The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-01-17
THE APPLE TREE.
A STUDY OF MURDER.

him; his penniless condition obliging him to
give lessons, and, as often as not go dinner
less and supperless to bed,
Still, life had not absolutely soured him,
and at heart he remained good fellow. The
burden of existence, however, at this par
ticular moment began to seem almost too
heavy for him to bear, and at times he re-
belled against his destiny in a way-as the
sequel will shoW-that was perhaps slightly
exaggerated.
One summers evening-it was a Saturday
both purse and stomach being empty,
Jacques, being flied with rage at the thought
that lie would. for lack Of a few napoleons,
be unable to take part in an excursion
planned for the morrow, started off through
the streets Of Paris, going on aimlessly and
steadily straight before him, right through
the suburbs, till lie found himself at s
o'clock at night on a long, bare road in the
plain of AubervilleTS-a road that looked
like a wnite-chak line on blank darkness.
Then. as i'll luck would have it, great drops
of rain began to fall. and peals OF thunder
hurst forth. Jacques was no coward,
neither was he troubled by conscience; in
deed, lie cared little about the thunder, but
be was annoyed at the rain drenching his
Understandable from monetary point of
yiew-aud his skin, frail protection against
pneumonia, No shelter within sight, right
and left Of the road nothing but the bare,
gloomy plain. At last he saw a tree-a
lonely apple tTee-a good-natured sort of
tree, that bent over on one side rather like
tipsy man with his hat askew. jacques
greeted the tree With affection, and crouched
under its protecting branches.
The storm increased. Jacques felt ex-
asperated against his bad luck. He felt
as though nature itself rose up against
him. and be shook his fist at the dark skies.
"Brr. Brrl What weather. growled
fresh arrival, taxing refuge also under
the tree On the opposite side to Jacques,
whom he had not noticed. This man had
evidently been dining and seemed to be
householder who had Just concluded n
bargain, for lie mutteTed between his teeth:
" This is jolly, indeed. Nice fellows
those, making me drink and then going off
with my carriage. Fancy having to walk
home IA such weather. and with lot Of
money, too
Jacques was not a bad fellow; 1t seems
necessary 10 repeat this, for some doubt
may perhaps arise on that point.
Hearing the muttered observations Of the
stranger, and convinced that even with the
most exquisite and Insuuating politeness he
would fail to obtain a loan from him,
Jacques softly went round the tree seized
the man by the throat and, being very
powerful, strangled him. This preliminary
affair accomplished he took the mans purse,
emptied II into his own pocket, threw it on
the ground near the body, and, as it was
getting late, started off IN the direction of
Paris.
Tie apple tree, which had remained mo-
tlonless during this episode, now started off
IN his wake.
II Is not strictly customary for an apple
tree TO follow man who has just strang.ed
another; 1t would therefore be somewhat
unjust to Jacques TO accuse him of cow
ardice on tie preteXt that he was slightly
surprised.
Hearing behind him a trailing sound of
roots On the road, he turned and saw the
tree, black Oh black.
Dear me-" he said; chow muddled my
BRAIN Is3 Want Of habit, no doubt Shall
soon feel all right"
He resumed his walk and the tree contin-
ued to follow.
Either 1 am mad" thought Jacques, "or
What Is now taking place IS some unex-
plaIHed manifestation OF natural forces. l
shall soon ind out for it is not likely that
the LustOm-hOuse officers, who are sensible
men viii ALLOW. an apple Tree to pass by
without notice"
At the city gates. the officials did not
even move aside. The ample tree did not
seem t. heed them, and Jaques aud the tree
found themselves, one behind the other, in
the streets OF Paris.
Jacques resumed his medtations:
apple tree IS the visible form eff remorse,
Just IS BanquO appeared to Macbeth and
The Commander TO Don Juan. This hRliuci-
nation IS IAe more extraordinary that 1 do
not teeI any rem0rSe Really, this tree has
a disregard for all tradition. Never mind.
have got the money. l shall sleep soundly,
ana tomorrow morning the apple tree Will
have returned to its proper place. You may
consider ourself failure, my dear fellow!
lie had, you see, calm mind and knew
now to Use to an emergency. He hurried
ON, not to escape from his apple tree, which
appeared TO have lndetatigable roots but in
order TO get sooner TO bed.
At last lie reached his hotel-Rue de
Seine. As he paused at the door he Won
dered II the tree could come in also, anC
felt kind of interest about it, as he re,
iiected that the narrow passage would cer-
talnly crush its branches.
lie rang, opened and closed the door
The apple tree remained outside jacques
smiled, not that the tree bothered him, but
he thought OF his landlady, who objected to
strangers at night.
In his room Jacques, by the glimmer of a
candle, counted his money and found that
the little operation had brought him in some
nine bundled francs. 1t could not be con-
sldeied bad business.
Suddenly lie felt pang at not having
Thought OF his apple tree which, in truth.
had most dlscreetly played the part of the
aVenger, and, raising the blind, he looked
out vi the window. The tree was on the
siiewalk, calmly gliding up and down.
jacques noticed that it even politely moved
aside to allow people to pass.
jacques went to bed and slept soundly.
AT y O'Clock he awoke. Some one was
loudly knocking at his door. He rose his
eyes heavy with sleep. His friends had
sion, which had neceSsitated this acquire
meat of funds. Joyfully lie opened to
item aud they began joking while he
dressed. He slipped some gold pieces into
his pocket and gayly went downstairs.
The apple tree, which was respectfully
waiting on the pavement, Immediately be-
gan TO follow him like well-trained lackey.
Jacques smiled to it like an old acQuaint-
anct. The whole party went off and took a
morning glass. Jacques treated the others,
and tue sight of his money was hailed by
Joyous acclamatlons.
Waiter said Jacques, give my apple
tree glass"
Tie waiter. not understanding, looked
annoyed. he thought lie was being chaffed.
Jacques roared with laughter He thought
however. that the tree had. by the slight
wave OF branch, made gesture of refusal,
No doubt 1t was sober tree, or at least one
that took nothing IN the morning.
The party decided upon going to Nogent-
sur-Marne. Jacques suggested taking "a cab
to the station.
"Now you'll have to stir up your
stumps," said jacques to his apple tree.
giving it a friendly nudge.
impossible; the apple tree stood on the
edge of the pavement while they clambered
up, then it followed the cab at jog-trot.
Leaning out of the window Jacques watched
1t. AT one moment he uttered a scream.
His tree had been nearly run over. Luckily
1t was able 10 get out of the way in time.
What on earth is the matter with Won ?"
inquired his friends.
Don't mind me-" he replied; sit is my
apple tree"
''His apple tree-his apple tree again.
AT the station the tree did not lose its wav
jacques began to think it was really cruel
TO wear out his tree; he was getting 0uite
fond OF 1t. But he was soon reassured' for
the apple tree got on to the track-withont
a ticket, the scamp-and keeping mn GOOD
traditions, remained at the side Of the car
pranclng like bodyguard following a
kings coach. ="
jacques, however absorbed in his annie
tree. Father neglected the amiable ladies' of
the company, one OF whom having a tender
feeling for him reprOached him with his in.
attention.
Are yon JEALOUS of my apple tree ?" he
said laughingly.
Apple tree, apple tree" all his compan-
Ions began singing TO popular tune. Thew
Gp inv eod do