The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1920-10-01
A Garden
Cafeteria
BY cENEvIEvE ULMAR


copyright. 1890. Western Newspaper Union.)
There was flutter in the Dale fam
fly when letter arrived from the son
and brother. Walter, announcing his
marriage to Miss Hetty Perkins.
He had left his mother and sister
on q months vacation heart free.
"He can't mean it," gasped Maud,
who was proud of her handsome, high
spirited brother and had always count
ed on his restoring the old family pres
fige by wedding an heiress.
"And bride from Greenwich" OBJ
served Flora. That's where he had
been staying. The very name has a
flavor of hay and potatoes. And Hetty |!
and Perkins Plebeian enough to
please the most democratic"
Don't sneer, daughters, nor discuss
II or spread 1t until we meet Walters
choice" chided Mrs. Dale. 1T is GER
tainly matter of free will with him
self alone as to whom he chooses to
marry, and l have too much confidence
in his sound common sense and judg-
ment to believe that he would select a
wife whom we could not respect.
Since poor father died we are in a
measure dependent upon his bounty,
and we must give this newcomer the
best welcome we can"
They were born aristocrats, were
these two exclusive young ladies-at
least they believed so. John Dale had
cared we'll for his family while he was
alive, but the extravaganza of the
loved ones he INDUCED as to every
want and caprice had involved him at
last.
Land poor" Walter had pronounced
the situation when he found himself
facing serious debts and responsible
ties. For two years the family prac-
tically lived on what was sold of their
realty at a sacrifice. Then, after
sensible talk with his mother and sis
tiers, Walter got down TO the practical
. issues of life and attempted to infiu-
ence them to do the same.
"There is only one piece of realty
left clear of incumbrance," he said,
"and that is the fiat iron tract. 1t had
some prospects five years ago, but
since two railroads have encircled 1t,
shutting it in like back yard, no one
would think of using it for residence
purposes, and the only hope is that it
may eventually sell for a factory site.
Meantime l have secured good posi-
ton, so we can retain the old home
here and live at least comfortably.
You dear people shall be my care, no
matter what comes"
And now casual vacation had
changed the whole current of his life.
1t was case of love at first sight, the
day he met Hetty Perkins. She was
an orphan living with q married sister |;
attractive rather than beautiful, sim
cere, unpretentious and with warm
heart for everybody she met. The day
she arrived at the Dale home, within
an hour Flora and Maud were placated
by her gentle, appealing ways. and
Walters mother, viewing his happi-
ness, was content. Hetty had been
brought up to strict adherence to
household duties, and by the end of n
week she was cheerfully assuming IL
due share of the domestic responsible
ties of the household. Somehow she
soothed the rancor and dissatisfaction
of the sisters and encouraged her
mother-in-law to hOpefuness for the
CT, hn
tainty that Walter was the man to
make a grand success in business.
81 am going to make confidant of
you, sister," said Hetty to Maud one
day. "We all wish to help Walter, OF
course and make his burdens lighter,
and ] feel certain that you will CO.
operate with me in a plan to effect
that end. | went out to look over the
fiat iron tract this morning. OF course
the two railroad entertainments that in
close 1t, except for the boulevards cut
ting under them, make 1t valueless for
building sites, but there is thirty acres
of the best soil l ever saw. You see,
I know n good deal about farming.
have noticed people around us cult
waiting q little patch of garden space
and raising a few stunted onions and
radishes as If they were inestimable
treasures. That shows the city hun
gers for something fresh and green
What do you think-it has given me
an idea for a garden cafeteria"
Maud looked puzzled. II don't think
I understand what you mean, Hetty,'
she said.
"why, just this: You know when
married Walter / had two thousand
dollars inherited from my mother.
offered II to him, but he refused to
take II. Now see chance TO invest
IL. You, with your splendid education
and smart, quick ways ut figures, shall
he the manager of my great scheme
I understand how to direct hired work
ers to pillow and till the fiat iron tract
They will cut It up into blocks-thi'
one planted to cabbage, that one tt
onions. another peas, and beans, ant
beets and tomatoes, and so on. Ant
well try berries the second year. Well
we will inauglrate a new fad. The
utNx0 nd