The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1880-02-05

huge gnarled trunk supported leafy
caronet of interlacing limbs and
branches, so dense as to preclude all
possibility of the suns rays penetrat-
ing through them.
Into this delightful shade Jake threw
himself, and for a moment forgot his
tolls and troubles. The sky was so
light, the grass so green, the luscious
fruit and gay flowers so fragrant that he
influence. The dull dreaming of a beetle
and the hoarse cawing of some crows in
n distant cornfield, mingled with the
ripple of the water over the stones by the
roadside, 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 houghs.
Thus he mused, 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 dandiied city cousin,
leisurely approaching the tree under
which he stood.
Here was dilemma, indeed, to be
caught trespassing would be disgrace
.-ful in the extreme, and besides Jake
could not bear the thought of facing
his lady-love in his old, faded, home
spun frock, especially before the critical
eyes of Mr.. Eldridge.
What was to be donep For moment
n wild thought of fight took possession
of him, but he Immediately realized
that should he adopt thst mode of escape
his discovery would be certain, mas
much as they were already nearly upon
him. Poor Jake was all in a tremble.
What could be doneP If he could only
find a safe place in which to hide until
they should pass by! He glanced
around, nervously but nothing presented
itself that could afford him a secreting
place. The voices approached nearer
something must be done, quick! He
cast his eye up into the tree, and Won
dered if its thick branches and dense
foliage would not protect him from the
eyes OF casual observer. Yes, he would
try it at any rate; better avail himself
of their proffered covert than be found
standing there like trembling culprit.
And without taking a second thought
Jake scrambled up the tree, and slowed
himsclfaway in the remotest part, amid
II thick cluster of green boughs.
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
vain regrets-or. rather. in any hope of
altering his situation, for Jenny and her
escort now advarced to the tree. and to
Jake's intense chagrin and modification,
seated thems selves directly under the
spot where he was concealed.
"A pretty pickle you're into, Jak {
Muggins," muttered Jacob, as with
flushed face he viewed the couple be-
low, and wondered if they couldn't
hear his heart beat; for it was bounc.
ing so convulsively that he was fearfu
lest it should knock all the apples from
off the limb upon which he sat-
And then he thought what beauty
Jenny was as she sat there with hel
dark hair gathered into n graceful coil
her sweet, expressive eyes containing
such depth of tenderness, and cheeks
| like pink rose buds, and wondered if il
were possible for such n fairy creature
70 ever think of loving great, ungainly
awkward chap like himself.
In the meantime Jenny and Mr.. FL.
bridge were enjoying themselves be-
meath, little dreaming of the close prox,
unity of third party. Mr.. Eldridgt
had opened and commenced reading
from a small volume of Tennyson
which Jacob recognized from the bind
ing.
After some time had been consumed
in this way the two proceeded to par
take of the fruit with which the grounC
was strewn, conversing meanwhile anC
amusing themselves by spelling our
the supposed name of each ones love-
upon the seeds of the respective apples
of each.
By some strange perchance, Mr.. FL
bridge caused the seeds from Jenny
apple to spell the name of Jacob MUG
gins himself, almost every time. Thi!
seemed to afford the city cousin grea
pleasure. for he laughed incessantly, ,anC
asked Jenny if she ever hoped to b,
able to capture such shy creature a.
Jacob Muggins.
Although Mr.. Eldridge was yer,
much amused over the coincidence o
the seeds, Jenny seemed to look upol
the matter quite seriously. and when he
cousin jokingly inquired if she die
really love this faint-hearted country
man, she replied with defiant toss o
the head and a perceptible deepening o
the rose-tint on her cheeks, that sh,
liked him quite as well as any of hel
other acquaintancesm
And poor Jake, who can describe hi
| feelings upon hearing this frank avowal
| For if his face had been red before, i
was now almost purple in hue. Will
his heart beat ten times faster than be
fore. Yet ne managed to hold ON to hi
seat, and watch the progress of event
down below, for Mr.. Eldridge, who hac
listened to Jenny's declaration quit
seriously, had seated himself By he
side, and was apparently about to pro
pose on the spot. But just at that mo
ment Bounce, the big watchdog, cam
running down from the house and will
hoarse growls commenced smelling sus
piciously around the base of the tree, al
the while casting furtive glances int,
the branches where Jacob was seated il
mortal dread lest the dog should dis
close his position to the couple be
low.
The strange actions of the dog coul'
not help but attract the attention O
jimmy and her cousin, who were at frs
unable to assign any reason as to tn
cause of it. Presently Mr.. Eldridg
suggested that there was a squirrel ii
the tree, and to investigate the matte
more closely he arose and peered up int
the dark foliage.
81 imagine that / see somethin
seated up there among the branches" )" h
at length replied. shading his eyes wit
| his hand and gazing intPnflV at the tres