M'arthur Democrat. (McArthur, Vinton County, Ohio) 1853-1865, 1865-10-19
How old are you, rhomasf
believe that is your naEe.'
Twelve, air.

Twelve, sir
And you, Frankl'
4 am twelve, too ID aar
And | an seventy. II was really
kind Of you to come and call upon an
old gentleman libe me. But the
evenings ara short; you Oughttu have
tome earlier.' a..i 'o s.u
Trm looked at Franz in silent
vonier. He did not know what ii
al meant. II he had been shaken
mp, that he would have understood:
bUt the Squire's manner puzzled him
completely. --. "
Are you fond Of frui., Thomssp
asked the Squire, innocently.
'Ye es, said TON, little uneasl.
ly.
DO sou like il too, Frankl .
Pretty we'll, said Frank, who
wac q little afraid Of committing
himself a.a-
81 Isuppose. Most boys do
Squire Pitman rosa from bis s>at
and rang tho bell.
You may bring IN Some plates AMI
knives said he to the servant, 'an1
lay them on the table
This was done. Next the old
gentleman went to the Tclosat,
and brought out a basket Of MICA
peaches. F. sE 10 sEujBg
i generally keep a little fruit. he
remarked, TO treat the friends who
are kindsenough 10 call upon me-
Help yourselves r..
The wondering bows did 80. and
commenced eating. They wondered
whether the shaking would come a.
ter the peaches were eaten. Even
If it did, they would havs tue salts
faction Of eating them.
DO you like thema' asked Squire
Pitrnan, who seemed to enjoy seeing
the boys eat.
Yea. sir, eaid Tom, they are tip
It0p'
Il am glad you think so. ! have
several peach trees in my garden
James, the gardener, was telling me
that there was some danger OF boys
getting in and robMng the trees,
but I don't have any fears on that
score. .r.r. r
uere Tom and Frank exchanged
glances ,
III any OF the boys want fruit, |
know theu would prefer to come and
aak me Tor it. or drop in and make a
friendly call, as you are doing. By
the way, wouldn't you like to Carry
home q lew peaches with you9'
Yes, SIR ssid the boys, a little
hesitstingly.
'Ifyou had something to put them
in .
'I've got a handkerchief said
Tom.
'And vve got a bag ssid Frank.
BLESS my soul how thoughtful
you we're to bring q bag. 1t will be
Just the thing. You're welcome to
the peaches in that basket, if you
can stow them away
We are much obliged TO you, said
Tom, greattul'y.
'Ohl don't asy q word. It's a
mere triae, and like to make some
acknowledgment iot your kind call.
Will you call and see me again,
boysF
Yes. cir, fyou would like it,
Il should be most hap9y.to have
you come. get Ion,ly sometimes,
and young company cheers me- up
Perhaps, though, you had better
come 10 the door as it is q little dan,
:erous climbing over fences added
the old gentleman, little sIyly.
The boys laughed rather conscious
Ily, and were shown to the door
Squire Pitman shaking them both
By the hand, and kindly repeating
the invitation. .
Amt he a trump9' ejaculated
Frank, when the door had closed
behind them, 4 ".,wl
That's 81. felt awful mean tc
have hun treat me in that manner
when l'haI come after his peaches
so did |. You won't catch me in
such busines again.
! The story of the boys visit tc
Squire Pitmsn leaked ont, and made
quite sensation among tie schoo
boys. ...'.i...
II was unanimously agreed that i
would be the bighth OF meanness t
make any further attemps npon tht
) property OF ons who had treated tbei
y companions 30 handsomely, ''a'.
The gardener kept watch for 3
few uigts, bot from Thar time Spur
Pitman's trees wero as sale aS MI
bull dog had been chained at tn
foot OF every tree. ,..