Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1888-10-17


through the gate. We can follow the
path right to the tree. Whew
Ain il dark thought
They crept along cautiously. They
had no need to try and keep in the
shadow now, for it was all shadow.
All they cared for was not TO make a
noise, and it did seem as If the ground
was covered with an unusual amount
of rocks and logs-surely, Squire
Jones was very slovenly farmer, il
this was the way he kept his grounds.
Everything was still-except the
rustling among the leaves, that made
their pulses beat faster whenever the
breeze freshened.
"Ain't they splendid ?" whispered
Ray, taking great mouthful from
the first one he seized.
Don't stop to eat until you get
your pockets full" commanded Tim,
in the same cautious whisper. 1--WE
don't wait roun1 here to eat"
Then there was silence again, only
the leaves were rustled more rudely
than the wind had done.
There, boys, guess we've got
enough whispered Ray, nervously.
"I'm sure heard something. There
Didn't you hear some one step!'
pho" answered Tim, scornfully,
you have been hearing something
ever since we started. But | guess
we have got enough-as many as we
ought to take, anyhow. We don't
want him to miss 'em, you know.
Come, let's CO.
mot quiet so fast, my young
friend, don't be in hurry" cried a
voice, and flood of light from a
dark lantern completely dazzled their
eyes, while the windows of the farm
house glowed through the darkness.
"Those pears are too nice to be eaten
under the stone wall alone. Come
in, come in. Deborah and me has
been waiting for we all the evening"
And there, before them stood
Squire Jones, with the lantern, and
behind them were four of the hired
men, silently waiting to see if their
services were needed. There was no
escape for them.
They must make the best of it, and
the best was bad enough. Verify
the way of the trapsgressor is hard.
"You are dropping your pears
young man. Pick 'em up. Such
pears as these won't have to go beg
ging. l can lend 'em if ] can't sell
all. Don't you want to borrow few
and pay me back double when you
have more than | do?" said Squire
Jones grimly, as Tim tried to empty
the contents of his pockets upon the
ground, and then they knew that their
conversation had been overheard.
Here, wife, here's our company, at
last. Better late than never, eh ?
Hurry up the supper now. Hard
work always makes young folks hun
cry, and these boys have worked hard
since dark, ell, boysi' he added as he
led his unwilling guests into the house
and turned to his wife with twinkling
eyes.
TITS nearly ready, Thomas. Walk
right out this way, boys. | hope you
will like it, I'm sure" and good Mrs.
Jones, all smiles and futter, led the
way to the dining room, where table
was set for six.
Squire Jones and his wife motioned
the boys to places OH each side; the
squire reverently said grace, and then
his wife began, with smile for each
bewildered boy:
"Help yourselves boys. Don't
be a mite bashful. Them biscuit
amt so light as I'D wish, but that
pear marmalade is nice. don't af-
ford it cry day, ouly when we have
special company-or perhaps you
would rather have the preserved pears,
or some pear jelly. Pears is good
crop this year, and use considerable
many of 'em for sauce. Here's some
cake with pear filling, and some with
green pear citron-it's almost AS
good as the real citron. Help your
selves, boys. You're welcome to it,
I'm sure, such as it's"
The table was set with everything
to tempt a boys appetite-although
pears were rather too plenty for their
troubled consciences, but the boys
couldn't eat it. Somehow the good
things choked them tonight as never
before.
"Dear mel" said Mrs. Jones in APP
parent anxiety, "You boys don't eat
nothing. P'raps you had a late sup
per. Mary Ann, bring in dish Of
them pears from the squire's tree.
These boys like pears, know, and
them is NICE"
But if Tim had led them into the
scrape he resolved bravely to lead
them out. Looking around with des.
perate courage he confessed the whole