The Doctor

le. The fall wheat follows hard upon the haying, and close upon the fall

ick's college expenses. For the little farm, with the profits from the mill, could do little more than provide a living for the family. Ordinarily the lads worked for day's w

"did you hear of the

mother, always on the lookout for

Boyle, I guess it will be. Ben's

for Ben this year, I doubt, poor fellow; and

er for us. He can sit on the reaper half a day, you know. A

umpin', though you are some pumpkins

er, "is he fit to go about that mach

nger, mother. And, besides, we

o following the machine all day? Y

ed Dick. "We'll be after Be

p to a machine. It was no later than yesterday that Mr. Morrison's Sam was tel

"I suppose so. Four like Fatty

d to be speaking ill of your

fat. It's a very fine compliment, mother.

," replied his mother compassionately, "wi

r venture of taking harvesting contracts. And as the summer went on they found no reason to regret the new arrangement. But it was at the expense of long days and hard days for the two boys following the reaper, and often when the day's work was done they could with difficulty draw their legs home and to bed. Indeed, there were nights when Dick, hardly the equal of his brother in weight and strength, lay sleepless from sheer exhaustion, while Barney from sympathy kept anxious vigil with him. Morning, however, found them stiff and sore, it is true, but full of courage and ready for the r

se tongue took on a keener edge as his temper became more uncertain. Withal, he had a little man's tendency to brag. To-day, however, though conscious of the new interest centring in him, and though visibly sw

but altogether good-natured father, the "Old King." But while bluster in the old man, who had gained the respect and esteem that success generally brings, was tolerated, in Sammy it became ridiculous and at times offensive. The young man had been entertaining the assembled group of farmers and farm lads with

d Joe, he took the last sheaf

you?" asked

my, turning quickly at B

?" continued Ben,

gander! An' kep' us h

unted Ben, "from

hat have you 'seed,' Mr. Fallows, ma

you bindin',

ootin' about?" Sam w

n I wasn't so busy, but I hain't been talkin' so much this 'ere 'arvest. We hain't had time. When we're on a job," continued Ben,

of approval foll

ec Murray. "There ain't much talkin' when you git a-goi

He had no love for any of the Morrisons, whose near neigh

Sammy. "Your gang,

stop, at hevery corner to swap lies an' to see if it's goin' to ran. They keep a-workin', they do. They don't wait to cool hoff before they drink fer fear they git found

Morrison himself enter

at's eatin' you

akin' a bloomin' hass of my

little raised," said the "Old King

his harvestin' gang

a little blowin'

ly n'ough," said Sam. He st

Benny, my boy? We're all glad to see you about, an' more'n that, we're gl

the "Old King's" kindly tone toward Ben. "He's bl

right to blow, for th

d ten acres a day,

id the "Old King." "Why, it took my four

said Ben, in what could hardl

bind ten acres in a day, so just

t binders," repea

good boys, too-can't tie no ten acres in a day. They've got the chance of tryin' on t

swered Ben regretfully. "Th

, shut up! You're a blowhard! Why, I'd bet any man

on that," sai

King" was nonplus

But I guess you

s offer. "It's big odds," he said. "But I'll stick to it. Tho

willing to risk it. The winner pays th

t at

t of the day

"And we'll bring it off on Monday. We're t

rposed Ben, "an' that is, the

d Alec. "They'

, but Barney wouldn't let 'im risk

it was generally agreed that the "Old King" with his usual shrewdness had "put his money on the winning horse." Even Alec Murray, though he ke

weight," said Rory, "they w

quicker. An' he'll

nd there's more than te

t clip-I'll have to work it some way. I'll have to get Barney moving. Dick's such an ambitious little beggar he'd fo

aylight on Monday morning when Mrs. Boyle, glancing at h

, and you have to go to Morrison's to

's only five o'c

it's

d routed Dick up, and with such good purpose did they hasten through breakfast that in an hour from

p at the thrashing, an' the 'Old King' wants to get this field in shock by to-morrow afternoon so he can get it thrashed, if you hus

y oiling up there. I guess I'

ed, won't yeh?" said Ben, who t

. I may have to jump i

you shock all that's tied to-day you'll nee

eavin' Barney too far behind. Yo

odestly, though quite convinced

er, ain't he?" said Al

s quick

ple of sheaves in each arm and setting them in their places in t

id Barne

low isn't very strong he's got to be careful." This was Dick's sensitive point. He was not

worked with him all harvest and I'm alive yet." Unconsciously Dick's pace q

Dick," jeered Alec. "He wou

for his sheaves, flinging a word of encouragement now to one, now to the other, shouting at Ben as he turned the corners, and by every means possible keeping the excitement at the highest point. But he was careful not to overdrive his men. By a previous arrangement and without serious difficulty he had persu

lows," he said, "if I've to

hour and a half he allowed his men for rest, cunningly drawing them off from the crowd of threshers to a quiet place in the orchard where they could lie down and sleep, waking them when time was up that there should b

ys are getting short." And though the boys didn't take very

cked off work for the day and sauntered down to the field where the re

"you're interferin' with our work. Come, get out!" For the

lec. "You line up along the fence and we'

tep they took. Alec was at his wit's end. The grain was all cut, but there was still a large part of it to bind. He determined to take the boys into his confidence. He knew all the

e money. I'd like to beat 'Old King' Morrison and I'd like to see you make a record

n, kindling at Alec's stor

ght o'clock. It'

cried Dick. "We're goo

Dick," said Bar

you can." And off he set again at racin

them, taking two swaths apiece, the

ys," said Alec regre

ad drawn near, "you've done a big day's work. You'll hurt

in the half hour at any rate. Come

e there was no sign of weariness about him. He flung away his rake and, snatching up a band,

, kicking it at the same time into shape, "three"-he drew and knotted the band, shoving the end in with his thumb. After him went Barney. One-two-three! and a sheaf was done.

ted Barney, "let m

replied Dick,

I believe you're going to do

" he shouted, stumping a

ether. Dick followed Barney's example, but here his brother's extra strength told in th

corner. "You're goin' to do it, my hearties! You're goin' to do

d the "Old King." "They'll hu

?" cried Barney, swingin

his brother, strid

do it, then!"

heaf they tied together, Barney grad

" gasped Dick, "if

nd it!" cried Alec, as they reached the last

six for Dick. The sheaves were comparatively small. Springing at this swath, Barney doubled the first two, the secon

ch it!" gasped

ime, Alec?"

a mi

there!" snatched his band, passing it around the sheaf, tied it, flung it over his

to Dick's side, and patting him on the shoulder, s

there's the greatest day's work ever done in these parts. The wheat's yours,"

g," said Alec, "every blamed

coming to us," sa

so," said Be

he bet?" said Alec, angry that he should be

arney in a tone that settled the c

c, disgusted, remembering in h

ld King," "it ain't mine.

" said Barney again, i

hat'll we do with the wheat? I say, we'll gi

Ben, stumping over to Barney's side. "

e's two days' good work there. And the rest we'll give to the

Sam, "after this you crawl into your shell when