Morris tribune., 1903-05-09

II
spec, - him on the sidewalk,
begats H.. lately to follow him
like a va 0red laekey. Jacques,
who felt 10 grudge, gave it a little
smile Of acknowledgment, as though
it were an old acquaintance.
i When the party Of ladies and gen
tlemen was complete, jacques in
sisted on RECALLING them all with
vermuth and ordered the waiter to
| give one to his apple tree, though it
seemed to sketch a gesture Of re-
fusal with its boughs. The waiter,
who did not understand, looked an
CRY. :
AS they entered the carriage to
drive to the railway station Jacques
gave his tree an amiable nudge with
his elbow, making some joke about
leaving it behind Impassiye1y the
tree waited on the sidewalk till they
started, when it followed the con-
veyance at a quick trot Leaning
over the window, Jacques watched
it. Once he gave little cry of ter
ror as a heavy vehicle crossed its
path and he thought it might be
run over. but it escaped.
"What in the world is the mat
ter with your" exclaimed his com
panion in surprise.
tsDon't trouble about me. It is
only my apple tree
''Your apple tree? Why, what
can you mean?
But Jacques did not explain.
At the station the tree did not
get lost. Jacques began to feel him
self cruel in trotting the poor thing
SO far. He was growing attached to
it really. He was soon treasured,
for it galloped beside the train like
an outrider attending the carriage
Of sovereign.
Only Jacques was SO absorbed in
watching it that he neglected his
friends, and one of them, lady
who liked him, reproached him gen
tly for his Dreoccupation.
''You are jealous of my apple
tree" he said laughingly.
"Apple tree! Apple tree!n' They
began to chant it to the tune of a
popular song, improvising words
which they thought, appropriate.
Jacques really feared they might
hurt its feelings, but it did not seem
to mind.
The chosen spot was reached.
The day sped on in mirth. Jacques
was wild with merriment, never los
ing sight Of his attendant tree.
Some one proposed a row on the
river.
oNo, nor cried Jacques. SPer-
haps he may not know how to
swim
"Who?"
"My APP
"Apple tree! Apple treel What
is the joke? Do explain"
Jacques REDEEMED little. These
people could not possibly under
stand. He looked at his tree as if
to consult it, and it seemed to him
that the. tree had no objection to
the water.
The boats set of, and the apple
tree followed. Jacques kept on the
alert, ready to hold out helping
hand, he was so fond of his tree.
In the evening at dinner Jacques
imbibed recklessly, and he did not
forget to fling a glass Of champagne
over his apple tree. He grew very
tipsy and qdarrelsome.
81 am tired Of you allP' he cried
to his friends. "You bore me mex
pressibly! I shall leave you and go
off by myself with my apple treep
They laughed good naturally and
tried to keep him. The ladies look
ed annoyed, but off he went.
It was night now and very dark.
He went along the steep bank, still
accompanied by his tree. He felt
horribly Inundated and ashamed,
for he was staggering and Stun
bling, while the sober tree slid on
erect and firm.
Jacques zigzagged along in de-
plorable fashion nearer and nearer
to the waters edge. Feeling the ne
cessity of support, he sidled up to
the apple tree.
ssYou are my friend" he said,
''Let me lean on you"
He threw his weight against the
tree, but his body encountered the
empty air. He lost his balance,
rolled down the steep decliyity into
The river and was drowned.
The tree, left to itself, returned
to the field whence it came.-From
The French. 5