Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1871-03-24

Tales and Sketehes.
THE TWO ORCHARDS.


mostly OF a choice kind, and not only found
a ready market, but commanded a high
price. One thing vexed Mr.. Green ex-
ceedingly, and was constant source of
annoyance. No sooner did fruit begin to
lipen on his trees, than nocturnal and di-
urnal marauders commenced petty deprc-
dations on his choicest gratis.
at Is very strange muttered Green to
his wife, ''that those scamps will continue
to rob my orchard So Only night before
last old Towser tore the clothes nearly all
Oft from one OF the villains, and from the
marks of blood that found on the fence,
should think somebody must have got
pretty severely bitten; and vet, last night
some one was in the orchard again. de-
clare, it is enough to make one run mad. -"
ut is curious" answered the wife, land
| am sure | can't see into it. How is it
with neighbor Watts orchard ?'
That's Just what puzzles me. They
don't trouble his fruit at all, and he hasn't
got any dog, either; and what's more, his
fruit is some Of it better than mine and
more exposed, too. Just let me catchone
of 'em, that's ALL
Its too bad, certainly" uttered Mrs.
Green for she knew not what else to say
Father exclaimed one Of the boys,
who came running into the house. Tow
ser's dead Just as stiff as log -
Dead
"1es-out in the she'd
An oath escaped from Green's lips, as
he leaped from his chair and fastened to
the shed. There he found his dog-a real
bulldog, that he had bought on purpose
to bite those who troubled him,-dead. to
use his own expression, las door-nail." !"
This was the most severe cut he had vet
experienced, and for long time his
mingled feelings of rage and chagrin rem
dered him literally frantic He knew at
once that the animal had been poisoned
by the froth that had collected about the
mouth; and he vowed vengeance most
dire on the perpetrator OF the deed, if ever
he found him.
1t was several hours after the above
event, that the family We're seated by the
supper-table 1t was already slightly
dusAish, but not SO dark but that the dis
tant landscape was visible.
by crackee, dad, exclaimed one of
the boys, whose attention had been direct
ed toward the orchard, 'there's somebody
down in the corner hooking apples
Mr.. Green leaped from the table. put on
his hat, and then seizing Il stout whip, he
hurried from the house He distinctly saw
two young fellows under one of his trees,
and having gained the road, he carefully
crept down upon the other side OF the
WALL until he had reached point opposite
to where the two boys-ior boys they We're
We're filling their pockets with the fruit
that had fallen upon the ground.
Aha my young scamps y shouted
Mr.. Green, as he leapcd the barrier, live
caught ye, have ." And rs he spoke he
seized one of the unlucky youths by the
collar, and commenced heating him most
numerically.
"rll teach ye.7 he growled, shaking
the crying boy.
90 DON'T / only picked up a few. 0
| won't -"
"Y You won't. won't We? No, I'll be bouud
ye won't. There, take that, and -
Before the next word escaped his lips,
Mr.. Green felt himself hit in the side by a
stone which had been thrown from the
road by the boy who had escaped. The
excited man let 90 his hold, and sprang
for the wall, but he failed to catch the
nimble urchin who had assaulted him, and
in the attempt he lost the one he had
caught When the farmer reached his
house he was not only enraged, but he
was really miserable The ill feeling he
had cherished had poisoned every fountain
of feeling, and his soul was the very gall
of bitterness. Before he went to bed that
night he had sworn that he would get
bear trap and set it in his orchard.
"Can have a few of your apples sir ?"
said a traveller of Mr.. Green. The appli-
cant was wayworn and weary, and he
sat down upon II stone near the orchard
where the farmer was at work
"No, returned Green. II don't raise
apples to give away"
The traveller arose from his seat and
kept on his way. a little further on he
came across the orchard of Mr.. Watts.
He stopped and looked over the wall.
There were many apples lying upon the
ground, and he got over to pick few, not
noticing that the owner was near ut hand.
preaching the spot. Are you travelling,
sir?n
YES, sir, returned the stranger.
81 suppose little good fruit must be
cheering such a day as this, especially
when one is weary. Just step this way
sir. Here are some apples much better
lilftil tHOse. anu Us ne spoke W aus
picked up his two hands full and extend
ed them to the traveller.
You are too generous, sir exclaimed
the man, as he thankfully took the prof
fered fruit.
"You are too generous, sir" exclaimed
the man, as he thankfully took the prof
fered fruit.
80 no, sir. | can never see person
want little fruit while | have an album
dance. That is one of the great sources
Of enjoyment my abundance gives me-
to the wants of others"
Then yours must be a happy heart.
1T is, sir"
The traveller soon resumed his journey
and the farmer again turned to his work
"Mister Watts" cried little voice from
the other side of the wall and assisted the
urchin-a boy of some. twelve years
over into the orchard "There-now
pick some up
"Thanke sir.n
Where's your brother John ?"
lies plowing, SIR"
Then carry n few to him. lie will liz,
them if he is at work"