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

He paused and looked from face Il
face, screwing his own into whimsi
cal knot.
Now comes the tug Of war. wan
your mother to so. and she won't &
without me-
The girls looked rather blank. Their
Saras eyes suddenly widened. and hei
race took on irance-like look thai
her sisters knew well. Julie pinchet
Cora, and whispered in Betty's ear
Don't you say word. Sara Is plot
ting something, and it will be more fur
than the fair
DO go, mother!' said Sara, starting
out Of her reyerle. I'VE girls went last
year"
"Old Nero is as coed as a lion to pro-
tcct us" said Julie.
Rather better" said Ben, dryly.
"The lion might take notion TO eat
you II tramps were scarce
THE tramps and other disreput-
able characters will an be at the fair,v
retOrted Julie.
1T would be such fun" sighed Cora.
We've never kept house all alone. II
is only twenty miles, and it will be
only week. and Aunt Anna has a
telephone
What does Bettykin says" inquired
Mr.. Payson.
"lll sey my say after I've had a pri-
vate conversation with Sara Betty
announced.
This conversation took place in the
hen-yard, and it was not strictly pri-
vate, for Cora and Julie We're present.
to say nothing of the hens. As Ben re-
marked, sareastically, the hens had
their mouths open for corn and the
girls for chunks of wisdom. Sara scat
tered several handfuls o. corn and then
turned TO the waiting sisters.
Wen pick the apples" She an
nounecd. The girls looked aston
ishel, but not disappointed. Sara's
schemes We're usually worth far more
than their face value. Scattering
more corn. she unfolded her plan:
They were ready three weeks ago
but father has been too busy to think
about them. Wen pile them In the
apple-shed and you can imagine
fathers surprise when he sees them"
lie won't believe we did itg' cried
Cora, taking fire But do you ready
think we cans"
We've helped father always There
are three long-handled apple plckers.
one apiece for you and Julie and me-"
Betty's lower lip dropped. but Sara
pretended not to see It.
Wen take the two little hand-carts
and ill one she went on quickly
''then while We arc dlling the other
Betty can wheel the nrst TO the shed
ard empty It."
sara paused aud looked doubtfulIy at
Betty.
II requires great care" she said
artTdlly. They have to be handled
like eggs. and graded.
Betty swelIed like the frog in the
fable. Il helped father year before
last. and he said | could grade as well |
as he.' she cried. noddlng vigorously. |
What do you suppose the children
are up tor Mrs, Payson asked. un.
easily. as the wagon ratified down the
road through the dim light OF early
dawn.
We can trust Sara. think, said
Mr Payson. equally.
In the house they had left Sara was
her forces.
There won't be much housework
for mother has left ratlons for regi-
mens In the pantry. IN take the dishes.
Cora and Julie the beds. Betty the
hens. Then no, for the orchardg'
When the little procession OF carts
and apple-pickers clattered out of the
barn-yard the misty morning had bios
somcd into perfect golden day. The
fair committee congratulated them
selves on the fine weather with an air
Df proprietorship Old Uncle Billy
Peters, the only ful-grown man left in
Benton township. stretched his rheu-
matte limbs and thanked the Lord for
his share OF sunshine The PaysOn
girls said nothing. but they knew that
he very heart OF that glorious day
hrobbed in the dear old orchard
where the fragrant breath OF dying
grass and clover was splced with ap-
lies, and fiocks Of birds bid a noisy
arewell to a favorite summer resort.
1t was hard work. but they were
trong young creatures. accustomed to
oil. And the October air was inspirlt-
ng. Mrs. Payson's fears for Betty
'roved groundless, for the weary child {
iodded over her plate, and before the
'thers had finished supper dropped in
sound slumber on the kitchen lounge.
be hailed thence by her sleepy sisters. {
nd dragged, struggling and protesting. /
p-stairs.
II was Sara who awoke before day S
ght. and releStlessly bounded the s
rowsy girls from their warm beds.
he days in the orchard were delight (
III; but, oh. the discomfort Of rising d
nd dressing and "choring' In the :
rosty October dawn. the torment of i
hiking and supper-getting in the chill a
october twilight and the crowning $
fpariupga of IhofSfiuo q,ltr,,n co,,fr,,, =.