Lawrence democrat. (Lawrenceburg, Tenn.) 1884-1925, 1890-07-04
THE OLD ORCHARD.
Grandfathers Story OF the Worth.
n less Fruit Trees.

Never shall forget how Grandfather
Carver looked the afternoon went to
obtain his permission to cut down the
old orchard on the hillside. The trees
were, perhaps, half q century old, utter
ly worthless, and James and l were
tired ofscaring for them; but we could
never muster courage necessary to
plead their downfall with grandfather,
who was so particular abouthaving them
well looked after
We often wondered at his strange So
licitude for their worthless fruit, and
when he insisted upon eating 1t him
self, he became childish object of our
pity. assess 4f
That day we were discussing their
worthlessness, and I expressed deter
mination to chop the last tree of them
down, whether grandfather was will
ing or not. James protested and argued
that perhaps some family secret might
be connected with them, and that we had
better obtain his permission.
swell, we can ask him, but l am sure
OF o refusal" answered, and started
for his seat under the naples, where he
was accustomed to spend his afternoons.
Ny heart almost failed mo, but was in
n'in mood, and did not give myself time
to falter, but stated my errand with as
little ceremony as possible.
william" said he, gravely, laying
aside his newspaper and lifting his
spectacles to his forehead, "those trees
have history, and must stand till am
laid In my grave. They are Of my own
grating and must die with me-" AS he
spoke l looked at the white head and
bent form, and thought heard in his
deep, measured tones the prophecy of
death. Slowly, however, he con-
tinued;--
'"You have not many more years to
wait till you have my permission to lay
them low. The blight is whitening thoir
useless branches oven as death creeps
over my lettering frame. My boys, You
are the last Of my race. Your parents
are sleeping in yonder churchyard, and
to you must tell the story Of my apple
trees"
James and forgot our desire to de-
stroy the orchard, and seated ourselves
to hear from grandfather's own lips the
secret which we had long suspected was
locked up in the aged trunks. He hest
tated moment, as II to call in the aid
of departed spirits, then slowly pro.
ceeded.
"My father came here with O COM
pany Of immigrants from New England,
when the Muskinggum Valley was quite
awilderness, and settled in yonder cove.
Another OF the company, Stewart Ander-
son by name, entered this tract of land
and built HIS cabin few rods from
whore we are now sitting. That rank
grass near the fence marks the exact
spot where II stood.
".Neighbor Anderson was a kind old
man, greatly beloved by all who know
him, and a particular friend Of my
fathers. He often crossed over to spend
few hours in conversation with him,
1t was upon this feeble old man that
your grandfather and his brother jacob
attempted to play mean trick.
my father was one OF the first of the
company to plant an orchard, and in II
grew many grades and kinds of fruit.
Some Of. 1t was early, some late, some
mellow and sweet, and some sour and
worthless The early settlers used to
come to him for gratis when they were
planting trees.
Zone frosty morning in March. old
neighbor Anderson camo over to get
CRAFTS for his trees, and while he
warmed at the FIRE. father sent Jacob
and TO get grating sprouts from the
best trees in our orchard. As we went
proposed to fool the old man by giving
him some bastard sprouts from a worth
less tree that grew over In the pasture,
1.-THE old nan will think his trees
have been bewitched when he comes tc
gather his apples added Jacob pleased
with the idea. Well put an evil spirit
in every sprout'
ut was easier done than either OF us
imagined. We put the ghost Of False
hood in every graft. and all my life ha: