Adams County news. [volume] (Ritzville, Wash.) 1898-1906, 1904-04-13
A VINEYARD VENDETTA
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r INDIAN summer was on, calm,
] purple-tinted and radiant with the
colors Of early autumn. The
grounds about Glover Creek Academy
We'd with the surrounding hills in their
lavish display Of red and gold, and the
long sweep Of tree-plumed ground that
sloped Off to the stream back Of the
barracks building seemed to be one
mass Of scarlet, intermingled with the
darker hues Of the never-dying spruce
The cadets had been in harness long
enough to know what military re-
straint was, for already they chafed
under the restrictions Of semi official
duty and began to look with awe upon
the relentless rigor Of Major Ken
bricks, the commandant
There had been one or two small
football games. series Of elaborate
dress parades and one expulsion. This
summed up the excitement of the
early session, and rs they pored over
their books in the stuny classrooms
nothing seeSled more tantalizing than
these purple stretches Of country on
which the most fantastic and tickle
sunshine fell.
Il have an idea. Barry" declared
Wallace Wedrell, as the two cadets
lolled upon the green after school
hours. 1T would mean some risk, but
there would be all'kinds Of fun in it."
Barry, who like many Of the others,
highly respected Wedrell. not alone for
his manliness, but for a certain spirit
OF healthy adventure which dominated
his character, wanted to know all
about 1t without further delay.
II know Of a little farm about mile
from here where grapes grow as II
they had been taught the business"
Wedrell continued. 1T isn't case Of
theft at all. You see, the farm has
been abandoned for several years, and
while the vineyard has not been cared
for the grapes are as fine as any Cali
fornia product"
"How do you know about 1T" In
quired Barry curiously.
went over there last year at about
this time. Was driving to Auburn to
meet my father and passed the place.
I asked about 1t yesterday down at
Flemming's store, and Flemming said
the place is still untenanted."
"Well, out with your scheme"
II suggest that we use the ropes to-
night and go across to the place for a
basketful Of grapes; 1t would be a jolly
lark and this weather simply gets into
my bones; l want to be under that
faultless sky for while"
"Poetical, chi! warbled Barry; then
with a slap on his friends shoulder,
"I'm with you; give me some details"
"You know about all there Is to 1t;
we must start from the barracks at
II or II 80 and be quiet from the word
go; II old Ken learns about the affair
1t will result disastrously."
mo fireworks" limited Barry, with a
smile.
Indications, however, promised any.
thing but a quiet night, for Wedrell
and Barry had scarcely entered the
barracks building when small boy
slipped noiselessly down the big tree
under which the two lads had been
lying. Few there were who knew that
"Noddy" Slote had a peculiar habit Of
studying high in the branches Of this
particular oak. 1t was cool up there
amid the branches and Moody" never
found a disturbing influence.
"Whew" he whistled, closing his
Latin book with a pop; II must tell
Fletcher about this; more than two can
eat grapes, and fetch can get even
with that Wedrell chap for his partic-
ular brand Of audacity."
An undercurrent Of petty animosity
existed between Fletcher and Wedrell,
which, II not encouraged by Wallace
himself, was nursed into a vivid spark
Of hatred by Fletcher, with whom no
one could get along.
Taps had ben sounded a full hour
when two dark figures, outlined for a
moment against the white walls of the
barracks, fell upon the grass beneath
certain third-story window. They
shot of down the slope under a maze
Of sOmber green trees and almost sim
ultaneously from another barracks
window five other figures dropped into
the night with equal precaution.
The first two lost no time In clear
Ing the wall that surrounded the acad-
envy grounds and headed straight for
the undulating stretch Of half-open
country that lay bathed In the soft
moonlight
made 1t without q tangle," whis-
pered Barry. cooking on one elbow the
basket that he carried with jubilant
satisfaction; NOW for the grapes"
Wedrell shifted the night air with
suppressed content.
isn't that breath Of the fields
enough to pay us for our little ven.
tureT" he inquired spiritedly. His COM
panion nodded enthusiastic assent
The walk consumed q scant half.
hour; then they came upon a rambling
old house, picturesque in its desola ton.
On every hand were signs of neglect
ln the over-grown garden. trees trailed
their branches on the ground, weeds
reared green barriers beneath them,
and where once a brick path had led
down to the road rank vegetation hid
It from view.
Wedrell led the way to the vineyard.
There were six long arbors loaded
with trailing vines and luscious blue
hIo al 1ronoa popoath thoaa arhnrS