Clarissa was one of the belles of Cherry Pit Siding. She could cook and plow, and all the young farmers admired her. She ignored them, however, and finally accepted the attentions of Josh Jigger, a politician, who was made fire chief, a position which pays $20 per month. At the annual firemen's ball there was an exciting contest for "the most popular young lady," and Josh, because of his political ability and authority, so fixed things that Clarissa won the first and only prize, a beautiful calf, donated by a farmer. Josh Jiggers thought he was a Twentieth Century Rembrandt. Clarissa agreed with him, and with her pet posed for a painting to be known as "Clarissa's Charming Calf." Unfortunately for the lovers they were seen by Omar Commerstein, the New York variety manager, and he yearned for Clarissa's presence as a roof-garden attraction. He offered her a fabulous salary, but she spurned it.
