274 Farmers' Miscellany. [Oct., 



did. It was plain that with such a journeyman Allen might ab- 

 sent himself, and the business receive not the slighest detriment. 

 He thought so at least, and acted accordingly. He went to see 

 Ellen nearly every afternoon. He went with her to call on the 

 young ladies of the village. He met with the young doctors and 

 was invited to the office. He accepted the invitation and was 

 very graciously received. They sent for a large quantity of 

 beer just for his sake, and when the boy waited for the pay, they 

 made great efforts to get their hands out of their pockets to pre- 

 vent him paying for it, but without success. 



In the mean time the journeyman had the shop pretty much to 

 himself. He accordingly varied his employment. A large part 

 of his time was spent in extracting diverse noises from a cracked 

 fife, with interludes of whistling occasionally, by way of relaxa- 

 tion he would use the axe or saw. 



One day Allen was sitting by the window in Mr. Graham's 

 front room conversing with Ellen in a very interesting manner, 

 when Mr. Graham passing by the window remarked — " I've just 

 been down to your shop to get my wagon mended, but you were 

 not there." 



Now this was a very simple statement of fact, but our shrewd 

 rough farmers sometimes convey a great deal of meaning in a few 

 simple words. Thus did Mr. Graham on this occasion. 



" My journeyman will mend it," said Allen in reply to Gra- 

 ham's remark. 



" No he won't, he aint there." 



" I guess he has gone to ride: he will do it in the morning." 



« No he won't." 



" If you are in a hurry, I will do it myself to oblige you." 



" I don't want it done to oblige," and he passed on. Allen 

 looked uncomfortable. 



" Papa is cross and tired," said Ellen, " never mind it." 



Allen did mind it and soon withdrew, deeming it expedient to 

 go and mend the wagon, which he supposed was left at his shop. 

 He did not find it there. He then went to Watson's where he 

 found it. 



