Smyrna times., 1878-07-31
A Tree Agent Treed.

ing installment of Mr.. F. r. Stockton's
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 Euphemia, his wife, finds tramp in
one OF his trees and tree agent in another
near by, with his savage dog, Lord Edward,
plying between. The following scene en-
sues
"This one," said Pomona, sis tree
man
u should think so,H said I, as caught
sight of person in gray trousers standing
among the branches Of cherry tree not
very far from the kitchen door. The tree
was not a large one, 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 a very unpleasant position, sir, =
said he, when l reached the tree. .
simply came into your yard on a matter Of
business, and finding that raging beast at
tacking a person in a tree, had barely
time TO get up into this tree myself before
he dashed at me. Luckily l was out Of
his reach: but l very much fear l have
lost some of my property"
NO, he hasn't said Pomona. "It was a
big book he dropped, I picked it up and
took il 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 be was. And there was no cause for
| his gittin up tree. Lord Edward never
would have gone after him if he hadn /
run as if he had guilt on his soul
] y, olI-o--:,,,, >
individual in the cherry tree, that you
came here TO sell me some trees.
Yes, sir, said he quickly. trees,
! shrubs, vines. evergreens-everythin suita.
/ bic for a gentleman's country villa. l can
sell you something quite remarkable, sir
in the way Of cherry trees-French ones
just imported; bear fruit three times the
| size Of anything that could be produced or
a tree like this. And pears-fruit Of the
| finest favor and enormous size
Yes" said Pomona. a. seen them II
the book. But they must grow on a ground
vine. No tree couldn't hold such pears Al
them
Here Euphemia reproved Pomona
forwardness, and l invited the tree agen
TO get down out of tree.
Thank you" said he; but not whil
that dog is loose. If you will kindly chain
him up. will get my book. and show yoI
| specimens Of some of the finest small fru!
in the world, all imported from the nurse
ries of Europe-the Red Gold Amber Mu:
cat grape-the-"
"Oh, please let him down - said Eu
, phemia, her eyes beginning TO sparkle.
l slowly walked 10 the tramp-tree, rt
volving various matters in my mind. W
had not spent much money on the plac
! during the winter, and we now had
. small sum which we intended TO use fc
the advantage Of the farm, but had not yt
> decided what to do with it. 1t behoove
! me to be careful.
l told Pomona to run and get me the dc
| chain, and l stood under the tree, lister
/ ing as well as ! could, 10 the tree ageI
5 talking to Euphemia, and paying no attel
4 ton to the impassioned entreaties of ii
Q tramp in the crotch above me. When Il
q chain was brought, hooked one end of
in Lord Edwards collar, and then l took
). firm grasp OF the other. Telling PomoI
: 10 bring the tree agents book from Il
T. house, l called to that individual TO g
: down from the tree. He promptly obeye
r and, taking the book from Pomona, begs
to show the pictures to Euphemia.
You had better hurry, sir callt
le out "a can't hold this dog very long
And, indeed, Lord Edward had made
Is run toward the agent, which jerked 4
" very forcibly in his direction. But NOV
ment by the tramp had quickly broug
?" the dog TO his most desired victim.
se "If you will just tie up that dog, sill
said the agent, land come this way,
rs would like to show you the Meltinag
e. pear-dissolves in the mouth like sno
-. sir; trees will bear next year"
z! "Oh, come look at the Royal Sparklil
'u Rube graper cried Euphemia. 1T glo
IS. in the sun ike a gem
re Yes said the agent, ''and fills the
Id with fragrance during the whole month
a September-"
ds :. l tell you!' l shouted. ~ can't hC
n this dog another minute! The chain is c
he ting the skin of my hands. Run, sir, ~
IS I'm goin to let go u
er "Run! rum cried Pomona. Fly
your life!"
:" The agent now began to be frighten
es- and shut up his book.
"If you could only see the plates,
Fn I'm sure"
; a - Are you ready?' l cried, as the
excited by Pomona's wild shouts, mad
ry, bolt in his direction.
'UOOu-Oav, II must saiu the age
nd as he hurried to the gate. But there
ees stopped.
OF "There is nothing, sir, that would so
I'D prove your place as a row Of the Spitz
berg sweet-scented balsom fir along I
he fence. I'm sell you three year old tt
vas -
IN "He's loose!' I shouted, as drop
rer the chain.
OF In a second the agent was on the OF
'rt. side of the gate. Lord Edward mad
the dash toward him; but, suddenly 81
ping few back to the tree of the tramp
a, "If you should conclude, SIR" said
'nd tree agent, looking over the fence,
have row of those frs along here
lad Ny good SIR" said l, ''there is no
Ps, Of frs there now, and the fence is not v
i high. Ny dog, as you see, is very m
oid excited, and l cannot answer for the
ara sequences if he take it into his hea,
'h1 jump over.
Ned The tree agent turned and walked slo
away"
yer "
old
.o,, Whilst Adam silent God FINN him took