The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1914-12-12
PLANTING PENNIES
BY ADA MAY ROWLAND.

like that sentiment, and always
thought that Hal Sturges was the last
man in the world to entertain such .
fallacy."
The soliloquizer, however, did not
know that his usually busting, hope
full young friend was under q pretty
severe strain at the present time
Hope. ambition, love. seemed all about
to wither away because Of money and
its urgent need.
Many years previous Halls father
had loaned David Eastman q large
sum Of money. Things went wrong
with Eastman. Then they went bet
ter. He was honest and he turned
over to his creditor his little mort
gagged farm at Grayton. with the pro-
viso that he was to be it's tenant at
a fixed rental while he lived. Finally
Eastman wrote to Halls father that
he would be able to square the whole
debt, some ten thousand dollars, with
In year.
Halls father died before the year
WdS Wy. IldI WIOlC " 4MA. AIdSIhuaAs
asking what the prospects as to the
promised money might be. He re-
ceived speedy reply. stating that If
he would come down to Grayton the
old account would be settled in cold
cash.
Hal arrived at Grayton to find that
Mr.. Eastman had died the day before.
A search was made for will. None
was found. For money. There was
none at bank nor in the house. Only
the old farmhouse was in evidence as
tangible property.
1t was great disappointment to
Hal. all this. He had confidently
counted on the money to start IN
business. He had already invested IN
that direction. This became dead
loss. He had to go back to poor
paying position in the adjoining town.
Then, too, a situation evolved at the
little farm that distressed him. Dur
ing the last year Of his life Mr. East
man had given home to an orphan
girl and her little sister-Nellie' and
Lois Blynn. The young lady had been
housekeeper and nurse for her old
almoner. He had given her COW
some chickens, and the old farm horse
and carryall. Independently Nellie
had worked up quite clientele for
milk and eggs in the neighboring vii.
lage.
Usually, Saturdays he ran down to
the farm.
Upon the day that he felt that
money would cure great proportion
of his ills, Hal was realizing how
slow was the process in his present
environment towards attaining a COM
petence. Unknowingly. the vague
thought of being able to ask Nellie to
become his life partner had a certain
place in his aspirations.
He was greeted at the farm by Mel
lie in her usual bright sympathetic
mood He stayed to supper. AS usual
he gave to little big-eyed, wistful Lois,
the few pennies he never begrudged
her.
You mustn't do that. Mr.. Sturges,"
chided Nellie Gently, as the little one
scampered away.
why not?" challenged Hal. pleas
antly.
Because she seems to lose them
all. 1t is strange, but she never asks
to go to the village and buy sweet
meats, like ordinary children. The
pennies always disappear mysteri.
ously and she never tells where they
go to-"
Perhaps she has secret boarding
placer suggested Hal, with a smile.
He left Nellie and strolled through
the orchard in quest of the truant
child. Finally he caught sight of her
blue frock over near fence corner.
why, what are you up to, little
one?' propounded HAL
Lois looked up with a little an.
swering frown.
Not very nice, being peek boo on
a young lady~ she chided, childishly.
III you want to know, though, I'm
planting pennies!'
Planting pennies!" calculated the
baffled Hal.
Yes, sir. All you give me-in
here" and she patted the ground.
When they grows, Use going to pick
whole baskusfuls off'n the bushes
Whatever put that in your head,
child?' demanded Hal.
"Gran'pa;" so she had been taught
to designate Mr.. Eastman.
How is that" pressed Hal
Saw him do it, watched him." was
the blunt explanation. "Bags-and
they chinked. And jew'lry, and pa.
pers. He didn't know was watching
him, Never growed. though. Guess
spot was too shady"
Where was the spot, Lois ?" pressed
Hal eagerly.
She showed him. A bright light Of |
intelligence had flooded Hal Sturees'
mind, Ten minutes later he was view.
ing the ground under an old oak tree
where Lois insisted she had seen
Gran'pa planting money"
I've been doing some digging" an.
nounced Hal to Nellie somewhat later
and he told of his discovery. "A small
fortune. he explained. Dear little
Lois, but for her the hidden store
might never have been found. Then"