The Lexington intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1901-1949, 1913-03-21
By HAMILTON POPE CALI.

Boarders were out of the question.
She and Eugenia were not qualified
for %boarders. The last boarder had
swamped them completely, and they
were glad Mrs. Staples was gone
Mrs. Staples, the millionaire, the in
valid, the exciting the dictatorial; Mrs.
Staples who had to have tea, toast and
titbits at all hours of the day and
night; Mrs. Staples, whose vast pos
sessions were unfortunately tied up so
that she had no ready money. Mrs.
Staples had gone away without paying
one cent for six weeks board and
lodging and o Miss Sophia must
have work in real earnest.
Miss Sophia had % end work, and
decided that she would pick grapes
She conided her determination to
ISIS Eugenia over their breakfast.
You have never packed any grapes
and they want only experienced pack
1rs," objected Miss Eugenia.
1T pays So a day"
You are not strong enough"
1T pays So a day"
Il expect you would learn to pack
pretty quick" unused Miss Eugenia.
They would only have to show me
once"
You have to pack them points
down, stems up, don't you? That
sounds rather hard.
There are lots of people doing it.
will put on my 1847 Rogers bonnet
and my colonial silk dress and go
out and get a place in enc of the
sheds"
81 guess you'd letter carry that mis-
sion style pockethook with you" sug-
gested Eugenia, entering into the
spirit o. her sisters fun.
Yes, I'll turn the gold side outside
49,"
"Oh, no, that won't do! They'll
think you're rich and don't need
work"
4 am surprised at your ignorance Of
tic WOliu. IL u iOOh pOSI ~ 10 Oh
the harder for you t. get work"
And with these words Miss Sophia
walked briskly down the street, swing
ing her handsome bag, and enjoying
the crisp, bracing air.
She Hmped home at noon, dropping
and dispirited. They would not give
her work at any Of the sheds she had
visited.
I'll spite of the gold lligree!" cried
Miss Eugenia.
"Al the fligree in the world would
not help mel" answered Sophia 1T
is this touching her white hair and
bent shouIders.) 81 am too old-they
will not have old people,"
We'll, isn't that too bad" said Miss
Eugenis, and then like the good wo-
man she was hurried up the tea.
After some tea and some lunch
Miss Sophia was braced up consider
ably. She brushed the crumbs from
her silk dress, and announced that
she was going to spend half a dollar.
That's a lot Of money to spend"
wavered Miss Eugenia.
81 know it, but l must spend It,"
What for?"
Hair dye. It is a case of goodby
to my silvery locks. and welcome
work think so oerts' worth will be
enough for my scant locks"
81 should think so if you don't have
to dye your scalp"
That afternoon Miss Sophia started
forth again, her hair a beautiful wal
nut color to within a half-inch of her
sea She felt very young and
sprightly as she trudged all the way
oft to Mason's packing Sled, the
packing shed farthest out and least
promising. the shed of Mason, the
terrible
She carefully lifted her skirts clear
of the sandy road. II rows upon
rows, precise and regular, the grape
vines spread, like the bristles of a
tooth brush or clothes brush, and
green. red and purnle grapes hung
heavy among the jagged leaves.
She passed a group of pickers, hap
py ard j%ocular to the verga OF romp-
ing. 1t seemed like a picnic There
were no old women among them.
SIZE climbed up the worn steps and
entered the packing shed. A girl was
packing grapes swiftly. 1t was not
easy, but a thrilling feeling Of con
fidence passed through Miss Sophia.
She knew she could do that,
She hurried into the office. It vas
occupied by two oblivious msu. The
more oblivious of the two was a bald.
headed mar whose eyes popped like
a spiders and whose red rair fringe
stood out very straight. He was the
dreadful Mason. There was no DOS
Of his yer looking up.
Miss Sophia Addressed the least
terrible man. There Is nothing" he
said, without aver looking up.
But Miss Sophia had walked too
IA to be dismissed so easily.
81 can mack 4" she said