Hopkinsville Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1889-1918, 1916-03-18
WITH rs LETTERS
Nv LANE OSBORN.

had already spread herself under the
shade of the lone apple tree that was
allowed to grow unmolested IN the
middle of the newly-mown bayfield,.
Its not my tree and it's not my
shade" the man in overalls drawled,
with the unwillingness to answer a
question directly that was character
istic of that section Of the country.
But II II were mine I'd give you q
deed for life on that particular spot
OF shade. You see, Mr.. Owens owns
the farm. I'm just"
"Of course. Mr. Owens doesn't oh.
ject," the girl laughed. gathering a
neat collection OF stones from the
ground where she was sitting. you
are Mr.. Owens new help. aren't you?
And your name is Tom Fenn." said
the girl pleasantly, opening port
folio that was part Of her equipment.
Yes, and you're Miss Betty Brown
and you are visiting your aunt at the
next farm. heard the Owens folks
talking about You this morning. But
may ask what you are going to do
with those stonesw
Certainly" the girl smiled. and
I'll tell you. l am about to begin my
mornings writing out here under this
tree and | want the stones to keep
down the papers. The CHEZ trouble
with writing outdoors is that the pa
pers blow about, but | simply can't
get my thoughts to work in one of
those stuffy farmhouse rooms. I can't
even read in there"
The farmer had dropped the bucket
that he was carrying and had stopped
to pick up the book that lay at the
girls feet.
You wouldn't care much for that"
she explained II don't imagine |
Norris is read much in this |
part of the country. In fact, /
couldn't understand him myself at |
first But he is all the rage with real |
writer's. | try to read little before |
start to write. He is so stimulating"
What did you say his name was?"
The farmer had dropped the book and
stood looking eagerly at the girl. mo.
guess we don't go in for anything
ike that up here. He's what you'd
all highbrow. isn't he"
ooh, decidedly" smiled the girl, be-
Timing the mornings operations by
'utting long, tapering points on the
objection of pencils she had brought
With her.
THE Owens folks didn't say that
GU were a writer"
The girl laughed. "They don't know
l never sold anything-that is, any
hing to brag about--and don't talk
nuch of my ambitions. But I'm crazy
bout it." The girl pressed the book
" Ridgeway Norris to her and gave
delightful little laugh of happiness.
Just think of what wonderful thing
is! Just think what a man like Nor
Is can do with just those twenty-six
tile letters Of the alphabet-makes
on laugh or cry. fills you with dread,
lspicion, Joy or remorse to suit his
him, and all with those funny little
venty-six letters"
tbs queer" said the farmer medf-
lively. Il never thought of writing
lat way before. l have sometimes
Iought"-he was cautious in the sug-
1 might do little writ I
G myself. There is one story could
IL that | think would make folks sit
, and take notice. If only had some
lie to help me. Say" he added with
smile that fascinated Betty, may
} you'd help me? You are a begin
sr, too. Well, suppose we begin to-
,ther- | can't get much time off,
1t III ask Mr.. Owens about giving
e two or three hours every morning
ork is little slack anyway. guess
III let me-"
Betty knit her brows ever 80
Ightly and then something in the
ZEN young face of the farmer reas- I
red her. Il am sure l should en- l
y It." she said. Even If we don't I
t very far. it will at least give me !
new point of view."
The next morning at the appointed
ur Betty found her farmer collabor-
or seated under the tree in the
AIDE. He was neatly putting points
the assortment of pencils that he
planned they let him have cheap at :
e general store.
'YoV see." he told Betty, as she
read her cushion down ON the grass I
d arranged the folds of her dainty
ock about her. Il have got the D
'nes collected" He pointed to a pile !
the most symmetrical stones he had 1
en- able to gather in the field. $50 D
:, think l am learning well. Now, a
nat is the next thing TO do? Have q
u got that highbrow book that you n
re telling me about?"
Betty explained that she had de- a
led Ridgeway Norris ought to be "
I at home. I'VE must forget that
yone ever wrote story before we
!. We must I'LL our minds so full of
3 characters and the plot we are II