The Mystery of Monastery Farm | Page 6

from New York last."
"Where are you headed for?"
"Well, sir, to be honest with you, I suppose you might call me a tramp.
I'm hunting for a place to settle down in, as I seem to be without friends,
so one place is as good as another for me."

It was now nearly dark, and the kindly heart of Nancy prompted her to
ask him if he were hungry, to which he replied that he had eaten
nothing since morning. "I had a good breakfast," he added, "at a place
called Tipton."
"Why," ejaculated Billy, "Tipton is twenty-two miles away."
The good wife had slipped away, and presently returned, inviting him
to enter and have something to eat. As they entered the cozy dining
room, turning to Mrs. Sparrow, the young man said: "My name is
Edwards--Carl Edwards; I am an Englishman, and have been in this
country only six weeks. I am trying to find some employment."
Billy, learning from Nancy that the stranger was a countryman of his,
after he had eaten his supper, engaged him in conversation concerning
the old country, during the course of which he learned that they were
from the same county--he, Billy, from Barnard Castle, and Edwards
from the city of Durham, which places were not more than forty miles
apart. Of course Billy would not turn his countryman out to seek a
lodging. So he was invited to remain for the night, which invitation the
young man gladly accepted.
Next morning the stranger was found at the woodpile, busily engaged
in cutting wood for the cook stove. Billy found him thus working as he
returned from feeding the stock. It was a sultry morning in June and the
perspiration was streaming freely down the young man's face. It was
evident that this was harder work than he had been used to.
"You had better go slow for a while, Edwards, until you get toughened
to it," remarked Sparrow.
Just then was heard the sound of the bell calling them to breakfast.
Strange as it may seem, no more words about work passed between the
two men.
Immediately after breakfast the newcomer found a hoe and spent the
day in hoeing potatoes and corn in the garden. Cutting wood, bringing
water to the house, feeding the poultry, assisting in feeding the horses,

mules, and cows, until, before the end of a week, both Billy and Nancy
wondered how they possibly got along before he came. An extensive
bed of watercress had been discovered on the edge of a stream that ran
through the farm and each morning the table was supplied, and a fine
bouquet of wild roses and other woodland flowers was found in front of
Nancy's plate, while their odor filled the breakfast room.
Another change had come in to this kind and simple-hearted family.
Tom--little Tom, now seven years old and the sunbeam of the
farm-house--had begged to have his cot put into the room occupied by
the stranger. Up to this time Nancy had been compelled to wash and
dress the lad; but now he arose when Edwards arose, washed and
dressed himself, and went downstairs, remaining by the side of his new
friend until called to breakfast, when he would bring in a dozen or more
fresh eggs.
So the summer weeks passed by; no word had been spoken about
wages. The young man was now known by the familiar name of Carl.
He was recognized as the general utility man of the farm. Giles and
Ephraim, the two helpers, hired by the year, went twice a month on
Saturday evening to Centerville, where Mr. Quintin paid them their
wages. But Carl had so far received nothing, and his clothes became
very much worn and their renewal was becoming quite an apparent
necessity. One Saturday afternoon Billy invited Carl to go with him to
Centerville, and there he was fitted out with a good supply of
everything he needed in the way of clothes. So great was the change on
his return that at first the keen-eyed little Tom was not able to
recognize him, but a moment later exclaimed: "Ah, Carl, I always knew
you were a gentleman."

CHAPTER III
THE PROMOTION
Rexford Mills was the manager of all temporal supplies of the
Monastery--all food supplies, repairs, fuel, servants, etc. Three times a

week his orders for vegetables, flour, corn meal, fowls, butter, eggs,
milk, cheese, etc., as well as fruits in season, came to the farm. Hitherto
to supply these demands devolved upon Sparrow himself, thus
occupying much of his time. But during the seven months of his
sojourn here, Carl had gradually and almost unconsciously become
interested in the great warehouse and its contents and the triweekly
demands of the family at the Monastery. Often the