Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1893-07-01
IN THE BERRY PATCH.

with rows of finest cultivated bushes,
and where, in the blackberry season,
any one or every one can find employ
ment Farmer boys and girls, who
only work to turn an honest penny for
spending money; men and women Of
the poorer classes, for whom every
nickel has vital significance, and
tramps and negroes from the four cor
ners Of the earth, work together in a
motley crowd.
Jonas Parker, the owner, has made
a neat little sum off this patch, and he
pays each picker by the basket as it is
brought in, and never scolds or huITies
them nor cares particularly how many
they eat, just so they put as many in
the basket as they eat, which they
always do. But one hot July after
noon, once upon a time when The
bushes were groaning beneath their
loads, and the heat was so intense the
baskets came in very slowly, Jonas was
scolding and fuming at a heretofore
unknown rate, for in the scurrying
clouds was the warning OF q coming
storm, and, with good reason, Jonas
feared the bushes would not be half
cleaned. A cart came leisuroIy up the
lane from the pike and stopped beside
him.
"Good-day, Jonasr' said good, deep
young voice, How are berries to-day
rplenty?'
Jonas turned sharply and. upon
seeing who it was who addressed him,
touched his hat respectfully.
Yes, Mr.. George, they's Just bushels
N bushels goiu' to waste ef they hain't
picked before sundown, for thoy's goin'
to be a blusterin storm 'gainst mid.
night. Jest see them bushes, will ye?"
Mr.. George looked up and down the
even rows, over battered "haystaclis'
and grotesque felt derbvs, cingham
sunbonnets and wide brimmed hats. un-
til he caught sight of q dainty blue
sunbonnot. 1t was very different from
the other bonuets having q wonderful
ly coquettish little peak in the back
and great bow we'll towards the front,
and all finished with a narrow edging-
ing of white And it was boJbing up
and down at q tremendous rate, as
though its owner were picking berries
for dear life. ILr. George gave little
start whom he espiod this pretty. busy
blue sunbonnet.
Yes, -" continued Jonas, gloomilv.
''Im feared Iii be bound to lose like
sixty. I've got thirty pickers in thar
now, an they's p.enty work for twenty
odd more if kin git 'om. Jest sent
my boy Hiram to the crossin' to scare
up all the picllers he kin. Hero you!''-
to a boy who was just going back with
his nickel and an empty basket-'jost
you tell that gang down thar to do
more picllin' an less hollerin', and bring
in them baskets a sight quicker, OF I'll
knock Off a cent on every ono-d'y
hear?"
'How much do you give for bas.
ket?" asked Mr. George.
'I'm payin' this LOT nickel basket,
but [ reckon I'll hev to give six cents to
the new Dickers-if I git 'em at ALP
"Supposing I pick for you from now
until sundown p suggested the young
man half jokingly, but with his eyes
passing the range of Jonas's astonished
gaze and following the blue sunbonnet.
You You pick berries, Mr. Haines
Well, now!' was the only reply the
bergman could make.
just then battered straw hat and a
pair of broad shoulders came suspi
ciously near the blue sunbonnot down
in the berry patch.
why, certainly p returned George
Haines, leaping brislly out of the cart,
"and know will pick more now be-
fore sundown than your very best pick.
ers will have done all day long !"
III warrant ye r. was Jonas's admir-.
ing response For the tall, straight,
dark young man was regarded as the
neighborhood champion in all physical
achievements.
After tying his horse, George took a
basket and started straight towards the
blue sunbonnet, while Jonas looked
suddenly enlightened, and nodded
wisely.
Six cents q basket, Won know.
Jonas" he called back, land [ almost
forgot it entirely, but mother wants
YOU to send her half q dozen boxes of
berries tonight"
The blue sunbonnet was chatting
very pleasantly with the broad -shoui, =,
dered boy, and neither was aware of
the coming of the new picker.
There's mother handful for We,
Gene" said the bow. comino closely
beside her.
Thank you, Bob" she answered,
"but it is not right for me to take your