Natalie: A Garden Scout

by Lillian Elizabeth Roy

  CHAPTER XI--NORMA AND FRANCES LAUNCH THEMSELVES

  Frances lost no time in putting her idea for business into operation, soshe wrote her father that night, asking him to let her have theautomobile at Green Hill Farm for the summer instead of storing it withsome big garage company. She did not say that she wished to start aservice route to earn money, but she did say that there was a fine barnon the farm where the car could be kept, and it would give them all suchpleasure to be able to drive about the lovely country in Westchester.

  No one was shown this letter, but Frances insisted upon walking to theCorners with it that night, to get it out on the first early morningmail to New York.

  "Let's all walk to the store with Frans," suggested Janet, jumping up toshow her readiness to go.

  "That will give me the chance to get some slips that Mrs. Tompkinspromised us the other day," added Natalie.

  "And we can introduce Norma, Belle, and Frances to Nancy Sherman andHester Tompkins," added Janet.

  So the girls hastily arranged their hair and started out, with Mrs.James to escort them. The country road was very alluring in thetwilight, but there were no gorgeous colors from a flaring sunset thatevening, as the grey overcast sky had continued all day.

  They tramped along the foot-path that ran beside the road and Norma saidjokingly: "When we hiked this from the station we never dreamed we wouldbe retracing our steps so soon."

  "It seems almost as if we had been at Green Hill a month, doesn't it?"said Frances.

  Just at this moment Janet gave a sudden gasp. "Oh me, oh my! I must runright back home, girls!"

  "What for? What's happened?" asked four anxious voices.

  "Oh, _oh_, oh! It isn't what's happened,--it's what I forgot to do!"

  "But what? Can't you confide in us?" urged Natalie.

  "I forgot all about those pesky chickens. I never fed them to-night, nordid I give them fresh water. I've got to do it before it is too late."

  Everyone laughed, but Mrs. James said: "You're too late already, Janet.Chickens go to roost before twilight. You will not get them to eat ordrink to-night."

  "Dear me! Then they will grow so thin I'll never be able to enter themin a County Fair!" said Janet whimsically.

  "You never hinted that that was your ambition," laughed Natalie. "Youstarted out to do a thriving business with eggs and broilers."

  "I can do that, too, can't I? But there is nothing to prevent me fromtrying for a cash prize in some Poultry Show this fall, either,"explained Janet.

  "If I start a business of any kind, you won't find me neglecting it likethat!" bragged Norma.

  "Wait until you start one--then talk!" retorted Janet.

  "How are your vegetables growing to-night, Nat?" said Belle teasingly."Almost ready to ship to Washington Market?"

  "Instead of laughing at Janet, or my investments, why don't you dosomething yourselves?" demanded Natalie scornfully.

  "We would love to, but what is there left for us to do?" returned Norma.

  "Surely you don't think vegetables and stock-raising compose all theindustries in the world, do you?" laughed Mrs. James.

  "No, not in a city; but on a farm, what else can one do?" asked Belle.

  "Well, I always thought there was a wonderful opportunity for someambitious girl to raise flowers and send in bouquets to the city everymorning," suggested Mrs. James.

  "Bouquets! Who to?" asked Belle.

  The other girls were listening attentively, for they had never thoughtof such a possibility before.

  "Mr. Marvin said the flowers he cut back of the house, the day he cameup here, brightened his office for many a day. I am convinced that manyhard-working business men downtown would lean back in their swivelchairs and smile at a handful of homely country flowers on their desks,if they but had them. Think of the scores of troubled, rushing men inthe financial districts of New York, who would stop a minute in theirmad race for success to think of their boyhood home, should a rose giveforth its perfume on his desk? Think of the peaceful rural picture a fewflowers in a glass on the desk might bring to a jaded man who nevertakes time to dream of his old home."

  Mrs. James' words created a vision that was most effective with thegirls. After a few moments of silence, Norma said softly: "I'd love todo just that thing, Mrs. James."

  "But you haven't any flowers to start with," said Belle.

  "Why can't I start some just as Nat did her vegetables, if I go right atit now?" demanded Norma.

  "Norma, Mrs. Tompkins promised me some petunia plants, and asters, andsweet-peas, and other slips, if I wanted to use them in the flowergardens. I really didn't want them but I hated to refuse her, as she isso fond of flowers she thinks everyone else must be, also. Now, this isyour opportunity!" said Mrs. James.

  "You take the plants and slips she offers, and by judicious praise youwill urge her to talk about her gardens. In this way, you can find outmore about raising flowers than if you had a book on the subject. Inever saw such gorgeous blossoms as she has," said Natalie eagerly.

  "When she finds she has a really interested florist who intends doingthe work properly, she may give Norma more slips than Natalie could drawfrom her," suggested Frances.

  "At any rate, we need plenty of flowers around the place to make it lookattractive, and Norma's plan will beautify the grounds as well as giveher her profession," said Mrs. James.

  When they arrived at the Corners Frances mailed her letter; and Norma,with Mrs. James, stopped in to see Mrs. Tompkins and her flower gardens;but the other girls went to Nancy Sherman's house to plan about thePatrol meetings.

  Mrs. Tompkins was delighted to have visitors who were interested inflowers, and when Norma was ready to join the girls to go home, shecarried a huge market basket filled with all sorts of plants,--from adelicate lily to a briar-rose.

  As they trudged along the dark road, Norma said: "I suppose it will betoo dark when we get home to plant the flowers to-night, Mrs. James?"

  "Oh yes; but you can get up before the sun in the morning and have theplanting done before the heat of the day," said Mrs. James.

  "Mrs. Tompkins told me to place inverted flower-pots over all the youngplants during the middle of the day, until they began to perk up theirheads. That would show they had taken new root in the soil to which theyhad been transplanted. But the rose-bush and lily I must plant in asheltered spot and shade them with a screen for a week or more. Theywould always freshen up at night but would droop during the day unless Idid this," explained Norma.

  "I wonder how long it will be before those little things have flowers?"said Belle.

  "Mrs. Tompkins told me that they would bud in two weeks at least. Imean, the portulaca and heliotrope and other old-fashioned plants shedug up for me. You see, they were already started in her garden, andthis transplanting will only set them back a few days, she said."

  "Then you can begin to figure on an income in a month's time, at thevery latest," teased Belle.

  Norma made no reply to this laughing remark, but she was determined toshow Belle that perseverance and persistence were great things that madefor success.

  It was past nine when the girls reached Green Hill Farm. As they enteredthe side gate they heard strange sounds coming from the barnyard.Everyone glanced at Janet to inquire the cause of the sounds.

  "It sounds just like those piggies. What can they be squealing for atthis hour?" said Mrs. James.

  Janet looked guilty, but she said nothing. However, as soon as theyreached the side piazza, she hurried on past the kitchen door and madefor the barn.

  Rachel heard the arrival and came out on the piazza. "Mis' James, dempigs ain't kep' still all night. I guv 'em some hot mush at six o'clock'cause Janet fergot to feed 'em. But I ain't goin' to be no nuss-gal toany porkers when I'se got my house-wuk to look affer. Ef I wuz goin' toraise hogs, I'd raise 'em, but I ain't goin' to do it fer no one else,nohow."

  Everyone laughed appreciatively, and Mrs. James added: "Janet told usshe had forgotten the chickens
to-night. But I told her there was no usein her returning home, then, as fowl went to roost with the sun, andwould not want to be bothered again. I was not aware the pigs had beenforgotten, too."

  "Wall, I kin tell her what ails 'em, but I jes' thought I'd let her tryto fin' it out herself. Mebbe she'll take a little interest in herbusiness if she is left to do the wuk!" declared Rachel.

  "What makes them squeal, Rachel? You can tell us, can't you?" coaxedNatalie.

  "Well den, dey ain't got no beddin' to sleep on, an' t' dish wid wateris be'n upsot all evenin', so dey ain't got no drinkin' water. Youngpigs drink an orful lot of water an' dey has to have good beddin' tosleep on, or dey'll squeal."

  After this explanation, the other girls were eager to go to the pig-penand see what Janet was doing for the comfort of her investment. Natalieran indoors and got an electric flashlight, and they all started for thebarnyard, Rachel bringing up the rear.

  Poor Janet was ready to scream, when they found her trying to hush thepigs. She would try to catch first one, then another to see if anythinghad happened to them, but they kept her jumping around the pen withouther fingers ever touching their little pink hides.

  After Mrs. James explained the cause of their rioting, Janet crawledover the closely-fitted laths that fenced them in; and all the girlsstarted for the barn to find some fresh straw for a bed. Water had beengiven them, and the avidity with which they drank it showed how thirstythey had been.

  When the bed was made up in the little house, the three weary littlefellows ran in and were soon curled up to sleep. Then the girls followedRachel back to the house, Janet listening very humbly to her discourseon "Cruelty to Domestic Animals."

  Early in the morning Norma was up, and without disturbing anyone,slipped down-stairs and started to work on the flower beds. She hadlistened so earnestly to Mrs. Tompkins' advice about digging andfertilizing the soil, that she had finished the narrow beds that edgedthe house before the other girls came down.

  "Why, Norma, you certainly are industrious," said Mrs. James, when shesaw all that had been accomplished.

  "Isn't it fun, Mrs. James! I never dreamed how nice it is to be afarmer. But I never want to be anything else, now."

  Belle laughed, for she was too dignified and superior to ever think offarm-work. Natalie watched Norma rake over the roundel that was thecenter of the turn-around in the drive from the road, and then remarked:"Where did you find the compost, Norma?"

  Norma looked up and smiled. "Mrs. Tompkins told me how to mix thefertilizer found in a barnyard, and so I did. But I found some in a boxover there by the vegetable gardens and I used some of that, too."

  "If I didn't have to go and look after my vegetable gardens, Norma, I'dhelp you plant the flowers," said Natalie. "But duty calls me, so I mustobey."

  "I'll help Norma plant the slips," offered Janet.

  "Your duty is calling you with a louder voice than Natalie's evercould," laughed Belle, holding up a finger to attract attention to thepig-pen.

  The girls laughed, and Janet sighed. "I suppose it will be pigs, pigs,pigs all summer, whenever I have anything else I wish to do. Even thatold hen misbehaves, and gets off the nest every time I examine the eggsto see if they are being pecked."

  Natalie had started for her garden by this time, but when she reachedthe low dividing fence at the end of the grass plat back of the kitchen,she screamed furiously and ran for her precious vegetables.

  The other girls turned and ran over to see what had happened. Nataliewas shooing the young chicks away from her tender green sprouts, but shedared not tramp upon her beds, so the broilers ran a few feet away andthen stood eyeing her. They, seemingly, were but waiting for her to goaway so they could resume their breakfast.

  "That's because Janet forgot to feed them last night for supper. Now allmy young beets are eaten off the top! How can we ever raise anything toeat or sell, if her old pesky chickens keep this up!" wailed Natalie,examining the beets.

  "They only managed to get a few of them, Nat! Thank your stars you gothere when you did," remarked Belle.

  "I just bet it was those same horrid birds that destroyed my gardenbefore! I never saw a crow after that, and I thought I had frightenedthem away with the scarecrow. But now, I'm sure it was the broilers!"declared Natalie.

  "What a lot of satisfaction it will be to pick their bones," suggestedFrances. That made them all laugh and put Natalie in a better humor.Janet was wise enough to remain at her work with the pigs and chickens,and not venture near Natalie that morning.

  At breakfast Natalie opened the subject. "Janet, you've got to keepthose chickens in a yard. If they get into my garden again, I'm going towring their necks and stew them for dinner!"

  "Wait until they have a little more to them than skin and bone," laughedJanet.

  "They'll make soup--if nothing more," snapped Natalie.

  "I was about to say, Janet, that you might get some wire-netting at theCorners, such as is used for runways for chickens," suggested Mrs.James.

  "How much will it cost? I can't spend more than my allowance, you know,"answered Janet.

  "I have a letter here, in reply to one I wrote Mr. Marvin, saying I wasto use my own good judgment about the out-buildings. I wrote him that weought to repair the coops and pens, as well as the barns, as soon aspossible. And he says we can get whatever material we need for slightrepairs at the Corners. He opened an account for us with Si Tompkins andthis wire can be charged to that."

  "But I don't see why you should pay for my chicken run, Mrs. James?"said Janet.

  "We are going to repair it, anyway, whether you keep chickens in it, orsomeone else does it. If you are willing to help with the work to bedone on it, we will consider it squared on the cost of the wire-nettingand nails," explained Mrs. James.

  "I'll go to the Corners right after breakfast and get the wire. Maybe Ican find someone to drive me home again, so I won't have to carry theawkward roll," said Janet eagerly.

  Norma was too busy with her flowers to join the other girls afterbreakfast, and Natalie said she saw some weeds growing up in her gardenbeds so she would have to get after them. Janet and Belle and Frances,therefore, started for the store, planning to help carry the roll ofwire back home.

  Mrs. James assisted Rachel with the housework as it was cleaning-day,and so everyone was engaged when an automobile stopped in front of thehouse.

  Norma Evaston was carefully patting down the soil about a geranium plantwhen a shadow fell across it. She glanced up, and started in surprisewhen she saw Mr. Lowden smiling down at her.

  "Good-morning, Norma. I thought to find Frances here, too, so I crept upthe walk to surprise her," said he.

  "Oh, how did you get here? There isn't a train until eleven," returnedNorma wonderingly.

  "We came in the machine. Mrs. Lowden and I are going to leave it herefor you to use this summer, so we thought it best to drive out and goback later by the train."

  "Why, Mr. Lowden! Frans only mailed that letter last night! How couldyou have received it already and driven here?" Norma puckered her browas she tried to figure out what time the letter could have arrived inthe city that morning, if it left Greenville at six o'clock.

  "What letter?" It was now Mr. Lowden's turn to be surprised.

  "Oh, didn't you know Frances wanted the car to use all summer as aninvestment?" asked Norma innocently.

  "As an investment! What do you mean?"

  "Yes, and we think it will be great fun, too," returned Norma eagerly."You see, I am going in for flowers to sell to tired homesick financiersdowntown in New York. One sniff of a sprig of heliotrope or the cheerfulnod of a pink standing in a glass of water on his desk will refresh oneso that he will start out like a new man!

  "Nat is raising vegetables. She has all the greens up above the groundalready, but those hungry chickens ate off a number of her best ones, sothat makes them look a bit messy just now. However, they will soonrecover and grow as good as ever. The household will buy all itsvegetables from her, and
Solomon's Seal Patrol expect to buy theirs fromher, too.

  "Janet went in for stock-farming. She only has a few pigs and thechickens as yet, but there are plenty of other things to get, as herallowance comes due. She is now planning to buy some guinea-hens, aflock of geese, some bees for honey, a few pigeons so we can havesquabs, and other stock as time rolls by.

  "But Frances chose to go into the service business. She is going to runan auto-bus from the station to the different destinations, and when wegirls wish to take a pleasure-ride in the country, we all expect to paya just price for the use of the car. By fall, Frans ought to have savedquite a sum of money, don't you think so?"

  Norma had talked so fast that Mr. Lowden could not have said a word hadhe wanted to; but he listened with face growing redder and redder, andwhen Norma concluded her amazing explanation he burst out laughing loudand long. His wife heard the mirth as she sat in the car waiting tolearn if he had found the right place. Now she jumped out of the tonneauand ran over.

  Norma sat back on her feet gazing up at the breathless man, when Mrs.Lowden joined the two. He tried to sober down enough to explain, but hespoke in gasps.

  "Natalie raises vegetables for Solomon; Janet has turnedstock-broker--her stock breaks down all of Natalie's greens. Norma hereis the philanthropist of the crowd,--she is about to raise flowers forheart-sick financiers. But our Frances is the Shylock of the party. Sheis going to charge fees for the use of an automobile that costs hernothing! What do you think of your daughter, now, Mabel?" And he laughedagain, so heartily that Rachel came out to see who was with Norma.

  Mrs. James soon followed Rachel, and the Lowdens were welcomed by thehostess. Norma could not stop her work long enough to sit down on thepiazza and visit, but she sent this advice after Mr. Lowden as he wasabout to mount the porch-steps:

  "Janet went to the Corners for chicken-wire and you can do the girls agreat favor by going for them with the car. Belle and Frances went withJan, to take turns carrying the roll. But I guess it is going to beawfully heavy for them!"

  Mr. Lowden then excused himself for a time, and left his wife with Mrs.James. He soon had the car speeding along the road that went to theCorners, and Norma felt she had done her friends a good turn. But shenever dreamed that Frances had not mentioned the automobile as amoney-maker for that summer.

  When the machine came back with the girls and their roll ofwire-netting, Frances looked disconsolate. Norma was wondering whetherher father had refused her the car for business purposes, and so shestopped planting long enough to join the party on the piazza.

  "What do you think, Norma? Dad says I have to be sixteen before I canhave a license to drive a jitney. If I drive without one, that old lazyAmity Parsons will arrest me. And if I use someone else's license, I canbe heavily fined. That explodes all my ambition!" exclaimed Franceswoefully.

  But Janet came to the rescue, as usual. "Say, Mr. Lowden, Frans candrive the car without a license if she has someone in the seat besideher who _does_ have a regular license."

  "Who can I have?" demanded Frances.

  "Well, I don't know! I haven't thought of that, yet!" admitted Janet.

  "I can drive a car, so there is no excuse why I should not be able tosecure one," said Mrs. James thoughtfully.

  "The main point is--we've got the car here to use for the summer, andthe other points can be covered as we reach them," remarked Janet.

  Mr. Lowden laughed again, for all this business ambition was highlyamusing to him. But he had no objections to the automobile remaining atGreen Hill Farm during his absence in the west, and the girls allbreathed easier when they heard his verdict.

  "Well, you can argue out the question about a jitney license, but I mustgo back to my flowers," said Norma, getting up from the steps andstarting for the roundel.

  "And I must start work on that chicken-fencing. If it is to be donebefore nightfall, I must ask help, too," said Janet, beckoning Belle tohelp her carry the roll of wire.

  Mr. and Mrs. Lowden were invited to stay to dinner but they declinedwith regrets, as they were to be back in New York soon after noon. ThenFrances said: "I'll have to drive you to the station to catch the onlytrain that stops at Greenville this afternoon, and how will I get backif I haven't a license?"

  "I'll accompany you, Frances, and later we will have to plan a way outof the difficulty," said Mrs. James.

  Good-bys were said, and the girls stood on the piazza waiting to see thecar start off, when Rachel came out. "Hey, Mis' James! I got it! Jes'hol' up a minit, will yuh?"

  She hurried down the walk and ran out of the gate to lay her plan beforethe owners of the automobile.

  "Yuh all knows my nephew Sam in Noo York? Well, he got a shover'slicense las' spring cuz he figgered on drivin' somebody's car thissummer in the country. But we all know what a easy-goin' darky he is,too!

  "He diden have ambichun enough to hunt out a place, so he jes' waitedfer a plum to drap in his mout'. Ef he is in Noo York, he'll be at disaddress, sure! Ef I tells him to come out heah, widdout fail, to run datcar, he'll come quick as lightnin'. Ef us gives him room an' board, heoughter be glad fer the chants. Den no one kin pester Mis' Francie 'boutlicense, er nuttin. An' Sam kin make hisself useful to me by bringin' incoal an' wood fer t' kitchen fire, an' doin' odd jobs about t' place."

  This information seemed to suit Mr. Lowden exactly, and he turned toRachel to say: "I'll find him, Rachel, never fear--if he is to be foundin the city. Look for him in the next day or two."

  Then saying good-by again, they drove away.