Page:Frank Owen - Rare Earth, 1931.djvu/257

 said the stranger, "they never have to live in cities. They are unable to comprehend the most enervating of all human weaknesses—worry."

Reluctantly he rose to his feet. "The morning is getting on," he said, "and I must continue my way. A place of rest is spoilt if you tarry too long in it" Thus speaking, he drew a handfull of seed from his pocket and cast it about in the field. "Wherever I go," he said, "I like to sow a bit of seed. It's a whim of mine, perhaps foolish, but then we all have our weaknesses. I like to think that wherever I have passed a bit of grain has grown. I am merely a poor rustic sower to be met and forgotten. I have sown seed in a dozen states, perhaps I shall do so in a dozen countries. My name, my history does not matter but I like to sow seed that men may know that I have sauntered by."

Jethro Trent found himself gazing intently into the face of this casual acquaintance.

"Don't go just yet," he said slowly. "I would like to talk with you a bit longer. It is seldom