The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1878-11-20
A TREE AGENT TREED.t

WhlCH HAS ucon JuStlQou ny the expert
ence Of centuries.
A TREE AGENT TREED.
The July Sm'abner contains the conclud-
ing installments 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 a
drive with Euphemia, his wife, finds
tramp in one of his trees and a tree-agent
in another near by, with his savage dog,
Lord Edward, plying between. The fol-
lowing scene ensues:
"This ope," said Pomona, lis a tree
man"
81 should think so" said I, as caught
sight of a person in gray trowsers stand
ing among the branches of a 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 support
ed him we'll enough, as she stood close to
the trunk, just out of reach OF Lord Ed
ward.
"This is very unpleasant position, sir"
said he, when I reached the tree. 81
simply came into your yard, on matter
of business, and finding that raging beast
attacking person in q tree, had barely
time to get into this tree myself, before
he dashsd at me. Luckily I was out of
his reach; but I very much fear I have
lost some Of my property"
t.N0 ho hasn,t ooi6 pO,noro t1T+ ,u,c q
big book he dropped. Ipicked it up and
took it into the house. It's full of pic
lures of pears and peaches and flowers.
I've been lookin' at it. That's how knew
what he was. And there was no call for
gittin' up tree. Lord Edward never
would have gone after him if he hadn't
run as ifhe 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, stress,
shrubs, vines, evergreens- everything
suitable for a gentleman's country villa.
I can sell you something quite remarka-
BILE, sir, in the way Of cherry trees
French 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
EYES," said Pomona. II seen them in
the book. But they must grow on q
ground-vine. No tree could hold such
pears as them"
Here Euphemia 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, I will get my book, and
show you specimens Of some Of the finest
small fruit in the world, all imported
from the first nurseries of Europe 1.-The
Red.gold Amber Muscat graps-the''-
"Oh, please let him down!' said
Euphemia, her eyes beginning to spark
I slowly walked toward the tramp tree
revolving various matters in my mind
VIZ 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 it. II
behooved me to be careful.
l told Pomona to run and get the doc
chain, and stood under the tree, listen
ing, as we'll as could to the tree-agent
talking to Euphemia, and paying no at
tentlon to the impassioned entreaties OF
the tramp in the crotch above me- When
the chain was brought, I hooked one end
Of it in Lord Edwards collar, and then I
took g firm grasp Of the other. Telling
Pomona to bring the tree-agent's book
from the house, called to that indiyidu-
al to get down from his tree. He prompt
ly obeyed, and, taking the pvok from
Pomona, he began to show the pictures
to Euphemia.
''You had better hurry, sir,''I called
out. II can't hold this dog very long. .
And, indeed, Lord Edward had made a
run toward the agent, which jerked me
very forcibly in his direction. But a
movement by the tramp had quickly
brought the dog back to his more desired
victim.
eff you will just tie up the dog, sir, =
said the agent, land come this way, I
would like to show you the Meltinagua
pear--dissolves in the mouth like snow,
sir; trees will bear next year,
ooh, come look at the Royal Sparkling
Ruby grape" cried Euphemia. III
CLOVIS in the sun like GEM"
Eyes" said the agent, ''and fills the air
with fragrance during the whole month
of September y
II tell you" shouted, II can't hold
this dog another mjnutel 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 his book.
"If you could only see the plates, Sir,
/ I'm sure-''
Are you readya" { cried, as the dog,
excited by Pomonas wild shouts, made a
bolt in his direction.
"Good-day, if must . said the
agent, as he hurried to the gate. But
there stopped. 38
"There is nothing, sir,'' he said, sthat
would SO improve your place as a row of
the Spitzenberg Sweet scented Balsam fir
along this fence. I'll sell you three year
old trees ----' y Il
He's loose!'' I shouted, as / d,opped