The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1903-10-30

o. xx edge OF the kitchen table
Nexx0EKX and stirred the big kettle
Of peach butter industrl-
ously. She was nine years old, but
small for her age and when big sister
Nell left, she put Bob on the table, say
dng:
"You sit there and stir, Bob so you
can reach easily, and by the time I've
dressed mother il will be almost done,
and you shall have some as reward"
SO Bob pushed the long handled
stirrer back and forth, diligently scrap
ing the bottom lest the butter stick.
She loved to watch the little spurts Of
thick butter fly through the top holes
OF the stick, and to push il back and
forth. making patterns in the mess;
but best OF all she loved slice OF
bread spread thickly with the still
smoking butter The stirrcr had be-
longed to her mothers mother, and
Bob often put her nose close 10 il ms
it hung by the fire. for IL semecd TO her
that odors OF long g-eatcn jams ana but
fcrs clung to X,
she glanced 0nxlously at the butter,
and then called Nell softly for her
mother must not be startled. But
Nell did not come. and Bob stirred
faster as the batter darkcncd and
thlckened and the little Jumps Of rich
ness few up. sometimes even over the
stove in spite Of her care.
Darker grew the jam. and Fob knew
that many more minutes would thckcn
II beyond her control. and the bottom
portion would stick. She looked out Of
the door TO see IL any OF the darkies
they were wanted and then she re-
membered that every one was busy
in the peach orchard, for the fruit was
ripening fast. Suddenly she caught
her breath with gasp OF terror as
she saw the figure OF n man move
among the bushes near the house.
Peach pluck" she thought and set
her teeth together TO keep from scream
ing for Nell.
Two years before she had gone down
to get the mail from the box at the end
OF the long road and too busy To notice
anything else, she had turned 10 find
herself surrounded by five of the rough
class OF men who wandered from farm
to farm in the peach season. pluckng
the fruit for the farmers, thereby earn
ing the name OF peach plucks." They
had done her no harm. but they had
teased her. one OF them putting his
finger in his mouth, then touching her
mass OF red curls TO "sec il they would
sizz."
She had broken from them and
rushed for home. too frightened to
make n sound, and from that time had
dreaded the peach season. Now she
looked from kettle 10 the door. Nell
would not come and in another minute
It would be too late. Bob turned dcs-
perately TO the door and beckoncd.
Come here" she called sharply to
the man.
He looked toward her, hcsitatcd, then
turned away.
Man! Come herew she called fran.
tlcally. Quick
The man appeared at the door, his
cap in his hand.
Did you call, little girl?" he asked
quietly.
Bob's heart gave throb OF relief.
He could not be peach pluck.
"Yes-the butter-take il on" she
ordered, still stirring.
The man glanced at the kettle. took
the stirrer from her. aud carried il 10
the sink, turned swiftly and snatchcd
n waddcd holder from the wall beside
the stove, lifted the huge brass kettle
and carried IL 10 the table. where he
stood il in TIE granite basin standing
in readiness. Absorbed in his work
he turned TO the stove once. more.
changed the draughts and put Coal on
the fire. Bob watched him, too dumb
founded. at first. TO move.
There! IL will be ready TO get the
dinner" he said, then laughed i'm n
shamefaced way. "I'T go now," and
he started to the door.
But Bob returned 10 life suddenly
she slipped from the table and caught
his coat.
mo. nor she cried. "Wait, you
must eat the things! Yes. il won't
take me n minute. You must" as he
tried TO move away.
He looked at her, then moved un.
easily.
you're n funny kid" he said. "Al
right, I'll stay; only / must he going
soon. and ! don't want much" Ther
he glanced down at his hands. II ex
pect I'd better wash them. hadn't ~
He went out Of the door, and Bot
fiptoed after him. watching. until ht
turned into the inclosed porch, betweer
The kitchen and the smokehouse. Ther
she went back 20 the kitchen and with
n funny little gesture she pressed boil
hands over her mouth as II TO suppress,
her delighted giggles. while she danced
from one foot 10 the other in her ex
citement.
When the man returned be openet