The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1918-09-26
VACATION ON FARM
BY MRS. NELLIE GORDON.
Copyright, 1915 by the Mcclure Newspa,
per Syndicate)

RSA
Murray Benton sat in the window of
his club, gazing listlessly out at the
hurrying crowds.
The frown on his face deepened as
he mentally reviewed the terse ad.
vice the doctor, whom he had just Wis
tied, had given him.
Murray, lad, you have too much
money for your own benefit" he had
said. He was an old friend and was
privileged to be frank. Get away
from the bright lights and your Gro.
MES and get into the country. Fresh
air, regular hours and a bit Of work,
too" he added, with a sly twinkle, "are
what you need. If you keep on at the
rate you have been going 1 can't an.
swer for the consequences" he fin.
ished, relapsing again into seriousness.
'BOsh!" unused Murray, doc is a
calamity bowler. There's nothing
wrong with me-"
But, even as he argued with himself,
he realized that the doctor had told
the truth. Being rejected from every
branch of the war service at which he
applied confirmed the doctors verdict,
as well as the feeling of lassitude
which he tried to fight off.
His eye CHANGED to fall on a news.
paper spread on the table near by, on
which a large picture of Uncle Sam
with arms outstretched pleaded, BE
Patriot. Go to Work on a Farm"
The listless expression on Murrays
face changed to one of interest, and
he exclaimed, "Why not?" and rushed
out of the room, much to the amaze
ment of the other occupants.
At desk in a tiny office in one Of
the downtown buildings sat a rather
frail, pretty girl, eating a meager
lunch and scanning a newspaper.
A frown married her forehead as she
seemed to be doing some mental figur-
ing. NO" she decided, hopelessly. 81
can't afford vacation, and I'm so
afraid that 1 won't be able to stand
the heat"
She turned back to the paper, and
for the first time she noticed the out
stretched finger of Uncle Sam pointed
straight at her, it seemed, with the
words underneath: BE Patriot.
Spend Your Vacation on a Farm"
Renewed hope showed in every line
of face and figure, as she reached for
sheet of paper to slip into her type
writer.
Ruth Merton" she told herself,
you are going to be farmerette."
In the dining room of a tiny farm
house Murray Benton paused to OBJ
serve himself, respondent In new over
alls and jumper, before joining the new
boss"
AS he started to leave the room he
heard feminine voices under the win
dow.
"Farmerettes,' he shifted, scorn.
fully. But the conversation that float
ed up to him made him stand stock
still.
Did you see the new arrival, girls?"
! laughed one. isn't he a sketch?"
Looks like an animated string bean,
doesn't he?"
whats he doing on a farm, any
ways?" questioned another. Doing
women's work, when he ought to be
wearing khaki or blue"
So the anything but flattering COM
ments flew fast and furious, while
Murray, the most popular and sought
after man in his set, listened above
them.
Suddenly one little girl, who had not
spoken before, flashed up. you girls
should be ashamed of yourselves, max
ing fun of the poor chap. If you had
looked at him You would have seen
that he is in a rundown condition,
not fit for active service. How do we
/ know but what he is here recuperat-
ing, so that he can join later on? You
might at least have given him the ben
eft of the doubt" And she walked
away, head high and cheeks flaming,
as her outburSt was as much a sur
/ prise to herself as to her companions.
| AS she walked down the little lane
! hurrying footsteps sounded behind her.
| AS she turned she met the smiling eyes
of Murray Benton.
Miss Merton (you see, have found
out your name from the 'bossO, | want
| to thank you very much for your kind
defense of an unknown. And | want
also to tell you that you guessed right
when you said l wasn't fit. I've tried
every branch, and they've thrown me
down, so l guess that all I'm good for
Is 'wOmen's work. as your friend said"
! perhaps summer out of doors will
put you into condition again." she
answered.
II hope So" lie answered. 81 do
want to get into real service, but
| glancing at her in a manner that made
her color very charmingly-Tm mighty
glad that l happened to come here"
On cool October day Doctor Gren-
vile stood looking down on the busy
street when resounding whack on his
shoulder made him vince, and he
turned to see who his boisterous Wis
itOr was.
At sight of the tall, bronzed young
in ybo1yf h..