The Greenville times. [volume] (Greenville, Miss.) 1868-1917, 1903-06-13


an two or three more. Besides, yol .
offend Ma ii yea skip out when tne-
any eatin' goin' on. She'll take IL
q slight to her cooldn.
There was a general laugh at inns
and as Mrs. Becraft assured kossi.eH
that her son knew her failings, ne
was without much difficulty persusn-
ed TO resume his seat. Mamie Becrsit
soon emerged from the hotel parlor
(thus designated by little Snip on
painted tin fastened above. the doorJ
bearing a capacious basket, when
was found to contain an abundance
of bread and butter, doughnuts, ana
cookies. Joe darted across the way
and purchased bag Of peaches from
a fruit. vender, and then the al fresco
feast proceeded with much gusto'
"You see what 1 have to proVde
for. Mr.. RoSsiter," said Mrs. Becraft,
smiling at Jim, who was rapidly max
ing away with his fourth fried CAKE
."But, dear me, their appetite now Is
nothin' to what it will be when we
get into the hop fields. l don't know
what Mrs. Merton will say when she
sees how her pies an things disap-
pear. Did you ever hear OF the Mer-
tons? It's to their place we are goin''
you know"
Hes goin' too" put in Joe.
"Oh, indeed! didn't under
stand" said Mrs. Becraft. II suppose
mebbe you're acquainted with the
people?"
mo, I'm not" said Rossiter.
"Well, Mr.. Merton is one OF the
largest hop growers near Hinton
Vile. His farm is about 21a miles
from the village"
you've been there, them"
"Yes, last year, Mamie an I, but
the boys never have"
Soon others began to arrive at the
hotel, and by half-past one as many
as IS people-men, women, boys
and girls-had gathered on or
about the piazza. A few were
acquaintance of Mrs. Becraft
and her daughter and there was
slight interchange Of. talk. A
subdued air of expectancy, however,
pervaded the company, and the eyes
of many, of the male portion more
particularly, were constantly turned
in the direction of Keneseo street.
Just before two there was a cry OF
Here he comes!" followed by gen.
eral movement towards the railing on
the part of those upon the veranda.
Over the heads of two boys who had
crowded in front of him Rossiter be-
held long wagon with seats run
ming longitudina lily, drawn by two
powerful horses, moving leisurely to-
wards the hotel. The driver, perched
upon a seat considerably higher than
the body of the wagon, swayed from
one side to another as the clumsy
vehicle ratified over the cobble-stone
pavement, the smooth asphalt having
not yet been laid in front of the
Cottage hotel.
"It's Jack Parmelee," Rossiter
heard Mamie Becraft say to one of
her brothers. Hes Mr.. Merton's
brother-in-law, an oversees the
farm"
The individual in question, an en-
ergetic appearing man of about As,
bis hat pushed back upon his head,
the dust clinging to his brown beard
and causing it to seem flecked with
gray, presently pulled his horses up
before the hotel and surveyed those
gathered upon the sidewalk and We
randa.
"All here?" he demanded, his gruff
voice sounding as though it might
have proceeded from his boots. well,
pile in!" he added, not giving anyone
time to answer. "Any trunks?"
Those who had belongings FASTENED
to load them into the wagon; then
there was a good-natured scramble
for seats. Rossiter assisted Joe with
the two satchels and large basket con-
tanning the possessions of the Be-
craft family, and then found him
self seated between the two brothers,
with Mrs. Becraft and her daughter
opposite.
"All right there2" inquired Jack
Parmelee, surveying the load from
his superior height with glow of
satisfaction.
Right" cried someone.
"Get up!" cried the animated Jehu.
The big horses. braced themselves;
the heavy wagon moved; and the
| journey to the hop fields was begun.