The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1874-11-12

"And -
"And |, too" ran through the eager
crowd, and simultaneously all started on
run for the pear tree, pausing only to
secure clubs and stones with which to
knock off the fruit ] followed, although
not exactly satisfied with the part | had
taken in the affair. | had broken one of
the commandments by coyeting my
neighbours goods. and could not enjoy
the sport, as the others called it yet,
when | saw the stones, clubs and sticks
of smaller dimensions hurled into the
tree, and the pears dropping on the
ground, despite the stings of conscience,
| secured my full share,
The clubbing operation was going on
most vigorously when the side door
opened, and Ann Smith stepped out and
stood before us.
That we deserved sound beating we
ere all well aware for we had not only
knocked off the fruit, but several large
branches were broken from the trunk,
and had fallen TO the ground. Like other
culprits, we all hung our heads in shame
as we felt her eyes were upon us, and ]
dropped the fruit l held to the ground.
''We shall catch it sOon," said the lit
tie Clovenfoot, and felt ready to tear
him to pieces for the falselood he had
uttered Y.'H Hi! uI '
Ann Smith had never scolded or spok-
en- unkindly to US; but we. had never
committed 80 grave an offense before,
and / for one felt shure of switching
Imagine my surprise when she said, in
the same calm tone az usual: " t7i
Children, if you will go back 10 your
play, and leave the fruit until 1t is ripe,
you shall all have share"
Oh how ashamed all looked, from
oldest TO youngest. Allhungtheir heads
and dropped the fruit they had gathered
l wanted to tell her how very sorry
was that had joined in such disgrace
full act as that OF robbing her only pear
| tree, but could only think the words; ]
could not speak them TO her who had
always been 30 kind to rs--l, culprit az
| was, turned silently away with the
rest. .eI.sr
She never reprOached MS or mentioned
our misdemeanOrs in the hearing of our
parents and q week after, when the
/ pears had grown ripe and mellow, she
came to the school room with two large
baskets filed with the golden fruit, and
1 divided it among Iis.
/ Ifthere was asick person in the neigh.
borh60d, she was the finst TO know 1t
and, If they were poor, she was ever
ready TO lenda helping hand. Many q
po4erty-stricken family have had reason
to call down blessings on the head Of
Ann Smith for the timely assistance she
has rendered. lte
| Years have passed since have seen
that pleasant face which figures SO large
ly in my childhood's memories-years
which have brought their share Of the
| worlds trials to both. ahoi '1
Age has doubtless left its blightine
mark upon her brow. and changed her
soft, brown hair to silver saas7m
| j have lived years in other lands
where Eden-hke fruits flourish and grow
| flowers blossom and birds sing the year
| yeti all my wAndefingB / have found
no spot 80 dear 70 me as the . cot where
| / was bofn,F near the little red school
house under the hin. s.,...,,
There have been times when both the
head and heart were filed with the bitter
y disappo pointments, The cares and anxiesies
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