Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-07-08
DAILY NOVELETTE,
4 LITTLE SPITFIRE
BY Lizzie NJ. Peabody
WHEN Iilda proposed that the camp

'AJHEN Illda proposed that the camp
w ers at Grow Hill should go blue
bcrrying the next day, sell the berries
and donate the proceeds to the fund for
summer hospital for babies, the girls
greeted the idea with enthusiasm, and
Sue briskly declared that for once she
could say they had agreed without
debate.
Nan hadn't spoken, but all knew that
little Nan would approve of their plan,
although she quietly left all the talking
and planning to the rest of them.
That was Mans way; but she adored
babies, and could be depended upon for
help. Aunt Jane promised to pack for
them substantial lunch to carry, and
to have a good supper awaiting them
at night, but Bert and Bill declined
to go, as they had already planned to
go fishing. They hated to pick berries
any way, but they would be at the
pasture bars at night when the girls
were ready to 60 homu.
So it was arranged that trusty
horse and suitable wagon should be
hired for the girls from neighboring
farmer. and as the next day was fine,
they started off in high spirits.
Fortunately berries were very plenti-
full, and although as the day wore on
the suns rays became uncomfortable
warm and the berry pickcrs paused now
and then to wipe their perspiring faces.
and say MY, isn't it hot?" they worked
willingly enough with n picture always
in mind of babies in clean, cool hos
pital where they would be attended by
kindly competent nurses until they
smiled again in health, and got fresh
start in life: babies who, but for their
efforts, and those of other kindly dis
posed people, might lie in hot and
crowded tenements waiting and neglect
cd until too late.
/ Timid little Nan once called upon the
others to drive away n monster bum
blebee which persisted in following her,
and at another time frightened the girls
by wild scream when a cold and Shiny
toad hoped upon her thinly stockinged
instcp. but upon the whole, all voted
that the day had been pleasantly and
proftably spent when the time had ar
rived for the boys to be there, and they
lifted the heaped baskets into the wa :
gon. Here they come! !" exclaimed
Sue from her high perch on the wagon.
mo. it isn't either" she disappointedly
declared moment later. 'Tis only
two farmers, an old man with white
hair and whiskers, and a young man
with hair so red that it shows up in
the sun away from here. Let's all be
in the wagon when they 80 by" Mar
garet and Hilda had succeeded in get :
ting seated when the old man strobe
up to them.
Did you pick all them berrics in
this here pasture?"
"We-we-understood that no one
would object to our picking them," fal-
tered Hilda.
Understood - he sneered. "These
campers understand any way they want
to. Well, I'll tell you right now that
people that pick berries in my pasture
have to pay for the privilege of pickin
and when they sneak in as some dc
without payin' they turn their berries
over to me. I've been watching YOU -
he said disagreeably, and raised hi.
strangely husky voice to call the young
man, who had modestly remained dis
tance away. ''Get the baskets" he or
dered, and they were brought from
their hiding place behind the old ston,
wall and placed on the wagon. Even tn,
bravest of them did not dare to ques
tion the old mans right to be obeyed
and the girls. crestfallen, and with
flushed and tired faces. emptied tn,
hard earned fruits of their labor int
the large baskets, while now and ther
some one hastily brushed aside a bi,
salt tear.
Nan, still holding her basket, stoot
quietly watching proceedings when tn
man turned to her.
Just like taking nursing bottl
from sleeping baby he gloated.
If he only hadn't mentioned babie
this story might have ended differently
But we were going to give the none,
for the berries to n babies hospita
fund.-" she walled. "And the day ha
been so hot and we have worked s.
hard. Couldn't you contribute the ber
she asked hopefully, her eyes trying t.
read the expression of his through hi
half closed eyelids.
mo! No! he Snorted, contemptu
ously. "Babies I never saw none We
that was worth their keep
|, Her gray eyes flashed ominously a
she turned to the girls and called hur
: riedly, but clearly:
II don't believe the berries belong +
this man. and I'm not afraid to sta
alone. BE quick! Whip up and driv
away with them"
Then, turning to step close t
the man, with n lightning like move
! ment, she flung the contents of her bas
ket into the hairy face and amazed eyes
!, "Take them Since you will hav
|, , them," she cried. He threw back hi
, head and made backward spring t
!, , avoid the sudden shower of berries, an
: Nan stood as if petrfipd. OFF fell ha
! and white wig, and off fell carelessly at
tached white whiskers. The graspin
and heartless old man had suddenl
, been transformed, and Hilda's brother
! Bert, stood there half ashamed, hal
, smiling.
Then the fields rang with his laughte
and from the wagon came a sound G
sudden commotion; a noisy clamberin