Little Falls transcript. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1876-1894, 1884-09-12
THE SQUIRE'S PEACHES.

THE SQUIRRELS PEACHES.
The squire was Oh his way home from
the village; a peep at the back of the
wagon and under the sent proved this,
setting aside the fact that it was Thurs.
day night.
Squire Holt always went to the store
and post Office on that night, getting
his weekly supplies Of groceries and the
mail for the whole neighborbood. 1t was
d way they had in Jewett Road, the
| first one who called at the postoffice got
the mail for that district and delivered
it as he drove home.
The sun had just dropped to rest be-
hind a pile Of golden crimson clouds,
! which lay banked tog ether in the west
ern sky. No wonder the Squire drops
the reins on Princes back, and patting
the dog on the seat beside him, looks
back.
He is just passing under the noble
eins 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 acade-
my building and the stone church,
which comprise the village. Beyond
the farm are dwellings, nestled among
the trees; hillside homes that lie be-
tween him and Kersage. He takes it
all in at o glance, but his eye follows
the range Of hills and settles at the foot
Of tiny mountain though too far away
to discern any dwellings, he sees it ali
in his minds eye.
There have been a hundred sunsets
like this, hundred twilights just as
fresh, and the Squire has passed this
way times without number; still lie al
ways looks back
II never pass this turn in the road
without taking @ look at the dear old
mountain"
He is talking to the dog, or to him
self.
IL like to see it look warm and pleas
ant over there. It WAS just such night
as this that | brought my bride away
We have driven over the road q good
many times since then, and we always
speak Of that one ride She has been
my angel over the right shoulder ever
since. I guess she is pretty happy in
Jewett Road, after all. She is SO SEN
sibIe and SO good at planning. I won
der if she cant solve this peach trouble.
The boys are real bother, and hope
she can find way to manage them"
The Squire was so busy with his
thoughts and those '.academy boys"
that he left the turnpike and was driv-
ing by Blacksmith Porter's without no
ticing the little man in his leather
apron, who stood against the door of his
shop.
"Whoa, Prince, Here are a couple
Of letters for your folks. 7 guess one
of them is from your son William: the
stamp is one of those oiltlandish Wes-
tern towns. Strange that he took to
music when the rest Of our boys and
girls can't sing any more than cracked
fiddle. Blacksmithing pretty brisk?
Yes, thought so: see you at it early
and late. No, I can't stop to go in.
I've got some letters to deliver; much
as dozen in the top of my hat. I
must hurry along. Wife will have sup.
per ready and waiting"
Sure enough, he found it waiting.
Pandowdy and a pitcher of rich milk;
snowy bread and golden butter, and
for stop off, as the husband called il,
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 lit
lie gossip that she depended upon his
telling. They were mile or more from
the village, and did not get the news
every day.
"You look as though there was some
thing on your mind that troubled you,
What is it?"
Mrs. Holt had finished her supper
and was standing by her husband chair.
She drew his head close to her side, and
stroking his gray hair, said:
"Can I help you about anything?"
EYES, little woman, 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 FRANKS again and are planning
a raid on our peach orchard this night"
They talked some time; at last the
best plan was decided upon. Before
the squire went to the barn and shut
up for the night, he took his plain
faced little woman into his strong arms
and kissing her cheek, said, "What
could I do without you? You teach
me lesson every day" And then he
went out singing, 1.-THE dearest spot on
earth to me is home, sweet home!"
It was nearing midnight, and Mrs.
Holt was growing very anxious. Three
long hours the Squire had been gone.
She said to herself: 'sThe boys viii do
him no harm, I am sure. They are O |
little wild on these raid nights, but at
heart they are good meaning fellows. I
hope our plan will work good things.
My heart yearns over them. Far away
from their homes, without a mothers
care or q fathers restraint, many of
them having nothing to hinder their
being reckless, unless we can inspire
principle within them. Who can tell |
what good results may come from kind
word? Hark ! near his footsteps"
Where are you peaches? Did he set
the dogs on you p
The questions were asked by three
sickly looking lads as they climbed the
fence. They agreed to wait about half
way between the Squire's and the VII
lage, and help carry home the plumber.
+ in, amt you smart to come without
any. If I'd gone, there wouldn't have
been peach left on the trees. !