The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1880-09-22
WILD GRAPES.

"Such a quantity of them" said the
Widow Winton, land doing nobody
any goodp
The golden September sunshine was
sleeping all the uplands in yellow bright
ness; the avanL couIiers of the coming
frosl had touched the naples and sumacs
with fiery red, and the wild grapes in
The woods came freighting the air with
sweetness. Such wild grapes, too
great, blooming masses of purple, out
lined against their rank, green leaves, as
if some enchanted hand had hung all the
forest aisles with glistening pendants OF
amethyst.
1.-The iellythey would makerH paid the
Widow Winton, shading her large black
eyes with one hand, IA she looked up
where the vines had garlanded a copse
of cedar trees. And the preserves
And the price they would bring in
market! really do think that when l
rented the Glen Cottage, j ought to
have lad the privilege of these woods
into the bargain. more especially as Mr..
Ess elmOnt Is in Eui opc, and The grapes
are doing nobody any good"
And the Widow Winton drew deep
sigh. as the wind waited n fresh gust OF
fragrance toward her-the sweet, inde-
scribahle aroma OF ripening grapes in
tur cru,lh Of autumn sunshIne.,.
The Widow WinIOn, be it under
stood. WAS no angular matron or
wIiek.ed old brldame, but rosy little
parsonage of two. or thrre-and-twentv,
with laughing, slOC-Hlack eyes, long
lashud and almond. shaped, n saucy.
retrousse nose, and lips like cleft rose.
buG. And AS she stood there, with her
dimoled hands interlaced above her
eyes, "A rebelious resolution formed itself
in her heart.
~ will have them," said the Widow
Winton; las well me as the schoolboys
and the sparrows. And if were to ask
that crusty old agent, / know he'd re-
fuse, so shall omit the little ceremony.
I'll send 'em into town, and I'll take the
money TO get me new fall hat, for mine
has bren positively shabby ever since
the Grape got soaked through in that
summer shower, tree weeks ago Sun
day"
And the Widow Winton went home
TO the little cottage on the edge OF the
wood, which had once been porter's
lodge to the Esselmont estate, and told
her sister what she had determined
upon.
Fanny" said Miss Charity Hall, who
was ten years older than the widow,
and good many degrees graver, "pray
don't think of such thing"
"Why notP" said Fanny.
cit would be stealingn
"No, it wouldn't" stoutly argued
Fanny. There they hang, doing no.
body any good; and it's wicked, sin
full shamel And Mr.. Esselmont is in
Paris, and that cross old crab of an
agent sets up a cry if one does but break
off sprig of autumn leaves. No,
Charity, there's no use arguing; the
grapes want, and the grapes I'll havel"
~ wouldn't" said Miss Charity.
"I would" said the Widow Winton.
And she took down a little wicker
. basket, with twisted handle and a
double lid, and tripped off.
How are you going to reach themP"
said Miss Charity.
81 shall climb" said the widow.
"Youm cried Miss Charity.
. Yes, nodded the widow.
But she was yet engaged in gathering
the purple spoils that hung, ripe and
tempting, within her reach, when there
was cracking of dry leaves under
foot, and tall young man, in a suit ol
dark-colored cloth and Tyrolese hat
stepped lightly into the forest glade.
"lt's thenew rector" said the Widow
Winton TO hers elf. "Io think that hC
should have blundered along at this
very time of ali others But l may a!
well make the best of it,"
And she turned around to greet thI
bewildered new. conner with swee
smile and the utmost selt-possession.
Win you have some grapesP" saiC
she, holding out the twisted wicke
basket.
ell beg your pardonw stammereC
the stranger; "but l must have mis-
taken my way. 1 supposed these wer
the Esselmont woods"
so they are," said the widow, "and
am stealing the EsselmOnt grapes be
cause, you see, I've rented the littl
cottage yonder, and l really think tn
grapes ought TO go with the cottage
don't your
Really" sad the stranger-th
Widow. Winton had perceived by thi
time that he was tall and straight, wit
pleasant hazel eyes and long, silk
mustache. " know soilittle about I'll
property here"
"Oh, of course notm said the widow
sitting down on a fallen tree, with ht
little black silk apron full of grape
But can tell you. MI. Esselmont, wi
owns the property, is in Europe; al
the agent is such cross old fudge th
one can't ask for so much as "a bunch
wild tlowers-a regular crab, you know
opening her bright eyes very wide
emphasize the idea.
" How very disagreeablew said d
stranger, who had taken a seat on L