Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1903-02-17

DO you see those trees?" exclaimed
Jack Parmelee, suddenly turning to
his weary wagon load. "Well, from
the way they act we're goin' to
have rain afore tomorrow mornin',
an a mighty big blessin' it'll be tool"
A peacock with spread tail paraded
its vanity before them as they
passed this point, and as they were
bending to the right gave a long,
raucous cry which was the occasion
of a vast amount of amusement
among many of the young people who
had never heard the birds peculiar
call before.
snow, we're sure of it," said Jack
Parmelee, Mister Peacock's an au-
thority on the rain question. It's
luck all around-better hops an bet
ter pickin'."
What goodll the rain do the hops
nsw?" one of the prospective pick
ers inquired. "They amt goin' to
grow any more, be they?"
"It'll cool the air an keep 'em
from mouldin'. I've been mighty
scarf of 'em for day or two," an
swered the driver. "Such a spell O.
heat raises thunder with 'em some
times"
Several hop fields had already
been passed, and there was now a
yard upon either side of the road
Everyone began to regard the vines,
each pole with its hops like swarm
of bees at the top, with an increased
interest. When these fields had
been left behind Mamie Becraft and
a number of others commenced cram
ing their necks as though they
thought that their destination must
be in sight.
''There's the house!' cried one
II can see the hop-kiln!" ex-
claimed another, and in spite of the
uncertain motion of the wagon over
the stony road several mounted the
seats for the purpose of obtaining a
better view.
YES" Jack Parmelee remarked,
we're about there, and L reckon sup
peril be ready"
This announcement was hailed with
various comments of satisfaction.
The jaded horses seemed to realize
that they too We're about to he res
warded for their part in the tire.
some journey, and struck into
brIskef walk. Everyone forgot, for
the instant, the heat and the discom-
fort, and became animated and alert.
Rossiter caught something of the ex-
element of the moment, and rose
partly from his seat as the wagon APP
preached large, white farmhouse
set midway in a spacious yard. In
front were several tall locust trees.
In the rear, upon the nearer side,
stood the barns, the hop-lsiln with
its queer ventilator upon the top,
and various other outbuildings. Be-
You'd, there appeared to be a garden
and orchard, while directly opposite
was huge hop field.
AS they entered the yard robust,
smooth-shaven man came out upon
the piazza at the side of the house,
closely followed by two women. The
man, who was in shirt sleeves and
wore ribbonless -brimmed hat
OF straw, paused with his lips parted
in smile, his hands upon his hips,
and his feet spread wide, and sur
veyed the wagonload. The women,
sisters evidently, slender, kindly
faced, and rather short of statue,
shaded their eyes and examined the
newcomers with curiosity and inter
est.
s'There's Mr.. and Mrs. Merton,"
said Mrs. Becraft to Jim. That's Mrs.
Merton this way; the others her sis
ter, Miss Parmelee, who lives with
'em. They's daughter, but I don't
see her"
"All right, JACKIE" asked Mr.. Mer-
ten. descending the porch steps.
eyes, all right" returned Parmelee,
leaping from his perch and giving
| himself shake.
Must "a had q pretty warm an
dusty drive"
"Golly, guess we did!"
sect right down, all O. you," said
Mr.. Merton. Mrs. Merton will look
after the women, and Jack, here.
will take care of the men. Hey,
boys!" he cried, motioning to two
farm-hands who We're standing in
the door way of the horse barn, "hur-
| ry up and give us lift"
sit was a great relief to Rossiter
| to stretch his cramped limbs. AS he
| glanced about, he saw evidences of
thrift everywhere, in the neat yard,
in the trim sheds, in the overf1owing
mows, and in the recently painted,
ramblingly spacious house. His vag-
abond experience had trained his
eye in these matters, and he could
usually read from the exteriors what
treatment he was likely to receive.
Here he knew that he should fare
well. He was already glad that he
had decided to come.
Having seen the hop-wagon unload
ed and the team led away by one OF
the farm hands, and having watched
the women and girls disappear in
Mrs. Merton's wake, Rossiter whirled
about to find the male portion of his
companions gathering up their pos
sessions preparatory to following
Jack Parmelee. He had his OWE
small bundle in his hand, and having
| joined the Becraft boys, who hac
been assisting their mother and sis
ter, the three went forward together
Mr.. Merton's right-hand man lee
them along the driveway to the real
of the house, where he struck into
a path which travcrsed "A small or