Tensas gazette. [volume] (St. Joseph, La.) 1886-current, 1918-09-20
A Bit ST
Progress
IN
By KATHERINE BATES
Copyright, 1918. by the Mcclure Newspa
per Syndicate.)

&sssessssss>>ssssSsssssssssssssssssssses&
Copyright, 1918. by the Mcclure Newspa-
per Syndicate)
The sunlight fell so holly on the pile
Of guanO bags crowding the little wharf
that the man leaning against the heap
ed-up sacks could hardly believe that
it was May, and not July. He drew
his eyelids together and through his
lashes looked down the cleaning river
toward Norfolk, three miles away. On
either side of the river truck farms
stretched away toward the pine forests
farther inland; just now the farms
were at their greenest, strawberry
fields, cabbage patches, acres OF spin
ach, all in verdant strife. The river
ducked in here and there, flinging clear,
shimmering streams little way back
into the country, and the marshes
around these inlets gave a rank, yell
low tinge to the green outlook. Now
and then q pine grove not yet cleared
away led the greens to the other ex-
treme, to the dark somber hue which
had little but name in common with
the brightness Of the water-grass. The
man on the wharf sighed as he noted
these varying shades.
1T would take me to make this pay"
he said. Eyes, sir, what this here fer
tile patch Of old Virginia needs is an
Iowa mani. Archibald Jernigan could
make his pile here, but none OF these
lazy Southern truckers will make
their salt"
The cool sound of the incoming tide
swishing against the wharf turned his
thoughts from the farms. There would
be shade on the other side of the guanO
bags; he sprang upon them and
dropped down into the shadow,
dropped down beside Ianthe Var
brough, who lolled in placid ease
against the bags.
BEG pardon, MISS" said Mr.. Jerni-
gan, startled into a stammer. although
his was by no means hesitating ma.
ture.
Don't mind me-" said the girl calm
ly. II heard you talkin' to yO'self
but I reckon I'd let you come over II
you wanted to-"
She smiled at him with indOlent in.
teresr and Mr.. Jernigan smiled back
Daughter Of the gentleman Ove'
there:" he asked, politely, waving his
hand toward clump Of pines around
a small white house.
Eyes. this is pas place. From Nor
folk?"
He swelled with the Importance OF
the man who comes from a distance
From Wellsville. Iowa. Fine state
Iowa."
"You are a long ways from home,
she observed.
Mr.. Jernigan drew down his mus
tache.
IAN aunt Just died down there
in Norfolk-consumptio Doctors
sent her here, no money spared, none
whatever. but come on and buried
her a week ago tomorrow. Aunt tina
brought me up"
I'm cert'nly sorry she died." Ianth'
said softly.
"Lamentable, lamentable, but W,
must all die. and she was past sixty
Pretty country you've got round here
Miss-er-MissT
"Did you walk down yonder road?
she asked with a sudden increase o
interest. "Sweet honeysuckles Is al
in bloom over there, gullies on eacl
side the road JUS filled with 1t, ant
yalluh jasmine climbin' over every
thing it can lay vines on-smelled a
sweet as 1t looked, didn't it?"
every nice smell, very nice, indeed.
agreed Mr.. Jernigan. "but amt yOr
pa goin' to be a little late with hi
kale for the Boston and New Yorl
markets."
81 reckon" she answered. "Mos
folks round here are too late for tn
markets" She laughed a little as sh
added: pres Lewis, who has tn
truck patch next our, never does &c
anything to market in time"
II infer he don't prosper" said MI
Jernigan. ard like to give him fe,
notions ABOUT Trucking.
She turned to him quickly. "Woul
you? Oh, dO-for pa can't put up wit
his bein' so way behind; pad like t
be-be progressive, and Pres fret
him. You see. Pres don't get on, n,
he. don't prosper. JUS as you say"
"Is there any-any special reasO
why he'd better be prospering" NJ
Jernigan asked. looking delicatel
away toward Norfolk.
Ianthe picked up long pole lying o
the wharf near her; she bent back. nm
) looked around the corner of the whal
prodded with the pole the mu
where the tide still left uncovere
oyster shells and various bits Of debri
"Well," she at last said frankl
there's me-"
"Quite a reason" he said gallantl
: He looked at her attentively. and r
= peated, quite a reason"
, "Yes. I reckon I am" she agree
, "S'pose you do give Pres some ne
ideas? / don't know as he could carl