The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1884-04-09
RIGHTEOUS RETRnBUTToN.

AtflAg nv
head.
There was no denying this oiense;
Il was patent to all the world-or, at
least to all that part Of it who miGht
happen 10 be on the edge Of Raven
Woods.
There was Miriam Green up IN
+on of the old oak tree. which reared
its uroud crest. an Absalom among
its gold leayed brethren, her curis
all TANGLED. her apron filled with
treasures of darkgreen mlstletoe.
There was Aunt Jane, standing IN
the little. open clearing, with hands
uplifted. eyes opened in the widest
Of disapproving glares, and sunoon-
net fallen over backward on her
shoulders.
Your frock's ali torn enunciated
the old lady.
u can easily mend it again
And your hair blown into tan
gle"
"Oh. Aunt Jane, that Is nothing
pleaded Miriam.
And your bonnet hanging bali
way down the tree /" gasped Aunt
Jane. growing more indignant, as
the full weight and enormlty OF
Miaiam's enormities dawned upon
her mind When you knew | for
babe YOU TO think Of such thing as
climbing a treei'
Dear Aunt Jane began the o.
fender. Butthe old lady would listen
to no argument. ~.
"You were sixteen yesterday,
said she. You are old enough to
know better. And YOU snail be
made to know better ! will punish
you for this piece of inexcusable
hoydenism =
Miriam blue eyes grew big.
Surely Aunt Jane couldn't shake
her or shut her up in the garret with
a page of Watts Hymns to learn,
or-worst alternative Of all-put her
on a short allowance Of apple pie at
dinner.
For pretty Miriam was still child
enough to regard any Of these occur
renceS as a serious misfortune, and
one to be greatly deprecated.
But while she was yet IN the ago.
nies Of apprehension, the question
was definitely determined by Aunt
James advancing 10 the foot of the
oak tree and pulling away the ladder
that had served as a means 10 reach
the first bough, a ragged mass OF To-
liage some twenty feet up from the
roots. Below that, the trunk ex-
tended down as perpendicular and
free of side ero0th as a telegraph
pole.
There said Aunt Jane, "since
YOU were so anxious to climb the
tree after mistletoe, you may remain
there and think it over at your lei
sure. | will come this evening and
put back the ladder
Miriam uttered a little cry.
Please. Aunt Jane. don't 90 off
she appealed. an never do SO any
more. Please forgive me, just this
once ="
But Aunt Jane was ineXorable.
With slow majesty she strobe out Of
the opening and was gone, even
while Miriam S piteous voice culver
ed on the air.
"Ob, Dear oh, dearl what am /
20 do?" said Miriam to herself. Il
couldn't Jump down without break
ing my arm, or ankle, or something
and here | am all alone in this viii
derness.
There she sat, perched on hori-
zonial bough, clinging to the taper
trunk of the tree, and swayed to and
fro in the gentle October breezes.
Ii had been IA most fascinating posi-
ton few minutes ago now IL was
frightful and perilous in the extrem-
est degree.
Was it an hour Was it ten
hours? Or was it only fifteen minu-
ties? Like the Prisoner Of Chillon,
our poor little captive had lost all
power of calculating time. But just
as the sun hung like ball of orange
flame above the western woods, there
was the sound OF quick footsteps
crashing over fallen twigs and crisp
autumn leaves below.
Its John Ford coming home from
hunting" Miriam said to herself,
with a quick breath. "Oh, / do
hope he won't see met
She shrunk close to the trunk OF
the tree. and tried to seem as much
like a big bunch of mistletoe as
possible. But it was useless. John
Ford's keen eyes were too well used
to woodcrait and all pertaining to 1t,
TO overlook her. He stopped short
at the entrance to the glade.
Miriam Greenw he exclaimed.
Yes" said the girl, laughing a
little Historically. 'Zaccheus he
And | am Zaccheus, and now l can't t
get down
oar said Mr.. Ford. "The lad
der fell, did it2"
Yves said Miriam, turning
very red, the ladder fell down"
IN put it up for you" said
Ford.
Do said Miriam, laughing to
herself, as she thought of Aunt
Jane.
He swung the ladder promptly
up against the trunk Of a tree.
Now, it's all right, said he. I'll
Just 20 TO see that the dogs haven't t
frightened Mrs. Monery's young
turkeys, and wait for you outside the
woods
In five minutes Miriam Green was
by his side, rosy and breathless,
still clinging to her apron of mis-
tlet0e.
~Oh, | am so much obliged to you
said she, earnestly.
1t was rather an awkward pre-
dicament, wasn't il p smiled he
What will Aunt Jane say?' said
Miriam voluntarily.
shell be very much alarmed
won't she"
NC" confessed Mirah. "She-
that is-Oh, Mr. Ford, | can't de
ceive you about itl'
And she told bin all.
"0f course it was yerv wrong to