The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1919-07-19
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS,
|HER CONTRIBUTIONS:
BY EVA SYMoNES.
&Copyrlght. Mcclure NeWspaper Syndlea te.


Three men In a tub !" sang Anne Dex-
ter as she swished the clothes about
In the foaming suds, her firm. round
arms keeping time to the Jingle. 80.
Abruptly the tune ceased; with a
gesture OF despair Anne raised her
dipping hands from the soapy wafer.
lit is too mean for anything!" she
pouted. "AN the other girls In the: club
have time to knit and make all sorts
Of pretty things for the soldiers. ba-
zaar, but L." with a distlainful4 zlan
at her, ugly, checked apron. have
to stay on the farm and chore around
all of the timer" >..t.s - .,-7n
In an instant the dark cloud disap-
peared from Anne's countenance; even
her yellow curls bobbed with delight
as she plunged her hands again into
the suds.
captain Briggs said we might en-
ter anythlng-anything!" she whisper
ed softly, her dark eyes glowing with
Joy at the overwhelming thought. -:
The notice from the cantonmeht,
some IS miles away, had specified
that s5y girls club within a radius Of
20 mules WAS f!lslbls 10 enter srtt-
81. p 3 sold!efS bazaaE q $:!vet'
(cr BIZ benefit q ths Red eros 81
June e: Al such articles must not
s3cee1 he sun Of s. for materials.
End would 81 ehctfoned oR 10 Tie high.
st Bidders. The maker Of th9 con:
tributloS netting the largest amount
would receive prize Of $40. ~ ,..: ::
On the morning Of June, Is Anne
arose. when the sun was yet. barely
peeking over the hilltops:. She hu>
tied and fed the pigs, milked the cows,
watered the calves and prepared break
fast. Before eight O'Clock the dishes
were washed, the kitchen made spfck
and span. and Anne had the house to
herself. Cautiously she looked about
for intruders; then finally barred the
doors and set to work for the soldiers
bazaar with smile Of determination.
Ten o'clock saw a trim little figure
in plnid bingham dress trudging
through the deep sand Of the country
road. In her hands she gingerly' car.
ried large square pasteboard> box.
A chattering group of girls met her
at the clubrOom.
lob. Anne, dear, what have, you
brought?" they chorused.
"Please let me see it, ~
But Anne shook her curly head mys-
teriously and only held her precious
burden more tightly.
Carefully Anne placed the box in the
truck amid a confusing heap Of pack.
ages.
One day went by and no news from
the bazaar; two days, three days
passed, and still no word. On the
fourth afternoon the next meeting Of
the club was scheduled TO, takernlac CO.
|. The girls were: anxtously saxpf ttant ;
surely message would then come
from the cantonnent: - :
Again Anne dressed herself freshly
and started for town.
"Toot, foot, foot :" came an automo-
bile horn behind her. 1nstinctive1y she
turned to the roadside and, half hid
den IN the bushes, waited for the ma
chine to pass by l.A
Anne watched It come.
$50. powerful and strong" she
thought to herself. ooh, how would
love to own one!'
Just as it neared her the speed de
creased and the engine stopped. Blink
ing through the whirling clouds of dust
smiling down at her. With curiosity
she noted the officers uniform and the
trig military cap dotted in her honor.
100 you care for ride to the VII
lager" he inquired in courteous man
ner. !
Eyes, thank you," answered Anne.
glad enough for lift on such a long
sandy road. -. r
''Perhaps you are one of the Club
gir,s?" he asked, after she was seated.
Yes" said Anne. land I am now: on
my way to the meeting"
"Good !" laughed the soldier, 80 am
I. No doubt you will be pleasetis to
learn that one Of your number won the
prize. and am selected to present It. "
With quiet dignity Anne escorted her
guest to the astonished president: Of
the club. Briefly and without affeesa-
ton he introduced himself. -, =
II amtAlbert Briggs from the camp,
1t is my duty and pleasure to award a
prize to one of your girls for the merit
Of her contribution, which netted Jus
400 for the Red Cross z
Wild suspense chilled the girls to 81.
|"nce.. ) :.
'''This remembrance" he. continued,
holding n tiny white box In his hand,
goes to-NIiss Anne Dexter. VIII SHE
please come forward?"
The tension was broken. A cheer
arose as Anne, with scared, white face
and shaking knees went up to Captain
Briggs.
Gently he placed the box in her
haMd, held both firmly for moment in
his strong grip, then, with a glance
that made Anne's cheeks burn red, he
murmured, God bless you!"
A babel Of inquiries came from the
e &~l ~ 81