The Camden chronicle. (Camden, Tenn.) 1890-current, 1901-10-18


you may begin on that oldest apple.
tree Roberts" the Judge was sayins.
Il have an appointment now with Mr..
Willis. but / shall be back In the
course Of the morning 10 sec how the
work goen o. ="
Judge saun59r=, please stop" came
a boys voice behind him, and the
Judge turned to confront Sammy's
flushed and excited face
What's the trouble. my young
friend?' he asked, in a curt tone.
where and why do you wish me to
stop"
ITS the tree. sirl" cried Sammy. his
troubled eyes fixed on the judges keen
gray ones. Mrs Lapham Is an in
valid; it's years since she could leave
her bed, sir Her husband pulls 1t up
to the window every morning before
he goes off to work, so she can look
out She can see just a strip of sky
and this piece of your meadow; your
willows and the old apple-tree are her
picture, all she has to look att"
The judge stopped to pick up a long
blade of grass as the boy stopped for
breath, but did not interrupt Hin. John
Roberts and the other men stood open
mouthed behind their employer.
In the spring she watches for the
very first sign of green on the old
apple-tree," Sammy rushed on, never
taking his eyes from the judges face,
"and she sees it, too. And then when
the blossoms come, and are in full
bloom, why, that's her bappcst time.
sir That long, straggly branch" the
boy pointed to one arm of the old tree
as he spoke, 'lies right acl oss her win
dow, sir, with the willows behind it.
You see, way across the road the
meadow space between the apple-trer
and the willows doesn't show; they
look close together, all in her picture
Sammy paused, and the flush faded
from his face, leaving it unusually
pale. The judge stood looking off
across the meadow, drawing the blade
of grass through his fingers.
That's ALL sir" faltered Sammy,
'but-but l thought you wouldn't
perhaps you wouldn't have the trees
cut If you knew, for Mrs. Lapham has
such very little pleasure, sir, and
she's feeling so sad about the trees
''Um! I'm sorry for that" said ,le
Judge, turning his keen eyes 'oward
the boy at last 81 suppose you're over
run with pleasure yourself, aren't you
like most of the rest of u.s."
Sir" stammered the boy.
do those old willows over there
come into your friends picture?" asked
the man, abruptly, pointing to a clump
far along the little meadow brook
oh no, sir" said Sammy, quickly
"She can't see those at all
"Take the men over there Roberts
and begin work at once. These trees
may stand as long as they're needed tc
make a picture for Mrs. Lapnam,
said the judge. Then, as the mer
moved away, he turned again to the
boy.
Its a pity you'd rather help run 6
milk route than learn to be an account
ant" he said, in his former curt tone
I'm rather disappointed in what
hear of you now. l thought you haC
ambition"
Sammy's face grew scarlet again arr
his lips trembled, but he kept his eye
fixed bravely on the judges.
Il Think am anxious to do some
thing better, sir" he said, slowly. 'Bu
,, thought you'd forgotten all about me
and I didn't like to say anything, AM
:, y have my uncle to support, Judg
Saunders"
Q 81 never forget a face" said tn
q Judge, briskly, and you can earn NOR
o money in an office know of than 70
- ever can here. I'll call to see you
h uncle this afternoon, and have tai
s with him. Now you'd better go bac
O to Mrs. Lapham and ease her mine
T I'm not sure that you wouldn't MAX
+ a good advocate" he added, with
q grim smile Perhaps l shall be de
n frauding the law if 1 get you start
v in business"
t AS the boy turned to go he locke
d up at the Lapham window, and HI
= grave young face broke into a smile.
How glad she'll be, sir" he sa',
l. Il don't see how I can thank you-fC
IT her and for myself"
u Look here!" said the judge, layin
@ his hand on the boys shoulder 'Liste
,e to me. Take seven, multiply by fou
/; divide by two, subtract five, add tire
b multiply by eleven. divide by four. ad