The Spanish Fork press. [volume] (Spanish Fork, Utah) 1902-current, 1905-12-14

"The line is DOWN. she said dra-
matically.
I'll show themr snapped Sara, with
fire in her eyes. 'I'll saddle old Billy
-
You can't do 1t, Sara" answered
Cora, with mournful conviction. ~
came past the apple-shed. He has a
man at each pile, and it's sight to see.
The apples are hopping into the barrels
as If they were alive. And there is
another man putting in heads and an
other loading"
What is he doingg" demanded
Sara.
"Stenciling the barrels"
You might know he would pick out
nice, easy job for himself! sneered
Betty.
Then they all stole out and peeped
into the shed. 1t was lively scene.
but the apple mans red, waving beard
was the banner that compelled their
unwilling gaze. He stalked back and
forth among the toiling men, flourish
ing his marking brush, reproving here
and commencing there. the living en-
bodiment of swift and tireless industry.
Presently the loader dropped barrel
with such force that the head burst
out, and the stream of objurgation that
flowed from the apple mans ready
tongue sent the girls flying to the
house.
Hes exactly my idea of Belzebub!'
gasped Cora.
Sara perched on the corner of the
lounge and, with her chin in her hand,
gazed modify at the floor. 1t was all
in vain that Cora patted her back,
Julie smiled encouragingly, and Betty
rubbed a comforting cheek against her
shoulder. Sara knew herself for a de-
throned queen. They would never fol-
low her so blindly again.
There were long silences, but at inter-
walls they canvassed the situation with
increasing gloom; and by the time the
apple man had hustled the last wagon
out of the yard and dismissed his men
the girls had worked themselves into q
frenzy of fear, suspicion and dislike.
He strobe into the kitchen, and
throwing his hat into corner, drew
chair TO the table with an air that en-
ragged Sara.
"Father will be here Monday" she
said, frigidly.
swell, sha'n'tv' snapped the apple
man. give sent my men back to
Spooner's, and I've got to go over there
and keep 'em on the jump. Now, as l
said before, l bought those apples on
the trees, and according to contract"
He fumbled in his pocket for note
book and pencil, and began figuring
rapidly, speaking jerkily at intervals,
Sara's face sharpened piteously and
Betty stopped breathing.
Don't mind telling you 1 made a
mighty good thing out of this orchard
fine Orchard-and underestimated-
reckon your pa did, too-then Eastern
crops didn't pan out-and prices have
risen, but Of course contract is con-
tract"
He twitched the band from fat
pocketbook and took out a roll of bills.
Now pay my men by the day, but
I know to dot how many bar'ls they
what the pickin' is worth. Did me a
mighty good turn, pickin' those apples.
Times money these days, and I'm a
month behind. I'd had an eXtry force
on long ago, but hands amt TO be had.
Helped me fill some important con-
tracts-especially those Jonathans-an'
my reputation for keepin' my word is
dollars and cents to me. Mighty fine
job, too. My men wouldn't have done
so well, for they're obliged to hurry"
He rose and caught up his hat, leav.
ing a little pile of bills on the table.
With eyes like a sleepwalker's Sara
looked from one bewildered face to an
other.
"Of course you understand I amt
obliged to do this" he said, proudly.
"A contracts a contract, but l amt a
man to take q mean advantage, and
I've add some considab extra ON ac-
count of it's being such favor an the
orchard turning out so well. Tell your
pa I've deposited the contract money
to his credit in the Farmers Bank, as
per agreement"
He was gone. The slam of the door
awoke Sara out of her doze, and she
| few after him.
"Thank you so muchw she gasped
| But do you think we ought to take. it!
We picked the apples for father"
"They want your pas apples; they
were my apples" answered the man
testify, swiftly untying his horse.
| Sara clutched the fence plckets, quiv'
| ering all over with the sudden revul
sion of feeling. She was Overlooking
with gratitude and admiration for the
man who might have taken advantage
of their ignorance and helplessness ant
had fOrborne to do so. Before she
| could collect her scattered wits hi
sprang on his horse and was Off.
Then she turned and sped up the
path with winged feet. Restored self
respect makes an elastic pavement.