The Lamar register., 1922-01-18
In Cherry Time
BY JESSIE E. SHERWiN
%. 1870. Western Newspaper Union.)


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
Siias will ship you three bushels in
about two weeks
Hint" remarked Mrs. Buxton,
trifie discomposed. Il have heard that
the cherry crop is phenomenal all over
the country and no one to pick them
except at three times the usual rate.
1t is thoughtful of Silas to remember
US, 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
a pound a day. and then at five times
above normal price. don't mind that
50 much, for sugar is a necessity"
II suppose 1t would take quite a lot
10 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 Il 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 chance to ac-
cept Oscars Invitation as an escort
unless her parents accompanied them.
Nellie is too young to get u lot OF
love nonsense into her head" Mrs.
Buxton had once remarked, and Oscar
overheard her and considered her an
ogress. 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 well that II
would be her birthday about the time
Uncle Sllas would ship the cherries.
he took credit to himself for devising
a 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-
ly In the bare minute and a half al
lowed them to linger on the veranda.
"Oh. yes, and / can go. 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.
81 won't get discouraged" he rumi-
mated on his way homeward bound.
"Sugari 1t has always made me
think of sweet darling Nelliel Now
it's going to make me think Of her
mother. How am | going to work It'll
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 a store
given over to secondhand goods of
varied sorts including clothing. The
array of suits, hats, overcoats and the
like was heterogeneous enough to al
low a wide choice of attire. Then as
Oscars gaze rested upon the big de-
partment store opposite. his eyes
glowed brightly and he smiled.
"The very combination 7" he
chuckled. "1 have the dinner hour to
put in motion my grand scheme for
acquiring small-sized refinery in the
sugar line. Sure, / can work 1t. Let
me see II can manage to capture five
pounds per day for two weeks. That
would mean bulk Of sixty pounds,
more than enough to put up those
cherries furnished by Uncle Silas, and
probably sweeten up the strict old
lady l would be glad to cherish as q
mother-in-iaw."
Next day Oscar visited the store of
the dealer in a secondhand goods.
without much trouble he arranged to
have the temporary use of such ar
ticles as he needed for his bold plan
of becoming a sugar miser. He did
not waste any time on MONDAY lunch
con. but entered the grocery depart
ment of the department store where
one pound of the saccharine novelty
was sold to a customer. Appearing
first In propria personae, then with an.
other hat and grotesquely plaided
overcoat, even with a silk tile and
wearing goggles, In the crowd he was
not recognized as the audacious re-
peater that he was.