The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1905-12-15

IN haif an hour she was back with
tragedy In her face
"The line is DOWN. she said dra
matically.
I'm show themw snapped Sara, with
fire in her eyes. "TI saddle old Billy
n
"You can't do it. Sara" answered
Cora, with mournful conviction. Il
came past the apple-shcd. 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 doingY' demanded
Sara.
"Stenciling the barrels
you might know he would pick out
a nice, easy job for himselfr' sneered
Betty.
Then they all stole out and peeped
into the shed. 1t was a 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 commenting there, the living EN-
bodiment of swift and tireless industry.
Presently the loader dropped a 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 Belzebubv
gasped Cora.
Sara perched on the corner of the
lounge and, with her chin in her hand.
gazed moodily 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 de-
throned queen. They would never fol-
low her so blindly again.
There We're 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
frenzy Of fear, suspicion and dislike.
He strobe into the kitchen, and
throwing his hat into corner. drew a
chair to the table with an air that en-
ragged Sara
Father will be here Monday" she
said, frigidly.
We'll sha'n'tw snapped the apple
man. I've sent my men back to
spooner's, and Ty4 se to 20 over there
and keep 'em on the jump. Now. as ]
said before. i 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 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 a contract is con-
tract"
He twitched the band from a fat
pocketbook and took out roll Of bills.
Now | pay my men by the day, but
know to a dot how many bar'ls they
can pick in a day. SO / know to a dot
what the pickln' 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 forces
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 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 l
obliged to do this" he said. proudly.
"A contracts contract, but l amt
man TO take mean advantage, and /
I've add some considerable extra on ac-
,gunt'of it's being such favor an the
orchard turning out so well. Tell your
pa I've deposited the contract money
% his credit in the Farmers Bank. as
per agreement"
He was gone. The slam OF the door
lwoke Sara out OF her doze, and she
lew after him.
Thank you 30 muchr' she gasped.
But do you think we ought to take it?
We picked the apples for father"
They want your pas apples: they
we're my applesr' answered the man,
estily, Swiftly untying his horse.
Sara clutched the fence pickets. auiv-
ring all oyer with the sudden revuI-
ion of feeling. She was overfiowing
With gratitude and admiration for the
nan who might have. taken advantage
{ their ignorance and helplessness and
ad forborne to do so. Before she
ould collect her scattered wits he
prang on his horse and was of.
Then she turned and sped up the
a tsttth 1