Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1902-07-17
HARRiET'S HUCKLEBERRIES.

i'll of scandal in a country village.
~ What ais you this morning."
cried Polly Tanning as her elder sis
ter banged the tins about the buttery
with an apparently unnecessary clatter.
Harriet poked her head around the
door. Her thin cheeks were flushed with
excitement and eXertion, and her
thoughtful brown eyes were unnatural
ly large and bright.
I'm looking for pals" she replied.
1--WE used to have lot Of them"
Pals" echoed Polly. in amazement.
"What do you want with pals? The
big elght-quart is up in the garnet.
filed it with water and put it there for
fire extinguisher. The siX-quart is
down in the cellar, full Of tomatoes"
A few moments later loud swash Of
water from the attic was followed by
howl Of indignation underneath the
parlor window. and small boy, wrath
full and dripping, tore into the kitchen.
"Who done it?" he yelled. jumping up
and down before his astonished aunt.
WHO done it. | say?'
Il didn't, Ellis it must have been
your Aunt Hattie-she poured my pail
of water on you by mistake. guess.
It's too bad. Come, I'll help you change
your things. Why. you are not very
wet after all. 1t sort Of spattered YOU
Pm soaked through and through"
protested the boy, bitterly. I'm most
drownded. oh. amt she mean, though"
"She didn't intend to, Ellis. Don't be-
gin to cry now. Get a dOughnut and
run out in the sun-you'll dry Off in a
few minutes"
It'll take two dOughnuts to dry me
off," said the eight-yearold, looking
more cheerful three, maybe" he add
ed, rather doubtfully.
well, you may have two small ones.
Remember. III trust you to pick them
out, Ellis"
The abused one presently sneaked out
Of the woodshed, tightly clutching the
two largest cakes the pan had con
tanned. Il wasn't goin' to pick 'em over
to find the little Ones" he remarked to
his easily soothed conscience.
What Is the matter with that boy?"
asked Harriet. descending. II certain
ly neard him scream"
you doused him, that's all He Is
all right now. DO sit down and tell me
what is going OLA picnic!"
Picnic. No. Business. Huckleber-
ries" calculated the other, sitting on
the dresser and breathing fast. There's
no time to lose. either! The pasture lot
is full of them-just right to pick. and
nobody knows it. l found it out this
morning coming back from Savage's.
want you and Ellis and Gal right
away We can get oceans Of them by
night"
Pollys mild blue eyes, so like her
mothers, opened wide as she looked
searchngly at her sister.
You crazy thingr' she said go up
yourself, and get two or three quarts
that's all we can eat"
Eat" burst out Harriet. I'm not
going to eat them. I'm going to sell
them, Polly"
Sell them" gasped her companion. In
CONSERVATION. "Oh, Hattie, you can't
peddle berries"
Harriet hoped off the dresser. Il
cam" she said. decidedly. "And what's
more, I'm going to. You are going with
me, too. We need every cent we can
pick up-you know that, Polly Tanning.
Think Of mother, and what she needs.
Think of all we can get for a few dol
lars. Put your pride in your pocket,
the same as have. and start right in.
If am willing to do it. you should be.
Goodness knows" she stopped and
swallowed. with tears in her eyes
TN 60" said her sister. quickly
You are a better woman than | am,
Harriet" She stepped over and kissed
the now streaming cheeks. I'll get
Mrs Dabney to stay with mother. and
hunt up Cal He Is over in the mead.
ow haying, but he can leave it, We can
be ready in half an hour.
Harriet tossed her head and felt for
her handkerchief. I'm fool to cry
but hate il just as much as you do.
Mother needn't know. She would be so
upset. Let's bang right along and not
mind Wa CON protaoJ it's finn will