The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1918-12-18
FACTS AND FANCIES FOR WOMAN AND THE HOWE Circle
TIE DAILY
HORT STORY
Bresd-an, Butter AM
APPLE Butter.

o4COSG-s AN
APPLE Butter.
BY1BARsARA KERR.
(CCpyIiGhts 7916s by the Mcclure
gGeWspaDer Syndicate)
-4HE was q little brown wisp of {
thing sitting IN a big Chair
pFopped upon q box to make bel
1st he right height 20 stir the apple
butter. She could rest the long han
ne OF the stirrer on the arm of the
CHAIR so It would not be so heavy
then she could keep the paddle NOV
eng oyer the bottom OF the great cop
per kettle. To help keep the rich but
ter from sticking to the bottom OF the
kettle her mother had thrown In 8
nunber OF bright, new copper cents
horoughIy cIeansed with hot vinegar
and salt II the apple butter was not
Scorehed Sarah Jane was TO have all
the pennies for her own, besides, o!
go BE, all OF the good bread and but.
and apple butter that she could eat
az winter.
~ It was an ideal October day. Along
he fence was a riot OF color. with nov
ma then sumach, like an immense
bunch OF scarlet geraniums or G ciunp
yuG goldenrod. The pokeberrieS with
Eheir purple Gnlwells mingled with the
browns, rUsSets and greens OF sum.
1ner weeds and a great profuSion OF
Wild grapeTnes. And Sarah Jane ap-
proved. The air was spicy with the
fragrance Of cooking apples and cider.
The great copper kettle hung over a
slow outdoor fire near the spring.
house. and the long stirrer moved
Tthhically over the bottom, pushing
tie pennies about ceaseIesSly.
Sarah Jane was droninG an impro-
Ssed little song which she attuned
the swish Of the pennies and the
Fgle OF the apple butter as it surged
ough the holes In the wooden pad
he of the stirrer:
ePeter-Pitter-Pa tter-Putter-
Bread-an'-Butter-an-Apple But
ter
Zoo much hard cider will make you
Wen. hello. little poet, How do
how2 Tried it? I've brought the
OF your cider from the mill. but
not hard. Where's your mother? ?"
ashamed that any one. especially
LID Ward, the idol of her childish
heart, should have heard her silly lit.
tie song, Sraah Jane hung her head
IN modification. She would have run
away, but she was mindful that Dun
can farm was famous for It's apple but
ter. which had never been burned. She
tried to puu her little brown bare feet
mp under her skirts and almost upset
her precarious perch
.Look out for the thro7ei" cried
as he caught the chair and right
on the box. Then, seeing her
TaSsment, he took the Stirrer
11her hands. saying gently: Don't
me. little Say-Jane. Let me give
tiErer few whiris while you find
Sother for me-
game needed 60 second bid
dce found her mother, but
a&ot return to her post till Milo
slfvered the cider and gone. She
I'D him say to her mother as he
leaving: 81 guess teased Say
Jane. MIS- Duncan: ell her III have
etter manners next time, for I'm go
e away to college"
0ctobers came and went in the val
81. other children. sons and daugh-
ers OF the farmers. went to college
fany OF them, after finishing, return
q no more, but took up their lives in
aTtous ways in other places. One
yho did not return was Milo Ward, for
I'd farm was sold But Sarah Jane
not remain away; the old folks
he needed her. She and her
Sher still made apple butter, but
not in the big copper kettle for there
were SO few aow to eat il.
Then %a1 3?oke out. and Sarah Jane,
atriojc and sweet and wholesome as
Eer own valley. wanted to do her bit
ne would make apple butter for the
oldiers- She brought forth the cop
Der kettle, and as she sat patiently
stirring her thoughts reverted to that
other October day when she was so
2 prtihed, and she and her mother
ledghed over the memory.
When the apple butter was done and
BET away to cool In great stone jars.
Sarah Jane made a market basket full
Of apple butter sandwiches and took
them IN to the station, for she had
been warned that q troop train was
coming.
She delivered the delicious sand
Ftches into eager hands thrust through
he windows till she had Just one left,
Ehen she saw a soldier hurrytng to
meet her. Thinking that he was com
ing for the treat she held it out to
him, crying out her wares In her mu-
sfeai conralto: "Just one Of my IA
mons apple butter sandwiches left"
warranted pure cider, fresh from the
duncan farm"
Bread = an@butter = an'-apple
l1tet!" mimicked the soldier. land
Is htle Say-Jane. too. Don't you tell
ne you don't remember mel" and he
COX the sandwich and the hand too.
remember that you promised
sfoud have better manners next time
md now you've reminded me OF that
nj moment"
When the queens throne toppIed-
nd when ! tried to fix it she abdi-
si - sTs.5I,, :, % -, nav. ....-. -