The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1913-03-22
HAD TO FIND WORK
Supreme Effort by Which Miss
Sophia Became a Grape
Picker.
BIZ HAMILTON PoPE eALT.

picker nor a grape packer, but she
had ambitions. Ambitions in WOOD
bridge ran to either the one or the
other of these important branches OF
industry. Miss Sophia believed she
could learn to pack grapes.
The tea-kettIe was boiling and SIS
ter Eugenia had not stirred yet, SO
there was time for Miss Sophia to en-
Joy the first fall morning Of the year
warming under the California sun
Il must find work." said Miss 50
phira And as she said the words, Miss
Sophia, standing in her garden, 1mme-
diate1y saw rows upon rows OF grape
vines. stretching on and on, loaded
with red Tokays. green Malagas and
black princes. Miss Sophia felt sure
she could pack grapes
Boarders were out of the question.
She and Eugenia were not qualified
for boarders- The last boarder mao
swamped them completely, and they
were glad Mrs. Staples was gone
Mrs. Staples, the millionaire, the In
valid. the exciting the dictatorial; MIS-
Staples who had to have tea, toast ana
titbits at all hours of the day ano
night; Mrs Staples, whose vast pos
sessions were unfortunately tied up so
that she had no ready money MIS-
Staples had gone away without paying
one cent for six weeks board and
lodging. and now Miss Sophia must
have work in real earnest
Miss Sophia had % end work, and
decided that she would pick grapes
She confided her determination to
Miss Eugenia over their breakfast
You have never packed any grapes
and they want only experienced pack
ers," objected Miss Eugenia.
1T pays 81 a day"
You are not strong enough
1T pays 81 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
1 will put on my 1847 Rogers bonnet
and my colonial silk dress and go
out and get a place in enc of the
sheds
Il guess you'd letter carry that mis-
sion style pocketbook with you" sug-
gested Eugenia, entering into the
spirit o.; her sisters fun
Yes, I'll turn the gold side outside
oh, no, that won't do! They'll
think you're rich and don't need
work"
I am surprised at your ignorance of
the world. If y7r look poor it is all
the harder for you u 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.
IL spite of the gold lIigree!" cried
Miss Eugenia
"An the fltgree 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
Eugenia. 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 u dollar.
That's lot of money to spend, -
wavered Miss Eugenia.
st know it, but 1 must spend it
What for?"
Hair dye 1t is a case of goodby
to my silvery locks. and welcome
work. think so GER is 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 beautiful wal
sea She felt very young and
sprightly as she trudged all the way
ont to Mason's packing shed. 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 q
tooth brush or clothes brush: and
| green, red and purple grapes hung
| heavy among the jagged leaves.
She passed a group of pickers, hap
| d. ard jocular to the verge CT romD
ing 1t seemed like picnic There
were no old women among them.
Sre climbed up the worn steps and
entered the packing LEed. A girl was
| packing grapes swiftly. 1t was moi
easy. but a thrilling feeling of con
f1dence passed through Miss Sophia
She knew she could do that
She hurried into the Office 1t was
Bill Would Follow Lawyers Advice
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