The Wilmington morning star., 1943-10-15

"But amt got much time"
mo time for a girl who reminds
you Of the one in the movies?'
said Brenda. Shame on YOU
She began to unpack the lunch
''Now, this piece of cake is for vol
and that sandwich. You can drinl
your coffee out of my cup. anc
I'll use the cap off the thermos.
Gee, that sandwich sure look!
good" said Zeb. "And I sure an
hungry. Aunt Freda didn't hav.
time to fix me much breakfast
She oversight and had to hurry Il
get to the factory on time"
docs she work there?" sale
Brenda.
"Yes'm. She's pantry woman
Nice job, too - and she's might,
good to me. She helped me buy
that boat there"
'Do you have q job also?"
Nom, but I'm going to star
making money with my boat. Tn
also learning how to operate {
lathe. Aunt Freda makes me e
to the night school folks has Sc
up in Linville. She says maybe
some day I'll be as goo a toolmak
er as the men at the factory"
"Splendid!" Brenda poured thei1
coffee. 'tHow can you make money
with your boat, thought"
ooh, that's easy. I'll take folk:
upstream for hunting, and down
stream for fishing" Zeb swallow
ed a mouthful of sandwich ane
went on. "Otto's already told some
men about me and the boat -
and they're having me haul stuff.
for them"
"What sort Of stuff"
II don't know exactly" said Zeb
"Just boxes, I reckon. But they
say they're going to settle up.
stream and have a hunting lodge.
Anyways, they pay me for cart
ing their stuff, and
"You mean you unload it up.
stream for them?" said Brenda.
''They unload it, said Zeb.
''They just let me sit and tend the
boat"
who's Otto - who you men
toned while back? Is he your
brother?"
"No'm," said Zeb. Hes tool
maker, and works at the factory"
"And the men he had you meet
are they workers at the mill?"
Nom. I reckon they're just
rich fellows who fish in summer
and hunt in winter. Anyways, they
don't never worry none about
working or earning money"
Brenda glanced toward the boat
''Have you some cargo for them
now" she asked.
Zeb shook his head. IT haul
mostly at night" he said. 1.-THE
men say they feel more like work.
ing then" He took a deep drink
of coffee. IT can't stay much
longer. I told Aunt Freda I'd fin
ish painting her spare bedroom.
She's going to rent it to a work.
err" He paused and grinned. "Just
got hankering to try out the old
boat-so took her out"
'I'll be seeing you again, won't
II" said Brenda.
"Yes'm," said Zeb. maybe
some day you'll take ride with
me-"
I'D love that" said Brenda.
make it real soon, won't your"
"Yes'm.' Zeb got to his feet,
took a soiled handkerchief from
his pocket and wiped his mouth.
Thank you, mann, for the lunch.
1t sure was good"
"By the way" said Brenda, as
she walked to the rivers edge
with the boy, didn't I see you
land your boat over at the John
son farm one morning?"
IT reckon you did " said Zeb.
1.-THE men I'm hauling for sorter
liked the place. They thought may
be they'd have their hunting lodge
there
''And changed their minds?"
"Yes'm."
Brenda watched Zeb unite the
boat, feeling little ashamed of
herself. He was such a kid - so
friendly - and so.easy. If he were
being used by these men for some
nefarious work, they certainly had
not coached him very well.
u"I'll be watching for you, Zeb,"
she said as the boy stepped aboard.
She laughed. "Only next time
won't be hanging to tree
Zeb laughed also. Nom, I reck-
on not" he said. "Only it was
kinder exciting, rescuing you-just
like in the movies
The boat drifted out into the
stream. Zeb started the engine. He
straigtened up, waved his hand,
and then steared out for the chan
mel, Brenda waved back, suddenly
Allies in Italy