The Grange advance. [volume] (Red Wing, Minn.) 1873-1877, 1877-06-13
THE SQUIRE'S APPLES.

It made no little stir in Cranston when
it was rumored about that Esquire Waters
had been heard to say, in the presence of
some twenty or more persons, that whoev-
er he had the good luck to find meddling
with his early fruit, he would treat in a
manner not over and above palatable.
No little stir, say, it occasioned, because
the good people Of the thriving, populous
village were keen to learn {as all such
good people are) who the trespasser upon
the grounds of the wealthiest man in the
town might be.
But there was little mystery about the
affair that the people of Cranston could
not see through. Had they been told, in
confidence, that the morning after the
depreciation there were innumerable
tracks Of tiny, dainty shoes upon the
green turf, and soft, brown soil of the
nursery; that in one place was found a
small kid glove, and in another bit of
cambria handkerchief, with the name Of
the owner delicately traced in the corner
had they been told this, 1 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 times" there
seemed an event of some importance
brewing. All day, in the old brick acad-
envy, the laughing, miscellaneous girls were
knotted together in various places, chat
ting in low, confidential tones.
For awhile as they wound along the
shady way they were silent and cautious,
hardly daring to breathe sentence
above whisper; but each moment they
gained courage, and before they had
traversed through half the grounds their
mirth got the better of their fears, and
they laughingly joined their daring lead
ers, in plan to capture the squire if he
troubled them.
"The one that shall catch him first,
shall have him. broke in light, musical
voice, above the buzz and laughter of the
party. -...........
"Good, good" answered another, "but
that will be Kate Weston; our Captain
Kate, Lam sure, for she can outrun any
girl in Cranston. Why, girls, she goes it
like deer"
''Hush, hushr' captain Kate turned
about suddenly as she spoke, and held
one white hand mp threateningly toward
the party. eff 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 well
filled than his pocketboolz." -.~
How beautiful she looked, standing up
there in the full, clear moonlight-bril-
liant daring Kate Weston!
"Psllaw, 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. Il don't believe I shall drop
another glove for him to pick up, let me
run ever 50 fast. | hope he was pleased
with my name stamped upon the wrist
"He didn't trouble himself much about
you Or your name, I'll wager you, when
he had Hates dainty kcrchief to veal
next his heart. That isn't the best of it
there was a specimen of her handwriting
upon one corner of it, and if he isn't as
blind as IL bat he'll see who favored him
with the bushel-may- basket made out OF
the cabbage heads. Kate wrote the YER
ses," rctorted Mary Prince, laughing and
clapping her hands. ~" ~
"Hush, say, girls; you mustn't run on
so; I don't want to be caught with any ap.
pies. If have to run, I prefer to run
on full stomach. So speak low if you
cannot keep from speaking. We are al
most there, now. Hrsh!~ see the ripe
yellow fruit glisten in the clear moon
light" ~"