The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1899-06-09

road without stopping to estimate
damages.
There was no pursuit, however, and
we soon dropped into a walk.
do you suppose that was Whitby r
painted John.
Guess So" I replied, laconically.
"Hope he didn't see who we are"
I'VE might as we'll try some of these
apples" ventured John, after time.
We each selected what felt like a
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, I; d I could
see that his mouth was ali puckered
up.
"Oh, well, he explained, 1--WE couldn't
see, and maybe we got some green
ones! Well hide the pail, and pick out
the good ones in the morning"
Not another word was spoken until
we reached home. Then we carefully
concealed the plumber 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 ?"
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 breathcd more easily. Present
ly we stole out into the hall, and were
about to proceed up the stairs, when
Uncle Silas spoke again:
"Going to bed, boys?" he asked.
eyes, SIR" I replied, respectfully.
"Well, it is about time, isn't it? Now
if you boys will just bring in those
apples and put them on the table, we'll
all go to bed"
With burning face, looke; at John.
My cousin was flushing furiously, but
there was no help fog it. We were dis
covered. The situation became un-
bearable, and 1 dashed out into the
open anr, soon returning with the pail
of apples, which I 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 I'M
eatable. Choking with modification
/ fastened upstairs, with John close
behind. Silently we undressed, and
crept into bed.
When we came downstairs next
morning, no allusion was made to the
incident of the previous evening. Just
as we were about to leave the break
fast table, however, Uncle Silas
preached the subject.
"Now, boys" he remarked, 81 want
you to take those apples up to Mr..
Whitby and tell him you stole them"
For moment I grew weak. 1 had
never had any personal experience
with "Old Whitby," but Johns descrip-
ton of yesterday was not likely to
inspire confidence. There was no way
out of the difficulty, however, and in
short time we were going slowly up
the road, seeking to delay the painful
moment as long as possible.
We found the old man working in his
garden, and as he Strengthened up at
our approach his six feet of height
seemed double that to my excited inn
agination. He glanced curicusly at us
and as he noticed cur burden. grim
smile played upon lis face.
"Mr. Whitby." I began. desperately.
setting the pail down before me, "here
are some apples that we came over
and-and-and took last night
There was moment of silence. and
l have no doubt we acted like fear
stricken criminals brought before the
bar Of justice.
That cross bull that turn into the
orchard every night didn't bother you.
did it?" asked Whitby at length.
1t seemed necessary to say some
thing, so attempted it.
Something chased us. sir, We
thought it was man, and tore our
clothes on the fence getting OUT
Mr.. Whitley chuckled.
II reckon you know what ought to
10 about this" he said.
There was no answer.
Come UP this way"
We followed tn e farmer to the
house. Here he directed Us to emr4y
the contents of our pail into basket
and then led the way TO TIC orchard.
Now our fears were increased tenfold
and we trembled as we fcilewed. for
evidently our captor was but taking
us to the scene of our misdeed to adj
minister summary chastisement. Sure
enough, he took US straight toward
the crooked tree in the corner. but
how differently those red apples
looked from the green ones we had
secured! We had mistaken the tree
in the darkness. Hating beneath this
crooked tree. Mr.. Whitby turned to us.
Give me your pail. > he said. "Those
weren't very good apples you had,
boys, and I'll give yon some of these
ripe ones. And when you want any
apples after this. just come up in the
daytime, and see me about it. The bull
may hurt You at night. you know"
As he proceeded to fill the pail John
and just stared at each other. Evil
IDENTIFY Mr.. Whitby understood boy ma