River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1878-11-21
A TREE AGENT TREED.


are TO be published in book form in the
fall. One of the incidents of this last
sketch is quoted below. The prVrrietor
of Rudder Grange, returning Il n a
drive with Euphemia, his wife, fin a
tramp in one OF his trees and tree-ag, NJ
in another near by, with his savage dog, !
Lord Edward, rlying between. The fol- |
lowing scene ensues:
This ONE said Pomona. lis a tree
man"
81 should think so,r said l, as caught
sight Of person in gray trowsers stand
ing among the branches of cherry-tree
not very far from the kitchea door. The
tree was not large one, and the branches
were not strong enough to allow him to
sit down on them, although they support
ed him well enough. as she stood close 10
the trunk, just out of reach OF Lord Ed
ward.
"This is q very unpleasant position, sir,
said be, when / reached the tree. II
simply came into your yard. on a matter
of business, and finding that raging beast
attacking a person in tree, had barely
time to GET into this tree myself, before
he dashsd at me. Luckily | was out of
his reach; but | very much fear have
lost some OF my property"
mo, be HASN'T said Pomona. III was
big book he dropped. picked it up and
took it into the house. Its full of pic
lures of pears and peaches and flowers.
I've been lookin' at it. That's bow knew
what he was. And there was no call for
gittin' up tree. Lord Edward never
wou'd have gone after him if he hadn't
run as ii he had guilt on his soul
II suppose, then, said /, addressing the
individual In the cherry-tree' "that you
came here to sell me some trees"
"Yes, sir" said he quickly, 'trees,
shrubs, vines, evergreens- everything
suitable for gentleman's country villa.
can sell you something quite remarka-
BILE, sir, in the way of cherry trees -
French ones, just imported; bear iruit
three times the size of any thing that
could be produced on tree like this.
And pears fruit of the finest flavor and
enormous size -"
YES" said Pomona. III seen them in
the book. But they must grow on
ground-vine. No tee could hold such
pears as them
Here Euphemis reproved Pcmona's
forwardness, and invited the tree. agent
to get down out of the tree.
"Thank YOU said he; "but not while
that dog is loose. If you will kindly
chain him up, will get my book, and
show you specimens of some of the fine st
small fruit in the world, all imported
from the first nurseries Of Europe--the
Red gold Amber Muscat graoe--the"--
"Oh, please let him down." said
Euphemia, her eyes beginning to sparkle.
slowly walked toward the tramp tree
revolving various matters in my mind.
We had not spent much money on the
place during the winter, and we now had
asmall sum which we intended to use
for the advantage of the farm, but had
not yet decided what to do with 1t. 1t
behooved me to be careful.
told Pomona TO run and get the dog
chain, and stood under the tree, listen
ing, as we'll as l could to the tree agent
talking to Euphemia, and paying no at
tentlon to the imprisoned entreaties of
the tramp in the crotch above me. When
the chain was brought, hooked one end
of it in Lord Edwards collar, and then
took firm grasp of the other. Telling
Pomona to bring the tree-agent's book
from the house, called 10 that individu-
al to get down from his tree. He prompt
ly obeyed, and, taking the rvok from
Pomona, he began to show the pictures
TO Euphemis.
"You had better hurry, sir" called
out. ~ can't hold this dog very long"
And, indeed, Lord Edward had made
run toward the agent, which jerked me
very forcibly in his direction. Bur a
movement by the tramp had quickly
brought the dog back TO his more desired
victim.
"Ify you will just tie up the dog, sir,
said the agent, land come this way,
would like TO show you the Meltinagua
pear -dissolves in the mouth like snow,
sir; trees will bear next year"
"0h, come look at the Royal Sparkling
Ruby graper' cried Euphemia. at
glows in the sun like a gem"
"Yes, said the agent, land fills the air
with fragrance during the whole month
OF September"
II tell YOU" shouted, ~ cant hold
this dog another minutel The chain is
cutting the skin of my hands. Run, sir,
run! I'm going to let go!'
run run cried Pomona. "Fly for
your lifel'
The agent now began to be frightened,
and shut up bis book.
'If you could only see the plates, sir,
I'm sure"
"Are you ready2r cried, as the dog,
excited by Pomona's wild shouts, made
bolt in his direction.
"Good-day, il must" said the
agent, as he hurried 10 the gate. But
there stopped.
"There is nothing, sir" he said, ''that
would so improve your place as row of
the Spit2enberg Sweet scented Balsam fir
along this fence. I'll sell you three-year-
old trees"
"He's looser' shouted, as dropped
the chain.
In a second the agent was on the other
side Of the gate. Lord Edwar1 made
dash toward him; but, stopping suddenly,
fieE back TO the tree of the tramp.
"If yoa should conclude, sir" said the
tree agent, looking over the fence, ito
have a row of those frs along hero"
"My good sir" said I, 'there Is no row
of frs there now, and the fence is not very
high. Ny dog, as you see, is very much
excited, and cannot answer for the con-
sequence il he takes it it into his head to
jump over"
The tree-agent turned and walked
slowly away.