Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1880-03-04

having allayed his thirst at the spring
which dubbed ont below the orchard, he
mounted the fence and betook himself of
the favorite family tree, whose huge
gnarled trunk supported leafy coronet
of interlacing limbs and branches, 30
dense as to prelude all possibility of the
suns rays penetrating through them.
Into this delightful shade Jake threw
himself, and for moment forgot his
tolls and troubles. The sky was 80 light,
gay flowers SO fragrant that he could not
help but feel their benignant influnce.
The dull dreaming Of beetle and the
hoarse cawing of some crows in the dis
tant cornfeld, mingled with the ripping
of the water over the stones by the road
side, lent enchantment to the scene; and
poor Jake could not help but think how
sweet life must be to those who have
nothing to do but while away their time
in pleasant places, in the shadow of
green trees and overhanging boughs.
Thus he unused, helping himself to the
fruit in the meantime, until, before he
was conscious of the fact, he had fallen
off into light doze from which he was
suddenly awakened by hearing voices
approaching from the direction of the
house. In an instant he was on his feet
and peering through between the trees
who should he see but Jenny and Mr..
Eldridge, the dauditied city cousin,
leisurely approaching the tree under
which he stood.
Here was dilemma, indeed, to be
caught trespassing would be disgraceful
In the extreme, and besides Jake could
not bear the thought of facing his lady
love in his old, faded homc-spun frock,
especially before the critical eyes of Mr..
Eldridge.
What was TO be done? For moment
a wild thought of fight took possession
Of him, but he Immediately realized that
that should he adopt that mode of escape
his discovery would be certain, inasmuch
as they were already nearly upoD him.
Poor Jake was all in tremble. What
could be done If he could only find a
safe place in which to hide until they
should pass by! He glanced around,
neryously, but nothing presented itself
that could afford him n secreting place.
The voices approached nearer; some
thing must be done, quick! He cast his
eye up into the tree, and wondered il it's
thick branches and dense foliage would
not protect him from tie eyes of a casual
observer. Yes, he would try it at any
rate; better avail himself of their prof
fered covert than be found standing there
like trembling culprit And without
taking second thought Jack scram-
bled up the tree, and slowed himself
away in the remotest part, amid a thick
cluster of green boughs.
A moment after he regretted the act,
for he realized that should he be discov-
cred in his present position, his situation
would be even more ridiculous than be-
fore
But it was now too late to indulge in
VAN regrets--or, rather, in any hope of
altering his situation. for Jenny and her
escort now advanced to the tree, and to
Jake's intense chagrin and modification,
seated themselves directly under the spot
where he was concealed.
"a pretty pickle you're into, Jake
Muggins," muttered Jacob, as with
flushed face he viewed the couple below,
md wondered if they couldn't hear his
heart beat; for it was bouncing so con-
vulsively that he was fearful lest it
should knock all the apples from off the
limb upon which he sat.
Aud then he thought what beauty
Jenny WIS as she sat there with her dark
hair gathered into a graceful coil, her
sweet, expressive eyes containing such q
depth of tenderness, and cheeks like
pink rose-buds, and wondered if it were
possible for such fairy creature t. ever
think Of loving n great, ungainly, awk-
ward chap like himself.
Ia the meantime Jenny and Mr. Ell
bridge were enjoying themselves be-
meath, little dreaming of the close prox
unity of n third party. Mr.. Eldridge
had opened and commenced reading
from a small volume OF Tennyson which
Jacob recognized from the binding.
After some time had been consumed
in this way the two proceeded to partake
of the fruit with which the ground was
strewn, conversing meanwhile and anus
ing themselves by spelling ont the sup
posed name of each ones lover upon the
seeds of the respective apples of each.
BY some strange perchance, MIR. FL
bridge caused the seeds from Jenny's
apple to spell the name of Jacob Mug
gins himself, almost every time. This
seemed to afford the city cousin great
pleasure, for le laughed necessarily, and
asked Jenny if she ever hoped to be able
tc capture such sky creature IA Jacob
Muggins.
Although Mr.. Eldridge was very much
amused over the coincidence of the
seeds, Jenny seemed to look upon the
matter quite seriously, and when her
cousin iokingly inquired If she did
really love this faint-hearted country
L 1. i 7 -. e