Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1902-10-02

There were others who COMPLIANCE
, Of the demoraliZing effect of these
women who ran their little ranch fol
the lark, and many rancherg found
trouble in getting help when It was
known Miss Smythe was paying 81 a
day, but Let it go" Smithers always
said to them. This year will freeze
them out, for at the end of the season
they'll nave 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 Countrywide experience
with a house-party Of friends from the
city. This, Of course, necessitated
the borrowing 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 Smythe
confded to him, as they talked of her
departure, this has been such an
awfully jolly outing, I'd really Ike to
come up here to live
But haven't you found it a rather
expensive experiments" Smithers
gasped.
"Expensive!" Miss Smythe echoed
in surprise.
Yes, expensive" Smithers repeat
ed "If | may ask the question,
haven't you found the price of labor
overbalances the profit on the crop?'
Miss Smythe threw back her hcad
and laughed Her mouth was very
pretty when she laughed, he noticed.
poor Damntamaki!" she exclaimed,
you cant think what a little idiot he
is, for all he thinks he is 50 shrewd
And saying that she laughed again
Smithers laughed, too-at his own
expense, and waited for her to go on.
His men did splendid work for
us. she explained, because he was
getting so much money, and | kept
telling him he could not do so well if
we turned him off. And what do
you suppose he charged us for picking
our CROP"
Smithers discreetly refrained from
guessing.
"Nine hundred and four dollars
she told him, and again she went off
in a gale of laughter,
rs that the joker" Smithers asked
wishing he could regard his own dis
bursements with the same levity.
"Oh, no." she gurgled. "The joke
is that | put in little bill of nearly
$500 for lost time, breaIlage of boxes,
wrapping of trays, and damage to
machinery from the leaves and dirt
sent in in the prune boxes"
did he pay it," Smithers inquired.
or course he did. had drawn up
a contract providing for protection
against unnecessary loss, which
made him sign. Then there was
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 it, of course" she answered,
gayly.
"Then is It possible you did not
come out behind after all?" Smithers
asked, in amazement
why, we did better than any Of
YOU she answered, "for while those
japs stayed, they worked like beay-
ors, and got through in almost half
the time, which made our harvesting
cost less than yours or anybodys
The actual cost of our labor was
about IS cents day"
well, I'm glad this is the last Of
those gol-blamed wimmon folks"
sighed one of the injured old dodgers,
as he saw the train pun out a few
days later.
But it's not" said Smithcrs. joy
fully
what! They're not comm back
next year. be they" he snapped.
"Ono of them is" Smithers an.
sworcd, proudly, "Sybn is coming
back to run my ranch for me. -
Marguerite Stabler in San Francisco
Argonaut.