Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1907-07-26

h''Ni A'htu any Ill u.
CHANGING TO the left. Sally Brill saw
the straight, graceful figure of her
neighbor on the other side of the new
wire fence. Miss Woodward was look
ing at freshly plowed field ON the
Brill side.
Daintily Sally picked her steps across
strip OF the plowed field, intending TO
have friendly little chat "Ain't it a
lovely day, Miss Woodwardf" she be-
gan, with beamlng smile.
splendid! You can most hear things
growing" answered Corinne Wood
ward. Then she asked little abrupt
ly, What are YOU going TO plant in
this tieldf"
Il think Barney said he was going
to plant rye or perhaps barley"
why not plant clover? Rye. you
know, or barley, either will injure my
peach orchard"
"lnjure yYur peach orchard" repeat
ed Sally, bewildered and little hurt.
1t seemed to her that Miss Woodward
was debating in an understandable
N'N ''Al hiINNi SlulIN what ' bNl
mcan," she faltered. You will have
10 talk to my brother about It. That's
he up on the porch"
We'll, I'll speak TO him." said Co
rhine, She put her strong white hand
on the top OF the fence post and vault.
ed over like an athlete.
Barney must have seen the approach
of the visitor. He was little flushed
and curious looking. But there were Il
composure and an air OF preparedness
about him which, with his new suit
and fresh Sunday shave. went IN his
favor. The scallop on his hair was IN
evidence too, and altogether Barney
was looking his best
Glad to see you, Miss Woodward,
he said extending his hand. Il was
just remarkin' to myself that your
peach trees look first rate since you've
had 'em cleaned out. Have Il seat"
Three or four rush chairs stood about
on the porch, and C0rinne appropriate
ed one of them. Il was just telling your
sister" she began that hoped you
'
that field on account Of my peach trees.
and Miss Sally kindly invited me to
come up and talk to you about 1t"
Miss Woodward thinks our rye will
spoil her peach orchard" put in Sally
tremulously.
You don't say, How's that asked
Barney ComplaCently, as If he expected
a joke was about TO be sprung upon
him.
The matter is not very easily eX-
planned, Mr.. Brill nor perfectly under.
stood" said the visitor. with straight,
serious glance into the open, question
ing eyes But all the same, ii Is
known to scientific agricuIhursts that
peach trees are injured by proximity to
rye or barley. And, you see, you have
other fields in the far end of your farm
that would be just as good for rye as
that one, while can't move my peach
trees"
Not very WELL" said Barney. What
you say IS mighty interestin'. always
supposed peach trees was tolerable
contented and happy when they had
good soil TO grow ON and got their
yearly prunin' and was KEEP clear Of
weeds and insects" He suppressed Il
sarcastic smile. Didn't know they
was SO choicy about their company.
Bad as some folks
When the visitor had gone Barney
broke out into a rollicking laugh that
might have been heard halfway across
the Woodward fields.
"Oh Barney! What If she should
hear" protested Sally.
Let her hear" laughed Barney with
note of combative determination.
"Al she wants Is to make a fool of
me-"
"Oh, Barney, no. She isn't trying to
make sport of you" pleaded Sally.
shes an awful pretty girl, isn't sheT
"She amt bad lookin' guess she
knows it too"
True to his word, Barney put in his
rye. Sally prepared little supper
party as an offset; but, to her dismay,
C6rinne's aunt sent polite note of re-
gret. 1t was all that Jim Stover could
do to comfort Sally now.
Don't you believe it's all over yet
| Sally" said jim. Longs Barney keeps
that scallop acrost his forehead there's
hope. Just wait. Pears to me Il
scallop is gettin' leetle slicker."
| Corinne Woodward kept bees,
Barney Brill raised the finest can
taloupes in Jersey county. His can
| taloupes We're celebrated and brought
fancy prices when shipped to New
York and Philadelphia.
Miss Woodward planted common
variety of pumpkins close to her neigh
| boris melon patch.
In August the melons were ripe.
| They were large and looked well, but
Sally fanced the flavor of them was
not what it had been in former years.
Seems to me they taste like pump
kins," she said to Barney. Maybe |
think so because I've looked so often
over to Miss WOodward'S pumpkin
patch alongside the fence"
Barney could not hide his veXation.
He would not acknowledge that there
was anything the matter with his mel
ons. He told Sally she Imagined
the pumpkin flavor and secuted the
idea that there was any truth in IT..
But when he sent his melons to the
produce men in the city, who usually
were glad to get all that he could ship,
complaint followed complaint. Don't
send us any more cantaloupes," wrote
the commission merchant who took the
largest lots. They're not up to the
standard in flavor, and our customers
won't have them"
| Dispuste6 Barney stopped sending