as another, exceptin' the feathers on some is
prettier."

"To-night I'll show you some breeders' catalogs and you can think the
matter over as to what kind of a fowl you want," said the young farmer.

He went back to his job after dinner and kept steadily at work until
three o'clock before there came a break. Then he saw a carriage drive
into the yard, and a few moments later a man In a long gray coat came
striding across the lot toward him.

Hiram knew the gentleman at once--it was Mr. Bronson, the father of
the girl he had saved from the runaway. To tell the truth, the boy
had rather wondered about his non-appearance during the days that
had elapsed. But now he came with hand held out, and his first words
explained the seeming omission:

"I've been away for more than a week, my boy, or I should have seen you
before. You're Hiram Strong, aren't you--the boy my little girl has been
talking so much about?"

"I don't know how much Miss Lettie has been talking about me," laughed
Hiram. "Full and plenty, I expect."

"And small blame to her," declared Mr. Bronson. "I won't waste time
telling you how grateful I am. I had just time to turn that boy of
Dickerson's off before I was called away. Now, my lad, I want you to
come and work for me."

"Why, much as I might like to, sir, I couldn't do that," said Hiram.

"Now, now! we'll fix it somehow. Lettie has set her heart on having you
around the place.

"You're the second young man I've been after whom I was sure would suit
me, since we moved on to the old Fleigler place. The first fellow I
can't find; but don't tell me that I am going to be disappointed in you,
too."

"Mr. Bronson," said Hiram, gravely, "I'm sorry to say 'No.' A little
while ago I'd have been delighted to take up with any fair offer you
might have made me. But I have agreed with Mrs. Atterson to run her
place for two seasons."

"Two years!" exclaimed Mr. Bronson.

"Yes, sir. Practically. I must put her on her feet and make the old farm
show a profit."

"You're pretty young to take such responsibility upon your shoulders,
are you not?" queried the gentleman, eyeing him curiously.

"I'm seventeen. I began to work with my father as soon as I could lift
a hoe. I love farm work. And I've passed my word to stick to Mrs.
Atterson."

"That's the old lady up to the house?"

"Yes, sir."

"But she wouldn't hold you to your bargain if she saw you could better
yourself, would she?"

"She would not h