The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1880-07-29
Rates Adventure.

Rates Adventure.
Fam Kate. -tesz..r si-.a i..t ~
OF course can tell my own adventures a
deal better than any one can tell them for
me. That stands to nature. Pm not a
practiced writer, and don't know how to
produce what the fashionable authors call
"grand pen effects" but believe can
make you understand how it was. Aud thai
is all that is necessary. -.-s--f..i,.il l...-i =
Leeman had sprained his ankle-that's
my brother-and he could not go to town
with the load of russet apples that was al
ready piled into barrels. and stood waiting
under the big red shed. bas .s-.lsln 4
Its too bad, !" said he. D" Those russei
apples are worth deal at this time Of the
year-and we shall miss the market day."
Cant you ask Neighbor Hutton to take
them +" said my mother .'alsq 81 Io 4
"Neighbor Hutton is a deal too sharp q
practitioner for me-" said Leeman. " It's q
hard thing to say about a neighbor; bat !
can't trust his honesty" sirat s-lila
"Mr. Han?" a-I
Hall would be casting it up in my face
for the next six months, that bad asked a
favor of him." said Leeman. 5"No, I'd
rather lose the apples than lose my inde-
pendence. But it is too provoking that
must needs must have slipped on that piece
of orange-peel, now, of all times in the
word. have been saving up these apples
all the winter with special eye to this par
ticular market day." .i.,
"Leeman," said I, "pH CO." .....
Nonsense said Leeman. .tt..i.
I" But, why not2" said I. cold Pomp is
as gentle as kitten, and know every inch
of the way" t.
But there are the Red Swamp Woods
that desolate stretch of three miles, with
never q house on either side of the way, ex-
cept the deserted cabin where the old ne
gro hanged himself, twen,y years ago." ar
gued my mother. .iiiiai
"Who cares for the Red Swamp woods7"
said I, valiantly. "I never was afraid of
frogs and whip -poor-wills, and Pm not 60
ing to begin now. Lii will you go out
and help me harness, early in the morning,
and"
"Oh, wish was going, too. Can't I
go, Kate2" cried Lii, my hoyden younger
sister, with her blue eyes glittering with de-
light at the idea of anything unusual
"Stuff!" cried I, imperiously. "Of
course you can't. Hasn't Pomp heavy
load enough, without your ninety pounds of
mischief loaded on? Besides, you must
stay at home and take care of mother and
Leeman, and finish the chintz curtains for
the big west chamber; for Colonel Hay may
come at any time now." F,HT
Colonel Hay was our city boarder-a gen.
tleman who lad been recommended by his
physician to try the fresh, pine-scented
breezes of the Shawaugeenta Mountains,
and whom our rector had recommended to
the Icy Spring Farm. llfia.s .i
We were not rich, although mother and
Leeman had managed the fssm economically
and well since fathers death, and the week.
ly addition to our income would be some
thing worth considering. ~ --''. ii'1 i'+-
The idea of a city boarder was very pleas
ant, too, and Icy Spring Farm Uas very
lovely spot, although we seldom allowed
ourselves to think of that. 'LiaEla
So, after little, coaxed mother and
Leeman to consent, and the next morning
Lii aud were up long before daybreak,
old Pomp, and getting ready for
the days journey.
By the time the red, level light of the
rising sun touched old Pomp's gray mane
with radiance, was driving through tho
Red Swamp, where the maple-trees from
which it took its name were all aglow with
crimson blossoms, and the thrushes and
robins called to ore another with hute-ike
notes.. -t
Well, I managed splendidly. I knew
where I was going to when started. I
sold the six barrels of russets to the man
who kept the Park Hotel for four dollars
apiece, and that was more than Leeman him
self anticipated. -ltfla.g
"Be careful you don't get robbed, now,"
said the man, as he watched me put the
bills into my little leather portmonnaie.
"Robbed! said I, with a laugh. "why,
Who should rob me 2"
"Oh, don't know" said the landlord.
'' There's always tramps and burglars
They're a crop that don't belong
to any particular season of the year"
As turned away-I did not notice it at
the time, but it came back to me afterward,
as things do come back, like a sudden fash
ACROSS the dark shield of memory-a man
Who was lounging ON the steps looked hard
ut me. ..1
I colored a little, and thought to myself,
" Well, he will know me the next time he
sees me-" and then forgot all about it for
had mothers black bombazine to match,
and Lips spring hat to buy, and some dinner
china to select, and the doctors prescription
for Leeman to fill out at the druggists, SO
hat it was well on to seven when I turned
Did Pomp's head homeward, in the suburbs
IF the town, with feeling of elation which
was quite pardonable, when one considers
ny inexperience in the marketing line and
ny exceptionally good success. ,.., lt
The sunshine was warm, and still on the
1igh-road, and was rather glad when at
asst we came to the cool shadows of the Red
sWamD where the birds vere all c;Iept in