The morning call., 1892-06-09
4 STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL.

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cious schemes l should like TO know what
harm there is in helping ourselves to lew
strawberries Amt the fields full OF EN-?
and what right has that little beggar got to
take possession of that field and pick EN-
alp You're too good to live with common
folks. Phil-you'd better go as mission
ary."
Phnp West flushed little at this attack.
but stood 10 his eolOTs manfuly. IN spite oil
the derisive shouts of the boys.
"Mr Davis has given him permission TO
pick those straw berries" he said, land he's
been waiting two weeks for them to ripen,
and he's going to sell them II you take the
Strawberries 1t VIII be just the sane as rob-
bing him of the money.
well. what of it?" said Fred Anderson,
the first speaker. Whats a fellow that's
the charge of the town want OF money
lie isn't the charge of the town, SAD
Philin. warmly; you know better! He's
working as hard as ever he can TO take care
Of himself and his little crippled sister,
and you ought to be ashamed OF yourself,
Fred Anderson"
''Oh. YOU shut up paTsoni Go down and
preach to the Patagonians; we amt
heather. Come on, boys; we've got just
about me TO pick that field and get the ber-
risS down to the grounds" And troop
of bows Swarmed over the fence OF Mr..
DAVIS mo- 4E-I6IQ anu 4Eil " -fsAt4Ctlte
strawberries with great 0etrlment TO the
grass nearly ready for cutting
Philip West stood angrllY watching them
with his hands very deep in his pockets for
few minutes, then turned away mutteT-
ing something that sounded very like
''Sneaksp'
1t was a day fixed by the young people of
the village for a straw berry festival ~
certain pretty grove by the lakeside. The
girls had prepared tables that were TO be
filed with good things for the benefit OF
those who were willing 10 pay for dinner.
and sail on tile lake and great deal of
merry making after dinner had been
planned.
Philip came forth half an hour later re-
splendent in a natty bicycle suit and was
soon bowling down the road to the grove
for his share of the fun. As he passed the
Davis strawberry field he caught sight Of
something in the grass that made him stop
his machine with suddenness that nearly
pTecipitsted him Into the ditch, wheel and
all.
"What are you doing here, Ned?" he de-
mauded.
Ned Banks raised his head. He was a
rsd-headed, weak-eyed, awkward boy, the
laughing stock Of the whole school Dy TeR-
son OF his slow wits and unc0uth appear
anCe.
somebody's taken my strawberries" he
said, every one, just as / was going to pick
ZEN, and l wanted" The sentence ended
in a choke ana the towsled head went down
into the grass again
well. never mind, Ned" said Philip
kindly. lit was 6 mean thing TO do, but
Pll-" Philip hestated between a good
natured desire to help and a dislike TO Oh
feTing money to poorer boy, III tell sou
what want somebody to arrange my
geological specimens aud catalogue 'em, you
know, and you're just the fellow to 10 it.
I'll give you 90 cents II you will Wont that
mike for the stT2 a bprrins 9''
Yes, said Ned, IN stltled voice, "but
twill be too late then. 1 was going to sell
'em so Pearl could 90 to the festival Mr..
Dane said he'd take 'em all this morning,
and she's all ready to go and II just hate
to tell her. She never has any tuu, you
know, ike the other girls" and poor Ned,
whose heart was better than his wits,
dropped down into the grass again as if
beTeft Of al hope.
Philip wlnked rather hard and thought
savagely Of the oranges for which he had
spent his last dime
Il can't ray you in advance" he said,
mrditatively, 'but Pll-yOu hold NJ
Ned looked up 10 amaZement as bicycle
and rider suddenly shot away down the
road with bTeakneck speed In the direction
Of the grove
The plunderers, of poor Ned's strawberry
field were EMERGING from a Cr0ssrUad laden
with the spells and were Just about TO enter
the festive grove when Phil Vests bicycle
came tearing round curve OF the road and
hot and dusty rider flung himself unCere-
moniously into the midst of the group
i say, fellows" he exclaimed, you're
meaneT than dirt II You don't pay Ned for
those straw berries. He was going to use
the money for Pearl to come to the festival"
The boys stood irres0lute DulLwitted
awkward Ned Banks was one person and
his little crippled sister, with her sweet face
aud sunny smile ana hair as soft as an
ANGELS wing. was another. Pearl was the
pet Of the whole school and the toughest of
the boys we're gentle to her.
LlBut Philips tone was aggravating and
Fred Anderson, the ringleader of the
maTaudlng band, Drided himself upon tax
ing nObOdy's commands.
Don't mind the paTson, boys. It's his
business to preach but its ours to have
some fun. Goodness known we've earned
all the strawberries in town scrambIing
round in that hot field. Come along and let
the missionary preach to the crows"
HE Oand went on with their spOils, which
they knew would find a ready market on
tbs grounds where the tables were being
set. Philp was left behind and stood
looking after them speeches. with in
dlgnatIon. But quickerw itted helper
had heard and graSped the situation 1t
was Violet West, Philips cousin, general
faYorlIe among the young people and sort
Of oracle whom everybody consulted on Oc-
easions like the present.
HeTe, Phil" she said. quickly, run and
tell papa TO buy the BOYS strawberries
every one, and bring them here Then you
60 put GYp INTO my phaet0n and bring Pearl
ana Ned down here. They'll be in time for
dinner and all the fun We can't have them
at the large table, but Wen put up another.
HurryP
Philip was off like flash. and Violet.
Win her arms full of the flowers and vines
she had been gathering to decorate tine
tsoles when she came upon the parry Of
niun0prpra lsocI -. +l,o
rallied her followers, among them the
tTaWberry-Diekers, who were unsus-
piclously rejoicing at having sold their
Spots 50 quickly and secured a little extra
probationary.
Here, boys" she said, come hero and
help me. The big tables are all fur ana Pm
gong 10 put up an extra one for myself and
lew friends, you among the number.
bTlng tnat empty table over here, and, Fred.
you nun theSe strawberries as quick as ever
you can, handing the unsus pecting youth
basket OF the stolen fruit. TON" 10 an
otner marauder, bring here that hammer
Oh extras mamma put MP in case of need
and then go over TO the house and get some
sugar ana cream, and tell Kitte to send over
some dishes" ~
All fastened to do her bidding and nv
tne time PhlIlp drove up with his guests in
the pony ph8tOn, the improyised table was
the prettiest one IN the grove. Five min
ateS later IL was certainly the liyeIiest one
ioi fIOlet presided, and though some of her
followers were decidedly discounted at the
appearance Of little Pearl. attended by Ned.
who had evidently learned the fate of his
strawberries, nc one cOsld long resist the
spirit Of merriment that possessed the
hostess 'A0
People at the big tables turned to smile at
tne happy party, and one old lady said good
natuledlys as she beamed upon them through
her spectacles, Bless their heartsI Clear
eohsciences and light hearts do wonders
toward making things pleasant"
But Fred Anderson said afterward "I
never felt so like sneak as | did when that
great, honest simpleton up and said how
good twas Of us to pick his strawberries
anu give MN such surprise, when we
meant 70 steal 'em all the time. And when
that little angel OF a sister of his smiled ~