The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1916-07-06
MISS
PRESERVES
BY N. DIBBELL

Hurrah Motherl I've thought of
way to get the money for the inter
est," cried Cynthia Brannon, rushing
into the big kitchen like a young bur
ricane. and as the face Of the woman
who was engaged In the prosaic task
OF peeling potatoes frightened. she
continued triumphantly: Just think
OF all the rows Of sweet pickles and
preserves and canned things, and the
tumblers Of jelly by the dozen that
are packed away in the preserve
closet. and then dare to say that we
haven't anything we can SELF
Mrs. Brannon asked doubtfully,
But dear child, who is going to buy
them? Everyone around here has
Just as large a supply as we have"
~Oh ! shan't try to sell them here.
! intend to pack the market wagon
and go over to the shore. There are
lots Of people camping out this sum-
mer. and | know they will be glad to
get some of your lovely preserves.
shall ask only twenty-five vents for
the quart cans. and ten cents tum-
bier for the iellies. and If Iudon't find
market for every solitary one of
them ! miss my guess"
She looked the picture of youthful
enthusiasm as she described her plan
for capturing the needed cash for the
interest on the mortgage which hung
like dark cloud over these two wo-
men; and her mother had not the
heart to discourage her.
May good luck attend you, dear
II am sure that a peddler who is so
certain Of the perfection Of his wares
as you are, ought to find victims in
plenty"
That young woman at once proceed
ed to give her mother such a hearty
hug and kiss that the pan of potatoes
was scattered broadcast.
Now / will finish my busting, and
then start to pack my van for to-mor-
rows venture" said the prospective
peddler.
Next morning found Cynthia cover
ering her five mile drive to the shore
at Dobbin's best pace, and with a
large supply Of every sort of canned
goods in the wagon.
AS she was descending the long hill
to the beach she saw coming toward
her a band OF youngsters clad in the
uniform of the present day church
cadets.
That must be some OF st. Johns
boys" thought Cynthia. 81 suspect
they are out foraging-why shouldn't
they invest in some preserves?"
When she reached them, Cynthia
hailed the boys in true peddler fash
ion. Cant sell you some home
made preserves and jellies?" she in.
quired. and they fiocked round her
wagon.
1t ended by their all turning about
and escorting Cynthia down to their
camping ground. for fear she should
not be able to find 1t alone.
The smallest of the boys climbed
up to the seat beside Cynthia. and
commenced at once to tell her all
about their AFFAIRS as the wagon NOV
cd along.
! tell you it's a dandy camping out
Just like soldiers" he began. And
We have to do things by rule same
as they do. too. Mother thought
was too little to go OF alone, but Cap
tain Morganl says my record is as
good as the biggest of them--it's only
by my size he knows l am smalll"
He smiled proudly up into Cynthia's
interested eyes.
THAT is splendid And do you boys
have to cook and keep things tidy for
yourselves?"
You bet we dol Captain Morgan
knows how to do. everything and he
shows us boys. He said before we
started that this wasn't going to be
any make-believe camp, with some
body to do the work for us. But it's
lots Of fun with Captain Morgan to
help"
Evidently the captain was a verita-
BILE idol to his small follower, and
Cynthia found herself wondering il
this paragon would approve of a
young woman who peddled home
made preserves.
There's the captain-won't he
think we've made jolly find9 called
one of the bigger cadets, racing of
at top speed toward the camp.
As Cynthia stopped before the tent
over which fioated the stars and
stripes. the captain stood waiting to
welcome this vendor of pure foods for
his company, while said company vol.
ubly explained to him what a SPLEEN
did And they had made.
To her surprise Cynthia found her.
self gazing into the face of a man
who seemed hardly more than a boy
himself.
my boys are sure they have found
a treasure, and quite agree with
them. What are you asking for the
entire load7" His frank smile won
Cynthia's favor.
& had not thought Of everything
going to one customer" she replied.
There are a great many Jars on the
wagon-and are you sure you will
like the goods? It is always best to
examine before purchasing you
know"
But the looking over her col
lection only made the captain and his
cadets more eager to possess them.
1T seems a lot. but the amount |
must have Is $25." Cynthia said, at
last.
Instead Of being shocked at her
demand, Captain Morgan laughed and
answered, THAT is the cheapest /