The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1897-01-27
Mrs. Buckler's Sweet Apples.
ny CHARLES @. u. ROBERTS.

Mountain-the gorgeous autumn of
western Nova Scotiu. IL was about
eight o'clock in the morning, and the
air that strcamed lightly over the
shoulders OF the hills had most brac-
ing SAVIOR. Mrs. Bucklcr, u frecked
but comcly and tall young woman.
was just setting out for n twelve
mile tramp to the little settlement in
the Valley, where she had to return
Aatiron and n pair of wool-cnrds
which she had borrowed from an
obliging neighbor.
Neighbors. in those days. were few
and fnr between in the country dis
tricts of Nova Scotia. The great
emptiness created by the expulsion OF
the Acadians had not yet been filed
up. For the neighbors, it behooved
them to be neighborly.
Mrs. Bucklcr was an untiring work
er, and her rare visits to the Valley
constituted her only holiday. She
had to walk, OF course, as her husband
had no horse, and she had no ambi-
ton to ride one of the faithful but ex-
tremely deliberate oxen. Aud, indeed.
a matter of twelve miles seemed
nothing Of consequence to her.
"Be sure and get back before dark,
'Miry!" admonished her husband,
leaning meditatively against the wood
pile at he watched her kiss the chill
dren for good-by.
"Shoohi Steve, I reckon you can
put the babies to bed all right for
once. can't you? 1t amt often / get
off; and when do, like to make a
good day of it'll"
at alma lookin' after the children
that I'm thinking of, 'Miry. rs you
know right well!" replied Steve Buck
ler, earnestly. "But you know how
thick the bears are on the mountain
this year and there's no manner of
doubt that was a wolf brushed by me
in the pasture night before last. 1t
amt sale for you TO be coming up
through the woods after dark all alone
that way. Stay all night, if You find
it getting late!"
"Oh / amt afraidl' averred Mrs.
Buckler, stoutly. 81 may get back
! aforc dark; but il don't, I'll be care
ful and carry light with mel"
These confident words sho flung
back over her shouiders,as as she started
gaily down the rough woodland way.
Arriving in due time at the settle.
ment in tho Valley, she did her
errauds, picked up the news, and richly
enjoyed the rare luxury OF gossip.
Time went all too quickly; and it was
on the edge Of dark ere she thought
of starting for home. Then, of course,
there were vehement protests. Her
friends urged her to stay all night,
picturing tho porils ,,of the journey,
aud representing that her husband
would never dream of expecting her.
But Mrs. Buckler, as her friends al
ways said, was very ''set." Putting
aside all arguments, she started out ON
her long and lonely tramp.
She had little to carry, but that
little was somewhat troublesome to
manage. 1t was an apronful of sweet
apples for the children, n treat which
she knew they would enjoy. Sweet
apples were then II rarity in South
Mountain. When at length Mrs.
Buckler reached the last house on the
edge of the Valley, and found herself
face to face with the long climb up the
mountain, she felt compelled to nc.
knowledge in her heart that the might
was very dark. And she had yet four
miles to go, through almost unbroken
woods. In those four miles there
we're but two cabins to break the mo.
notony Of the way; aud the further ol
, these was mile and half from hel
home. She hesitated a moment, thei
went into the house, and asked for 9
a pine-knot to light her on her journey,
Here again she was urged to stay /;
but lighting her torch sue set her fac,
7esolutcly to tho mountain side. a
= she penetrated among ther ancien
: trees the unsteady light Of the pine
knot cast strangely moving shadows
and monstrous shapes seemed to sprinl
mp and disappear Oh all sides. Fo