Oxford eagle. (Oxford, Lafayette Co., Miss.) 1876-current, 1904-07-07
An Idyl' Of the
Sugar BeetFields
Copyright, 1901, by Daily Story Pub Col
BELLE MANiATE


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 task to take
their names and get them slowed
away in the big wagons in waiting,
and he gave a groan of relief when
the task was over. He heard the door
open.
Another" he thought, YEARLY, as
he raised his head from the ledger.
The look of impotence vanished at
the sight of the slender young figure
of a girl presumably 10 years of age,
who stood before him. Her face was
fair and delicately pink. A big, broad
brimmed hat rested on head
crowned by shining, reddish-brown
hair. and the eyes that harmonic
with such hair looked appealingly up
at him.
What can | do for your" he asked
in courteous. tones.
Il
said he'd wait while l came and got a
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 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.
He shook his head.
"They are tougher than the weeds
but you! you don't look as If you had
done work; at least such work."
81 haven't done that kind of work
before"
What kind of work do you do?'
he asked, skeptically.
Il sew. But | don't like it. | wan
to try out of door work"
well, be careful" he advised, as he
went out to the wagon with her. Hi
noted approvingly the neat, well-f1t
ting bingham dress and. as she
climbed into the wagon, he had
fieeting glimpse of a slender foot ant
a shapely ankle.
He watched the wagons Of merry
makers drive away.
They seem to think it's picnic,
he thought, grimly. They'll not b'
so gingery when they come in to
night, I'm thinking"
All through the morning hi
thoughts wandered to the sweet
dream-centered face of the last appli
cant, Myra Cole. About IL o'clock hi
said suddenly to the bookkeeper;
81 am going to drive out and SCI
how our kindergarten is progressing.
| He arrived at the fields just as thu
| little weeders were about to begiI
their midday meal. They were tired
| dirty and perspiring, but still happ!
and noisy He found his vision of thu
morning with little tot on each sid
of her.
GIVE your luncheon all to them,
he said, peremptorily. II drove on
to see how things were working, ant
l brought luncheon enough for boil
| of us. Come down to the road wher,
my horse and carriage are"
She followed him obediently.
shall we serve 1t in the carriage?
he asked.
There is a nice shade tree acros
| the road. We can spread 1t out NOR
comfortably there"
He agreed with this suggestion an,
watched her unpack and arrange tn
luxurious luncheon he had brought.
How did you keep your hands from
burnix?" he asked.
Il wore some thick gloves, and
didn't pull very many. l couldn'
stand the sun. l am afraid l haven
earned much, but I will do bette
when | am used to it."
They sat down ON the ground to tn
| luncheon and he was pleased to SCI
that she ate as daintily as she dit
other things
Are your parents hving?" h
asked
yes; l live at home with them"
And are they very poor? Pardon
the question. but it doesn't seem as /
you were fitted for such hard labor
81 have to help. My mother is al
invalid"
oh he said, alphabetically
"And your father? Does he work."
Yes: he works at the Globe Pape
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. H
should be the one to do this instea,
of you" he growled.
When they had finished luncheon
he asked her to drive during the res
of the noon hour. She hesitated an
looked little doubtful as to accept
ing.
"It'll do you good and rest you 70
the afternoon"
She finally consented to take Iii
tie drive. but insisted upon returnin
to the field at one o'clock.
Where do you liver he asked, a
he helped her out of the carriage.
AT AIS Twelfth street." she replied
with a slight blush.
] And may come and see you te
| night, he asked.
The blush deepened.
Il am going to dance tonight"
"A dancel Where?"
'The Draymen's union"
/ His idol tottered
with whom are you going?s