The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1878-07-12
Miscellaneous.
A Tree. Agent Treed.

The July Scribner contains the conolu
ding irstallment of Mr.. +. X. Stocktons
droll "Rudder Grange sketches, which are
to be published in book form in the fall.
One of the incidents of this last sketch is
quoted below. The proprietor of Rudder
Grange, returning from drive with Euphe-
mia, his wife, finds a tramp in one of his
trees and tree-sgent lin another near by,
with his savage dog Lord Edward, plying
between. The following scene ensues:
"This one," said Pomona, "is freeman
p
sight of a person in gray trowsers standing
among the branches of a cherry-tree not very
far from the kitchen door. The tree was
not large ono, and the branches were not
strong enough to allow him to sit down on
them, although they supported him well
enough, as he stood close to the trunk just
out of reach of Lord Edward
"This is very unpleasant position, sir"
said he, when / reached the tree. "I simp-
ly came into your yard, on a matter of bus
ing person in tree, | had barely time to
get up into this tree myself, before he DASH
ed at me. Luckily was out OF his reach ;
But very much fear have lost my proper
ty.T
"No, he hasn't" said Pomona. at was
big book he dropped. picked it up and
took it into the house. It's full of pictures
of pears and peaches and flowers. I've been
lookin' at it. That's how l knew what he
was. And there was no call for his gittin
up tree. Lord Edward never would have
gone after him if he hadn't run as if he had
guilt on his SOUL"
81 suppose, then," said |, addressi ng the
individual in the cherry-tree, "that you
came here to sell me some trees"
ayes, sir" said he quickley, "trees shrubs
vines, vergreens,-everything suitable for a
gentleman's country villa. 1 can sell you
something quite remarkable, sir, in the way
of cherry-trees, ones, just imported;
bear fruit three times the size Of anything
that could be produced on tree like this.
And pears-fruit of the finest flavor and
enormous size" l4-.-. 4.
EYES," said Pomona. 81 seen them in
the book. But they must grow on a ground
vine. No tree couldn't hold such pears as
them
Here Euphemia reproved Pomona's for
wardness, and l invited the tree agent to get
down out of the tree. '''. '' -'.'
"Thank you," said he; "but not while
that dog is loose IfyOu will kindly chain
him up, will get my boob, and show You
specimens Of some Of the finest small fruit
in the world, all imported from the first
nurseries of Europe-the Red-gold Amber
Muscat grape,-the-"
"Oh, please let him down % said Euphe-
mia, her eyes beginning to sparkle. gyO2 5
slowly walked toward the tramp tree, re-
volving various matters in my mind We
had not spent much money on the place dur
ing the winter, and we now had a small sum
which we intended to use for the advantage
of the farm, but had not yet decided what
to do with it. II behooved me to be care
full
told Pomona to run and get me the dog
chain, and / stood under the tree, listening,
as we'll as l could, to the tree-agent talking
to Euphemia, and paying no attention to
the impassioned entreaties of the tramp in
the crotch above me. When the chain was
brought, hooked one end of it in Lord Ed
wards collar, and then took firm grasp
of the other. Telling Pomona to bring the
tree-agent's book from the house, called to
that individual to get down from his tree.
He promptly obeyed, and taking the book
from Pomona began to show the pictures to
Euphemia.
''You had better hurry, sir" called out.
81 can't hold this dog very long" And,
indeed, Lord Edward had made run to-
ward the agent, which jerked me very for
chilly in his direction. But movement by
the tramp had quickly brought the dog back
to his more desired victim.
"1f you will just tie up that dog, sir" said
the agent, "and come this way, would
like to show you the Meltinagua pear,-dis-
solves in the mouth like snow, sir; trees
will bear next year."
"'Oh, come look at the Royal Sparkling
Ruby grape" cried Euphemia. at glows
in the sun like gen."
Eyes" said the agent, "and fills the air
with fragrance during the whole month of
September"
81 tell you," shouted, Il can't hold this
dog another minute The chain is cutting
the skin off my hands. Run, sir, run Pm
going to let go"
''Run ! run p' cried Pomona. ely for
your lifer
The agent now began to be frightened,
and shut up his book.
"If you only could see the plates, sir, Pm
sure"
care you ready ?" cried, as the dog, ex.
cited by Pomonas wild shouts, made bolt
in his direction.
"Good-day, if must -" said the agent,
as he hurried to the gate. But there he
stopped.
There is nothing, SIR" he said, "that
would so improve your place as row OF the
Spitzenbsrg Sweet scented Balsam fir along
this fence. III sell you three year old trees
-n
Hes loose l' / shouted, as dropped the
chain.
In second the agent was on the other
side of the gate. Lord Edward made
dash toward him but, stopping suddenly
few back to the tree of the tramp,
"If you should conclude, sir" said the
agent, looking over the fence, "to have
q row of those frs along here"
"My good sir" said !, ''there is no row of
frs there now, and the fence is not very
high. My dog, as you see, is very much
excited, and l cannot answer for the coase.
qaences If he takes it into his head to jumI
over"