The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1865-09-28
VOL. XXXV.S
.,Just the thing


and I'll pick EN- up.
No, Frank, you are the best at climb
ing
% yes; no doubt you 4 rather pick EN-
up
Well, I'll climb the next tree
I'll save you both the trouble, said a
rough voice, which made both the BOYS
turn pale They started to run, but the
pursuers were too quick for them. Tom
was soon struggling in the grippe OF the
| gardener, and Frank tried in vain to
get away from Reuben, a boy of sixteen
who assisted on the place.
You let me CO. said Tom struggling
energetcally.
I'D a little rather not. I've been
waiting for you for some time, my fine
! fellow
If you don't let me go, Ill bite said
I Frank TO his captor.
IF You do. I'll have to pull your teeth
| said Reuben, laughing
What are you going to do with us
anyway!
Going to carry you into Squire Pit
man. He wants TO see YOU
Terrified by this threat, the boys beg
ged piteously to be freed, but their cap
tors were memorable. Finding struggles
and entrcaties alike useless, they resign
ed themselves passively to their fate.
while visions of arrest ard Imprisonment
filed ther hearts with dismay
Squire Pitman was sitting in his Ii
brary, looking over the evening paper.
when a noise was heard at the door, and
Reuben and the gardener appeared, each
with a boy.
Here they are, sir, said James.
We've caught them, said Reuben.
Bless my soul, said the Squire, and
what are their names?
This one is Tom Gray, and the other
one is Frank Green
Very well, you may leave the young
gentlemen here with me- - --......
Yes, sir.
Rather reluctantly James and Reuben
let go their hold of the young adventi-
rers, and left the room.
Tom and Frank looked sideways at
the Squire, expecting to be seized and
shaken, or at best to receive a severe
scolding. What was their surprise when
the old gentleman came forward very
pleasantly, and said:
Boys, am happy to see you. 1 like
to receive visits from young people,
though think it better in such cases for
them to come through the gate, and not
get over the fence, they are liable to
tear their clothes
Frank looked down at his torn trow-
sers in little bewilderment.
Pray sit down. said the Squire, po-
litely
Tom and Frank sat down at the cor
ner of two chairs, evidently ill at
ease.
How old are you. Thomas? That, l
believe is your name"
Twelve, sir
And you Frank
Il am twelve, too
And am seventy. 1t was really find
of you to come and call on an old gen
tlcman like me. But the evenings are
short; you ought to have come earli-
err
Tom looked at Frank, in silent wonder.
He didn't know what it all meant. 1t he
had been shaken mp, that he would have
understood; but the Squire's manner
puzzled him completely
Are YOU fond of fruit Thomas, said
the Squire innocently.
Yes. said Tom, a little uneasily.
DO you like it, too. Frank?
Pretty we'll said Frank, who was a
little afraid of committing himself.
so l suppose. Most boys do
Squire Pitman rose from his seat and
rang the bell.
you may bring in some plates and
knives, said he to the servant, and lay
them on the table.
This was done. Next the old gentle
man went to the closet and brought out
a basket of peaches.
Il generally keep little fruit, he re
marked, to treat friends who are kind
enough TO call upon me. Help your
selves
The wondering boys did so. and com
menced eating. They wondered whether
the shaking would come after the peach
es were eaten Even if it did. they wo
have the satisfaction of eating them.
DO you like them?' asked Squire Pit
man, who seemed to enjoy seeing them
eat
Yes, SIR said Tom, they are tip
top
I'm glad YOU think so. l have seve-
raj peach trees in my garden. James,
the gardener, was telling me that thcra
was some danger of boys getting In aud
robbing the trees, hut / don't have any
fears on that score
Here Tom and Frank exchanged CLAN
ces.
III any of the boys want fruit, l know
they would prefer to come up and ask N e
for it. or drop in and make friendly
call. as you are doing. Wouldn't you
like to carry home few peaches with
you?'
Yes, sir said the boys, hesitating-
ly.
If you had anything to put them
/ in
I've cot handkerchief here, said
4 Tom
/ And have got bag with me- said
/ Frank
Bless my soul how thoughtful you
were to bring bag. 1t viii ne just the
thing. You're welcometo the peaches
in that basket il you can stow them
away