Sioux County pioneer. (Fort Yates, Sioux County, N.D.) 1914-1929, 1920-12-09
In Cherry Time
By JESSIE E. sHERwlN
e. lsas. w..t.rn, N.w.p.p.r unioa.S

! "What does Cousin Aggie say7" in
CURED Mrs. Buxton Of her seventeen
year-old daughter, as the latter read
letter she had just received.
"Just commonplace news, mamma"
responded Nellie Buxton: "She writes
me, however, to be sure to tell you
that they have the most wonderful
cherry crop ever was, and that Uncle
Silas will ship you three bushels in
about two weeks"
: "H'ml" remarked Mrs. Buxton, a
trihe discomposed. II have heard that
the cherry crop is phenomenal all over
the country and no one to pick them
except ut three times the usual rate.
It is thoughtful Of Silas to remember
rs, but wonder If he understands
that the city is rationed on sugar."
Cant we double up on buying and
have enough on hand to use when the
fruit arrives?" suggested Nellie.
Hardly. One grocer allows us just
pound day, and then ut five times
above normal price. don't mind that
SO much, for sugar is necessity"
II suppose 1t would take quite a lot
to do up three bushels of cherries"
ventured Oscar Reed, who was sit
ting by, but usually very uncommuni-
cative when in the presence Of the
mother Of the family. Mrs. Buxton
had laid down some pretty stringent
rules as to Nellie and her company.
Oscar was allowed to call in the eve
ming once a week only, and then he
passed the hour or two granted in
the same room with the family. If
there was any entertainment going
on Nellie did not get q chance to &C.
cept Oscars invitation as an escort
unless her parents accompanied them.
,"Nellie is too young to get lot Of
love nonsense into her head" Mrs.
Buxton had once remarked, and Oscar
overheard her and considered her an
ogAess. but he was polite enough ever
to defend his present sparse privileges
and to try winning her good graces in
every way possible.
So when Mrs. Buxton computed the
sugar needs of the cherry season
ahead, Oscar made a mental note Of
the same and, recalling as we'll that it
would be her birthday about the time
| Uncle Silas would ship the cherries,
! he took credit to himself for devising
| q scheme that would certainly win the
favorable opinion Of the mother Of his
| inamorata.
"Said anything to your mother
about the picnic we are invited to,
! Nellie?" questioned Oscar breathless.
i ~. in the bare minute and a half al.
lowed them to linger on the veranda.
"Oh, yes, and can go,i Of course,
but the family are planning to attend
too" and Oscar sighed at the prospect
he had anticipated Of having Nellie
all day to himself.
II won't get discouraged" he rumi-
mated on his way homeward bound.
Hgpgar! 1t has always made me
thiak af sweet darling Nellie! Now
rs going to make me think Of her
mother, How am | going to work #?
I declare! it's beginning to RAIN" and,
without storm coat or umbrella Oscar
hastened his steps and sought shelter
under an awning In front Of 4 store
given over to seeoRd-hapd goods Of
varied sorts. including atathiRg, The
array Of suits, hats, oYercoats and the
like was Heterogeneous enough to Al.
low . wide choice Of attire. Then AZ
Oscars gaze rested upon the big d.
(; partment store opposite, his eyes
giowed brightly and hs smiled.
! THE very combination !" be
chuckled. II have the dinner hour to
put in motion my grand scheme for
i occurring small-sized. refinery in the
sugar line. Sure. I can work 1t. Let
me see Il ! can manage to capture five
pounds per day for two weeks, That
would mean bulk OF sixty pounds,
more than enough to put up thoss
cherries furnished by Uncle Silas, and
probably sweeten up the strict old
lady I would be glad to cherish % q
!. mother-in-law."
4 Next day Oscar visited the store Of
tho dealer In q secondhand goods
Without much trouble he arranged ID
have the temporary use Of such ar.
ticles; a. no needed for his bold plan
4 u becoming q sugar miser. He did
Mt waste any time on MONDAY lunch.
con, but entered the grocery depart.
! msnt Of the department store whers
/, Dpe pound Of the saccharine novelty
| XEp 'gald to customer. Appearing
Mt ~ prRkge personae. then with an
ofhaf lat ssnlldd / III tssdtaly uiaided
I 6tsrcoAt. even with = ebiiE tflE tkA
wearing goggles. In the crowd b VII
not recognized as the audacious Sc;
pester that he HaA $500