The Sneedville news. (Sneedville, Tenn.) 191?-19??, 1922-09-01
THE CHERRY MAN
BY MoLLIE MATHER.


II was not natural for Sallle to be
disconsolate; In fact. hers was mer-
nv spirit indeed. But Aunt Maybelle
Wicks was enough to try any ones
patience. To 90 as relative-compan-
Ion to Aunt Maybelle, after her own
fathers death, had seemed at the
time providential Opportunity. Con-
tinued eompanionship with Aunt May
belle now seemed far from providen-
tial. Truly the fortune-favored lady
exacted from her orphaned niece duty,
to the last detail. Now, even the
prospect Of a long tour through un'
explored country I'm Aunt's palatial
car brought no pleasant anticipation.
Above ali, Aunt Maybelle Wicks was
a man-hater. Long ago some disap'
pointing male had wOoed Aunt May
belle for her fortune, a:id not her
face, and Miss Wicks had found him
out In time to block hig plan. From
that day men were to her merely
dread necessity. OF course one had to
hire them to look after furnaces, or
to NOW lawns. Now Aunt Maybelle
was troubling her MUD over the prob
lem of a suitable chauffeur for the
long trip planned. with only her tried
| companion as associate. Miss Wicks
friends resolutely rejected the pleasure
of accepting her invitation to join
In the ride.
This sunshiny morning. as Sallie
walked between the red-jeweled trees
she was thinking how jolly the coun-
try might he with some youthful, con-
genial soul to enjoy with her its
beauties.
A cherry hit her squarely on her
upturned forehead. Sallie laughed
looking up into the branches, her mood
Of morbidness gone. Then Sallle sat
up and stared. A young man swung
lightly on a limb of the tree and
xazed down with dark apologize eyes
IL am 80 sorry" he said. THAT
one missed the pail"
The young man wore brown cotton
over.alls, and a disreputable straw
hat. His barred brown arms reached
higher for more cherries.
"Stranger here-abOuts?" asked the
young man. His pleasing country dia'
lect reminded Sallie Of a comedian
taking a part; she smiled.
"Yes, stranger" she replied
Aunt Wicks and l are guests at II
hotel until we can find a satisfactogy
chauffeur to take us on our way. tn
one we brought from the city =
rather, the one who brought - g
from the city, left suddenly, becaus(
Aunt didn't like his staying out unta
0 o'clock when he was OF duty"
81 see," said the understanding
young man. AUNT In one Of thoss
people who own you. body and soul
II you work for them"
"She is" agreed Sallie emphaticaily
"But you don't work for her" thu
young man said. "You are her niece
"And," Sallie corrected, "her hired
companion as well. We are planning
long trip now"-her tone was wist
f,il-"it might be such very delight
full trip, with the right people. Noun
tains. you know. and quaint little inni
TO stop mt, nesting back against the
green. oh, / beg your pardon" said
Sallie. II was really her own pardon
she was begging for undue communi
cativeness. II thought" she quickly
added, that you might possibly HI
able to direct me to capable chauf
feur."
IL guess" he remarked musingly
that could stand the old lady II you
can. I'd like that trip myself In
fact. It's the very thing I've been wish
Ing for-to get away somewhere, see
the world. Pretty dull around here
will apply"
SallIe was doubtful. "You have t'
be recommended" she reminded him
The pleasant young man grinned
I will he. Doc Stratton will recom
mend me. Nobody better known
around here than Doc Stratton. I've
driven for him n lot. In of times.
Sallie was jubilnnt. "Come right or
TO the hotel with me now" she said
81 must have my written recon-
mendntion FIRST" the young man said
"and I want TO clean up"
Cleaning up" made n wonderful
difference. SallIe could hardly be
Iieve that this neatly clad person with
the smooth dark hair was the cherry
man" Of the morning. The young
man. In turn was overwhelmed 10y the
charming appearance. In her dainty
frock. Of his pink Bingham" acqunint
ance. "She was mighty nice this
morning" he was thinking. hut now
"Jim" proved to be a courteous and
desirable chauffeur. Even Miss Wicks
could not Withstand the charm OF his
engaging personality. Sallie often
found herself Relieved from duty s'
companion. Jim was not only In
terestlng but remarkably well In
formed.
II became n habit. after Aunt May
belle had retired for the night for
the companion and the chauffeur to
meet. as with one thought. upon the
moonlIt veranda Of some romantic old
inn where they might be stopping
dearest" the cherry man said sud
denly. softly. don't you know that
there cnn be no parting between you
and me1 have loved you, dear