The Butler County press. [volume] (Hamilton, Ohio) 1900-1946, 1933-04-14
More Than a Joke
BY DUFORD JENNIE
q ~ Mcclure Newspaper syndicate.
WNU Service

country postmaster and SalQ,
"Mr. Stacey, know of any place round
here where could work for my board
this winter?"
$50 you want to farm It, eh?" Mr..
smile.
why not? / don't want to go back
TO the city; and | know that Rhode
Island Reds are not apples but hens,
and that the young son of bull is
not bullet"
wal, you ought to do pile Of
farmln' on that knowledge. my boy,
but, howsoever, I'm not the man to
stan In the way Of young man gOin'
back to the SOIL Hum-let's see"
His eyes twlnkled. "You go up to
Laurel Hollow-up to the Hillview
farm. They need man there and
need him bad"
"Fm the one they are looking for"
Wilbur said as he started off.
Laurel Hollow" Wilbur mused to
himself. Ought to be about right for
busted-down poet"
He began Immediately to walk to
Laurel Hollow. He had good reasons
why he wanted the Job and right Off.
The summer in the hills had won him
back to fair health after the long
grind Of his work In the city, but
he hated to go back until he was
stronger and he almost wished he nev-
er had to return. Then he was short
OF funds. In fact, hill refuge was
about all the refuge left to him.
A half hour later he faced the farm
house on the Laurel Hollow road.
"A wonderful view and probably
good, oldfashioned food. Yes, | think
they need me badly" he concluded.
The door was opened at his knock,
and he was looking into brown, pretty
eyes, and grlish face that was as
pretty as the eyes.
''Yes, this Is Hillview. Please come
in," her clear voice said cheerfully.
He stepped into room as cheerful
as the voice, and he explained his err
rand.
Her eyes widened and 8 little smile
crept into the brown depths. "Yes,
we've do need q man to help-us-"
He was not listening but wondering
II the hills grew many such attractive
young things as this In front Of him.
She paused and looked at him, an
odd look in her eyes, look that gave
him a queer thrill.
He agreed to her terms readily. He
was to come the next day
His weary feet were light on the way
back, and his voice was happier as he
stopped in the crossroads store and
post Office to tell Stacey Of his good
fortune.
Got my job, Stacey" he announced.
The old man blinked over his
glasses What's that?"
II say I'm hired-for the winter.
and hope forever; and I'll show you
| haven't forgotten what my old man
pounded into me on the old home
farm"
Stacey gasped. why, gosh-a- ghty,
man, you can't live up there!"
well, why not?"
"Why, | sent ye up thar jest for
joke. This farm was left to the girl,
Janice Ransom. She came and opened
II up this summer, an she's tryin' to
run it-guess she jest come from some
school whar she was studying, only
her money gave out, and the old place
was left to her by her grandad Jest in
time to help her out. She's livin'
there alone-you can't go up thar with
her alone. She agree to it?"
Sure. So you did 1t as a joker"
Wilbur answered. bit stunned.
Yep, had no Idea she'd take you.
Didn't she say nothin'?"
'She hired me-"
"Wal, 'twon't do here. II you's mar
ried, be all right"
well, I'll have to marry her."
Stacey gasped again. whats that %
Wilbur told him.
The old mans strangled exclamation
followed him down the steps, but out
side Wilbur paused. She surely had
hired him-that much was certain, and
he would go on that basis.
The next day, with some doubt in
his mind, he hired team to take him
and his luggage to the hill farm. 1t
looked as coZy and as welcome as his
previous trip.
AS he stepped into the house, he
noted two things: the girls quick
friendly welcome, and an old silver
haired lady who was busy in the Ntch-
en- A load went from his mlnd-with
the old lady on hand, there was no
chance Of scandal.
He drove down that evening to the
store for supplies for the house, q
memory OF her brown head bent over
the slip she made out for him follow
Ing him the whole way.
Stacey greeted him with a serious
face. "She fixed 1t, I've found out.
The minute after you left, she hired
old Mrs. Clem to come up. She's a
clever one, and | guess she liked your
looks"
You're right. And don't forget,
deacon, that liked hers. And besides.
we'll be married one of these days"
Stacey biinked. "This Is gittin' to
be too fast world for me. BY CAD,
young man, believe YOU"