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[Illustration: Natalie begins her planting. (_Page 110_)]
NATALIE:
_A Garden Scout_
By LILLIAN ELIZABETH ROY
Author of
"Janet: A Stock-Farm Scout," "Norma: A Flower
Scout," "The Blue Birds Series," "The Five
Little Starrs Series."
Endorsed by and Published with the Approval of
NATIONAL GIRL SCOUTS
A. L. BURT COMPANY
Publishers New York
Printed in U. S. A.
Copyright, 1921,
by
THE NOURSE COMPANY
Printed in U.S.A.
An Open Letter From the Author
Dear Girls Everywhere:
Perhaps you will like these country life books better for knowing that
the incidents told in them actually happened to me in my girlhood days.
I did not live on a farm such as Natalie's, however, nor was my father a
farmer. He liked to "putter" around the acre of ground after business
hours, simply because he enjoyed such recreation. I was generally at his
heels, and whenever a fruit-tree was being grafted, or a swarm of bees
hived, you could always find me there, too, getting in Daddy's way. If I
was not in the garden, or at the barnyard, I would be shadowing my
brothers who were my seniors. Scouts were unheard of in those days, but
we hiked, camped, fished and did all the enjoyable stunts which you
Scouts now do.
I have not the space here to tell you of some of the hair-raising
"dares" my brothers tempted me to accomplish, but I will have to write
them for you to read, some time. However, the stunts and the following
results would never be termed ladylike, nor were they graceful.
Freckles, tan, and tattered dresses were the bane of my mother's life,
and the inglorious title of "tomboy" failed to curb my delight in the
freedom of country life. But, dear girls, I stored away a fund of health
and experiences that I can now draw upon without bankrupting myself.
A keen desire, which I hope to realize soon, is to have a place like
Green Hill, where you girls can come and camp for as long a time as you
like. Then we can sit about the campfire and talk about the fun and
frolics the out-of-door life gives us. Many a laughable experience will
I then tell you. Until that time, dear girls, believe me to be an ardent
admirer of and staunch worker for the Girl Scouts.
Sincerely,
Lillian Elizabeth Roy.
CONTENTS
CHAPTER PAGE
I. Natalie Solves a Problem 7
II. A Secret Conclave 23
III. Green Hill Farm 38
IV. Girl Scout Farmerettes 59
V. Investigating Green Hill Farm 91
VI. Natalie Begins Her Planting 110
VII. Natalie Learns Several Secrets 131
VIII. Miss Mason's Patrol Arrives 153
IX. Janet Forms a Second Patrol 175
X. Trials of a Farmer's Life 213
XI. Norma and Frances Launch Themselves 235
XII. Grit Invites Himself To Green Hill 259
XIII. Belle's Choice of a Profession 283
XIV. Visitors and Welcome Orders 301
NATALIE: A GARDEN SCOUT
CHAPTER I--NATALIE SOLVES A PROBLEM
"Here comes Natalie Averill, girls!" exclaimed Janet Wardell, as a
slender, pale-faced girl of fifteen came slowly down the walk from the
schoolhouse door.
"My! Doesn't she look awful?" said Frances Lowden.
"Poor Nat! I should say she did!" agreed Norma Evaston sympathetically.
"She looks as if the end of the world had come for her," remarked Belle
Barlow, the fourth girl in this group of chums.
"Not only the end of the world, but 'the end of her rope,' too," added
Janet, in a low tone so that no one else might hear.
"If it's true--what mother heard yesterday--the end of Nat's rope has
come," hinted Norma knowingly.
"What is it?" asked the girls anxiously.
"Nothing new for poor Natalie to suffer from, I hope," said Helene
Wardell, Janet's younger sister and not a member of the clique of five
girls, although she often walked to and from school with her sister.
"Well," replied Norma, aware of her important news, "it is about the
worst thing that can happen to a girl after she has lost mother and
father. Mrs. James confided to mother last night that there isn't a cent
for poor Nat. The lawyer said that Mr. Averill kept up appearances but
he had no capital. He must have spent all the money he made since
Natalie's mother died four years ago."
"How perfectly dreadful for Nat!" cried Janet.
"After the luxurious manner of life she has had, too," added Belle.
"S-sh! Not so loud, girls; she will hear us," warned Helene, the
tender-hearted.
"Did Mrs. James tell your mother what they would do?" whispered Frances
anxiously.
"She said she would stay on with Natalie for a time, without salary, as
she has learned to love her so. You know she has been her companion for
four years! And Rachel declares _she_ won't go even if the world turns
upside down," returned Norma.
"Just like good old Rachel," declared Belle.
"But they can't live in New York without a cent of money, you know,"
said Janet, with deep concern. "Folks have to pay rent and have
something to eat, wherever they are."
But there was no opportunity to discuss more of Natalie's problems then,
as the girl came up and joined her friends. Her whole carriage denoted
utter discouragement, and her face was drawn into lines of anguish.
"Hello, Nat dear! What made you stay in after school?" asked Janet
cheerily, placing an arm about the girl's shoulders.
"I had to tell Miss Mason that I would not finish the term at school,"
returned Natalie in a quivering voice.
"No! Why not?" asked several voices.
"Why, I expect to leave the city very soon."
"Where to?" chorused her companions anxiously.
"Oh, girls! I hate to think of it, it is so awful after all I had hoped
to do and be, for Daddy's sake!" cried the girl, hiding her face in her
hands.
Instantly four girls closed in about her and each one had a loving and
sympathetic word of encouragement to say to her. In a few moments,
Natalie dried her eyes and tried to smile.
"Janet will think it is wonderful, because she always _did_ like a
farm," said she. "But the only choice in life now given me, is to move
away to an outlandish farm up State, and leave all my friends and
favorite pastimes behind. When I think of having to live all my days on
a barren bit of land, I wish I were dead!"
Janet tried to change the subject. "What did Miss Mason say when you
told her you would not complete the year here?"
"Oh, you know what a faddist she is over that Girl Scout organization!
Well, she talked to me of nothing but my splendid opportunities of
opening a Country Camp on the farm and renting out the woodland to girls
who would be glad to use it."
"But, Natalie, is it your own farm?" asked Janet and Norma.
"Why, of course! Didn't I tell you about it?" cried the girl
impatiently.
"No, we thought it was someone else's farm--Mrs. James', or Mr.
Marvin's, perhaps," explained Belle, gently.
"It used to be my great-grandmother's place. Mother was born there, but
raised in the city. When grandmother died, Aunt stayed on there until
she, too, died. Then it descended to mother, who leased it to a man for
ten years. I have never even seen the horrid place, but I know it is a
mile from anywhere on the map. Mr. Marvin says it is fine, and _he_
wants me to go and live there."
"It sounds all right, Nat, if the house is habitable," remarked Janet,
the practical girl of the group.
"I told Mr. Marvin to sell it for me, but he says I would be foolish to
do that. He says I can live on it for some years and then sell it when I
grow up and get more for it than if I sold it in its present condition.
He says I could spend my summers there and try to grow strong and happy
again, and in a few years he could ask a far better price for the
property than would be advisable now. I reminded him of all the families
who wanted homes, but he said the cost of building was so high that few
sensible investors would consider buying an old house that needed
remodelling. So there I am!"
"How big a house is it, Nat?" asked Janet, as a thought flashed through
her mind.
"Mr. Marvin motored over there a few weeks ago, but I refused to go with
him. Jimmy went, however, and has been raving over the place, ever
since. I just had to tell her to keep quiet about it, or I'd run away
from her."
Helene laughed softly: "But that isn't telling us how large a house you
have on the farm!"
"What difference would it make?" retorted Natalie plaintively. "The very
size of the barracks is a thorn in my side. It is a two-story affair,
with long rambling wings. Jimmy says it is pure Colonial--whatever that
means--and declares it is an ideal home."
"Then, for goodness' sake, Nat, why are you so glum? Any other girl
would jump out of her skin for joy if she were left such a wonderful
inheritance," rebuked Norma gently.
"Can't you girls understand? It isn't the house or farm I abhor so much
as the isolation I shall have to live in. That splendid auto-tour I
planned for the five of us is now out of the question. Even the
apartment Daddy and I were so happy in, is too expensive for my income.
If I can manage to keep any of my parents' lovely furnishings, I shall
be more than lucky."
Her hearers were silenced by her pathetic complaint, but their teacher,
Miss Mason, now came from the front door of the school and smiled
invitingly at them. She was a great favorite with all the girls of her
class, and these five in particular. She came straight over and stood
with a hand affectionately resting on Natalie's shoulder as she spoke.
"Have you heard of Natalie's good fortune, girls?" asked she cheerfully.
"I thought it was fine, but Nat says I don't understand," said Janet
eagerly.
"I don't believe Natalie can comprehend the fullness of the cup of
opportunity that is handed her, until she sees the place with her own
eyes. It is often difficult to visualize the possibilities in an idea
from another's description. If you girls want to have a little outing on
Saturday, I shall be delighted to drive you to Green Hill Farm in my
brother's car. He has a seven passenger machine, you know, and will not
be home to use it, this week-end," said Miss Mason graciously.
"Oh, Nat! Won't that be fine?" exclaimed several girlish voices eagerly.
"It will be a lovely trip, Miss Mason, and I'm sure we will all enjoy
it," grudged Natalie.
"Maybe we can tuck Mrs. James in, somewhere, so she can play major-domo
for us when we arrive at the farm," added Miss Mason.
"Maybe," admitted Natalie. "That is, if she cares to go again."
"This is Thursday, so we have to-morrow to make our final plans. If all
is well, we can start out Saturday morning about ten," ventured Miss
Mason, leaving no room for argument.
"I'll ask Jimmy when I go home, and let you know what she says," said
Natalie.
"Where are you girls going now?" asked Miss Mason, with seeming
guilelessness, but with intent aforethought.
"Why, Helene and I are going home, and Nat was invited to stay for
dinner and spend the evening," replied Janet. "Norma and Francie are
coming over after dinner, and bring Ned Foster and his cousin. They have
a motion-picture camera, you know, Miss Mason, and it is such fun taking
moving pictures of each other."
"That will be fine! Natalie will enjoy seeing herself as a screen star,
won't you, Nat dear?" laughingly replied the teacher.
"Oh, I don't know, Miss Mason! Nothing is worth while any more. I just
wish I were dead!" sighed the girl.
"No you don't, Honey! It is just morbid sorrow that's fastened itself in
your heart. The moment you change your entire present state of mind for
a more harmonious one, you will feel like a new being. Now run along
with your chums and have a real--r-e-e-l--happy time." Miss Mason's
joyous nature was contagious, and smiles appeared where intense feelings
had drawn faces awry. So it was with Natalie: as Miss Mason turned to go
down the street, she stood smiling after her, with a lighter heart than
she had carried for many days.
The five girls walked arm-in-arm along the city street regardless of
inconvenienced pedestrians who had to give way for them. But four of the
girls vied with each other in cheering Natalie into a happy mood, for
they felt so sorry for her.
The five schoolmates had known each other for more than five years, and
being very near an age and in the same class in school, naturally became
intimates. Janet Wardell lived a few blocks from Belle Barlow and Norma
Evaston; and Frances Lowden and her brothers boarded at a Family
Apartment Hotel, two blocks west of Norma's home. Natalie Averill,
supposedly the wealthiest girl in school, lived on Riverside Drive, in
one of the modern apartment houses.
A few years previous to the opening of this story, Natalie's mother
passed away, and Mr. Averill devoted all his love and spare time to his
motherless daughter. She was past the age when so much attention could
spoil her disposition, but since her father's death it was all the
harder for her to live without such love and pampering. Even the funds
that used to provide everything she asked for had vanished, and
henceforth she must go without the things that had made her life so
pleasant for a few years.
Mrs. James, lovingly called "Jimmy" by Natalie, had accepted the
position of companion and mother to the little girl, when Mr. Marvin
explained the situation. As Mr. Marvin was one of Mr. Averill's closest
friends, as well as being his attorney, his recommendation of Mrs. James
was sufficient.
As for Mrs. James, a lady in birth and training, she knew Mr. Marvin
would never offer her the home and charge of anyone that was not her
equal in life. Being penniless was no disgrace, but she had found it
most unpleasant when she met her old-time friends and could not feel
free to accept invitations because of her limited circumstances.
This lovely home with every luxury, and her freedom in time and ways,
made the position an attractive one for her. So she had held the reins
of government very successfully since Mrs. Averill's passing, and Mr.
Averill's appreciation of it was shown in his last words.
From perfect health and happy hours with his little daughter, Mr.
Averill had suddenly been taken with acute indigestion and in an hour
was gone. It was all so unexpected and helpless, that Natalie had not
grasped the meaning of it until the day of the funeral. Then she gave
way to hysterics and daily became more morbid and despondent.
Mr. Marvin had confided to Mrs. Mason that, in spite of there being so
much ready money on hand whenever it was asked for in Mr. Averill's
lifetime, there was nothing left for Natalie's future. When the funeral
expenses were paid not a dollar would be on hand for rent, or food, or
clothing. There were some rare and expensive paintings, antiques, and
rugs, but they would be the only things that could be turned into ready
money.
The lawyer had not given a thought to the farm in the Westchester Hills
that had belonged to Mrs. Averill's mother, as it had always been
mentioned in an apologetic manner. So, naturally, Mr. Marvin believed it
to be a tiny patch of poor land with a cottage of some kind on it.
Consequently he was all the more surprised when he opened the deed of
the place, and found it was located a few miles west of White Plains,
and a mile east of the Hudson Division of the New York Central Railroad.
As he read down the printed page of the legal paper and found there were
thirty acres of good land,--ten tillable, ten woodland, and ten
pasturage,--with a substantial dwelling and some out-houses on it, he
heaved a deep sigh of relief.
He telephoned Mrs. James at once, and explained the finding of the deed
and what it meant for Natalie's future. He also invited the chaperone
and Natalie to go out with him and inspect the property that he might
get an idea of the rent he should ask for it--or what price to value it
in case he could find a purchaser.
Natalie would not go when the time came, so she knew not what the place
looked like. It was enough for her that her dear mother had never wanted
to live there and Daddy hardly ever mentioned it. Mr. Marvin could rent
or sell it as he liked--but she would not take an interest in it.
To her utter disgust, Natalie found both Mrs. James and Mr. Marvin so
delighted with the old farm that neither spoke of a sale, or of renting
it. It seemed to be a settled fact that Natalie and her chaperone would
move out and live there for the summer.
When the girl heard the verdict, she stormed away from the room and fled
to the refuge she had always sought when she had been thwarted in
anything in the past. That was Rachel's big brown arms. Rachel had been
housekeeper, cook, and nurse, alternately, in the Averill family. And
the kind-hearted old colored mammy never failed "her li'l' chile."
But this time, when Natalie wept tears of misery over the idea of going
to live on a farm, Rachel explained how much better that would be than
to be adopted by a stranger, or have to live in a cheap boarding-school
somewhere in the country.
Natalie had not dreamed of such an alternative, and as her old
confidante described the hardships of being a poor scholar in a cheap
boarding-school, or a handy-help in form of an adopted child in a
working family, her tears vanished and a feeling of dread of such
experiences caused her to consider the farm with a better grace. But it
was not with enthusiasm or cheerfulness that she told her school friends
her plans for the future.
So Miss Mason left the girls to enjoy the evening, while she hurried
across town until she reached the address on Riverside Drive, where she
hoped to find Mrs. James at home.