The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1899-01-12
THEORANGEPACKERS;
By e. 8. Thacher.


A GOOD many eyes turned toward
u the wide door Of the packing house
as d girls straight figure paused mo-
mont on the threshold before entering.
The scene within seemed attractive.
It was 80 busy, and. in effect, 20 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
a free movement OF air.
The newcomer was pleased, and her
desire 10 take hand was quickened.
She was . stranger there, yet she
seemed to feel no discomfort at the
attention which her arrival had awak-
ened. Her good-tempered poise was so
aDpnrent that her credentials were at
once acoepted.. 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 unatfect-
ed confidence.
She readily discovered the manager,
moving about among the bins and boxes,
saying a quiet word here and there, or
pointing to some needed Encouragement
Of the solid-looking but transient
stacks Of fruit or Of empties. She went
10 him without he station, and asked fC r
work.
The man looked up and recognized
good material at a glance.
Can you pack?"
II reckon can, but never did"
you won't earn very much at first"
"All right, let me try; 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 u notion of the mechanical
verve and swing that told Of exact and
rapid work.
There was rhythm in the motions of
good packer. The paper came up from
the pile Of sheets with the regularity of
balance wheel and fell upon the
orange in the other hand with an air of
knowing where it belonged. The wrap
ping seemed to do itself, and the next
yellow subject was taking its treatmen
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 a continual increase
Of speed. Her thoughts were free, ard
evidently ranging wide.
"I like that" said the girl; "can ]
begin now?"
"Yes," said the manager, smiling at
her spirit; "take that third bin. You
can hang your hat and pail over yonder
I'll 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-
ton before her, had fitted rubber cot
on her left thumb. and was experiment.
ing. aided by frequent glances at heI
neighbors, on the proper movements
TO make the sheets rise singly and
spread wide TO cover the fruit; and she
had placed some rows Of oranges in hel
box before the manager came to show
her how.
She laughed ~ he made her take then
out again. and explained now each siz,