Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1910-08-27

Ou lHe way tuc CulluISu poooSu oSV
eral farms, one Of which attracted Reg
gie's eye, as it had fine apple or
chard. And some Of the trees were
hanging full of great red-cheeked fruit
that made the mouth water to look at.
"Say, I'd like to sample some of
those apples" said Reggie, speaking to
Davey and Jack. The girls, Lily and
Edith, were several rods in the rear
and did not overhear Reggie's re-
marks.
Better not try it, warned Davey.
t'No, If you want an apple-Well, we
might stop at the house, which is just
round that turn in the hedge and offer
to buy some" suggested Jack.
"They would taste better If we were
to slip into the orchard and sneak
EN-" said Reggie, grinning mischiev-
iously. i've always heard that stolen
fruit tastes better than any other"
Il suppose some old sinner is re-
sponsible for that saying" smiled
Davey. "But I believe in honesty In
every respect. If you want what an
other has, buy tiff it Is for SALE
"Ch, what is one apple worth?"
asked Reggie Bushels of them will rot
on the ground within the next month.
Just see how they hang from the trees
almost breaking from the limbs! 1t
would help the trees to take some OF
the apples off. So, were to take just
one, it would do some small good to
the other apples on the same limb
''That isn't the point" insisted
Davey. 1.-THE thing is the fruit doesn't
belong to you, and if you take it with.
out asking permission you commit
-ahem-a theft, even though small
one"
'"Oh, how you do strain at an atom"
laughed Reggie. But by this time
they had gotten we'll past the archard
and were passing in front of the farm
house. The old farmer and his wife
we're sitting on the front porch, and as
the little ramblers went along the
dusty road the couple bowed in
friendly country style to them. After
the boys-and presently the girls
had turned corner which shut off
the view OF the old farmhouse Jack
remarked to Reggie: "An honest old
couple, and they would gladly have
given us the freedom Of the orchard
had we asked it,
Don't be so sure of that replied
Reggie. Every one of these old
dodgers has his bulldog or his shotgun.
They are as stingy with their apples
as though they could use every one
that grew in the orchard"
Edith and Lily were now walking
with the boys, and on hearing this
much of the conversation regarding
the archard asked for particulars. And
when they were told that Reggie was
very anxious to "sneak" an apple they
both showed their disapproval.
Haven't you enough change in your
pocket to buy what apples you want?"
asked Lily, ironically.
THAT would be nothing out of the
ordinary" declared Reggie. II want
the excitement of "sneaking' an apple
It must be great sport"
So the children rambled on, reaching
The Point soon after passing the farm
where the apple orchard had so at
tracted Reggie's eye. Then they
gathered some leaves, already touched
by autumn's tints in advance of time.
They climbed half way up The Point,
but Davey, looked al his watch, cried
out that it was time for them to be
starting home.
Eyes we are to have company for
dinner, and mamma warned me to be
back in time to dress for dinner said
Reggie.
Uncle Tom arrives on the $50 train
and staps over the weekend with us.
haven't seen Uncle Tom since I was
nine years old. And now I'm IL"
"Oh, won't that be NICE" said Edith,
who loved company. "You ought to
take great pains with your toilet, so
as to please your uncle. Let's start
home at once"
Yes, it's nearly O'clock" said
Davey And it's an hours walk to
town. Well have to get move on
us. Come, kids, let's CO."
Then, talking and laughing merrily,
the five little friends started onward
the town where they had their re-
spective homes.
When they reached the farm having
the fine apple orchard Reggie again
began expressing desire to "sneak"
an apple. And Jack, having caught
sight of a bull dog roaming the yard
back of the farm house, and not far
from the orchard thought it very
6OOu pldu W give IlC661O a lCooOA. Nv
he said: "If you are bent on stealing
an apple, climb the fence and do It,.
And we'll be the farmer witnesses
if he wants us-that you committed
the theft. Bullet me warn you -
there's dog in the grounds
"I'll be too quick for any dog" said
Reggie, till now very fine, honest
chap. But somehow temptation had
whispered pretty loudly to him on this
outing. and he had listened, much to
the regret of mis- friends. I'm going
to jump over the fence and sneak an
apple I see the very one l want
that whooper hanging there on that
dropping limb And Reggie pointed
out the especial red-cheeked fruit he
desired
.'If you do. I'll tell you what think
Of you. so l WILL" declared Lily, speak
ing with severe emphasis. II like hon.
orable boys"
"And so do l." added Edith. "And
to sneak an apple is just the same as
stealing"
"Oh, that's all you girls know Of
such things laughed Reggie. you
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