Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1910-07-26
Among the Apple Trees
By Clifford v.
Gregory
CONTINUED

"A picnic" cried Mabel Joyfully.
I'VE haven't been to picnic this
year. I'm going to do my hair up on
top Of my head. Shall we wear our
white dresses or our blue skirts?'
Il think you'd better wear your blue
skirt" said Gladys judicially. white
dresses are such a bother to do up.
Pm not going"
Not goingr' cried Mabel. staring at
her bankly. "Why not?"
81 promised papa to do the chores
and look after things"
well, so did l. But we can get
some one to milk for us at night. can't
we"
Gladys shook her head. II don't
rare about going anyway" she said.
and Mabel knew 1t was no use to
roaX her
Harold ard Beth came out after the
girls the morning Of the picnic.
GLADYS isn't going" explained Ma
bel as she handed her lunch basket
to Harold and climbed up beside Beth.
where Is she?" asked Harold. Let
Ile see II can't induce her royal high
ness to change her mind"
But Gladys was down In the back
pasture sailing the sheep and refused
to be found. so the others were forced
to start or without her. much to Har-
old's dissatisfaction.
Mr.: Sanders had just started his fall
plowing when he was called away.
and he had intended to finish It when
he came back. but to Gladys the long
stubble field with its one narrow
streak Of turned earth was chal-
lenge, and ever since her father had
left she had been longing to try her
hand at the plow.
So today. after Mabel was safely out
Of the way and her mother too busily
engaged with her Saturdays baking
to notice what was happening outside,
Gladys hitched the three horse team
to the sulky plow and started out to
the field. One Of the three. colt
which Mr.. Sanders was breaking for
one Of the ueighbors, was little Skit-
tish at first. but after few rounds
he settled down and pulled quietly
along with the older team.
Everything went well. and Gladys
was enjoying herself immensely. Then
all ut once. AS they were coming down
the east side Of the field. the point of
the plow unearthed bumblehees'
nest With an angry "zipp-p-p" one
Of the enruged insects shot past Gladys
ear and planted its sharp sting be
tween a couple OF the colts ribs. He
dashed back viciously with both hind
feet and started to run.
At the same instant two or three of
the bees began to jab the older horses.
and the whole team started on u mad
run across the field. followed by doz'
ell Of the outraged insects. As Soon
as they turned so as to bring the fur
row wheel up on the solid ground the
plow cut only thin slice-not enough
to retard the speed Of the frightened
team. The colts first kick had jcrked
the lines from Gladys hands. and now
she cluns helplessly to the seat while
the plow bounced up and down rs il
was jerked along over the rough
ground.
In moment more the horses had
reached the road that led to the house
and with u quick turn that almost up
set the plow headed toward home.
There was field of corn that hid the
road ahead for u few rods. The team.
scared out of their senses by the bang
ing OF the whiilietreeS against their
heels and the clatter Of the plow, We're
running at full speed. A moment later
they turned the corner of the cOrntield
and made straight for the barn. Az
the road ahead came in view Gladys