The Lewiston teller. (Lewiston, Idaho) 1900-1905, 1902-09-25

Smhithers agreed, with q sudden fear
lest Miss Smythe might drop In upon
him to borrow the money to pay them
There were others who complained OF
the demoralizing effect Of these women
who ran their little ranch for the lark,
and many ranchers found trouble In
getting help when 1t was known Misl
Smythe was paying two dollars day,
but 'Let 1t go" Smithers always said
to them. "This year will freeze them
out. for at the end Of the season they'll
have to sell their ranch in order to pay
their Japs."
At the close of the harvesting season
Miss Smythe and her friend wound up
their country life experience with q
house party Of friends from the city.
This, Of course, necessitated the Dor.
rowing Of tents. hammocks and chairs
from Smithers, until he was forced to
accept their invitation to be one Of their
number, having nothing left in his own
domain either to sit or lie upon.
"And do you know" Miss Smytha
confided to him, as they talked Of her
departure. this has been such an aw.
fully jolly outing. I'd really like to come
up here to live"
But haven't you found It q rather
expensive experiment. Smithers gasp
ed.
"Expensive?" Miss smythe echoed In
surprise.
Eyes, expensive" Smithers repeated.
III I may ask the question. haven't
you found the price Of labor overbal.
ances the profit ON the crop?"
Miss Smythe threw back her head
and laughed. Her mouth was very
pretty when she laughed. he noticed.
Poor Damntamaki!' she exclaimed,
you can't think what . little idiot he
is. for all he thinks he Is 30 shrewd."
And saying that. she laughed again.
Smithers laughed, too-at his own ex.
pense. and waited for her to 60 on.
His men did splendid work for u.s."
she explained. because he was getting
30 much money. and kept telling him
he could not do 80 well II we turned
him Oh. And what do You suppose he
charged US for picking our cropY
Smithers discreetly refrained from
guessing.
mine hundred and four dollars" she
told him. and again she went OF in q
gale Of laughter.
rs that the joker" Smi.hers asked,
wishing he could regard his own dis
bursements with the same levity.
"Oh, no." she gurgled. 1.-THE joke is
that put in little bill Of nearly three
hundred dollars for lost time. breakage
Of boxes. warping Of trays, and damage
to machinery from the leaves and dirt
sent in In the prune boxes"
ibid he pay it?" Smithers inquired.
''Of course he did. l had drawn ND a
contract providing for protection
against unnecessary loss. which made
him sign. Then there was a fire In the
Jap camp. which damaged the trees
and implements to some extent"
what did he do about that?' the
man asked. curiously.
paid 1t, Of course" she answered.
gayly.
''Then 10 It possible you did not come
out behind, after allT' Smithers asked,
In amaxement.
"Why. we did better than any Of
you." she answered. "for while those
Japs stayed. they worked like beav-
ers. and got through in almost half the
time. which made our harvesting cost
less than yours, or anybody's. The &C.
tual cost of our labor was about IS
cents q day"
well, I'm glad this Ii the last Of
those gol-blamed wimmen folks" sigh
ed one Of the injured old codgers, as
he saw the train pull out . few days
later.
But It's not" said smithers. Joyful.
y.
What! They's not comm back
next year. be they?" he snapped.
Zone Of them is" smithers answered,
''Sybil Is coming back to run
ny ranch for me. s-San Francisco Ar.
yOnaut.