Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1865-09-08
SQUIRE pIrMANs PEACHES.


School was over f,r the day. Armed with
satchels and dnner-pails, the scholars filed
out of the school house, and in merry groups
wendell their way homewsrd. The last to go
we're two boys Of twelve, who had been kept
after school = for deficiencies in geography
Their names were respectively Tom Grey and
Frank Green.
I" Tom," said Frank, "have you had any
peaches this year p
"Only one Uncle Ben brought us one
apiece, when he came from Boston, last Sat
urday. Wasn't il prime, though y
Then you are better off than | am. for
haven't had any. But know where there
are some, and | mean to have more than one,
this very night"
You do p exclaimed Tom eagerly
Whereabouts are they -
Frank looked carefully about him, to make
sure that no one was within hearing, and
whispered, +" in Squire Pitmans garden -
" But," said Tom, little obviously" that
would be stealing"
40" ssid Frank, " he'll never miss en-
The trees are ever-so full. II made my mouth
water when passed there this morning
They're more than he can eat, and we might
as we'll have EN- as leave 'em to rot on the
trees"
$50 we had" said Tom, who was easily
persuaded. Are you going tonight"
" Yes; there isn't any moon, so that will
be in our favor. Will you goi"
Yes. When will you be ready p
" Call for me at half-past eight. I'll be at
the corner of the orchard. Mind and bring
bag with you. We shall want to carry
away few"
"All right I'll be on hand
ha az ~
ferred to by the boys, had recently removed
into Cedsrsille. lie had spent most of his
life 10 the city, where be had accumulated
fortune, part Of which be had invested in
fine old place which CHANGED to be for SALE
The former proprietor had paid particular at
tention to the garden, introducing choice va
rieties OF fruit-trees of various kinds which
were now in excellent bearing condition.
Squire Pitman (he was called Squire out Of
Difference to his wealthy had moved into the
village too recently to have made any
quaintances. He was a pleasant-looking old
gentleman, rather oid-fashioned ia his appear
ance, who usually walked with the help Of
gold headed cane.
After supper that evening, the gardener
came 10 and requested to speak with him for
moment.
"well, James" said the old gentleman,
F" what is 7"
"I suspect, sill, said James, that an at
tempt viii be made 10 rob your iruit-trees to.
night"
q Bless my soul what makes you think
SOP
81 happened to overhear two boys talking
about it. | couldn't hear all they said, but |
heard enough to show what they were af-
ter"
"Do you think they are coming to-night|
asked the Squire, after pause.
" Yes, sir; shall let out the dog y
"No. he might bite them"
" And serve 'em right"
s. / would rather have them brought in to
me. You may get Reuben to stand watch
with you, and if you catch them, you may
bring them into the house,"
I" Yes, sir" said James.
Tom aud Frank met, as agreed upon, and
started in company for the garden.
''Did you bring bag 7" asked Frank
No, but l have got an extra handkerchief;
that'il hold good lott
"All right; we can hide EN- in the bushes,
and 20 to 'em when we want them
BY half-past eight it was quite dark
There was no moon, and only here and there
a star was Visible.
"Ifs jolly night" said Frank.
Just the thing"
At length the boys reached the picket-fence
that surrounded the garden.
Sect over irst," said Tom.
With some difficulty, Frank clambered up,
but got caught in the picket and tumbled to
the ground.
"Are you hurt :" whispered Tom.
"No, but I've torn my Towsers. Look
out sharp for them plaguey pckets."
"Now where the trees r. asked Tom,
when he had got over
There's one; you may get up and shake
It, and I'll pick EN- up
mo, Frank, you're the best at climbing.
40 yes, no doubt you'd rather pick 'em
up % NH
Well, I'll climb the next tree"
"Pll save you both the trouble" said a
rough voice, which IN ade both the boys turn
pale. They started to run, but the pursuers
were too quick for them. Tom was soon
struggling in the grasp of the gardenr, and
Frank tried in vain to get away from Reuben,
boy Of sixteen, who assisted on the place.
.'You let me gol" said Tom, struggling
energetically. .lal m
.Ifycu don't let me go, I'll bite" said
Frank to his captor.
"lf you do, III have to pull out your
teeth, 'ssid Reuben, laughing.
"What are you going to do with us, any
way i"hi lH tfl e l4Ii
'Going to carry you in to Squire Pitman.
He wants to see you"
Terrified by this threat, the poor boys
begged piteously to be freed, but their cap
tors were memorable. Finding struggles and
sntrea,es alike useless, they resigned them
selves passiyely to their fate, while visions of
arrest and imprisonment filed their hearts
with dismay.
Squire Pitman was sitting in his library.
looking over the evening paper. when a noise
was heard at the door, ami Reuben and the
gardener appeared, each with boy.
Here they are, air." said james.
We've caught en-" said Reuben.
"Bless my SOUL" said the Squire, :" and
what are their names :"