Evening Republican, Volume 16, Number 150, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 22 June 1912 — The Truck Patch [ARTICLE]

The Truck Patch

By Jeanne O. Loizeaux

(Copyright. WX by Associated Literary IMU As the six o’clock stream of shop girls came from the side entrance of the big store, Mamie let It carry her along. She lifted her thin hands to pin the big, flamboyant hat to < her tously fair hair. Her thin shoulders stooped a little, and she walked with the weariness of the first enervatIngly hot days ed wring. It was Saturday night, and she was wonder tag If she could afford a really satisfying sapper. A big, browned, awkward young fellow came up from behind and fell into step with her. She started nervously, and some girls behind her gig 4" gled. "It’s only me, Marne. I wont eat you!” .------------- : - - - “I told you not to hang about for me,” she said. “I don’t ’hang about’ for any girt, and you know It I purposely got here just in time to catch you. When are you going to marry me 7” “Never, and you know it I've said it often enough.” She gave a backward glance and saw that the other girls had fallen behind. Williams, the floor manager, was with Flossie Peters. Mamie despised Flossie, v—— "Is It that little counter-jumper that’s worrying you?" asked the man beside her. “If you wanted a real man, one that had either good intentions, strength, or a prospect of a home to give you, I’d let you go. But I’ll take Williams by the back of the neck and drown him like a kitten if he doesn’t let you alone! I cant even tell yon what sort he is. You’d he fool enough not to believe me.” They still kept on her way home, and now turned up a quieter side street Young Graves was silent a moment “Look here, Mamie. Two years I’ve known you, and watched you get thin and pale at starvation wages and work you admit you hate. You know I cut take good care of you. You know I think a lot of you. I never wanted to marry any other girL I would make It easy for you. I’ve always had an Idea that you could —love me, if you would let yourself. Tell me why you won't It’s only fair.” She shrugged her shoulders, still evasive, ' “We’ve got to hurry. I’m going out tonight Do you think I want to get married to a hayseed and settle down on a truck patch?” She was a little fierce, as she turned on him. I’ve had enough work and commonness. I want some fun. Why —don’t you dress like other fellows? You’re all right—but the girls make fun of me about you. She paused and he gave a bard little laugh. 1 “So that’s It! Bay, have you seen raf ’truck patch?’ You never will go out there! Do you know I’ve a bouse, paid for, and a pretty place, and that the garden-truck you make fun of has put money in the bank for you to have everything you need on? Do you know how independent it makes me? I’m my own boss, not likely to have ray head cut off by the first manager that doesn’t like the looks of me. I don't have to dress and smoke up all my wages. And I haven’t the morals that allow a fellow to sport around and escape responsibility. You’d better think a little. I want a wife —not any girlhut just you, to take care of all her proposition. Say, do you think a cad like Williams intends to marry you? Do you?” The girl turned pale. “That’s not—your affair.” “It's my business to protect yon, whether yon choose to marry me or not, and I’ll do It Are you going to that cheap dance hall again tonight —with Williams r She shock her head. \ “I’ve got to dance and have some fun. I can’t sit in a hot little room all evening. I’m going with—some girls.” _■ - -- -•-—■ “So he can dance with you without even the bother of taking you there? I see. And, Mams, do you think I wouldn’t have spruced up if that’s all you wanted? Did you? What time do you start?” “Bight,” she said, at the door of her boarding house. He stopped a moment and looked at her. Then he said good-night abruptly and walked Ipfjlfly to the first car going downtown. The stores were still open and his bank book was in bis pocket He trotild have to harry and go without supper, but he did not mind that At eight Robert Graves was waiting on the little stuffy boarding house porch. He was shaved and dressed from neck to toes in new and very good dothes, a bit awkward, but broad-shouldered, square-jawed, bis dark eyes alight, almost angry. Mamie, unsuspecting, came down after her unappetizing, insufficient meal and hasty toilet pathetically XT her pale face. She started, dropping M. clis&k h*r awn ' “I’m going to Ake you to the he iifd *W# can taka tit#

She stared in astonishment and a sort of pride In him rose In spite of herself.'- ' "You have your—nerve!" As she spoke the slang made her ashamed. “Can you dance r* Her contempt made him wince. “I can do a lot of things, but I’m particular where and how I do them. What about your friends?”/ “They won’t wait If I’tlf not there. Come on!” This was better than he had hoped. He did not realize that Instantly she r had resolved to use him to make Williams jealous. His good looks were not lost on her. The dance was cheap. The men were cheap, the music, the movement The atmosphere was unwholesome. It was close and hot, and cheap perfume made the air heavier. Mamie and Graves swung themselves Into the waits then in progress, and she gave an Inner gasp of relief. He could dance! No one better I Other girls looked at him. At the waltz’s close Williams came up, suavely, leaving Flossie with a dark look on her face. “My dance,” said he to Mamie, and lied. Save for the presence of this big young stranger with the girl be would not have danced with her. He was too sure of her. The girl moved toward him, the slightest impulse of a movement, murmuring the men’s names to each other. Both bowed, but Graves put his arm around Mamie, catching the step. “You’re mistaken. This dance is promised me. So are all the others.” He swung away with her. She tried for a moment to be angry, but could not. Williams stood iowering a moment. Flossie also had deserted him. At the end of the music Mamie expostulated. It would not do. He must dance with some one else. She, would introduce him. She must dance with some one else —just for the looks of it! Graves led her to a window for a breath.

“There Is not a man in this room who looks fit for you to dance with. You’re half-exhaußted, over-heated — watch your own breathing! You didn’t take time for a decent sapper. Go back for your wrap—no. I’ll go, too—and we’ll get something to eat. Then if you want to come back” — He wrapped the cloak about her and together they went down the dirty stairs to the street Williams followed unnoticed. It was not more than nine, but a sudden storm was rising, dust blew in their faoes and a queer sultriness was In the air. He drew Mamie’s hand into his arm and held her closely. They walked a few blocks, and the darkness deepened. She clung to him. “Where are we—going?” “I’m trying to get on to a decent street where I think I can find a place where F would take you for something to eat Mamie—ls that place any real fun to you? ts that — cad—” Without warning, a shuffle of feet behind them and an angry voice made Graves push the girl in front of him. “Cad, am 1? I’ll show you—” Williams, and an ugly bulk of man beside him came up beside them. Graves did not slacken his speed.. He pushed Mamie around a corner where a street lamp burned dimly. A policeman almost ran into them. A car was coming along also, and he stepped into position to nail It, at the same time speaking to the officer. “Kelley," he said. “These fellows are drunk and annoying us. Wait till I take the lady home and I’ll come down to headquarters and give information.” But the two took to their heels, the officer after them. Graves put the trembling girl on the car, found her an Inside seat, and sat down, guarding her. He did not speak, knowing she was edge of tears. He handed ther^conductor the fares and took transfers. They would not take them near Mamie’s boarding house.

“Where are we going?” Her tone was childlike, questioning. “We.” he said, emphasizing the pronoun, “are going out to the truck patch, to our own home. My sister is there, arid tomorrow we are to be married. Grace will take care of you tonight. There has been enough of this sort of danger for you, Mamie. Hasn’t there?” His ear was quick, hut he caught no answer* She turned her head and looked where the sudden spring rain was beating at the car windows. Then she leaned close against the strong arm, weariness in every line of her slender body, yielding to his demand heart and souL They walked five blocks past vacant lots in a drenching' rain, be in his shirt sleeves after wrapping his new coat about her. As they reached the yard where far back stood his little brown cottage with the light burning in the window, he drew her very close to him. “Mamie,” he said, “you want to go with me, don’t you? With all your heart?" She nodded her head against his arm. “With—all my heart,” she said, through the rain. “With all my heart!”,- — - ' Robert’s . sister heard them, and opened the door with a lamp in her hand. “For goodness’ sgke, Mamie!” she said. “For goodness' sAkfe!”