Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1897-01-23
HER SWEET APPLES.
Bx c. u. q. ROBERTS.

Autumn was just beginning to reveal
herself in the heart of South mountain,
Ehe gorgeous autumn of western Nova
Scotia. 1t was about eight o'clock in the
Enorning, and the air that strcamed
Eighty over the shoulders of the hills
had most bracing SAVIOR. Mrs. Buckler,
a freckled but comely and tall young
woman, was just setting out for n
syCeQve-mile tramp 10 the little settle
saent in the valley, where she had to
return fatiron and n pair of WOOL
cards which she had borrowed of an
0bliging neighbor.
Ncighbors in those days were few and
FAR between in the country districts of
Nova Scotia. The great emptiness
created by the expulsion of the Acad-
ashns had not yet been filled up. For the
reighbors. it behooved them TO be
neighborly.
Mrs. Bucklcr was an untiring worker,
axTrd her rare visits to the valley consti-
'eGted her only holiday. She had to
rSslk, of course, as her husband had
zaO horse, and she had no ambition to
sr;de one of the faithful but extremely
.
af twelve miles seemed nothing of con-
sequence to her.
BE sure and get back before dark,
AIiry!" admonished her husband, lean
Eng meditatively against the woodpile
;xs he watched her kiss the children for
Z ,good-by.
--Shooh! Steve, reckon you can put
The babies to bed all right for once,
can't you? 1t amt often get off, and
VIXEN do, like to make good day OF
zG's
-sIt amt lookin' after the children
chat I'm thinking of, 'Miry, as you know
~ight WE'LL" replied Steve Buckler
earnestly. But you know how thick
&fae bears are on the mountain this
year; and there is no manner of doubt
ahat was wolf brushed by me in the
Esasture night before last. II amt safe
1apr you to be coming up through the
Sroods after dark all alone that way.
Stay all night, if you find it getting
Eatei"
t'Oh, 1 amt afraid" averred Mrs
Encller, stoutly. II may get back
-zafore dark; but if / don't I'll be careful
dnd carry light with me-"
These confident words she flung
lack over her shoulder, as she started
.gayly down the rough woodland way.
Arriving in due time ut the settle.
1nent in the valley, she did her errands
picked up the news, and richly enjoyed
Hhe rare luxury of a gossip. Time went
ALI too quickly; and it was on the edge
of dark ere she thought of starting fol
h1o5ne. Then, of course, there were We
Easment protests. Her friends urged
kier to stay all night, picturing the per
EaS of the journey, and representing thai
Ener husband would never d. nm of ex
z,ecting her. But Mrs. Buckler, as hel
KEnnds always said, was very "set.'
Eutting aside all arguments, she started
eaut on her long and lonely tramp.
sSbe had little to carry, but that littl
was somewhat troublesome to manage
&c was an apronful of sweet apples TO
the children, a treat which she knew
they would enjoy. Sweet apples wer
nhen n rarity in South mountain.
when at length Mrs. Buckler reache,
the last house on the edge of the val
Fey, and found herself face to face witt
eEhe long climb up the mountain sh
kleiE compelled to acknowledge in he
&seArt that the night was very dark
And she had yet nearly four miles to &c
/ sshrough almost unbrolSen woods. Il
4 S1hOse four miles there were but tw,
.e:z2loins to break the monotony of th
v1zy; and the further of these was
.ssiide and n half from her home. Sh
2iesitnted moment, then went into tn
lisouse and asked for pine knot to ligh
+ nner Oh her journey.
i Here again she was urged to stay
E,2G lighting her torch she set her fac
zaesolnteiy to the mountain side. A
she penetrated among the ancient tree
Efhe unsteady light of the pine knot cas-
strangely moving shadows, and mon
ssffrous shapes seemed to spring up an
disappear on all sides. For the frs
4 Gime she grew nervous. and felt an il
eiination to glance over her shoulder
This she presently conquered wit
szome scorn. Nevertheless, she coul
mot help Fastening her steps; and tn
aRrst cabin in the mountain had the al
az a refuge to her. as she turned in I
get fresh piEe knot.
4 Here. too. she was strongly presse
KU end her journey for the night Br
csow her obstinacy was we'll arouset
she was nettled at herself for havin
Gelf afraid. It was with something {
ehe air Of one who goes forth to battl
Chat she gripped her torch and clutche