South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1889-08-30

FRIDAY AUGUST so, 1859.
How He Cured Those Boys.

now do Cur0Q jnOS0 BOYS.
Old Squire Morton was Suspicious
that his Bartlett pears disappeared
rather f.s,er than they ought TO from
tho of limbs, as he called them
those nearest the Prospec. street
fcrcc. Aud then the Concord grapes,
which were hardly ripe enough to eat,
were tb:nned out on The lower grape.
ry trell:s bordering on Prospect
street.
As Squire Morton's sons were oil
grown men with homes Of their OVID,
and bic had no daughters, it became
apparent that others outside of tie
S9uire's household we're making
ra' her too free with his choice fruits.
II SUPPOSE kindly said Mrs. Mot
ton, IT'S some of those half.
little beeears down on Pitts street,
who cant stand the sight OF SUCH nice
fruit within such easy reach; but
still tho little creatures ought not TO
steal
mo; and I doa't mean they shalt
replied the Squire. NOW, III fnd
more pears and grapes are gone in
the morning, I'm juat going TO watch
Tomorrow night aad catch them at
ii, though doubt If ;hs little rascals
will try IL these moonlight lights
We'll, now, father began motberly
Mrs. Morton again, 'if you should
catch any of those poor little boys
stealing, doa't be hard on them you
know how it says in the Bible, 'Thy
gentlenees hath made me great and
IL you're gentle and kind il may cure
those poor. dear little boys OF their
naughty ways
We'll, now, mother, you know I
couldn't be hard on anyone that was
hungry, even If they did steal > end
anyone who could have seen Squire
Morton would indeed haze wanted to
laugh at tie idea Of his being hard
on even some little thieving tramp.
BE was very tall, large man with
fat rosy checks that had dimplcs in
them, aud double chin that shook
all over when he laughed. Iis liz.
tie gray eyes were fail OF twinkIing
good humor--the very MN one
would suppose could easily be i'm
posed upon and taken advantage Of.
BIT Squire Morton was AS shrewd as
he vas gooI-natured, and as just az
he was merciful.
The next morning i. was very ey;-
dent that both pear tree aud grape
vine had again bsen tamparad with,
and at might, true to his resolys. The
Squire hid himself in the midst OF q
mass Of tall shrubbesy, and watched.
When he entered his room 10 the
morning. his face wore 80 singular an
expression that his wife wondered
what revelations the night watches
had brought, for her husbands face
was both puzzled and troubled.
We'll, husband che asked, did
anyone Gomez
Yes. dear
Gould you see who they wercP'
yes. wife.
Did you catch them2'
NO, mother
fHow many were there?'
Two
Why, who we're they2'
Deacon Perley's son Henry and
DR.. Getchel's son Charles
Henry Perley and Charles Getch-
ell! Why, father Morton. how you
do talk 7
And Mrs. Morton looked over the
glasses she had just donned as
though che bad caught the Squire in
a most objectionable flo.
The next moment she broke ont
again In different tone 'Oh, father.
don't for mercy's sake let their pa
rents know i'll Why, it would lust
about kill Mrs. Perley, and Mrs.
Ge,chell would cry her eyes ous If
she knew it. Now, you won't tell
them will you, pap
No, mother; I'm going to cure
them some other way
We'll, how now2'
cob. I'll tell you after they're oil
cured"
Squire Morton. you certainly
wouldn't arrest tue boysp
Come, mother, don't talk as
though / was "a person you didn't
know.
That evening, while tue family OF
good Deacon Perley were At upper,
the bell rang, and Harry went to the
door.
Good evening, Henry said Squire
Morton, smiling blandly into Hen.
rJ's face. Here's some Bartlett pears
| brough! you; l know boys Ike
pears.'
Henry mumbled some confused
thanks and took the pears immedj-
ately TO his room.
A few minutes later n ring at DR..
Getchelrs door brought Charlie face
To face with The genial Squire.
Good evening, CHARLIE he said.
: Here are some Bartlett pears ]
brought you; know boys like
pears
Say. Hen. said Charley Getchell
that evening. Squire Morton
brought Inc some pears tonight.
What do you think Of it?
brought me some, too said Hen
~, grimly. i think he's found US
out
The next night about supper,ti time
Deacon Perloy's bell rang again, and
1, - r e.