Iron County register., 1898-12-01
THEORANGEPACKERS
By z. s. Thacher.
GOOD many eyes turned toward
the wide door of the packing house

A GOOD many eyes turned toward
~ the wide door Of the packing house
as a girls straight figure paused mo-
ment on the threshold before entering.
The scene within seemed attractive.
1t was so busy, and, in effect, so quiet,
in spite of the continual noise of ham
mers. mailing up the full boxes, and the
various sounds incidental to moving
fruit about as the work progressed.
Everyone was steadily at work and no
one seemed in doubt what to do next
The shade was inviting, too, after
walk under the strong California sun.
and the great building was well provid-
ed with generous openings under its
far-projecting roof, and was spacious
enough. not only TO avoid the crowding
of work and material, but also to allow
free movement of air.
The newcomer was pleased, and her
desire to take a hand was quickened.
She was a stranger there, yet she
seemed TO feel no discomfort at the
attention which her arrival had awak-
ened. Her good-tempered poise was SO
apparent that her credentials were at
once accepted. She was used to NOV
ing through life without much dispute
over the right of way, and was blessed
with the tact that comes from unaffect-
ed confidence.
She readily discovered the manager,
moving about among the bins and boxes.
saying quiet word here and there. or
pointing to some needed resrrangemert
of the solid-looBing but transient
stacks of fruit or of empties. She wert
TO him without hesitation. and asked fer
work
The man locked up and recognized
good material al glance.
Can you pack?"
"I reckon / can. but ! never did"
"You won't earn very much at first"
'All right. let me try; l should like TO
learn
AS she spoke she looked keenly at the
rows of girls sitting beside the bins
into which the various spouts from the
grader were delivering the several sizes
At once she picked out the better work
ers. and got notion of the mechanical
verve and swing that told of exact and
rapid work
There was a rhythm in the motions of
a good packer. The paper came up from
the pile of sheets with the regularity of
orange in the other hand with an air Of
knowing where il belonged. The wrap
ping seemed to do itself. and the next
yellow subject was taking its treatment
almost before the former had settled it.
self into precise position in the box.
The process had been adopted by the
automatic nerves of the packer, and re-
quired no other attention from her
than an occasional replenishment Of
will in the effort at q continual increase
OF speed. Her thoughts were free. ard
evidently ranging wide.
II ike that" said the girl; '-can l
begin now?
Yes" said the manager, smiling al
her spirit; ''take that third bin. You
can hang your hat and pail over yonder.
III be round to show you pretty soon"
In no time she was at her seat be-
side the bin. with an empty box in posi-
tion before her. had fitted rubber cct
on her left thumb. and was experiment
iIg. aided by frequent glances at her
neigh bors. On the proper movements
10 make the sheets rise singly and
spread wide 10 cover the fruit; and sic
had placed some rows of oranges in her
bcx before the manager came 10 show
her how.
She laughed as he made her take them
put again, and explained how each size
is packed after a regular pattern. by
which a certain number fills the box.
without need of counting A few more
hints of method. supplemented by an
occasional xisis aud comment, pzt Lsz
in the position. in half-day's time of
kno-ing pretty well how the work is
done, and seeking only to gain in spe-d
of performance
This endeavor, the pursuit Of an ideal