The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1880-11-11
Kate's Adventure.

M can tell them tor me-. mat stands
to nature. I'm not a practical writer,
and | don't know how to produce what
the fashionable authors call grand pen
effects" but I believe | can make you
understand how it was, and that IS all
that is necessary.
Leeman had sprainel his ankle
that's my brother-and he could rot 60
to town with the load of russell apples
that was already piled into barrels and
stood waiting under the big shed.
"It's too bad" said he. Those rus
set apples are worth a deal at this time
Of the year--and we shall miss the mar
ket day."
Cant you ask neighbor Hutton to
take them p said my mother.
'Neighbor Hutton is a deal too sharp
a practitioner for me-" said Leenan.
'It's a hard thing to say about a neigh
boz, but can't trust his honesty"
"Mr. Hall
Hall would be casting it up in my
face for the next six months, that l had
asked a favor of him. said Leeman.
"No, I'd rather lose the apples than my
independence. But it is too provoking
that | must needs have slipped Oh that
piece of peel now, Of all times in the
world. | have been saving up these
apples AL the Winter with a special
eye to this particular market day"
"Leeman," said I, "Ill 60"
Nonsense" said Leeman.
"But why not T. said |. "Old Pomp
is as gentle as a kitten, and know
every inch of the way
But there are the Red Swamp
Woods--that desolate stretch Of three
miles, with never a house on either side
of the way, except the deserted cabin,
where the old negro hanged himself
twenty years ago. argued my mother.
"Who cares for the Red Swamp
Woods y said |, valliantly. u never
was afraid of frogs and whippoorwills,
and Pm not going to begin now. Lii,
will you 60 out and help me- harness,
early in the morning, and
"Oh, l wish l was going, too Can't
| 90, KateY cried Lii, my hoyden
young sister, with her blue eyes glitter
ing with delight at the idea of anything
unusual.
"Sruf - cried ], imperiously. "Of
course YOU cant. Hasn't Pomp a heavy
load enough, without your ninety pounds
of mischief loaded ont Besides, you
must stay a: home and take care Of
mother and Leeman, and finish the
chlntz curtains for the big west cham
Der, for Col. Hay may come home at any
time now"
Col. Hay was our city botrder-a
gentleman, who had been recommended
by his physician to try the fresh, pine
scented breezes Of the S~hawaugeenta
Mountains, and whom our rector had
recommended to the Icy Spring Farm.
We were not rich, although mother
and Leeman had managed to farm econ
omically and well since fathers death,
and the weekly addition TO IL income
would amount to something worth con-
s~idering.,
The idea of a city boarder was very
pleasant, too, and Icy Spring Farm was
. very lovely spot, although we seldom
allowed ourselves to think Of that.
SO, after a little, | coaxed mother
and Leeman TO consent, and the neXt
morning Lii and | were up long before
daybreak, Harvesting old Pomp and get
ting ready for the days journey.
By the time the red, level light OF the
rising sun touched Old Pomp's gray
name with radiance, | was driving
through the Red Swamp, where the
maple trees, from which it took its
name, were all aglow with crimson
blossoms, and the thrushes and the
robins called to each other with flute
like notes.
Well, | managed splendidly. knew
where I was going tc when l started l
sold the SIX barrels. OF russets TO the
man who kept the Park Hotel for four
dollars apiece, and that was considerable
more than Leeman himself had antici-
pated.
ABE careful YOU don't get robbed,
now,' said the man as he put the bills
into my little performance.
"Robbed = said l with a laugh,
"why, who should rob me I"
ooh, l don't know said the landlord.
"There's always tramps and burglars
around. They are = crop that don't be-
long to any particular season Of the
vearN