Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1912-06-07
MISS PRESERVES.

MISS PRESERVES.
"Hurrah, mother! we thought of a
way to get the money for the interest,"
cried Cynthia Brannon, rushing into the
big kitchen like a young hurricane, and
as the face of the woman who was en-
gagged in the prosaic task of peeling po-
tatoes Frightened, she continued tri-
umphantly: Just think of all the rows
of sweet pickles and preserves and can
ned things, and the tumblers 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. 1
intend to pack the market wagon and go
over to the shore. There are lots of
people camping out this summer, and 1
know they will be glad to get some of
your lovely preserves, 1 shall ask only
25 cents for the quart cans and 10 cents
a tumbler for the jellies, and If l don't
find a market for every solitary one Of
them 1 miss my guess"
She looked the picture of youthful en-
thusiasm as she described her plan for
capturing the needed cash for the inter-
est on the mortgage which hung like a
dark cloud over these two women; and
49, WI ihoo NV AN iCoib ~ dio-
courage her.
May good luck attend you, dear-I
am sure that a 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 proceeded
to give her mother such a hearty hug
and kiss that the pan of potatoes was
scattered broadcast.
Now l will finish my busting, and
then start to pack my van for tomor-
rows venture" said the prospective ped
dler.
Next morning found Cynthia covering
her five-mile drive to the shore at Dob
bins 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 a
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 in
vest in some preserves?"
When she reached them, Cynthia hail
ed the boys in true peddler fashion.
Cant I sell you some homemade pre-
serves and jellies?" she inquired, and they
focked around her wagon.
1t ended by their all turning about and
escorting Cynthia down to their camp
ing. 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 COM
menced at once to tell her all about
their affairs as the wagon moved along.
Il tell vol it's dandy camping out just
like soldiers" he began. And we nave
to do things by rule same as they do.
too. Mother thought l was too little to
go off alone, but Captain Morgan says
my record is as good as the biggest of
thentNits only by my size he knows I
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
make-believe camp, with somebody to do
the work for us. But it's lots Of fun
with Captain Morgan to help"
Evidently the captain was a veritable
Idol to his small follower, and Cynthia
found herself wondering If this paragon
would approve of a young woman who
peddled homemade preserves.
There's the captain-won't he think
we've made a jolly ind?" called one Of
the bigger cadets, racing off at top
speed toward the camp.
AS Cynthia stopped before the tent
over which foated the stars and stripes,
the captain stood waiting to welcome
this vendor of pure foods for his COM
pany, while said company volubly ex-
planned to him what a splendid find they
had made.
To her surprise Cynthia found herself
gazing into the face of a man who
seemed hardly more than a boy him
self.
my boys are sure they have found a
traQ GnFl and anita a ornn ovifh thAra
What are you asking for the entire
load?" His frank mile won Cynthia's
favor.
II had not thought of everything go
ing to one customer she replied.
There are a great many jars on the
wagon-and are you sure you will like
the goods? 1t is always best to examine
before purchasing you Know"
But the looking over her collection
only made the captain and his cadets
more eager to possess them.
1T seems a lot, but the amount
must have is $685. Cynthia said, at last.
Instead of being shocked at her de-
mand Captain Morgan laughed and an
swered, "That is the cheapest l ever
heard of selling such a stack of pre-
serves at, but I will see that the jars
and glasses are all returned to you In
good shape"
THAT will be good of you," Cynthia
gratefully assured him. IT should never
have had courage to ask such a favor"
"It will give us a chance to learn how
to wash glassware properly" said the
captain.
The cadets speedily cleared Cynthia's
Wagon and she drove away with five
crisp IS bills tucked in her purse.
Mrs, Brannon, trying to hope tina
Cynthia's scheme might prove a sue
cess. while not daring to believe It really
feasible, was a delighted and thankful
woman when, much sooner hat she had
thought possible. her daughter drove up
to the door, waving a bunch of green
backs ~triumphantly aloft
NOW you must acknowledge that I
am the business woman OF the family"
she cried.