The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1922-08-10

Z ever you have any spare time ano
/ pick berries and fruit Anybody csH
i DO that. and We always have mere
work than Re can find men 10 Dc II
/ You don't mind because | suggested H.
/ 60 youT"
"Nhy. not In the least" His smile
showed that the proposition both
pleased and amused him. Besides,
I'm not really moving away--that Is
not far away"
III isn't as II you would be doing
II for strangers" Helen explained.
MY father and brothers and uncles
and grandfathers back as far as any
body can remember have gone to Or
ton"
But | wouldn't want 10 meet them
while | was picking berries and cher
ries and things. I'D only do II on
condition that they didn't see me-"
That could be arranged beauti-
fully" soothed the girl. ''They have
given me charge OF the farm. When
I'm not busy collecting pledges for
Orion I'm out In the country inspect
ing crops and trees and pigs and
things. Really. I'm quite farmer"
Arrangements having been made for
this orton alumnus 10 report for work
al her country place the third Satur-
day afternoon in May for strawberry
picking. Helen started away.
Every Saturday afternoon and often
whole days during the week the young
man reported for work at the Granger
estate.
One warm day In August, during
peach picking. Helen was not at hand
when her fruit picker arrived; but he
found his ladder In the accustomed
place and proceeded to work. unchal-
lenged by the farm hands In adjoining
orchards.
When Helen did appear. she came
running breathlessly and ordered her
employee TO come down from the lad
der. An open letter futtered In her
hand "What in the world does this
meanT she said aceusingly. Here is
letter signed Robert Jones, class OF
1918 but it's not your writing And
II couldn't be from you, anyway. be-
cause IL contains check for a hun
dred dollars. The note says: Il am
sorry to send In my pledge money at
this late date"
The fruit picker put hand to his
brow meditatively and left upon its
moist surface a smudge OF peach stain
There must be some mistake some
where" he said. Perhaps there are
two Robert Joneses. That's probably
II. There must be two Robert Joneses."
but don't you know whether there
were two Robert Joneses in your class,
silly?" asked the girl She had be-
come very well acquainted with the
0rton graduate and
dared to call him silly If she chose.
Further explanation was unneces-
sary, for not far off came the sound |
Of the voice of Tom Granger Helen's |
brother Say, Helen" said Tom com
ing In quick strides, heres good news |
! stopped at the orion club on my way |
home from the Office Lawrence Car
ter has come across with his check /
for 10000 TO swell the fund. They |
have been hoping he would That's
holder like him. Good Lord" Tom
Granger stood still and turned visibly
white as his hand clutched his sisters
for support. He was look
ing at the begrlmed peach picker be
tore him.
"Why bless my eyes Lawrence
Carter. How did you drop in here7"
Lawrence Carter7" echoed Helen i
weakly. and she In turn laid a droop-
ny hand on Mr.. Carriers arm for sup
port.
Il was just going TO tell you"
Mr.. Carter, the bloated
Dondholder. just referred TO. But
rom here interrupted my explanations.
hat letter from Robert Jones was +.
,oing to tell you" He put his grimy
land over the small one grasping his :
Ileeye and drew II close 10 him.
"You see you just took 1t for .
.ranted that | was Robert Jones. He
lad been living In a bungalow that | .
happened 10 own and when he fell .
Town financially last year he gave II
~ and-well, / was sorry for him
nd went TO help him start of The
looks bought, because / knew he'd
want them back. ! was putting them !
n a hamper. / believe. when you !
allied. thought you were col
ector There had been 2 few and !
rhen ! asked you what you wanted !:
% collect Il was because I had rather :
myself in Roberts affairs
always liked him a lot Now he's :
ot On his feet again. Bully for
,obert Z"
"But why did you come over here
D pick peaehesf" said Tom Granger,
tIll mysrliied 5
Because il seemed 70 me 20 be the a
esi opportunity Id ever have 70 get :