Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1877-02-21

and bore large apples, strlpeu SO!uVn
low and red. They were, l THINK the
most beautiful apples ever saw. Il
But of all ill-favored, sour, bitter fruit
7 ever tasted, those apples were the most
disagreeable. They left the worst flavor
in the mouth of any fruit / ever attempt
ed to eat. ,.;o,;tu.
I speak of them as q natural curiosity
for. as rule, beautiful apples arc hhely
Favored. BY way of pointing a moral
grandfather once painted the Wotu HyRo,
critic on a single and nailed 1t 10 the
trunk of this tree, where 1t woulu Inject
the ewes of the children. i
First and last, we had II great deal OF
snort from that tree. Boys, and some
times men, unacquainted with the apples,
would stop in passing along the road, and
seeing the ground on the other side oil the
wall covered with fne-looking fruit would
lump over and take some.
| should, perhaps. remark that dppfo
priating pockelful of apples for ones
own ealing was not deemed stealing IN
that section of the country.
Deceived by the lucious aspect OF the
apples, the stranger would open wide his
laws, take Il generous bite, chew once,
sometimes twice, and suddenly pause.
The comical change that would come
over his face was very amusing to any
one who SAW it. Indignant spiLtings and
smashing of the apple against the trunk
of the tree were generally sure TO follow
accompanied by uncomplmentary eXcla-
nations. The deluded boy would then
sneak over the wall. walk away, and never
look back. 1t seemed all ut once to occur
to him that he had been stealing.
About year and half after the black
fox" affair, Will Dover came one day to
the orchard while we were gathering APP
pies. lie asked what we would take for
the apples on the odd hypocrite tree
We thought at first that he was joking,
for he knew the flavor of the apples.
Finding he really wanted them, grand
father told him to "take them and well
come"
The next day viii came with oxen and
cart, and gathered quite Il number OF
bushels of these apples. We could not
find out what he intended to do with them,
but concluded he had some sharp game in
view.
This was about week before the coun-
ty fair, such as is held each year in the
autumn in many of the agricultural coun-
ties of New England
With us the fair was one Of the great
events of the year. All the boys made Il
point of being there two days, and if pos
sible every day while it was held.
One of the first objects that met the eyes
&c oo1cip Coorpo nd ,I,CalC on
tering the fairgrounds, was Will selling
apples at stand built of bright new hem
lock boards.
1t needed but glance to enable us to
identify the apples They looked tempt
ingly lucous, piled up in open willow
baskets on the stand before him. Behind
the sharp salesman there were arranged Il
tier of bags full of the "hypocrite" fruit.
Will was singing out Justify
"Appes Apples! Here's where We
get yer nice golden-reds! Only one cent
apecem
The public responded heartily. 1t was
as good as play to us thoughtless boys.
We thought but little Of the sin, but good
deal of the fun. We stood at IL little dis
lance and watched the wry faces and heard
the surprised calculations that burst forth,
as the purchasers walked away and took
their first bites.
Whenever Will caught sight OF our
grns, he would tip us wink, and slyIy
smooth down his face with his hand
1t was good naturei crowd OF kindly
country people, else VIII would hardly
been allowed to continue the deception,
~
But before the day was over many u
malevolent look was cast at him by the
passers-by. lie braved these and still
prospered, rs new corners were constantly
pouring in from all parts of the country.
About neon the next day, however, u
crowd of eXasperated lads upset the stand
and pclted Will OFF the fairgrounds with
the remainder of his own stock IN trade.
Butas he had cleared about fifteen dollars
he was satisfied.
Now this was nothing but n palpable
fraud, and very mean sort OF one. But
we thought Will wonderful sharp boy.
Who but VIII could make fifteen dollars
out OF II lot of apples not tit Tor hogs!
Before another year had passed, young
Dover began to feel the need OF II wider
field for his sharp operations than that
afforded by his native country. lie had
come to be thought dishonest, even by
those who had laughed at his sharpness
He went to seek his fortune, first to
Portland, and after time in New York.
We heard reports occasionally OF his
sharp doings
Once he had shop, or rather room,
ION Nassau street, and was agent for an
electric mouse-trap," also for II certain
magic compound to promote the growth
of the beard, " and number OF other dis
reputable articles.
lie afterwards visited his native town