The Bellefontaine Republican. [volume] (Bellefontaine, Logan County, Ohio) 1855-1905, 1904-07-26
An Idyl of the
Sugar Beet Fields
By
BELLE nANIATEy

the sugar beet factory, to be up and
doing at the dawn Of this summer
day. He hurried to the down town
office of the factory. where a troop of
noisy. happy youngsters were await
ing with impatience their drive to the
fields a few miles distant, where they
were to weed the beets and receive
generous payment for each hours
work.
1t was something of a task to take
their names and get them slowed
away in the big wagons in waiting.
and he gave groan of relief when
the task was over. He heard the door
open.
Another" he thought. wearily, as
he raised his head from the ledger.
The look of impatience vanished at
the sight OF the slender young figure
of girl presumably 10 years of age,
who stood before him. Her face was
fair and delicately pink. A big. broad
brimmed hat rested on a head
crowned by shining. reddish-brown
hair, and the eyes that harmonic
with such hair looked appealingly up
at him.
What can / do for you?" he asked
in courteous tones.
81 want to weed beets. The driver
said he'd wait while came and got
ticket"
Waldo glanced at the dainty white
hands with the well-kept nails.
why" he said. deprecatingly. "do
you know it's hard work in a blazing
hot field, STOPPING over and pulling up
those tough weeds? Do you think
you could endure it?"
81 can-if they can." she said, with
sigh, pointing to the boisterous mob
| without.
what kind OF work do you do?"
he asked. skeptically.
81 sew. But | don't like It want
to try out of door work"
well. be careful" he advised, as he
went out to the wagon with her. He
noted approvingly the neat. well-fit
ting gingham dress and, as she
climbed into the wagon. he had a
neeting glimpse OF a slender foot and
shapely ankle.
He watched the wagons Of merry
| makers drive away.
They seem TO think it's a picnic" /"
he thought, grimly. They'll not be
SO gingery when they come in to-
| night, I'm thinking"
| All through the morning his
thoughts wandered to the sweet.
| dream-centered face OF the last appli.
cant. Myra Cole. About IL o'clock he
said suddenly to the bookkeeper:
81 am going to drive out and see
how our kindergarten is progressing. s.
He arrived at the fields just as the
little weeders were about to begin
their midday meal They were tired
dirty and perspiring. but still happy
and noisy. He found his vision OF the
morning with little tot on each side
| of her.
"Give your luncheon all to them
he said, peremptorily. 81 drove out
| to see how things were working, and
brought luncheon enough for both
Of US. Come down to the road where
my horse and carriage are"
She followed him obediently.
Shall we serve 1t in the carriage?'
he asked.
There is a nice shade tree across
the road. We can spread II out more
comfortably there"
He agreed with this suggestion and
| watched her unpack and arrange the
luxurious luncheon he had brought.
How did you keep your hands from
burning?" he asked.
II wore some thick gloves, and ]
didn't pull very many. / couldnt
stand the sun. I am afraid l haven't
earned much, but I will do better
when 1 am used to it."
They sat down ON the ground to the
luncheon and he was pleased to SEE
that she ate as daintily as she die
other things.
Are your parents living?" h,
asked.
Yes; I live at home with them"
And are they very poor? Pardor
the question. but 1t doesn't seem as Il
you were fitted for such hard labor.
81 have to help. My mother is ar
invalid"
"Oh," he said, sympathetically
"And your father? Does he work."
Yes; he works at the Globe Paper
works.
Have you any brothers and sis
ters?"
"One brother"
Where does he work."
He doesn't work yet He is a yea
younger than l."
He is old enough to work. II,
should be the one to do this instead
of you," he growled.
When they had finished luncheon
he asked her to drive during the res
OF the noon hour. She hesitated ant
looked a little doubtful as to accept
ing.
"ItTl do you good and rest you TO
the afternoon"
She finally consented to take a lit
tie drive. but insisted upon 'returnin,
to the field at one o'clock.
Where do you live?" he asked, a
he helped her out of the carriage.
AT AIS Twelfth street." she replied
with a slight blush.
And may I come and see you to
night, he asked.
The blush deepened.
II am going to a dance tonight"
"A danceI Where?"
THE Draymen's union"
His idol tottered.
with whom are you going?"
MY brother"
This was more encouraging, but
, still, the Draymen's unioni He
couldn't associate her with the enter