, old-fashioned food. Yes,
think they need me badly" he con
cluded.
The door was opened at his
knock. and he was looking into
brown, pretty eyes. and a girlisi
face that was as pretty as the eyes
"Yes, this is Hillgiew. Please
come I'm" heI clear voice said cheer
fully.
he stepped into room as cheer
full as the voice. and he explained
his GRAND.
Her eyes widened and a little
smile crept into the brown depths
Yes. we've do need man tC
help-us- :"
He was rot listening but wonder
ing If the hills grew many such at
tractive young things as this In
front of him.
She paused and looked at him, ar
odd look in her eyes. a look thai
gave him a queer thrill.
He agreed to her terms readily
He was to come the next day.
His weary feet were light on th,
way back and his voice was hap
pier as be stopped In the cross
roads store and post Office 20 tel
Stacey of his good fortune.
''Got my job, Stacey" he an
nounced.
The old man blinked over bis
glasses. whats that?"
al say I'm hired--for the winter
and ! hope forever; and I'll show
you haven't forgotten what my ole
man pounded into me on the ole
home farm"
Stacey gasped. why. gosh-a
mighty. man. you can't live W
therer'
'Well. why not?"
"why. | sent We up thar Jest fol
joke. This farm was left to thu
girl. Janice Ransom. She came anC
opened il up this summer. an shes
tryin' to run it-guess she Jest come
from some school whar she wa'
studying. only her money gave out
and the old place was left to bel
by her grandad jest In time TO hell
her out She's Twin there alone
you can't q up thar with her alone
She agree to it?"
"Sure. So you did II as a joker
Wilbur answered. a bit stunned.
aYep. had no idea she'd take you
Didn't she say nothing"
.She hired me-"
swal. twon't do here. II yous
married. he all right"
"well. I'll have TO marry her."
Stacey gasped again. whats
that?"
Wilbur told him.
The old mans strangled exclama
zion followed him down the steps
hut outside Wilbur paused. She
surely had hired him-fhaf much
was certain. and he would go OF
that basis.
The next day. with some doubt In
his mind. he hired a team TO tait
him and his luggage 70 the hill
farm. II looked as coy a..d as wei
come as his previous trip.
AS he stepped into the house. hs
noted two things; the girls quick
friendly welcome. and an old silver
haired lady who was busy In ths
t.;..t,op h-tood .r,opf from hfs n,inr