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


orchard. spent the rest of the forenoon
in the kitchen with Betty, while Cora
and Julie swept, aired and busted the
neglected house.
BY noon everything was spic and
span, and after dinner the over
wrought young creatures slept again,
wherever they happened to fall. Sara
on the kitchen couch and Betty ON the
rug in front of the stove.
Late in the afternoon Sara was awak-
ened by Nero's tremendous voice. AS
she sat up, staring and palpitating, he
broke off with yelp and ran whining
toward the barn. Then came thun-
dering knock at the rarely used front
door.
Turning the reluctant key in the
rusty lock, Sara wrenched the door
open, and found herself face to face
with the blacklist frown she had ever
seen.
"Mr. Payson here" asked the strang-
err, CURLY.
HE is not" Sara replied, haughtily,
resenting his tone. HE will not be
home until late Saturday night"
Perhaps you can tell me what has
become of my apples" said BLACK
Brow" acidly.
Your applesv' said Sara, with an in
describable accent.
"Yes, my apples!' retorted the
stranger, sharply. II bought them on
the tees two months ago." indicating
with his thumb the stripped orchard.
Sara's righteous indignation collapsed
so suddenly that she felt weak. She
turned dazed eyes to the puzzled,
scared faces behind her.
1--WE picked them" she explained,
feebly.
picked em? Well, you've made
mess of it, young woman. bought
zen on the trees, tell you, and I've got
your fathers signature to an iron-clad
contract. I've been counting on 'em
to fill important contracts of my own.
l expected to put men in here Mon
day. l shall hold your pa responsible
for all damages. cater to the fancy
trade, and prefer to do my own pick
ing. What do We reckon pay big
wages to gang of expert pickers and
packers for? Where are those applesT
With proud face but trembling knees,
Sara brought the big key and led the
way to the she'd
"Jonathans, by Jingo!' shouted the
man. "I'd forgot" He stopped and
examined a pile with anxious eye and
finger.
How'd you pick 'em? Shook 'em off
and dumped 'em into the shed,
reckon"
1--WE did notv' cried Sara, with a
sudden burst of anger. "We handled
them like eggs, and they are graded,
as you see."
The man twitched out his watch.
Got phone?"
mo, but the Wheelers-"
He was gone. Springing on big
black horse that stood at the gate,
he rode straight across the meadows,
sailing over fences and gates like a
bird. AS he disappeared round the
Wheeler barn, Sara's knees gave way
under her, and she dropped Imply in
the shed door.
I'm worried to pieces!' she walled.
Goodness, gracious, Sara!' cried
Julie, impatiently. "There are the APP
pies. Let him come and take them"
"a contract Is contract" mcaned
Sara, land we've broken it! l don't
know much about contracts, but l
know it is an awful thing to break
one. All these apple men have their
own ways of picking and grading, and
we can't tell how much mischief we've
done. And If he is a mean man, he
can make out that we have done q
great deal more than we have"
"He has a viiiainous face" said
Cora.
"And he kicked at Nero" added
Betty, hugging the huge head that
nestled lovingly under her arm. "And
man that will kick at a dog"
81 don't know" demurred sensible
Julie. "If dog came at me with its
mouth open, think I'd kick, too--if l
dared"
money! lamented Sara. at takes n
lot of money to run this place and this
family"
There are so many of usr' interject,
ed Cora, looking accusingly at her sis
tiers.
"And last year, when the apples
failed, we had very slim Thanksgiv-
ing"
And no Christmas at all, to speak
Off chimed in Betty.
"I'll go right over and telephone to
| f-fatherw sobbed Cora.
"You will do nothing of the kind,
said Sara, rising and resolutely dash
ing away her tears Father and mother
haven't had real holiday together
since they were married, md we wont
spoil it."
There was to DE no sound sleep for
Sara that night, for when, just before
dawn, she fell into troubled doze
she was again awakened by ferocious