The Hardin tribune-herald. [volume] (Hardin, Mont.) 1925-1973, 1935-06-07
Published by Special ARRANGEMENTS With The
Chicago Tribune-New York News Syndicate,
INCORPORATED

Incorporated
Copyright: 1884: BY IDA N. EVANS
ON TWO PARTS-PART ONE)
VALENCIA MAKES A ROMANTIC
BLUNDER WHEN AN IMPERIOUS
OLD LADY COMES TO THE Redo
PONSETTIA FIELDS SEARCHING
FOR A LOST GRANDSON-WHERE
FATE HAD SENT RUSS DOWNES
AFTER A FAMILY QUARREL
Calling all cars calling all cars
-. person reported missing II
a. m., Dec. 25th white . female
-. aged 80.
Always by Dec. 10, the Redd poinsettia
fields are like vast blood-red sheets
spread over a California hillside to catch
sun gold. moon silver and Christmas dol
lars.
BY Dec. - transient poinsettia pickers
overrun the fields like ants at an upset
bucket Of cane sugar; and wires from
Maine to Malibu and the Dakotas, the
Bronx and Washington, D. c., demand
instant shipment.
For nations may be at war; cigaret
firms may fret over coughs; a c1tizenry
may fear a 60 or 6-cent dollar; but the
world wants its poinsettia on Christmas
day, usually by air express, insured and
special delivery.
At 4, Valencia Redd had helped her
father hire, boss, pay and fire poinsettia
pickers.
At 10 she could instantly tell an ear
nest young Stanfordian, needing next
semester's dues, from a hitch-hiker from
the Oklahoma oil fields who needed
about everything, including morals and a
shirt.
She had a small saint-like face, violet
eyes and brown hair slashed with gold
by the California sun. She had nc
! worn a hat except to church since she
was 2.
But by the time she was 16, she had
worn nearly every fraternity pin OF the
western states; and what had been on
fidentially told her Of American football
history, would in fine print, have COW
cred the seats of the Rose BOWL.
It was in the Rose bowl, early in No
vember, that Russ Downes first saw the
creamy-tanned, small saint-like face
seven seats to his left. Russ had seer
faces. This one was, he admitted read
lily, worth a second look.
Valencia wore a gold and white sweat.
er, and high spirits. She loved football
Five young men in more or less slightly
sweaters were buying things for her; pea.
nuts, pennons. yellow NUNS, toffee.
Looks are cheap. Russ took a third
Then, r~esolutely, he fixed his eyes dowr
on the field. Gay girls for whom one
bought gay nothings, were not for him
He was at the game On a ticket which 6
friend had not wanted to use. He was
out Of funds and spirits.
A month later he was more out o.
funds, and spirits, too, when he applied
for work under the Pickers Wanted sigr
over the stucco porch Of h yellow
bungalow office Of the Redd poinsett1s
fields.
But, startled, he forgot his private at.
fairs when at a side desk beyond the
application window he saw again tina,
unforgettable creamy-tanned, small saint
like face.
Mike Bonberg. Gil Redd's foreman
took dow the sign when Russ wa.
fourth from the application table. INC
more needed today" he grunted at u
Downes and the line Of Mexicans. Chinks
Japs, Portuguese, Hawaiians, Filipinos
Russians, Oklahomans, Hoosiers anc
other Americans.
Disappointed. Russ was striding off
wishing that he had not seen that CIR
q second time. But Mike had smotherec
an awful ejaculation, due to Valenciai
quick, cruel kick on his heavy left knee
stiff since the San Juan assault witt
Roosevelt.
At Mikes glare. Valencia slightly in
clined her bright little head in the di'
rection of Russ. Mix snorted in disgus'
but comprehension. "Oh? Lookin' cas-
this year for your educational frtlls
Val?" Mike hacked out Of the corner o.
his thin old mouth. He had known Gil