The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1896-04-17
Sellft MisrrllanlJ.
A STORY OF
APPLE TREE LANE"

When Philadelphia and | were much
younger than we are now, lived with
nv father and aunt in an ld-fashiOned
house in Apple Tree Lane. The house
was tall and grim looking; three stories
high with an attic, the windows of
which were set far back on the roof.
1t was built of alternate red and black
gaZed bricks that came from England,
and these. though common enough in
the old houses and walls of the City of
Brotherlv Love. and not often seen
elsewhere. Every visitor to Philadel-
phia has remarked the wooden shutters
and low stone door steps of these an
cient dwellings,, now so fast disappear
ing, and vet so dear to the heart of the
native of that city, so further descrip-
tiOn of the exterior is needless, as any
body with curiosity enough to do SO,
may still find Apple Tree Lane and the
house itself, though fallen in its latter
days to the rank of Il pickle factory.
Whatever it may have been originally,
there was nothing at all suggestive of
its name about that small thorough
fare, now given over to manufacturing
purposes; but at the time of which |
write, was quiet. genteel little street,
much sought after hy Friends as
quiet place of abode.
But to my story. My mother died
when | was eight wears old, and my
fathers only sister came to keep house
for us. Aunt Judith was notable"
housekecper, order and system being a
mania with her, and my life was often
made burden to me by her ceaseless
" Annis, don't lean thy head head against
the sofa cushion y" AnniS. take thy
feet off the chair round, until | Won
dered what | could do with my head
and my feet to please her. Still. our
household was by no means an unhaI-
py one. Notwithstanding the rigidity Of
both my aunt and my father, for he was
one OF those stern, quiet natures, con-
tent if his physical comfort was attend
ed to, and glad enough to leave the
home machin rv in his sisters able
hands
When was about seventeen, one
day Aunt Judith came into the sitting
room, where | was curled up ina great
chintZ-covered chair absorbed in "Gul-
liver's Travels"
''Annis, | do believe thee is sitting
on thy foot. and | have told thee about
that until should think thee would he
tired of hearing it.
II am. Aunt Judith. 50 pleas, don't
tell me any more.
And is it possihl' that thee is read
ing that wretched. vain book of lies
that | told thee not to look at! | can
not see why Israel Hartley brought
such an ungolly thing in the house.
1T isn't ungodlv, at all; and O,
Aunt Judith what am to do this hor-
rid. wet weather, when | cant 90 to
see anyh,ly. AMI nobody can COM to
see me-
'.People have their work to do ON
Seventh day. and have no time to run
about, but came in to tell thee that
thou must go over t. the Nurse : Home.
ON Crown street, and see if Doris
Wavne can come and attend to thy
father II is not so W II. and after
sitting up :, much | am nearly i'll my
self: if thee wasn't so yiddy thee could
he of some help. but | cannot trust
thee. and can Doris
"Of courS,. he aaS. she is Il ntIrS !.
'.Don't thee he SO pert. Bring her
with thee if she can come, for thee
knows she is Il stranger here, and goat
once"
Crown street WAS no great distance
away. but the prospect of a walk
through the soaking November rain
WIS not a cheerful one: so with Il sigh
7 I;l os;Ia tho c,nIemnaI .GuIliypr :