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

~ Steven 3. Parker.
TT AVE you passed old Whitby's
II orchard lately. Ralph? asked


were following the winding lane to the
woodland pasture, having been sent
by Uncle Silas to drive home the cattle.
.Yes, was by there this afternoon
on FREELY l 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 IL
years; "eld misers like Whitby always
have the best things anywhere around.
'sGee!" he added, wouldn't some, of
those apples taste good! 1t makes my
mouth"
water, of counsel" interrupted.
"Well, if 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?" l questioned, innocently.
''Why! because Whitby's the sting
lest old skinfint 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, as we paused beneath great
oak tree, "sit down here"
complied, and my cousin took a
careful eurvey 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?"
eyes," 1 answered, somewhat indig-
nantly.
'Do you think you'd be afraid to do
what I'm thinking about?"
The absurdity of the question never
struck me, and 1 replied promptly,
with boyish bravado.
Afraid! Why, I'm not afraid of
anything! I dare do anything
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 1 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"
"Oh, pshaw! Old Whitby's got SO
many he never'd miss 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.
iSa'ihS CANlO olidS anu tuAO OtuO1 Liz III
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 Whitby's
orchard.
Eve were lucky to get away with
out being noticed" whispered John,
as we drew rear to the shadow of the
apple trees.
I made no direct reply, for at that
moment l 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
" designed to guard against just such
ar invasion as the present. We paused
outside the fence, and I peered be-
tween the rails.
"How will we manage to get in?''
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 I.
Then I'll hand over the pail, and come
myself"
| found it rather difficult to follow
hrs instructions. The wires were
stretched so closely together that it
was necessary to press down upon the
lower one before 1 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
~ found what we supposed to be the
tree bearing the good apples, and filed
our pail, the limbs being so low that it
was not incumbent upon either of us
to do any climbing. All was as silent
ss the tomb itself. but just as the last
apple was placed in the pail, the furi-
5 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 flee, when the crackle of a twie
close at hand halted me in my tracks.
For a moment held my breath, en-
firely 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 managed to get
over. unconsciously clirging to our
plumber, AMI losing only few apples.