Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1910-07-26

of flames dancing up and
4 4 down the wall. She sprang
to the window. The straw that GOV
cred one Of the piles Of apples was
burning brightly, and In a moment she
saw a dark figure dart toward an
other, which sprang into fame also.
With a cry she awoke Gladys and
ran downstairs to call her father He
quickly dressed and hurried out. but
by that time four Of the eight piles
were already on fire. The miscreanl
fled as soon as he saw he was discov'
cred. Mr. Sanders raked the burning
straw from the apples as quickly as
he could. but those In the outer layer
were baked TO u turn.
"rll warrant It's some Of that ras'
cally Snyder's work." he said as be
came back TO the house.
We'll give you those baked apples
for the hogs If you'll go to town with
us tomorrow" said Gladys. I'm al
most aITdlu W Ro aione-
"I'll go with you all right" her father
answered, land IL Snyder shows up 1t
will be the worse for him"
II was nearly o'clock. and as they
were all too excited to sleep they con-
rluded to sit up until morning and
watch the apples.
II think our friend Is too scared to
rome back" said Mr. Sanders. HE
was scared enough to get away In a
hurry anyway"
But about half an hour later, just as
he was sinking into doze and the
girls were talking quietly on the sofa,
they were startled by several cries
from the direction Of the apple or
chard.
1t was that darkest hour that comes
| just before dawn. and they could see
nothing Selling the lighted lantern
and telling the girls to wait until be
rame back. Mr.. Sanders ran out to the
orchard
Right this way, Mr. Sanders" call
I'd cheerful voice as he reached the
vl:e Of the orchard "Ive got him"
Why. JEFF" cried Mr.. Sanders.
what are you doing hereT'
Sitting on Niger" replied JEFF.
Help me hang on to him. and we'll
take him into the house and tie him
up"
But no help was needed. for the cul'
prit. a young negro boy. was so scared
that he could hardly stand up. mucl
less run.
81 was In the barber shop gettin:
my hair cut today" said JEFF afte
they had shut the captive up In thu
feed room and gone into the house
when l heard Snyder talking to thl'
boy. suspected something WAS III
and strained my ears 10 catch what /
was. made out the words Sanders,
apples and 4 O'clock. wasn't sur,
enough of anything TO bother yor
about II, but | thought Id get up 1
little before ana ride Nanny ove
md see n there was anything the mat
ter. hadn't been here ten minutes
when ! heard this fellow sn2akini
across the road and up toward the ap
ple piles. | followed him. and we hat
the scuille you heard"
When he was told Of the burning oI
the piles II short time before Jeff W.
greatly chagrIned
Il ought to have told you about 1t,
lie said. Now half your apples are
spoiled"
Not more than ten bushels" laugh
ed MIR. Sanders. Were glad that jol
rame around us soon Us you did.
The next day they drove TO iowl
with the load OF apples with tn" negro
boy safely lied 10 III" seat beside MI
Sanders, while the lirls sat on IN a.
pie sack behind.
Mr.. Sanders drove up TO Snyder'S o'
fee and, taking the boy by the hand
led him upstairs. Mr.. Sanders alway
burst out laughing when any onr ask
ed him about that interview with SnT
der.
~ guess he'd made me n partner Il
the apple trust If Id have insisted. h
said. 81 told him II contract to tax
the rest of our apples ut $1.5O bushe
would do Just AZ well"
The rest Of the apple crop bronEh
500, making $175 altogether from III
acre. As soon us the apples were on
of the way the girls devoted their q;
ergies to the cabbages. These did no
sell as readily as the apples. however
and they finally decided to load ca
and send 1t to Chicago.
Cabbages seemed to be In little d.
mand that year. and short time late
they received a statement someihin
like this from the commission man:
| One car of cabbages. 5000
| Freight, commission and stor-
age ......................... VA
| Balance due ...................... LILO
| Please remit.
The cabbages they had sold In tow
amounted to about SIS, so that the
still had $13.25 left. enough to pay Il