Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1910-07-12

some of those concerned in this
idyl of farm and college we're al
last persuaded to exchange ap-
pie blossoms for orange blossoms.
CHAPTER l.
~ Fl. daddyr
| I Mr.. Sanders looked uT
| from the harness he was
- mending in preparation FOL
springs work to see his two daughters
standing before him.
"Well?" he said. with an inquiring
smile.
We've want to go to college,
said Mabel. She was the older Of the
two, fair haired girl Of seventeen
Her sister Gladys was u year younger
short. plump little girl with unruly
brown hair and an irrepressible smile
Their father let the strap he was
holding n to the floor.
"Whal ~" he asked.
ITO learn things" said Mabel. 1--WE
want to 20 to the agricultural college
and take the domestic science course
II you'll come in the house I'll show
you what the catalogue says about 1t. y
Mr.. Sanders picked up his strap and
went to work again. You're mighty
good girls" he said. land | want to do
all can for you. but don't see where
the money to send you to college is
coming from"
Mabel's lip quivered. Then can't
can't we go?" she asked.
Her fathers eyes twinkled as he
looked up "I'll tell you what I'll do.
he said I'll give you girls the old
apple orchard. and you can use all the
money you make from it to go to col
lege with"
The old apple orchard consisted of
an acre of apple trees that Mr.. San
ders had set out several years before
with the expectation Of reaping a
handsome reward when they should
reach bearing age. But the locality
was not especially well adapted to ap-
pie growing. Weeds and insects play
ed havoc, aud the orchard turned out
to be anything but paying PROPOSE
ton.
Mabel turned abruptly and left the
shop. but Gladys sat down on nall
keg, with her forehead puckered up In
thought. After few moments she got
up and went over to the window.
There had been hard frost the night
before, and the apple trees were laden
with a white coating Of frost crystals
that shone and sparkled In the sun
light
"It's pretty this morning anyway.
she said. Can we really have 1t to
do as we please with!
That's what said," her father an
swered. You'll have a hard time
setting anything out of it, though
WELL" Gladys replied determined
ly, we're going to get something out
Of 1t. believe we can make that old
orchard pay our way through college"
Mr.. Sanders smiled. Il hope so,"
l.e said. "Ill help you all ] cam"
Pm going over to Pearson's this
afternoon" said Gladys as they were
seated at the dinner table that noon.
do you want to go along, Mabel|
What forT asked Mabel.
ITO find out how he raises 30 many
apples"
Hes got better apple soil than we
have" spoke up Mr.. Sanders.
Maybe that isn't the only reason"
persisted Gladys ~ want to talk with
him anyway"
Mr. Sanders had three-year-old
,olt, which the girls had broken to
drive that winter. They had had
many lively tussle with 1t before 1t
would acknowledge that 1t was con-
uuered, but now it was as quiet and
docile as could be asked for and would
follow the girls around like big dog
Gladys always insisted that Mollie,
as they called the colt, needed only
little training to rival Lou Dillon. In
deed. she had boasted Of Mollie's speed
qualities so much that Mrs. Sanders
could not be induced to ride behind
her and she held her breath every
lime the girls drove out Of the yard
9Th the colt.
After the dinner dishes were washed
nud put away the girls hitched Mollie
10 the old fashioned square box cutter
and drove over to Pearson's.
Mr.. Pearson was somewhat eccen-
trio old farmer. He spent most OF his
time pottering around In his orchard
and garden, leaving his three boys to
10 the farm work. The neighbors
were forced to admit that he raised
fine fruit, but they were inclined to
give credit to his rich, somewhat
sandy soil rather than to his painstak.
ing care. He rubbed his bald head
delIghtedly when the girls told him
their errand.
"Of course you can make 1t pay!" he
exclaimed. THAT acre Of apple trees
ought to send half dozen girls to col.
lege."
Thereupon he entered into lengthy
discussion on apple growing, which
the girls only half understood, though
they listened with growing interest.
"What you want to do frst," said
Mr.. Pearson, "is to prune your trees
cut out about a third Of the old limbs
and let the sun have chance to get
In. Jefrs out pruning now. I think,
Don't you want to come on out and
see how it's doneT
Their feet made no noise In the soft
snow. and Jen. who was busily saw
ing away. did not notice them until
his father spoke.
He turned quickly and almost fell
| out Of the tree In his embarrassment
at seeing the girls. he was tall,
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