Savannah courier. (Savannah, Tenn.) 1885-1979, 1898-12-23
! "Old Whitby's" Method |
l BY Steven r. Parker.
III AVE you passed old Whitby's
Ill orchard lately, Ralph?" asked

my Cousin John one evening as we
were following the winding lane to the
Woodland pasture, having been sent
by Uncle Silas 10 drive home the cattle,
ayes, was by there this afternoon
on FREELY answered. "You must
have been over at Perkins"
"Are the apples getting ripe now"
You know that old crooked tree
down in the corner? Well, it's just
loaded down with the incest apples |
ever saw" was my reply.
That's the way" growled my
cousin, with all the wisdom of his 12
years; "old misers like Whitby always
have the best things anywhere around.
"Gee!" he added, wouldn't some of
those apples taste good! 1t makes my
mouth"
water, of course!" interrupted.
well il you want some, you'll have to
go and ask Whitby. That's the only
way see to get any"
"Huh!" said John, scornfully. "That
shows what you city fellows know.
When you've been around here for
awhile you'll know better than to ask
old Whitby for anything"
"Why?" | questioned, innocently.
why! because Whitby's the sting
lest old skinilint in seven counties, and
he just hates all the boys around
here"
"And do the boys hate him?"
"Do they? I'd just like a chance to
get the best of him! Say" John con-
tinued, MS we paused beneath a great
oak tree, "sit down here"
complied, and my cousin took
careful survey in all directions. APP
parently satisfied, he dropped down
by my side and began to whisper in
a very mysterious manner.
"Can you keep secret?"
"Yes," | answered, somewhat indig-
nantly,
"Do you think you'd be afraid to do
what Pm thinking about?"
The absurdity of the question never
struck me, and | replied promptly,
Win DoylSn DraVauO
"Afraid! Why, I'm not afraid Of
anything! l dare do anything-al-
most"
"There," went on John, impressive
ly, "let's go down to Whitby's tonight
and ste-help ourselves to some of his
big, red apples"
"But-" began, doubtfully, for ap-
pie stealing was a new experience TO
me, and | was somewhat 10th to en-
gage in the expedition.
Thought you said you wasn't
afraid" exclaimed John, scornfully.
81 amt afraid!"I retorted. "But
that would be stealing"
"0h, pshaw! Old Whitby's got so
many he never'd miss a few. We'd
bring a pailful home and hide them
and have apples whenever we wanted
'em."
The temptation was too strong for
me. The thought of the luscious fruit
overcame my scruples, and was per-
suaded to accompany my cousin in the
raid.
Thus it happened that shortly after
dusk two figures stole out of the house,
leaving Uncle Silas and the other mem
bers of the family seated around the
reading table, secured an old tin pail
from behind the woodpile, and hur-
ried down the road toward Whrby's
orchard.
1--WE were lucky to get away with
out being noticed" whispered John,
as we drew rear to the shadow OF the
apple trees.
made no direct reply, for at that
moment was wondering how we
should manage to gain an entrance to
the orchard, which was bounded by a
high rail fence, above which were
stretched two barbed wires, apparent
ly designed TO guard against just such
an invasion as the present. We paused
outside the fence, and / peered be-
tween the rails.
How will we manage to get in r.
asked.
'I'll hold the pail, and you climb up
and crawl between the wires" an
swered John, who was more accus-
toned to country fences than l.
"Then I'll hand over the pail, and come
myself"
| found it rather difficult to follow
his instructions. The wires were
stretched so closely together that it
was necessary to press down upon the
lower one before could go between.
As did so, the wire squeaked loudly
in the staples, and startled me so that
] tore my trousers upon one Of the
barbs. IglS2ced apprehensively At the
house, but 2ll was darkfFes and silence
as before. SApparently body was at
home. moment later / was inside,
and relieved John of the pail, so that
he could follow
Preserving perfect silence, we quick
ly found what we supposed to be the
tree bearing the good apples, and filled
our pail, the limbs being so low that it
was not incumbent upon either of us
TO do any climbing All was as silent
as the tomb itself, but jdst as the last
apple was placed in the pail, the furi-
Gus bark of dog was heard in the
direction of the house, accompanied
by the rattle Of chain as the animal
struggled TO free itself. Whitby's
watch dog had just discovered our
presence. | seized the pail of apples
to fee, when the crackle of twig
close at hand halted me in my tracks.
For n moment | held my breath, en-
tirely bereft Of the power of motion,
but the crack of another branch, and
the sound of feet close at hand reused
ME to action, and broke wildly for
the fence. How | climbed that fence
is a mystery, but l managed to get
over, unconsciously clinging to our
plunder. and losing only few apples.