The weekly herald. [volume] (Cleveland, Tenn.) 1876-1888, 1881-03-18
KATE'S ADVENTURE,

of course ] can tell my own adven.
lures n deal better than any one can
tell them for me. That stands to nature.
I'm not practiced writer, and don't
know how TO produce what the fashion
able authors call grand pen-effects;' y
but ! believe I can make you under
stand how il was. And that is all that
is necessary.
l. Leeman had sprained his ankle-that's
my brother-and he could not go to
town with the load of russell apples that
was already piled into barrels, and
stood waiting under the big red shed.
"lt's too badp said he. "Those
russell apples are worth deal at this
time of year and we shall miss the
market day!"
Cant you ask Neighbor Hutton to
take themP" said my mother.
"Neighbor Hutton is deal too sharp
n practitioner for me-" said Lceman,
It's hard thing to say about a neigh.
Dor; but / can't trust his honesty"
"Mr. HallP"
r "Hall would he casting it up in my
face, for the next six months, that had
asked favor of him." said Leeman.
No, I'd rather lose the apples than lose
my independence. But it is too provok-
ing that must needs have slipped on
that piece of orange-peel now, of all
times in the world. have been saving
up these apples all the winter with a
special eye TO this particular market
day."
Leeman," said I, I'm CO."
Nonsensep' said Leeman.
"But why notP" said l. "Old Pomp
is as gentle as a kitten, and l know
every inch of the way"
"But there are the Red Swamp
woods-that desolate stretch of three
miles, with never q house on either ide
of the way, except the deserted cabin
where the old negro hanged himself,
twenty years ago" argued my mother.
"Who cares for the Red Swamp
woodsP" said l, valiantly ! never was
afraid of frogs and whip -poor-wills, and
m not going to begin now. Lii, will
you 60 out and help me harness early in
the morning, and"
"Oh, I wish was going tool Can't
/ go, KateP" cried Lii, my holden
younger sister, with her blue eyes
glittering with delight at the idea of
anything unusual.
"StuffW cried /, imperiously. "Of
course you can't. Hasn't fomp heavy
load enough, without your ninety
pounds OF mischief loaded onP Be
sides, you must stay at home and take
careof mother and Leeman and finish
the chintz curtains for the big west
chamber; for Colonel Hay may come
at any time now"
Colonel Hay was our city boardeT-
gentleman who had been recon-
mended by his physician to try the
fresh, pino-scented breezes of the
Shawaugeenta mountains, and whom
our rector had recommended to the Icy
Spring farm.
We were rot rich, although mother
and, Leeman had managed the farm
economically and well since fathers
death, and the weekly addition 10 our
income would be something worth con-
sidering.
The idea of n city boarder was very
pleasant, too, and Icy Spring farm was
very lovely spot, although we seldom
allowed ourselves to think Of that.
So, after a little, coaxed mother and
Leeman to consent, and the next morn
ing Lii and ] were up long before Iday-
break, harnossing old Pomp, and getting
ready for the days journey.
BY the time the red, level light of the
arising sun touched old Pomp's gra-
name with radiance, l was driving
thr ough the Red swamp, where the
maple trees from which II took its name
were all aglow with crimson blossoms,
and the thrushes and robins cal ed TO
one another with flute-like notes.
Well, managed splendidly. ! knew
where was going when started. /
sold the six barrels ofrussets to the man
who kept the Park hotel for four dol
lars apiece, and that was more than Lee
man himself anticipated.