Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1906-02-25

wish,' said the smaller apple, that 1 did not have to grow up. l should like to be beautiful blossom all my life"
 "Oh, I shouldn't answered the other apple. T hope that shall grow to be the largest on the tree
 Well, you won't" screamed aa ao- ple near the top of the tree.
 Neither will you," retorted the ap- rle below; besides, hear you have a worm-hole in you.
 The apple on the top branch was so angry that it almost lost it's bal ance and fell to the ground. This would have been disgrace for any apple.
 q have no worm-hole at all, cried the apple above. T shall grow 10 be much larger than you. You are too near the ground to be safe.''
 "What does it mean by that?" asked the smaller apple on the lower branch, in a whisper
 .'It means we are in danger of be- ing picked" explained the other ap- pie Fer my part l should just as soon be p. .cked as have the wind blow me down.
 'Who would pick us?" asked the smaller apple. looking around.
 "Oh, boys, of course" answered the larger apple. s'That wouldn't be so bad, either, if they would only give us time to ripen. When they pick us green there is but one thing to do.'
 What is that?' asked the smaller apple, eagerly.
 "Give them the stomach ache. No apple likes to be eaten before the proper time. The stomach is the only way to punish them."
 For a few moments the smaller apple did not speak. Then it said, ''i think it's horrid to grow up any way. It would be much nicer to be a sWeet-Smelllng blossom"
 How can you say so; think it is fine to feel the sun on our faces and know our cheeks grow redder each day"
 My cheeks aren't red" replied the smaller apple, "and my seeds are green
 When you are older you will be handsomer,' said the big apple; perhaps you will be used in a pie
 Good gracious, how unpleasant exclaimed the smaller apple, twisting on it's stem. What is pie?"
 'It is something people eat. It is very good; no apple need feel ashamed to be used in one."
 twill the apple at the top of the tree be used in a pie " inquired the smaller apple.
 If it has a worm-hole I should not care to be used in the same pie" re- marked the larger apple.
 q should not care to be used in a pie, anyway" said the smaller apple. What else could I do?"
 "Oh, there are baked apples and fred apples and apples that are used for cider"
 Cider sounds much pleasanter than pie"
 "The apples used in cider are not the finest ones. They are all sizes and colors. Very few fine looking ap- ples are to go into cider"
 What are you going to do when you are ripe?" asked the smaller ap- pie. pleasantly.
 The larger apple thought for some time. "I am going to the city, it said, ''to be sold on fruit stand. All the largest and finest apples are sold there. They are looked after well, too. Their cheeks are polished until they shine and they are shown in window beside the grape-fruits and oranges and grapes. By Thanksgiv- ing time I suppose I shall be eaten"
 "It must be fine to be good-looking apple" said the smaller apple, sadly. It repeated this remark several times 10 itself and was about to ask other questions when all the apples on the tree began to futter.
 There was silence in the apple tree. The little apple shook with fear, but it did not say word. Two boys came down the pathway and stood un- der the tree We must not make any noise," said one of the boys, Cor the gardner w Il drive us away.
 Which do you think the largest ap- pie?" asked the first boy.
 sNThere is a fine one near the top of the tree" answered the other boy. We might bring it down with