Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1881-08-25
STEALING WATER.MELONS.

Alb Ashley was q real, live Hoosier, noto-
rious for everything in general, and stealing
melons in particular. In melon time, he
was the dread of the whole neighborhood ;
for when he visited a patch, he made it
rule never to leave until it was entirely des.
troyed. This was singular trait in his
character something unaccountable-.for,
aside from this, he was considered one of the
best fellows in the world. Stealing melons
and plundering patches, seemed to be a part
of his nature, for it was evident that it did
not arise from any niggardly disposition or
selfish motives. He was a real open hearted
kind of an individual, always growing more
melons than any body else, and giving them
away more freely than anybody else. They
we're no object to him, yet he could not re-
sist the temptation to steal from his neigh
bors, just for the fun of the thing. But, as
some one has said, "t is a long lane that has
no turn )" and likewise, had Alb followed up
the practice of stealing melons all his life,
he would have got to be melon thief of
long standing. But such state of things
was not destined to last always-"A change
came DER the spirit of his dream" I recol-
lect once in melon season, some three or
four youngsters called at Abs house, and
after telling him of the "fne patch" that
Deacon Aikers had, proposed to visit it, Alb
was on hand without moments hestancy,
and so the company set out as soon as it was
fairly dark. Before proceeding further, /
may say, of Alb, in the language Of the poet,
H loved whisky" as we'll as he did melons;
and as the boys in whose company he was,
had looked to the future and brought along
bountiful supply of the "good critter," he was
soon enjoying himself hugely. Round and
round went the black bottle, and on and on
went the company. They soon got to be very
merry-so much so that apparently they paid
no attention to road or path, but went right
through the woods a9a brush, the same as if
they had been walking on barn floor. At
length, after winding about in various ways,
and overcoming many obstacles, such as fall.
en- trees and "worm fences" that lay in their
route, they arrived at the patch, and pitched
over the enclosure. Ye gods, what a sight !!
There lay the huge melons, so thick that our
adventures could scarcely walk for them.
There they lay, great mealy, "red cores" ap.
parently calling out in their own language,
"Arise, slash and eat p They were none of
your little, long, "wizzled up" things, such as
find their way to the market stands, and
which one would suppose had fallen from the
vine in fit of the "blue devils;" but they
were great, plump, jolly, good natured fel-
lows, many of which were already showing
their red interior, having, apparently, burst
their sides with laughter. Alb was right in
his glory, and so hauling out his jack knife,
he fell to slashing around with vengeance.
The others followed his example, and very
soon there was sad havoc in the melon patch.
Having satisfied his appetite, Alb fell
and crushing open all that came in
his way. The other boys hesitated to par
ticipate at 6rst urging that it was really too
bad to treat the old Deacon in such man.
ner but Alb swore that it was good enough
for the old hypocrite, and that he would not
leave as long as there was melon with q
whole hide. Finding there was no stopping
him, they lent hand to the performance,
and very soon every melon was destroyed
and not only that, but the vines were pulled
up and heaped in one corner Of the patch.
Now, said Alb, mounting the pile, which
was some FIVE or six feet high, give me the
black bottle, and let me drink the old Dea.
cons health-thst good man, in honor Of
whom we've just erected this monument.