The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1938-01-29
Chapter 29
They're Laying For You

They're Laying For You
THAT night the countryside rang
L with details of the strike ac-
tivities.
Mass picketing. Driver of truck
severely beaten another hit on
face by gas bomb and temporarily
blinded. Making dormitories Of
packing sheds for strike breakers
:. packing will be carried on in
barricaded sheds. Citizens well
fare league being formed =.
strike costing seventy-five thou
sand dollars daily citizens
sworn in as deputies 10 keep order
=. barley on between shed own
ers and anion no hope Of
mediation.
All Of the lettuce did not ma
ture at the same time. so another
week would have to elapse before
the next cutting Of Nelda's field.
She told the family nothing Of
her intention TO drive her truck
to the packing shed. for fear they
might try to stop her.
Stan, upon hearing Of Jacks
plight, urged his sister to give up.
why. there's lot Of people
around here who are not trying
to market their lettueer he said
Its too dangerous"
She was in no mood for argu-
ments. so she changed the sub
ject.
When the day for the next cut
ting arrived she arose al four
thirty and was out in the field at
five-thirty. The cutters had been
there since daylight. They worked
only in the early morning so that
the lettuce would not be warm
when they pack e d il. They
swarmed over the field. a crew
of 40 little brown men, looking
like COLLINS.
She reached the packing nouse
and delivered her load without
being molested A small group of
pickets who were patroiling the
road in front of the barricaded
sheds looked amazed upon seeing
a girl at the wheel Of he truck
She had passed them before they
recovered enough from their sur
prise to try to stop her.
On the way home she met Bill
who was headed for town with a
fruckload Of lettuce. They
stopped abreast of each other.
"How'm I doin'?" she asked
pertly. efg ~
From the expression on your
face you look as II you're doin'
swell"
Il delivered the first load with
out speck of trouble"
4 hope your good luck con-
tinues."
ct has TO. So long, Bill"
She went to the house to look
in on her mother before starting
out with the next load and, there
fore. lost little time. Just as she
was leaving the field. Bill came
along in his empty truck. He
waved for her 10 stop.
you can't take that in" he
said.
why not?"
2 Trouble at the sheds"
But you delivered yoursl"
Barely did. Listen. Media. The
strikers think you are a boy
dressed up in girls clothes and
they are laying for you"
let 'erns I'm going to take this
load in or die in the attempt"
"Of all the obstinate-let ne
take it in for you"
Escort To Lettuce
ND you with a crop Of your
a oven 20 deliver. Bill Lang
don, you're acting as chivalrous
as IL you were in love with me"
Course I'm mott" he returned
quickly. SITS only that I hate 10
see girl mixed up in this trout
bic. / don't believe you realize
how serious Il is"
.Yes. do. Isn't my brother in
the hospital7"
"Pl 90 with you"
"No. Bill This Is something III
have to face for several more cut
tings. Besides you've got 70 get
your own crop 70 the shed. so I
might as we'll"
~rm going with you on this trip
anyway" He put his foot on the
running board. Move over and
let me drive"
you must haul your own let
tuce."
Stop looking a gift horse in The
mouth" he admonished.
sWell-since you insist. But
only as escort for this one trip.
I'll drive
He laughed shortly and climbed
IN beside her.
IF you want 70 put down odd
experiences ride escort 70 q load
Of lettuce
'DOn't forget that lettuce prizes