The Idaho recorder. [volume] (Salmon City, Idaho) 1886-1927, 1915-10-08
BEIIY'S CHERRY PIE
BY cLARIssA MAcklE.


tne Top as II To give 4 hint of
tne imprisoned rapture within.
because ii was her first really sue
cessTul cherry pie. Betty was highly
siated as she placed it in the pantry
window to cool. II was TO grace the
ulhher table that night when her IA.
tner returned from the city, hot and
'ired, after long day in the ONCE.
Later Betty changed her frock and
with readable book went out To the
hammock swinging under the apple
tree.
She loved this tiny vine-wreathed
cottage which her father had hired
lor the season from its owner, Miss
ALICIA Peck. She fairly yearned over
the polished mahogany furniture. the
me old china and the peryadinR at.
mosphere OF a bygone day that was
completed by Miss Alicia herself, q
tny little woman who chung to the
customs Of her mothers time.
There was no one to notice when
ragged and unkempt young man
appeared from the direction Of the
nVer and tried the kitchen door. But
the key was under Betty's pillow In
the hammock and all the other doors
were locked as well. for Betty was a
cautious little soul.
Then the intruder went around to
the pantry window, glanced specula-
lively at the removable screen-and
saw the cherry pie.
Ills eyes sparkled with anticipation
as he reached long arm, pushed aside
the screen, and removed the pie, plate
and all. Betty's eyes popped wide open.
Just in time to glimpse the ragged
stranger disappearing with the cherry
pie.
OF all the-impudence! breathed
Betty as she slipped from the ham
mock and followed him. There never
VIII be another such a cherry pie In
this world"
When Betty came upon him, he
was holding half the cherry pie in
each hand. and his ecstatic expression
and general sickness of countenance
proclaimed that Betty's effort was
without doubt a success.
What are you esting?" demanded
Betty in an aggrieved tone.
"Ambrosia," he replied with an
unctuous smack of his lips.
Betty started resentfully.
That's a nice way to evade ex-
planning why you stole my cherry
pie! I'd be ashamed, q great big.
strong man Ike you-s-s-st-steal-ing
pie!"
Why steal plain bread and but
ter, or even cake. when you can and
pie like this? Cherry pie Is my IA
vorite OF all pies" he said with q
fond glance at the pastry. And I
never tasted a better cherry pie in
all my life"
Why don't you go to work and
earn money to buy food?" she asked.
after she had watched him with fas-
cinated eyes. consume the remainder
OF the pie.
Il do work part of the tims," he con-
fessed.
What is your trader"
Painter" he said, rather humbly.
Betty's eyes frightened. Here was
an opportunity to make this recreant
youth pay for his pie.
Then you can come right mp to
the house and paint the veranda
chairs for me" she said decisively. Il
was going to do them myself. but you
might as well pay for the pie
Very WELL" he said with aston
ishing meekness. considering his size
and strong, square chin.
They had reached the house by this
time, the tramp hmping painfully
after her through the priekling stub
BILE of the orchard.
Betty turned to speak to her com
panion, but she was silent in the face
OF his manifest amazement at their
destination.
You said It was your pie" he re-
preached her Why. could have
sworn Aunt Alicia made IT,"
Miss Ancia7" fautered Betty. why
its made by her recipe-she
showed me how-why do you call her
your aunt7"
Because che Is" returned this
amazing tramp cheerfully. The only
and best aunt a fellow ever had Are
you visiting herr"
Betty told him the circumstances.
81 never received her letter" he said
with chagrin. Il came down the river
in q canoe, took q notion to so in
swimming before came up to the
house, and left my clothes on the
shore. When | came out my own
clothes had disappeared, and ! found
these. had to wash them out nrst
and dry them In the sun before | put
them on, and then I came on up TO
Aunt Ancia's, knowing ! had some
old clothes in the kitchen loft cham
Der. | found Aunt Alicia was not At
home, but discovered the cherry pie
and annexed It, and. believe me,
Aunt Alicia hasn't anything over you
on cherry pies, But don't believe
thsrs1l be another one Just like this."
Betty blushed IF you are Miss
AIcias nephew. you must be the art
list OF whom she 10 so proud-Mr. Cor
don Craig" said the girl rather shy
Iv "A abe remembered all she had