The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1889-01-12
FOR OUR YOUNG FOLKS.
AN EFFECTIVE LESSON.
Tred's FIRST and Last Experience as an
Orchard Robber.

''And we may not, Fred. There's no
telling how long it will take Uncle Ja-
bez TO find farm to suit him. We may
be here several weeks yet, and want
to keep the place in good order. You
will have plenty of time to clear up the
yard before the boys call for you to go
fishing"
at seems to me it takes Uncle Jabez
long time to make up his mind" said
Fred, as he took a hoe from a corner in
the kitchen, and moved toward the
open door. There are dozens of farms
that would suit me-"
Uncle Jabez is probably harder to
please You must not be impatient.
You have good homo here, however
humble"
''But Pm tired of town life, and al
ways wanted to live on farm" said
Fred, nothing 10th to prolong the con-
versation, for he was in no mood for
work II hope the one Uncle Jabez
buys will have plenty of fruit on it
particularly apples"
II think he will buy good one, -" said
Mrs Norris. "Ilc has plenty Of money.
can hardly realize that it is twenty
years since l saw him! 1t is very good
OF him to wish us to share his home, and
know you'll show him your apprecia-
ton OF it, Fred. | wrote him q great
deal in your praise" and the widow
looked fondly ut her tall, handsome
boy.
'Oh, he and / will get along all
right" answered Fred, carclcssly. II
don't worry myself about that. But
do wish he would write. 1t has been
three weeks since we got that last let
ter"
He went down the steps rs he spoke,
and began to chop at some weeds by
the garden fence. 1t was August. and
the weeds had grown very tail and
strong. Fred was in a profusc perspir-
alton BY the time the last weed was
laid low, and rs he rested moment
his arms on the low fence, he saw five
OF his boy friends coming up the street.
He threw down the hoe at once, and
dashed into the house to wash his hands
and get his fishing pole. By the time
the boys reached the house he was out
again, and they all started Off together
for Green's woods, through which ran
the river in which they expected to
fish.
But the fishing amounted to so little
that they soon grew tired Of it, and
when Luke Allen proposed Il squirrel
hunt they all aSscntcd very readily.
But the squirrels proved rs shy as
the fish, and the boys reached the 9TH
err side of the woods without having
made 4 capture, They kept on walk
ing however, lin search of adventures, ="
rs Luke Allen said, and striking down
road very little Travelled, they came
in sight-after about an hours walking
of large, stone farmhouse standing
on hillside, back Of which was -four
ishing orchard of apple and peach trees
in full bearing.
Here's luck" said Tom Mockbee.
'I'm as hungry as a hunter. Let's
help ourselves to some Of these APP
ples.'
why not go to the house and ask
for some?' said Will Harper.
Tom gave derisive laugh.
''Do you suppose you'd get any?" he
asked. "Ihcse farmers fairly hate
boys They wouldn't give away an
apple if fellow was starving FOR it. :"
ut wouldn do any harm TO try"
said Will.
Eyes, it would. They'd be on the
watch then, and we couldn't take any.
Come on. Don't be so squeamish.
There's nobody about, and where's the
harm of hooking q few apples? The
folks'll never miss EN-"
Will said no more, but with the rest
followed Tom as he led the way to the
apple orchard.
Fred Morris conscience was i'll at
ease. He knew that what Tom coun-
seled was nothing less than stealing,
and yet he had not the moral courage
to say SO, or to refuse to make one OF
the party of mauraders
BAH" he thought, trying to silence
his accusing mentor. whats the sense
OF being so particular? There's no great
crime in taking a few apples where
there are so many to spare.
Scaling the orchard fence, the five
boys were soon busy filling their pock-
cts with the ripe fruit; so busy in fact
that they did not see the orchard gate
open and an old man enter, stout
stick in his hand. He was almost upon
them before they became aware of his
approach, and then Toms warning cry
OF Look out" came too late for two OF
the party at least. Luke received a
well-directed blow over the shoulders
that almost felled him to the ground,
and Fred was seized and securely held,
despite his struggles, by hand of iron.
"You young rascals," said the irate
old gentleman, his face red with anger,
"what do you mean by robbing my Or
chardp"
Only Fred was left to make any re-
ply, and he could not utter word. His
heart sank as he saw his five friends
take 10 their heels. leaving him to his
fate. He wondered very much what
IN would ba 6a ,uoe lro -