South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-04-28
PoNy's Farmer
BY Olive Barton Roberts

tell me about your family perhaps
I could help. Your sisters or even
your mother perhaps, might be able
to do something. Mother and dad
are just great for getting the right
people into the right place It's a
hobby with them. II 1 tell dad
know a young man who wants 70
enlist. 1 know he'll find a way for
you. How old are you?"
Twenty-Five"
Mercy! Why OF course you
ought to go" Polly waxed eloquent
with her new project. She had in
herited her fathers instinct for
managing other people and here
was excellent material going 10 seed
for lack of a little managing. What
a discovery she had made. She was
well posted on the war and began
TO explain things 10 her new pro-
tege about the camps and the way
they were run. how the men were
selected for promotion, and quail
fed for different branches of the
service.
Her vis-a-vis listened attentively
and respectfully, watching the nee
dies. and yarn that her white fin
gers were manipulating so skillfuI-
ly, then lifting his eyes to her pref
~ earnest face as though fascinat-
ed by the motion OF her lips and the
glimpses of white even teeth be-
tween.
Polly did not realize that she had
monopolized the conversation. and
that all she knew Of the hired man
were the half dozen non-commital
monosyllables she had permitted
him to say. And her eyes busy with
her work, did not see the various
expressions that passed over hE
face.
Suddenly he rose. II think I hear
Mrs. Ansell now. I'd better get to
work. Thank you very much, Miss.
for your interest in me. 1 surely
am anxious TO be OF service TO my
country"
He disappeared then. as Mrs. An
sell drove up.
How do you do, Polly, I never
thought of that yarn till 1 was in
town, so I hurried back as fast as
I could. 1 might have left it with
Bob"
Bob! Is that the man who is
digging your garden"
Yves. he's the man. Did you
see him?"
Yes. And oh, Mrs. Ansell. 1 was
talking TO him about the war and 1
told him I'd try to get father TO fix
it so he can 60"
Mrs. Ansell made no reply to this
and Polly put it down to selfshness.
she can't get help and she'd let
that poor man stay at home TO plant
potatoes and beans for her" she
thought Indignantly.
Polly, it's nearly II! Won't you
stay and have lunch with me-
just sort of picnic you know and we
nearly ready"
Polly accepted gratefully. 'Tn
be very glad 10. Mrs. Ansell. Can l
help any?"
"Oh. no. my dear, but I'll send
Bob out TO keep you company while
make the tea" Her eyes twin
killed..
And in a few minutes Bob APP
peared- not Bob the farm hand
but Lieut.. Robert AnseH.
Polly's yarn rolled off her lap
as she arose slowly. the hot color
dyeing her cheeks.
Il don't quite understand" she
said TREMENDOUSLY. L suppose it's a
joke, on me-"
mo, 1 rather thought it was on
me-" he laughed.
But your uniform! You're not
| allowed to take it off,
Il didn't. 1t was under my over
alls. Mother couldn't get anyone TO
make her garden so 1 got busy.
Miss Polly. please forgive me, but
when you started TO talk 1 was
afraid to say anything for fear
you'd stop. You've no idea how at
tractive you are when You talk"
Polly laughed and held out her
| hand
You're forgiven. I couldn't re-
fuse one of Uncle Sans soldiers
anything. But the hbs you told!'
Think carefully. None Of them
were fbs. I can't enlist because 1
have already done so. And as for
dependents-isn't the whole of
America depending on me?"
Yes" admitted Polly. But I'm
really sorry dad can't DO something
nice for you. Truly he has a genius
for putting people in the right
place"
Then perhaps some day he can
/ help me out in another way" said
\ the lieutenant meaningly.
And Polly colored and looked
away.