The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1901-09-19

oaA wAo w. ooansed ~. 6us Ny "a
neans benevolenk Fear and excite.
ment choked together In Sammy's
throat Many ideas shot through the
boys brain - he ran along the road
to the break In the wall where the
meadow bars were down, and across
the meadow toward the tall figure
of tie Judge. But more wildly than
all else there rose before his mind the
invalid's face, and it was the only spur
he needed.
"You may begin on that oldest ap-
Ple-tree, Roberts," the Judge was say.
Ing. II have an appointment now
with Mr.. Willis, but I shall be back in
the course Of the morning to see how
the work goes on. -"
Judge Saunders, please stop!"
came boys voice behind him, and
the Judge turned to confront Sam
my's flushed and excited face.
whats the trouble, my young
frisnd?". he asked, in Q curt tone.
"Where and why do you wish me to
stop?"
'It's the trees, sir!" cried Sammy,
his troubled eyes fixed on the judges
keen gray ones. Mrs. Lapham IL An
invalid; IT'S years since she could
/ leave her bed, sir. Her husband pulls
It up to the window every morning
| before he goes of to work, so she
can look out. She can see Just .
strip of sky and this piece Of your
meadow. and it's her picture, Judge
Saunders; your willows and the old
apple tree are her picture, all she has
to look at"
The Judge stopped to pick up long
blade of grass as the boy stopped for
breath, but did not inturrupt him.
John Roberts and the other men stood
open-mouthed behind their employer.
I'm the spring she watches for the
very first sign Of green on the old
apple tree" Sammy rushed on, nev.
er 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 hsppiest
time. sir. That long, g,straggly branch" :"
the boy pointed to one arm of the
old tree as he spoke, "Hes right
! across her window. sir, with the vii.
lows behind II. You see, way scross
the road the meadow space between
the apple tree and the willows doesn't
show; they look close together. all
In her picture" .... .....
Sammy paused, and the flush faded
from his face, leaving IL unusually
pale. The Judge stood looking OF
scross the meadow. drawing the blade
of grass through his fingers.
"That's all, sir" faltersd Sammy,
"but-but I thought you wouldn't-
perhaps you wouldn't have the trees
cut II you knew, for Mn. LepAam
has such . very Nttle pleasure, Or.
and she's feeling 20 saA about the
trees"
"Um! I'm sorry for that" said che
Judge. turning his keen. eyes toward
the boy at last. II suppose you're
overrun with pleasure yourself. Amt
you-like most of The rest Of usr"
"Sir!" stammered the boy.
"Do those old willows over there
come into your friends picturef"
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
to make picture for Mrs. Lapham.'
said the Judge. Then. as the mon
moved away, he turned again to the
boy.
ITS pity you'd rather help run
milk route than learn 70 be an &C.
countant," he said. in his former curt
tone. "I'm rather disappointed in
what Near Of you now. I thought
you had ambition"
Sammy's face grew scarlet again
and his lips trembled, but he kept his
eyes fixed bravely on the judges.
II thiRk-I am anxious to do some
thing better, SIR" he said, slowly.
''But I'd thought you had forgotten
all about me, and I didn't like to say
anything. and-I have my uncae TO
support, Judge Saunders"
II never forget a face" said the
judge, br4skly. land you can earn
more money In sn Office I know Of
than you ever can here. I'll call to
see your uncle this afternoon, and
have talk with him. Now you'd bot
ter 60 back to Mrs. Lapham and ease
her mind. I'n not sure that you
wouldn't make . good advocate" he
added. with grim smile.
As the boy turned to 60 he looked
up At the Laphsm window, and his
grave young face broke into smile.
How glad she'll be, sirl" he said.
NJ don't see how can thank yo0-fof
her and for myself" ...
"Look here!" said the Judge, laying
his hand on the boys shoulder.
listen to me. Take seven, multiply
by four, divide by two, subtract i've.
add three, multiply BY eleven. divide
by four, add two, divide by seven,
| v,,,,1tipl,, nv efv divida nv <Au-and