The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1902-10-20
The Story of The 9ppIe-Jree.

hadn't OF o be climbin' trees his time
of life. Ethan!" Her feeble voice
rose shrilly. But the sound failed to
reach the wall where the two old men
confronted each other.
You goin' up?" demanded Grandpa
Tobey.
mot without you do" responded the
other, politely. Age first
Grandpa Tobey snorted. "Ef had
as many apples as you hev, Roger Tai
colt" He pointed a trembling finger
tow ard the distant orchard. 1t glowed
coolly, green and red and yellow in
the hazy light.
The old man turned and gazed at it
blandly. Eyes, it's a good orchard"
he acquiesced. But there are no blue
pearmains in it. Mrs. Talcotts especi
ally fond of blue pearmains." He
reached up smooth hand and plucked
| an apple from the bough above his
| head, gazing at 1t fondly. There's
noth1n' quite so good as blue pear
main. Is there?" he asked, suggest
| lively, after a pause.
The other raised white deprecat
ing hand. ''Tut-tut- tut-tut, Ethan!"
he said, reprovingly. mot stealing.
| No harsh words. Not stealingi"
| "Wuss'n stealin'," grumb1ed Ethan.
| His red eyes were fixed enviously on
the plump apple in the smooth hand.
Roger Talcott looked at 1t contem-
platively. He rubbed 1t gently on the
sleeve Of his coat The red skin glow
ed transparency in it's blush tinge.
He raised it to his lips and set his big
teeth firmly into it. A look of satisfac-
ton overspread his face as he chewed.
1.-THE tree is mine," he said. He took
another bite. ut was in the deed
you signed it yourself, Ethan-all the
| farm, except the house lot, including
trees planted on the division line"
Ethan WINGED a little. His eyes
sought the red branches. Il forgot
bout the pearmains when I signed" he
said, feebly. Il want quite myself
them days, Roger. Ye hedn't OF o
hold me too tight to what signed"
you were drunk a good deal, If
that's what do you mean said the
other, sternly. "Squandered your sub
stance"
Ethan Strengthened himself. A flush
redeemed the Wrinkied face. 'Well,
amt drunk now, and I hain't been for
forty year; and kin tell you one thing,
Roger Talcott, you've got q heart of
flint-a heart like a stun WALL" His
eye rested on the wall between them.
Lawyer Gridley's tole me me the law
he added wrathfully. Il kin claim ev-
cry apple that falls on this side O.
that" He laid his hand impressively
on the gray stones and glared at his
companion.
"You can not" The other old man
glared back.
Ethan nodded his head slowly. 'eYou
try and see. I've done it forty-seven
year, and I'll do it every year till ]
die"
They stood for a full minute, con-
fronting each other slowly. Then they
wheeled about, back to back. Roger
| No. &c
that hung from the lower limbs
Ethan reached up and shook a limb
cautiously. Some of the apples that fell
he caught In his hands as they drop
ped. Others he scrambled about fol-
on his hands and knees. When his
basket was filed he sat down feebly
with his back to the wall and waited
Not till the tall figure had disappeared
with It's we'll filed basket among the
distant orchard trees did he lift his
own basket and hobble stiff1y toward
the house.
Mrs. Talcott looked up in slow sur.
prise. why, Roger" There was 6
note of reproach in the soft voice.
The old man stood in the doorway
the basket of bluish-red balls swing
ing In his hand. His look was half
ashamed and half-triumphant.
His wife CLICKED softly in her throat
1T is a shame, Roger!" she said. re.
provingly. 81 have to tell you so every
year." She looked thoughtfully at the
basket. "It isn't as If we needed 'en,
she said.
The old man crossed the room ant
held out the basket. Take one" ht
said, suggestively.
"They are about the best apples II
the world" she said. She put out hel
hand.
He nodded triumphantly,