The Penn's Grove record., 1883-10-27
The squIre's Peaches.
a STORY rouNpEp on FACT.

A STORY FOUNDED on FACT.
The squire was on his way home om
the village ; a peep II the back of the
wagon and under the seat proved this,
setting aside the fact thstit was Thurs
day night.
Squire Holt always went to the store
and ~postofice on that night, getting his
weekly supplies of groceries and the
mail for the whole neighborhood-
1t was a way they had in Jewsst
Road. the first one who called at the
p~ostofice got the mail for that dis
trict and delivered it as he drove
home.
The sun had just dropped to rest be-
hind a pile of gold and crimson clouds,
which lay banked together in the west
srn sky. No wonder the squire drops
the reins on Princes back, and pat
ting the dog on the seat beside him,
looks back.
He is just passing under the noble
elms in front of the Hawthorne place,
having climbed the steep hill from the
village. He sees the cluster Of houses,
the two church spires, the plain acad-
envy building and the stone church,
which comprise the village. Beyond
are farms with their dwellings nestled
among the trees ; hillside homes that lie
between him and Kersarge. He takes
it all in at a glance, but his eye follow
the range of hills and settles at the foot
of tiny mountain; though too far away
to discern any dwellings, he sees it all in
his minds eye.
There have been a hundred sunsets
like this, a hundred twilights just as
fresh, and the squire has passed this way
times without number still he always
looks back.
81 never pass this turn in the road
without taking a look at the dear old
mountain aS 4
He is talking to himself, or to the
dog. ~
81 like to see it look warm and
pleasant over there. 1t was just such
a night as this that I brought my bride
away. We have driven over the road
a good many times since then, and we
always speak Of that one ride. She had
been my angel over the right shoulder
ever since. | guess she is pretty happy in
Jewett Road, after all. She is so sensi-
BILE and so good at planning. I won
der if she can't solve this peach trou-
BILE. The boys are q real bother, and
l hope she can find a way to manage
Them"
The squire was so busy with his
thoughts and those academy boys.
that he left the turnpike and was driving
by Blacksmith Porter's without noticing
the little man in his leather apron,
who stood leaning against the door of
his shop.
"Whoa, Princei Here are a couple
of letters for your folks. | guess one
of them is from your son William ; the
stamp is n of those outlandish Vest
ern towns. Strange that he took to
music when the rest of your boys and
girls can't sing any more hana cracked
fiddle. Blacksmithing pretty brisk I.
Yes, | thought so ; see you at it early
and late. No, 1 can't stop to go in.
I1va xnf aama- mana latfars 10 daliv>r.
much as a dozen in the top Of my hat.
i must hurry along. Wife will have
supper ready and waiting.''
Sure enough, he found it waiting.
Pandowdy and a pitcher of rich milk !;
snowy bread and golden butter, and
for stop Of" as the husband called it,
two richly Drowned cup custards.
The squire was hungry, but in the
midst of his eating told of his trip,
whom he saw, what they said, and all
the little gossip that she depended up
on his telling. They were a mile or
more from the village, and did not get
the news every day.
You look as though there was
something on your mind that troubled
you. What is it,"
Mrs. Holt had finished her supper
and was standing by her husbad's chair.
She drew his head close to her side, and
stroking his gray hair, said:
Scan | help you about anything p"
eyes, little woman, l think you can.
I want you to think out one of your
plans to conquer the rogues from the
village academy, who they tell me, are
at their pranks again, and are planning
a raid OF oar peach orchard this very
night.n
They talked sometime ; at last the
best plan was decided upon. Before
the squire went to the barn to shut
up for the night, he took his p~lain.faced
little oma into his strong arms, and
kissing her cheek, said, "Whst could /
do without you You teach me a les
son every day" And then he went
cut singing, ''The dearest spot on earth
to me is home, sweet home %
1t was nearing midnight, and Mrs.
Holt was growing very anxious.
Three long hours the squire had been
gone. She said to herself "The boys
will do him no harm, l am sure.
They are a little wild ON these night
raids, but at heart they are good mean
ing fellows. hope our plan will work
good things. My heart yearns over
them. Far away from their homes,
without a mothers care or a fathers
restraint, many of them have nothing
to hinder their being reckless unless we
a inspire a principle within them.
Who can tell what good results may