Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1881-01-05
Wild Grapes.

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,
outline against their rank, green leaves,
as if some enchanted hand had hung all
the forest alsles with glistening pendants
OF amethst.
The jelly they would make" said
the Widow Winton, shading her large
black eyes with one hand, as she looked
up where the vines had garlanded a
copse OF cedar trees. And The pre-
serves! And the price they would
bring IN market? I really do think that
when l rented the Glen cottage. 1 ought
to have had the privilege Of these woods
into the bargain. more especially as
Esselmount Is in Europe, aud the
grapes are dong nobody any good
And the Widow Winton drew a deep
sigh, as the wind waited fresh gust oil
fragrance toward her-the sweet, indie
scribable aroma Of ripening grapes in
the crucible of autumn sunshine.
The Widow Winton, be it understood
was no angular matrOn or wrinkled old
beldame, but a rosy little parsonage OF
two or three and twenty, with laughing,
sly black eyes, long lashed aud almond
shaped, saucy, retrousse nose, and
lips like cleft rosebud. And as she
stood there with her dimpled hands
interlaced above her eyes, rebellious
resolution formed itself within her heart.
4 will have them SAID the Widow;
as well me as the schoolboys and the
sparrows. And i'll were TO ask that
crusty old agent, l know he'd refuse, so
| shall omit the little ceremony. III
send 'em into town, and III take the
money to get me new fall hat for
mine has been positively shabby ever
Since the Grape got soaked through in
that summer shower, three weeks ago
Sunday
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 pot?' said Fanny.
1T would be stealingp
No, it wouldn't stoutly argued Fan
uy. There they hang, doing nobody
any good, and it's a wicked, sinful
shame! And Mr.. Esselmont Is in Paris,
and that cross old crab of an agent sets
up a cry ii one does not but break off q
sprig of autumn leaves. No, Charity.
there's no use arguing /; the grapes !
want. and grapes I'll bave!'
1 wouldn't said Miss Charity.
Il would said Widow Winton.
And she took down a little wicker
basket, with a twisted handle and a
double lid and tripped off.
How are you going TO reach them?'
said Miss Charity.
Il shall climb, SAID the widow.
'You?' cried Miss Charity.
Yes, 1 = nodded the widow.
But she was yet engaged in gather"
ing the purple spoilS that hung, ripe
tempting, within her reach, when there
was a cracking Of dry leaves under foot,
and tall. young man, il suit Of dark
colored cloth, and Tyrolese
hat, stepped lightly into the forest
glade.
1T, the new rector said the Wido"
" inton to herself. To think that he
should have bluodered along at thi'
very time of all others But l may as
well make the best oil It,
And she turned around to greet th'
bewildered newcomer with a swee'
smile and the utmost self~possession.
viii you have some grapes" sai'
she, holding out the twisted wicke
basket.
IL beg your pardonv stammere'
the stranger, but have mistaken m!
way. 1 supposed these were th'
Esselmont woods
so they are,' said the widow, and
am stealing the Esselmont grapes
because you see, I've rented the it'll
cottage yonder, and l really think th
grapes ought to 90 with the cottage :
don't you'
Really said the stranGer--"ido
/ Winton saw by this time that he wa
tall and straight, with pleasnt, haze
ewes ard long, silky mustache.
lkoow so little about the property here
oh, of course notr said the widow
sitting down on fallen tree, with he
little black silk apron full Of grapes
Hut can tell you, Mr.. Esselmont, VIII
owns the property. is in Europe; an
| The agent is such a cross old fudge :ha
one can't ask for so much as bunch 9
wild Howers-a regular cfab' 20
know?' opening her bright eyes I
emphasize the idea.
How very disagreeable' SAID u
stranger. who had taken a seat on IN