Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1898-09-30
r rOP-PICKING," said young

tful horse against which he leaned.
"Why, yes. It Is rather romantic husl-
ness, if you look upon it from a roman
tic point of view. You're an artist eli?
Come to sketch our little bits Of roman
tic scenery? But there's nothing par
ticularly picturesque about our hop
fields. Just sunshine and the gold
green Of the clusters, and the curling
tendrils reaching out for something to
grasp at, and the air so blue and clear
that one can almost see the straight
lines of the sunshine. Of course, 1t
looks pretty to me, for was born and
brought up upon 1t; but-eXcuse me
l can't see what there is specially wor-
thy of an artists pencil"
"Do you see those long perspectives
of green alleys" said he; with figures
running in and out, and the old wom-
an sitting among the fragrant heaps,
with the scarlet cloak, aud two little
toddles at her feet? And yOnder feeble,
bent old man, with water cans on his
shoulders? Why, there are hundred
bits OF genre here, to sag nothing OF
the background"
And Raymond took out mis- millbonlT1s
and color boxes, set up an impromptu
easel. an1 began diligently to paint.
Squire DurellS son looked on with an
amused smile. To him, the machinery
oc the great hop farm was the real
business of life. Artists and such like
were merely pleasure seekers who dis
ported themselves airily on the out
skirts of creation.
"You will find some very pretty faces
here" said Dhrell, '1f you care for
sketching that sort of thing. People
come here from all parts of the country
In hop-picking time. Gypsies, tramps,
respectable poor workers who don't OBJ
Ject to turning an honest penny, young
people who come here for the frolic OF
the thing, and poor old wretches who
think that every season will be their
last. It's healthy, the doctors say. At
all events it's profitable. In hop season
there isn't cottage, a farmhouse gar
ret, nor even harm untenanted. There
are tents, white sprinkle of them,
down in the meadow by the vines,
where people sleep at nights. You can
see them from here. You are staying
In this part of the neighborhood? No?
My father will be very glad to see you
UP at the house, If you will honor us
hy becoming our guest tonight"
And raising his light straw hat,
tiful, satin-skinned white horse follow
Ing like docile kitten at hiSheels.
Hugh" he said to servant who
had come down with hamper from the
house, take cup of coffee and two or
three of these white rolls, with my COM
pliments to that gentleman in the white
linen coat who Is sketching under the
trees. And, Hugh"
"Sir?"
"Did you carry the sardine sand
wiches and the basket of apricots and
the fresh milk TO the young girl in
black?"
The man nodded.
"She didn't want to take EN-, Mr..
Durell," said he, "She was all for call.
ing me back, but l minded your order,
sir and made off as fast as | could,
pretending not to hear"
Durell smiled.
That's right" said he "and Don't
forget the cold meat and slices of new
bread for old Dunstable. He grows
weaker and weaker every day, and
thapp vuoS DnthInc b,,t tbo boil 20 = ,.e
and a black-cheese rind in his dinner
hasket, for l saw It myself"
TITS all right, SIR" said Hugh
And then Durell, going up to the great
house, shrewdly noticed all the hon
pickers as they sat and lay around un-
der the shadow Of the vines, in the
dolce far niente of the noon lntermis-
ston, and finally came into the great.
cool room where the scent OF cheese
making filed the air, and the muslin
curtains tiuttered to and fro In the
breeze.
The squire himself sat there, gouty
but content Iced claret and cold chick
en- were on the table; forced hot-house
peaches scented the atmosphere; plate
of deviled tongue, with curry sauce.
supplied the fiery element and delicate
outlets, Dreaded and fried in egg, were
brought in. The old gentleman's face
frightened at the sight of his son.
at has seemed long day without
you, my boy" said he. "Sit down. sit
down. Do you know, Daniel, I've been
thinking all the morning that wish
you'd bring wife home to the old
place. She would be company for me
when you are gone. Why don't you
think of 1t, my ladf"
81 have been thinking Of II, father"
said the squire's son. But what would
You say, sir, If l were to marry poor
girl?"