Dodgeville chronicle. [volume] (Dodgeville, Wis.) 1862-current, 1865-10-26
Squire K.itunan's Peaches.

Can love this world no more.
Squire Ksitnam's Peaches.
Squire Pitmen was sitting in his library,
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 'em,' said Reuben.
"Bless my SOUL said the squire, stand
what are their names r
sThis one is Tom Grey, and the other one
is Frank Green"
every well, you may leave the young gen.
tlemen here with me-.
Yes, sir.
Rather reluctantly Reuben and James let
go their hold Of Our young Adventures, and
left the room.
Tom and Frank looked sideways at the
squire, expecting to be seized and shaken, or
at best to receive severe scolding. Waat
was their surprise when the old gentlemen
came forward very pleasantly, and said
"Boys, am very happy to see you.
like to receive visits from young people,
though I think it better in such cases for
them to come through the gate and not get
over the fence, as they are liable to tear their
Clothes m
Frank looked down at his torn trowsers
in little bewilderment.
Pray, sit down." said the squire, very
politely.
Tom and Frank sat down on the corners Of
two chairs, evidently i'll at ease.
Chow old are you, Thomas? l believe
that is your name
l'Twelve, sir
And you, Frank -
g | am twelve, too.
And / am seventy. It was really kind
in you to come and call upon an old gentle
man like me. But the evenings are short;
you ought to have come earlier"
Tom looked at Frank in silent wonder. He
didn't know what it all meant. If he had
been shaken up, that he would have under
Stood but the sources manner puzzled him
completely.
ssAre you fond of fruit Thomas ~ asked
the squire innocently.
'Ye-es," said Tom, little uneasily.
q Do you like it, too, Frank"
"Pretty WELL" said Frank, who was lit
tie afraid Of committing himself.
$50 suppose. Most boys do"
Squire Pitman rose from his seat and rang
the bell -
"You may bring in some plates and knives
and lay them on the table, said he to the
servant.
This was done. Next the old gentleman
went to the closet and brought out basket
of peaches.
Il generally keep a little fruit" he re-
marked "to treat friends who are kind
enough to call on me- Help yourselves"
The wondering boys did so, and commenced
eating. They wondered whether the shaking
would come up after the peaches were eaten.
Even if it did, they would have the satisfac-
ton of eating them.
"Do you like them ?" asked the squire,
who seemed to enjoy seeing the boys eat.
eyes, sir,' said Tom, they're tip-top."
ssI'm glad you think so. | have several
peach trees in my garden. James, the gar
dener, was telling me that there was some
danger of boys getting in and robbing the
trees, but don't have any fears on that
score"
Here Tom and Frank exchanged glances.
eff any of the boys want fruit, know
they would prefer to come and ask me for it,
or drop in and make friendly call, as you
are doing By the way, wouldn't you like
to carry home some peaches %
Yes, sir" said the boys, hesitatingly. y
elf you had something to put them in
"Tve got handkerchief" said Tom.
"And I've got bag" said Frank.
"Bless my soul, how thoughtful you were
to bring a bag 1t will be just the thing.
You're welcome to the peaches in that bas-
ket if you can stow them away"
owe are very much obliged to you, )" said
Tom gratefully,
ooh, don't say word. 1t is mere tri-
fe, and | like to make some acknowledgment
for your kind call. Will you call and see me
again p
Eyes, sir, if you should like it,
"I should be most happy to have you come.
get lonely sometimes, and young company
cheers me up. Perhaps, though, you had
better come to the door, as it is little dan
gerous climbing over fe-ces," added the old
gentleman little slyly.
The boys laughed little consciously, and
were shown to the door, Squire Pitman
shaking them both by the hand, and kindly
repeating his invitation.
CANT he a TRIUMPH" calculated Frank,
when the door closed behind them.
'That's SO. ] felt awful mean to have
him treat me so, when / had come after his
peaches"
$50 did l. You won't catch me in such
business AGAIN.
The story of the boys visit to Squire Pit
man leaked out, and made quite sensation
among the sehool-boys. 1t was unanimously
agreed that it would be the height of mean
ness to make any further attemps upon the
property of one who had treated their COM
panions so handsomely The gardener kept
watch for few nights, but from that time
| Squire Pitman's trees were as safe as if
bulldog had been chained at the foot Of
every tree.-Student and Schoolmate.
TIE Raleigh Progress gives the following
dialogue.
Army Chaplain - 'sMy young colored
friend, can you read?"
CONFERENCE.-The sab"
Army Chaplain.-"Glad to hear it; shall
give you paper ?"
Contraband " sartin, massa, if you
please"
Army Chaplain.-Very good. What paper
would you choose?P
"Contraband.-"Well massa, if you chews
I'll take paper Of tobacker"
The chaplain looked at the oontraband
and the contraband looked at the chaplain !;
! then the latter sighed and passed on.