The Caucasian. (Clinton, N.C.) 188?-1913, 1913-04-24

SPRING HOUSE PRISONERS.
Hey, there, Aunt Jane, wait a
minute. and we'll bring you a treat.
if you'll let us ride home with you"
a voice from somewhere up in the air
called as Miss Jane Lee travelled slow
ly along the shaded road in her rick
ETY. barOuche, drawn by the most leis-
urely of bay mares. In answer to her
name, Miss Jane looked up quickly.
BY the roadside was a large, thickIy
grown peach orchard, whose boughs
were Il len with the most alluring
fruit-sOft, pink, velyety. Some of
the most misunderstanding peaches
hung on branches, which extended
out over the road, as if designed es-
pecialIy to tempt the wayfarer Sud
denly Miss Lee caught sight of two
very Misunderstanding wayfarers
perched in one of the tOpmost boughs,
with juice running down their chins.
Wait a minute, Aunt Jane, and
We'll bring you treat, if you'll let US
ride home with you" the boys re-
peated, as they began to descend the
tree with bullying pockets.
''Pll wait for you, and you. may ride
home with me; but do not wish you
to bring me stolen treat, thank
YOU" was the firm response "This
orchard and these peaches do not be-
long to you, do they?"
Jaw, nom; course they don't"
Jerre TODD, her older nephew, argued,
as he pressed a large ripe peach
temptingly upon his aunt. IT'S old
man Tibbs' orchard, but he has more
peaches than he can ever use; and he
won't miss these. Our taking these
few won't hurt him"
No, your taking those few, or even
more wouldn't hurt him; and he'll
never miss them" Miss Lee agreed,
as she refused the offered fruit. and
drove on down the road, when her
nephews had climbed into the vehicle
But your taking them does hurt
you; for taking what does not belong
to you is just plain stealing; and
whether or not the owner will miss
what you take doesn't matter so much
as the principle of the thing. You
can't afford to steal, for it hurts you
yourself, and belttles your charac-
ter"
Maybe you don't know just how
sweet and fine and juicy these are,
Aunt Jane" Jerry observed. slyly, as
hn hit N NJ oY1y
peach. But how about Cousins Rose
and Billy and Kate; are they coming
out to supper tomorrow night? You
said you were going to invite them
today while you were in town, you
know" he quickly added, by way of
changing the subject of conversation.
Yes, they're comm; and I got
pineapple at the market this morn
ing; and We'll have your favorite
dessert, pineapple sherbet," Aunt
Jane announced. smilingly
"Ffne!" exclaimed two voices al
once from the rear seat. And
Kate'll sing for us, and Billyn tell
US some dandy new stories.''
Oak Lawn" Grandpa Lees big
old-fashioned house where the TodG
boys were making a very happy vaca.
ton visit, was the scene next day OF
busy preparations for the guests, who
were to arrive that evening. The
guest chambers were aired and fresh
ened up, vases of roses from the gar
den were placed on the tables, ant
Dinoh .
menu as had made "Oak Lawns" hos
pita1ity famous throughout the coun
ty. But the train out from town wa
not on time, and supper was to be ,
whole hour later than usual, so tn,
boys got almost unbearably hungry
as they lounged in the hammock
waiting for the arrival of the guests.
It'll be a half hour before, the
get here yet" Jerre observed discon
solately, as he examined his newly
acquired property, a small watch
Come on; let's go down to the sprin
house and get some fresh water"
, Cali right Bob, the younges
brother, agreed; and the boys ra
down the green, sloping lawn to tn
old stone spring house. There wa
always plenty of fresh water in tn
big wooden bucket on the shelf on tn
ell gallery; and this was the first Wis
the boys had paid to the old sprin
house since their arrival at "Oa
Lawn; therefore they noticed wit
interest the recent Improvement
There was new roof, and new doc