Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1884-10-09
OUT ON A LARK.

iAat August morning and looked
t1roush into the old Mr.. Thomas or
thard. where the branches of the apple
irees Lent beneath their burden OF
luscious-looking fruit
Don't they look good. said Joe,
whose mouth already watered tor such
apples as these. lie could easily UNDER
a:lnd how our Mother Eve gave way 10
temptation when it was presented in
he shape Of a plump. 5uicy apple.
Yes, they do look nice, that's 4
act. " Johnny answered Il visa we
had some ike them in our orchard -
ats hard work 10 go BY here every
day and see those apples hanging there !
to tanialize n fellow sO'' said Joe. with |
another longing llok through the fence. |
Just see that big red fellow on the |
end OF that limb. He bObs about rs if |
he was saying. Don't You wish YOU |
could get neg Wouldn't il be jolly if /
you and / could have = chance at 'em2 |
OOH and here Joe made an indescrib- |
able sound intended 10 express the pleas /
ure be felt confident he would expert /
ence in having the free RANGE of such |
IA orchard rs this was Everybody |
said Mr.. Thomas had the finest apples /
in the whole country.
''Guess you fellows have got quite n
moa b for apples. hain't yes" said 4
gru1 voice elusc by, aud both the bows /
were so startie that they jumped. feel
/ ing almos. rs if they had been detected /
IN doing mething wrong.
Mr. Thomas was Standing in a corner
ii the fence. leaning over the rails.
watching them.
"'Twon't 10 20 let YOU siarve IL
few apples - ave We. and he laughs
in bis usual grim WAY. Here's half
dozen for We. Jes' picked 'em up under
that tree On that knoll yender. Fust
+ I've found ripe. this year. don't
sene'ly give many apples to the BOYS.
for they steal 'em a.Ore get a chance.
but dun no Is you'd do that Dru.hcr
I give 'em away than have 'em stO'e.
cause feller likes 10 have the handlin'
IF his own prop'ty," added 3ir. ThOm-
hs. with chueklc.
The boys took the apples and
t1ankei Mr.. Thomas for thcm. Then
/ they went on toward the village. to
which ,JOhnny's father had sent him
and his cousin Joe on some sort OF IN
errani. Bezore they had got around
the corner the apples lad disappeared
''My, Want they goods said Joe.
smoking his lips. III ther'd only
heen more"
That night he proposed something to
Johnny.
Saw said he. in low and mvste-
Iious tome, when they we're going up
stairs To bed. '.wouidE you like some
more o. shose aDpics?''
Course | would. - answered Johnny.
Then let's gct some" said Joe.
What d'ye says'
How'll We get 'ems" asked johnny.
why. take 'em'' answered Joe. .
IF we don't some other bows will, an
we might As well have en- as any
body.
That WAS 4 very poor argument No
one was ever justified in a wrcng
action. because II they didn't do il.
some one else would.
Wouldn't il be steaiing?" said
Johnny
Folks don't call It stealing If boy
takes few apples 10 cat, answered d
Joe. Besides. Mr.. Thomas won't miss
EN-. anyway"
MAY b. not" sad JOhany. hcsi-
tatingly. ''Bui - don't seem Just right
for he gave Us some. and as much n
said lie didn't think we'd steal-or iaie
any without his lieve." corrected John
ny--ilc hardly liked the sound OF the
word steal
We'll. You needn't do it if you don't
want .O.' said Joe. with an offended
sir. "a thought you liked fun.
I'm 20 along. said johnny. vino
WAS always ready when there vas i
chance for sport. lie didn't quite ap-
prove Of this way e doing business. h
but, ke good many Of is .-childrc1 y
u a larger growth be smoihersd his y
-onsc cnce and set OF
- don't suppose there's any need Of I
being very careful. - said Jpe. - rran't !
very likely Mr. Thomas Il be round
this time of nishi.
But they were areful, for all that 2
and didn't speak above breath until !
they were in the tree from which TIE
fruit In been taken hat had 50 aroused
Joe's appetite ios apples. !
Amt this oily? wins erred Joe, !,
with his month full 81 apple. Seems =
io me they tasic better than them did u
thi, morning. I'm going t. s,uff nv
pockets win EN-. ani c-irry all I can 2
in my shirt Hark,'' ;
The exclamation was caused bv n Il
noise near them iha; sounded very much \
ike a step in the Dry grass d
'-Wouldn't wonder If some of the |,
other bows were ouf on lark too" q
whispered Johnny. who was not with
out some misg.vinss, however. '.Lis- !
ten" "
Yes. the sound they heard was the
sound Of 4 step sure enough. and they
iancied they could hear others near by.
1T IS the Toys. sure's yOu re alive" !
said Joe. i N going 10 bail 'en. Z
Say. boys. heilo.' 4
What's thats Who arr re. an
where be yes'i demanded a gruif voice n
that sent terror 20 the bOys' hearts-the b
voice OF the owner Of the orchard. II
'-Sleaiiu' apples. hey2 An hain't i
sense enough 10 keep still =bort il. u
Lucky ! came home cross lots Now C
dye j,'st git right straight down ous O ;
that tree. an don't yer try TO run. or b
the cog II take after ye. Come down. z
You theivin young scalawacs, sO't
can get a sluint at ye Dye hear2'' Il
-Ne'il have to get dc-yn aud run for q
IT, whispered Joe. That's the only "
chance. BE spry. or he'll nab Us. n
Joe jumped and set ont for the fence III
on run JOHNNY followed. cut Mr.. W
Thomas was too quick ior him. and the c
uniucky youth was .'nabbed." "
'-Sic 'em Towsr,' cried Mr. Tomas,
and Towser. noth nc 10th, gave n yelp
or two and starred in pursuit OF Joe. ID
'.ii's yoI. IS itsn cried a.r. Thomas. Al
dragging johnny info the light. Il =
thought better on We iAan that, gave q
ye apples tbs mornin'. an that didn't X
seem 10 sat s.y We. an now I'm gOin' d
70 give yOu . tann:n'. Don't 5'leVe n
ye'll be apt 20 come round tonight fer Is
more o that. and Mr. Thomas
ehuckled rs - gut long sprout from