The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1877-06-14
The Squire's Apples.


that whoever he had the good luck tt
find meddling with his early fruit, he
would treat in Il manner not over ant
above palatable. No little stir, say, il
occasioned, because the good people o
the thriving, populous village We're keel
to learn Gas all such good people are) who
the trespasser upon the grounds of tht
Wealthiest man in town might be.
But there was a little mystery abou1
the affair that the people of Cranston
could not see through. Had they been
told, in confidence, that the morning at-
ter the depreciation there We're innumer-
able tracks OF tiny, dainty shoes upon
the green turf, and soft brown soil OF the
nursery; that in one place was found {;
small kid glove, and in another a bit Of !;
camDrlc handkerchief, with the name OF
the owner delicately traced in the corner
had they been told this, | say they
would have better understood the quiet
way in which the gentleman treated the
robbery, and the profound silence which
he kept when the subject was discussed
IN his presence.
But, one day, when the little wonder
had quite died out in the village, to those
who knew ''the signs of the tines there
seemed an event of some importance
brewing. All day, in the old brick acade
my, the laughing, mischievous girls Were
knottcd together in various places, chat
ting in low, confidential tones
For awhile us they wound along the
shady way they We're silent and cautious
hardly daring to breathe Il sentence above
Il whisper: but each moment they gained
courage and before they had travcrsed
through half the grounds their mirth got
the better of their fears, and they laugh
ingly joined their daring leader, in a plan
to capture the squire if he should trouble
them.
"Ihc one that shall catch him first,
shall have him." broke in 4 light, musi-
cal voice, above the buss and laughter OF
the party.
"Good, good" answered another, ''but
that will be Kate Weston; our Captain
Kate, am sure for she can outrun any
girl in Cranston. Why girls, she goes it
like d dccr!!"
''IIush, hush" Captain Kate turned
about suddenly as she spoke, and held
one white hand up threateningly toward
the party. "If you mention the old ogre's
name he'll be sure to be out here. Re-
member, his apples are dearer to him
than his gold = for like most men he
thinks more of having his stomach we'll
filled than his pocketbooll.'
How beautiful she looked, standing up
there in the full, clear moonlight bril-
liant, daring Kate Weston,
''PshaW, Kate, don't let's try to keep
still. Let him chase us if he wants to,
and see what he'll catch," sounded the
pleasant, musical voice OF little Lucy
Smiley. II don't believe | shall drop an
other glove for him to pick up, let me
run ever so fast. hope he was pleased
with my name stamped upon the wrist.
''Iie didn't trouble himself much about
you or your name, I'll wager you, when
he had Rates dainty 'kerclet to wear
next his heart. That isn't the best OF it
there was a specimen Of her handwrt-
ing upon one corner of it, and if he isn't
us blind as Il bat he'll see who favored
him with the bushel-may- basket made
out of the cabbage heads. Kate wrote
the verses retorted Mary Prince, laugh
ing and clapping her hands.
''llush, say, girls: you mustn't run on
SO; don't want to be caught without
any apples. If have to run, prefer to
run upon a full stomach. So speak low
if you cannot keep from speaking We
are almost there now. Hush see the
ripe, yellow fruit gisten in the clear
moonlight y
Kate tip-toed up to the little thicllet of
trees, followed by the hushed group.
"Atter all, don't believe there is any
use in keeping 50 STILL she said looking
around. sit seems too much like real
out-and-out stealing, instead of gracious
lN condescending To test our lordlv squire $
hospitality 50 help yourselves, dears,
while | preside as well us can in place
of the gentleman himself. No doubt he'll
thank me for it when he gets a chance"
"Perhaps, after all. he's hid in this
thcket OF trees and when we get to help
ing ourselves as You say, he'll come jump
ing out in the very midst of u.s." suggest
ed some one, in a timid voice.
9 Pshaw-don't fear, Hattie. Why,
we'll scare him to death in five minutes
if he ventures to show his head. There,
take this apple, and this, and this Catch
them as fast us | throw them. That's
brave. Stand out where you are, and if
you hear any nose, why, run Y cried
Kate, turning again to the tree ''Hcre,
catch my hat, and bring me some locust
leaves! I'm going to ornament Oh this
occasion "
She twincd the dark leaves in and out
her glossy blads, and then looping her
white apron on one arm commenced to
fill it with apples.
cone for ELY Gray, two for dame
'Lizabeth, three for little Bobby, and that
nice big bouncer for me. Thank you,
thank you, Mr.. Waters. The company
beg me to tender you, in their behalf
r-ther-what's that girls ,"
AS Kate spoke there was cracking
noise among the apple boughs, in the
thlcket at her back and before she had
time to sound an alarm, Squire Waters
bounded out in the very midst of the
frightened girls, who ran, screeching lust
lily, in every direction. But could there
have been an eyewitness to the comical
scene, it would have been very easily OBJ
served that the squire cared little about
capturing any save the wild, reckless
leader. Down the long mall Kate flew
like the wind with the bachelor following
closely after her. Faster, faster she
went, her long glossy braids falling about
her face and down her shoulders-her
light gray scarf like banner of rosy
mist, floating out upon the breeze as she
flew along. Faster, faster. Another mo-
ment passed and she was within a single
leap of the wide gate. But the squire
was there before her, and like fright
ened deer she sprang away in a different
direction. There was another gate that
led from the west side of the grounds,
and like lightning she shot toward it.
But oh, horror of horrors 1T was locked
fast She turned about again, but the
squire was close upon her track, and
there was no hope Of escape for her
Painting and trembling she stood silent
until he came up to her.
"Permit me to escort you to the house,
Miss Weston" he said, bowing low before
her, and speaking as though nothing in
the world had happened to mar his self
possession.
E'No, thank you, sir, | will go home
if you please" Kate's voice shook as