The Forrest City times. [volume] (Forrest City, Ark.) 1871-1919, 1898-11-11

I'VE 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 imp
asked.
III hold the pail. and you climb up
and crawl between the wires" an
swered John, who was more accus-
toned to country fences than |.
Then III hand over the pail. and come
myself"
found it rather difficult to follow
his instructions. The wires were
| stretched so closely together that 1t
was necessary to press down upon TIE
| 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. ! glanced apprehensively at the
house, but all was darkness and silence
as before. Apparently nobody was at
home. A moment later / was inside
and relieved John of the pail, so that
he could follow
Preserving perfect silence. we quick
| ly found what we opposed to be the
tree bearing the good apples, and filed
our pail, the limbs being so low that ii
was not incumbent upon either of us
to do any climbing. All was as silent
as the tomb itself, but just as the last
apple was placed in the pail, the furi-
Gus bark of a dog was heard in the
direction of the house. accompanied
by the rattle of chain as the anima
struggled to free itself Whitby's
watch dog had just discovered our
presence. | seized the pail of apples
to flee, when the orackle of a twie
close at hand halted me in my tracks.
For moment l 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 clnging to our
plunder, and losing only few apples.
In his haste. John fell, and there was a
tearing sound as his clothes caught
on the wire, but there was a rush upon
| the other side of the fence, as of sew
eral heavy men running through the
grass, and we sped swiftly down the
road without stopping to estimate
damages.
There was no pursuit, however, and
we soon dropped into walk.
DO you suppose that was Whitby 2"
painted John.
Guess So" l replied, laconically
Hope he didn't see who we are"
I'VE might as well try some of these
| apples" ventured John. after time
| We each selected what felt like
good speciment, and took large bite
The next instant there were two
'thuds" in the adjoining field. where
the uneaten samples landed. | looked
at John. Although it had been in
tensely dark in the orchard, there was
faint light in the open. and l could
see that his mouth was all puckered
up.
"Oh, well, he explained, 1--WE couldn't
see, and maybe we got some green
ones! Wen hide the pail, and pick out
the good ones in the morning"
N0t ppnf her word xvas SnoLap
we reached home. Then we carefully
concealed the plunder in crevice of
the woodpile, and proceeded to the
house. Pausing awhile on the veran-
da, we conversed aloud, for the benefit
of those within, and then entered the
sitting-room. Here we found the fam
lily just as we had left them, save that
little Ben had retired, leaving only my
uncle and aunt, and Cousin Mabel
Uncle Silas glanced up from his paper.
Where have you boys been, John 2"
he asked
John colored slightly.
"W-why,' he stammered, "j-just
down the road for little walk"
How did you tear your clothes?"
pursued Uncle Silas.
We were both at loss for an an
swer. but the question was not pressed
and we breathed more easily Present
ly we stole but into the hall, and were
about to proceed NJ the stairs, when
Uncle Silas spoke again:
Going to bed, boys?" he asked.
"Yes, sir replied. respectfully.
We'll, it is about time. isn't IL? Now
il you boys will just bring in those
apples and put them on the table. we II
all go 10 bed"
With burning face / looke2 at John
My cousin was flushing furiously. but
there was no help for it. Wewere dis
covered. The situation became un-
bearable, and l dashed out into the
open anr, soon returning with the pail
of apples, which l deposited on the
center table.
Uncle Silas did not speak another
word, but simply looked at US, and
then at the apples. Apparently all of
the fruit was so green as TO be un-
eatable. Choking with modification.