Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1902-07-17
She held her sister close for
Come" she said; lets get


started"
''Berryin', hey?' Queried old Gamaliel
Hooker Coin ter sell 'em, hey?
Course I'll go. l use ter be the best
picker ever was. Coin ter hitch up
airly and drive ter town with 'em, yer
say?"
He eyed Polly narrowly with a queer
look blended with curiosity and affec-
ton. "Yere two good gals" he said
with sort of cluck, AN I'm proud on
We. Does Mis- Fannin' know what ye're
up teri"
''No; we thought we wouldn't tell her.
GAL
II wouldn't" said the old man;
might upset her. bein' so weakly an
an notional. Run along, now. I'll be
right up to the house"
He understands" thought the girl.
as she went back. "Bless his heart.
He may be only our hired man, but he
is a gentleman. all the same. l hon
estly think he really loves us. Why,
don't believe anything would induce
him to leave. l don't see how he does
so much"
Never were huckleberries so fit for
picking as those fat, black shining fell
lows loading the low bushes in the
mountain pasture that pleasant after
noon in the early days of August. Never
did nimble fingers work more industri-
ously to fill the big tin pals with the
wholesome spoil. To he sure, the col
lection Of Ellis Wells had to be kept
apart. being motley and full Of sticks.
The lips of the youthful Ellis were bad
| ly stained and his round countenance
somewhat streaked with purple long
before the sun sinking in the west
warned his absorbed elders that their
work must cease.
The tongue of Gamaliel Hooker had
wagged cheerfully and with hearty en-
couragement, keeping the two women
in a state of constant merriment as his
drOllery and tales Of the berry pickin's"
of his long ago lightened their hearts
and labors.
The light, drifting clouds had given
them comfortable alterations of sun
and shade. and the dreaded afternoon
in the heat had passed as grateful re-
lief from the humdrum household du-
ties of the day.
Its lucky we brought big lunch"
remarked Polly, as they prepared to
start homeward. Il think Ellis has re-
freshed himself very regularly every
hour on what was left over. Every
scrap is gone. Well. he has ben con-
tented. and had good time. III be
sorry when Frances sends for him next
month"
Hes good young 'un." observed
Gal His appctite's mighty. but thet's
| the way with boys He must hev picked
two quarts an ct about three. Coin
ter take him along to-morrer!"
mo. sir!' cried Harriet. He stays
with his grandmother and you"
III look after him." said the man.
Yer mall feed him everything in the
house eff she's let to. Now I'll pick over
yer berries an fix 'em fer yer. Ye've
got supper ter git, an then go ter bed
airly. III see ter it we're started right
| In the mornin"
Polly patted him on the arm. "You
are comfort in life. Gal" she said.
Il don't know what we should do with
out you"
| "Sho" said the old fellow, embar-
raised. Il don't do nothin'. Here we
are hum ag'in, an We had greet pickin'
an good time. Superb be ready in
about half an hour. s'pose."
| He carried in the berries, then walk
ed out to the barn. 1.-TWO likely gals,
an purity" he ruminated, IAN good.
How they hev growed up. Why, why.
Hattie's most twenty-seven years old,
an little Polly's two years younger.
Don't seems eff it could be. An toted
EN- round when they want knee-high.
Their father He picked up a hay
fork. and thrust it savagely into the
NOV. DUN it.' he muttered, lit
don't seem right! Peddlin' berries
dunn. An three years ago we was all
Last words he says ter me was. Gal.
do what We kin fer 'em. l hain't left
much but the farm an "A good name
An little by little we've run down ter
peddlin' berries. l didn't RELY sense it
afore. An the old ladys never been
the same. an now she's roomatic.
| Where's young Cutter. l wanter
know" his thoughts wandered on. IL
| thought sure he an Hattie would make
a match, but they fell out somehow.
| Now eff they hadn't it would hcv all
come out nice an easy. His old mans
died an left him we'll fiXed-big farm,
an money too. Wonder what twas
they tit about? None Of my business,
| but I'd like ter know"
Gamaliel jamemd a forkful Of hay
into the horses manger. Eat. yer old
sinner" he observed; we're goin' ter
town tomorrow a-peddlin'. Ef We
| knowed it ye'd run away. l bet. Old
DR.. Bolton gin We to Mis- Fannin' ten
year ago come Thanksgiving. l kin see
him jest the way he done it. Here
| darter SAYS he this COLI il YER own