The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1912-07-08
When Spring
Comes

ike spring, am IT. NcHluIcu the
groceryman as he tramped a muddy
path across the kitchen floor and be-
| gan dumping the supplies on the table
Il amt seen no robin yet, like some
Of these guys that's writin' to the pa
| pers, but | kin sort O feel it in M
bones. Spring fever, guess. huh?"
The pretty cook smiled disdainfully
as she brought out the mop and start
ed to clean up her floor.
That's a good name to call it, sup
pose she said Il know when my
brothers back Oh the farm got so lazy
they couldn't do anything but 90 fish
ing they used 10 talk about spring fe-
yer. But MY poor old father had to do
all the chores-he was too busy to
have spring fever
That's the way-jump on me-" said
the grOceryman mourn.ully. Just
when | thought prob'ly you'd get a
| little Bit sentimental about the comm
Of spring and matin of birds and--and
all that. Don't you never feel that
way in the spring. Evelina? You
know-like you ought to have strong
arm to lear on?"
ANY time | want strong arm to
lean on | know where to find one"
retorted the pretty cook. IF you
don't want to feel strong arm your
self you'll 60 along out OF this kitchen
and let me get my work DONE"
The groceryman sighed and moved
slowly as far as the door with his box
under his arm, but he kept his gaze on
the pretty cook.
81 wisht | could think up some way
of maxim you feel The way | do" he
said gloomily. SOS you wouldn't hand
me bump like that every time | try
to talk about somethin besides groce-
ries. should think you'd want to
look ahead Il little bit and sort o
think whore you'll be five years from
now. Let's figgcr Il little, Evelina,
won't you?" he added. anyiously.
The pretty cook jerkcd the kettle
off the stove and poised it menacing-
ly, but the stream splashod into the
dishpan a moment later, ana the
groccryman breathed moro freely.
eff that's the way spring fever
makes you talk she said you'd BET
ter 80 and see doctor and get it out
of your system. I'm too busy to do
any figuring this morning, and that
wagon load Of groceries yopvc got
out there in the street will get wilted
If ycu don't hurry along with EN-.
What are you waiting for, anyhow?
We pay our grocery bill by the week,
you know"
Il know" said the groceryman, edg.
Ing slowly toward the door 81 amt
worryin' none about your bill. II you
folks was to fall little behind and
the boss should mention 1t to me, Eve
lima, Id just pay It myself on account
Of you, rather than say anything to
your missus. Honest, Id settle It up
and work 1t all out II 1t took me six
months. That's the kind Of friend I
am"
what do care." said the maid.
scornfully. II shouldn't be surprised
II It took you six months to earn what
our grocery bill Is every week-the
prices that man you're working for is
charging nowadays"
Jaw, now, didn't expect you to get
into the Knockers club about the
prices protested the groceryman.
1--WE told you half a dozen times that
We don't get the money! It's them
farmers that's gettin' 1t all. Haven't
you been readin' about EN- ridin'
around in automobiles and hayin tele-
phones from the house to the barn to
give the hired man orders. and all
that? Us folks are payin' for that
swell business, and it's the poor
grocer who gets the blame. That's
Just what | was thinkin' when 1t felt
SO balmy and springlike today-if |
only had a nice little place in the
country, with few pigs an calves"
You'd feel right at home. wouldn't
you?" snapped the pretty cook
That's where you'd shine TIL Pigs
wouldn't mind how mach you loa'eG --
they're used to II, from al I'VE -cea
OF piss. And TIE calves wouldn't care
how much noise You malc--yad cuul8
stand around and talk % them all day
and not bother en- a li: Gat FOLKS
happen 10 have work 70 do. and If you
get in their way you're likely TO set
into trouble"
The groceryman sighed again and
slowly edged his way out 10 the back
porch. But still he hesitated.
Il can't understand it, he unused
aloud Now. to look AT YOU, Evelina.
anybody would think you was 4 real
sentimental girl that would symra-
thize with Teller when he's feelin'-"
With 4 deft move the pretty COOK
stepped behind the door and closed i
on the sentimental groceryman.-Chi-
cago Daily News.
l--