The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1901-09-12

iHSdliu - idNt' anu IL was thS oa.s
spur he needed.
You may begin on that olGes, apple
tree. Roberts" the judge was saying.
y have an appointment now with Mr.
Willis. but | shall be back in the
course of the morning to see how the
work goen on. /"
Judge Saunders. 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 curt tore.
Where and why do you wish me to
stop"
Its the tree, sir" cried Sar.my his
troubled eyes fixed on the judges keen
gray ones. Mrs Lapham is all in
valid; it's years since she could leave
her bed. sir. Her husband pulls it up
to the window every morning before
he goes off to work, so she can look
out. She can see just strip Of sky
and this piece of your meadow; your
willows and the old applc-tree are 'ar
picture. all she has to look at"
The judge stopped to pick up long
blade of grass as the boy stopped ;or
breath. but did not interrupt Hill. John
Roberts and the other men. stood open
mouthed behind thei" employer.
In the spring she watches for the
very first sign OF green or the old
apple-trce," 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 happic5t tine,
sir. That long, straggly branch" the
boy pointed to one arm of the old tree
as he spoke, Lies right access her win
dow, sir, with the willows behind it.
You see. way across the road the
meadow space between The applc-tre"
and the willows doesn't show: they
look close together, all in her picture.
Sammy paused, and the Hush faded
from his face. leaving it unusually
pale The judge stood looking on
across the meadow, drawing the BLADE
of grass through his fingers.
That's all, SIR" faltered SAMMY,
"but-but | 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.
I'm! I'm sorry for that, said .le
Judge. turning his keen eyes 'oward
the boy at last Il suppose you're over
run with pleasure yourself. aren't you
like most of the rest of us?'
Sir" stammered the 10y.
do those old willows over lhere
come into your friends picture?' asked
the man. abruptly pointing to 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. Lapnam.'
said the Judge. Then. as the men
moved away. he t~Fned again to the
boy.
Its a pity you'd rather help ran
milk route than learn 10 be an account
ant" he said. in his former curt tone.
I'm rather disappointed. in what l
hear of you now. l thought you had
ambition"
Sammy's face grew scarlet again ard
his lips trembled, but he kept his eyes
fixed bravely on the judges.
Il Think am anxious to do some
thing better SIR" he said. slowly. But
| thought you'd forgotten all about me,
and didn't like to say anything. and
i have my uncle to support, Judge
Saunders.
Il never forget a face" said the
Judge briskly. land you can earn more
money in an Office know of than you
ever can here. I'll call to see your
uncle this afternoon, and have talk
with him. Now you'd better go bacl'
to Mrs. Lapham and ease her mind.
I'm not sure that you wouldn't make
a good advocate" he added. with a
grim smile. Perhaps l shall be de-
frauding the law if l get you start. /
in business
AS the boy turned to go he looked
up at the Lapham window. and his
grave young face broke into smile.
How glad she'll be, SIR he sa'n.
Il don't see how can thank you-for
her and for myself"
Look here" said the judge. laying
his hand on the boys shoulder. Listen
to me. Take seven. multiply by four
olvide by two, subtract five, add three
multiply by eleven. divide by four. add
two. divide by seven, multiply by six.
n = . .