The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1893-12-22

swered, after a moments earnest re-
Election. 'Those trees ought to have
been whitewashed months ago; but l
never had time to do it, and then it's a job
1 hate think I'll go to the field. Pete
can't get along alone very well"
When he had gone Jenny turned to
Alice with an eager look.
Alice, what do you say to doing
that whitewashing?" she asked. ''There
are not many trees, and we can put on
old, ragged dresses, and cover our heads
up, you know"
eyes, let's do it, cried Alice. SIT
will be great fun! never whitewashed
anything in my life, though, and you'll
have to show me how to do it,
''Oh, It's easy enough" said Jenny.
And one needn't be particular about
trees, you know. l can mix the white
wash, for I've seen father do it dozen
times. The lime is down cellar; father
bought it just before he went away"
Alice washed the dinner dishes while
Jenny got the whitewash ready, and in
an hours time they were out in the
orchard, hard at work. 1t was fun at
first, but their arms soon began to ache,
and it required great deal of zeal and
determination to go on to the end. 1t
was done at last, however. and the
trunk of every tree in tho picturesque
little orchard was clothed in white.
Then, tired out, the girls went to the
house to battle and rest little before
getting supper.
Jack had to come past the orchard on
his way from the field, and his astonish-
ment may be imagined when he saw
what had been done to the trees.
"What have you girls been up to-" he
asked, when he came in to get the milk
pals.
eve wanted to give you surprise, ,"
Jenny said, her face beaming.
"Well, you certainly succeeded in
doing it," rejoined Jack. Il don't
know what's come over you, Jenny. If
you keep on like this mother won't
know you when she comes back. Per-
haps it's having Alice here, though"
perhaps So" said Jenny, smiling.
Don't you want me to help you millz?"
mo; l can do it. You've done enough
as it is" answered Jack, as he went
out.
And Jenny felt SO happy as she
stepped around preparing supper that
she laughed all to herself. She had
forgotten all about Jacks refusal to
drive up the horses from the pasture.
The next morning at five o'clock the
girls were sleeping sOundly when Jack
knocked on the door of their room.
Get up, if you're going to take that
ride" he said ''The horses are ready
at the gate.
The girls jumped up at once, and soon
had on their habits. When they came
down to the kitchen they found Jack
had prepared breakfast. He had made
coffee, fried potatoes and boiled some
eggs.
81 thought you'd like to ride as far as
Emmett's Grove" he said, land you
wouldn't want to hurry back to get
breakfast; so l concluded to turn cook
for this once
Jack! You're the best boy that ever
ived!" cried Jenny, and with tears in
her eyes she threw her arms impulsive-
ly around her brother, and gave him
hug.
When the girls had ridden out into
the high road and had waved good-by
to Jack, who stood at the gate watch
ing them off, Jenny turned to Alice
with q happy smile.
Il believe Jack and 1 are going to be
the best kind of friends after this,
Alice" she said 'And it's ali owing
to you. 1 didn't know how to treat
him till you showed me-
"Oh, Jenny! I'm SO glad" responded
Alice, the tears rising to her soft blue
eyes. You see, one gains more by be-
ing kind than by being CROSSE and
then they touched their horses with
their whips and went cantering down
the wide, shady road.-Florence B.
Hallowell, in Demorests Magazine.