Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1912-05-02
MISS
PRESERVES
By M. DIBBELL

Hurrah Mother! I've thought of
way to get the money for the inter-
est, cried Cynthia Brannon, rushing
INTO the big kitchen like a young hur-
rlcane. and as the face of the woman
VINO was engaged in the prosaic task
OF peellng potatoes frightened, she
continued triumphantly: "Just think
OF all the rows of sweet pickles and
preserves and canned things, and the
tumolers of jelly by the dozen that
are packed away in the preserve
closet, and then dare to say that we
haven't anything we can sell!"
Mrs. Brannon asked doubtfully,
But, dear child, who is going to buy
them? Everyone around here has
just as large a supply as we have"
"Oh l shan't try to sell them here.
l intend to pack the market wagon
and go over to the shore. There are
lots OF people camping out this sum-
mer, and know they will be glad to
get some of your lovely preserves.
! snail ask only twenty-five vents for
the quart cans, and ten cents tum-
bier for the jellies, and If don't find
a market for every solitary one of
them | miss my guess"
She looked the picture IF youthful
enthusiasm as she described her plan
for capturing the needed cash for the
interest on the mortgage which hung
like dark cloud over these two wo-
men; and her mother had not the
heart to discourage her.
May good luck attend you, dear
II am sure that peddler who is so
certain of the perfection of his wares
as you. are, ought to find victims in
plenty
That young woman at once proceed.
ed to give her mother such hearty
hug and kiss that the pan Of potatoes
was scattered broadcast.
Nov l will finish my busting, and
then start to pack my van for to-mor-
rows venture" said the prospective
peddler.
Next morning found Cynthia cover
ering her five mile drive to the shore
at Dobbin's best pace, and with a
large supply Of every sort Of canned
goods in the wagon.
AS she was descending the long hill
to the beach she saw coming toward
her band of youngsters clad in the
uniform Of the present day church
cadets.
THAT must be some of ST. Johns
boys" thought Cynthia. II suspect
they are out foraging-why shouldn't
they invest in some preserves 2"
When she reached them, Cynthia
hailed the boys in true peddler fash.
ion. Cant l sell you some home.
made preserves and jellies?" she in
CURED, and they focked round he1
wagon.
It ended by their all turning about
and escorting Cynthia down to their
camping ground. for fear she should
not be able to find it alone.
The smallest of the boys climbed
up to the seat beside Cynthia, and
commenced at once to tell her all
about their affairs as the wagon NOV.
ed along.
Il tell you it's dandy camping out
just like soldiers" he began. "And
we have to do things by rule same
as they do, too. Mother thought |
was too little to go off alone, but Cap.
tain Morgan says my record is as
good as the biggest of them-it's only
by my size he knows l am SMALL"
He smiled proudly up into Cynthia's
interested eyes.
That is splendid. And do you boys
have to cook and keep things tidy for
yourselves?"
You bet we do! Captain Morgan
knows how to do everything and he
shows us boys. He said before we
started that this wasn't going to be
any make-believe camp, with some
body to do the work for us. But it's
lots of fun with Captain Morgan to
help"
Evidently the captain was verita-
Bile idol to his small follower. and
Cynthia found herself wondering IT
this paragon would approve of a
young woman who peddled home.
made preserves.
There's the captain-won't he
think we've made jolly f1nd? called
one of the bigger cadets, racing off
at top speed toward the camp.
AS Cynthia stopped before the tent
over which aoated the stars and
stripes, the captain stood waiting to
welcome this vendor of pure foods for
his company, while said company vol.
ubly explained to him what a splen.
did find they had made.
To her surprise Cynthia found her.
self gazing into the face of q man
who seemed hardly more than a bow
himself.
my boys are sure they have found
q treasure, and l quite agree with
them. What are you asking for the
entire load?" His frank smile won
Cynthia's favor.
Il had not thought of everything
going to one customer" she replied