THE APPLE THIEF.

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 27, 1 February 1930, Page 3 (Supplement)

THE APPLE THIEF.

A very stout lady, in .a fur coat and feathered Bat, walked, sedately along the pavement and passed Farmer Huntley's apple orchard just as Ronnie Hotwater fell off that orchard wall. It was the first time he had done it since he was six, and now he was twelve. On hearing the fall, the stout lady turned round, and as Ronnie caught sight of the poodle in her arms, he recognised her as his aunt Elsie, whb was going to pay a visit to the Hotwaters. However, Aunt Elsie had never seen Ronnie before, so he felt quite safe. "Little boy," said Aunt Elsie, in a shocked voice. " Have you been stealing apples, and on a Sunday, too?" "Yes," replied Ronnie, taking a bite out of an apple. "And such a dirty face," continued Aunt Elsie. "Are all Bletern boys as dirty as you?" "Some of them are worse," said Ronnie. "Really! And who is the nicest, cleanest boy in Bletern?" asked the curious lady. After some hesitation Ronnie replied: "Ronnie Hotwaters." "Ah," said Aunt Elsie, trimphantly, "does he steal.fruit, too?" "Xo," fibbed Ronnie. "What _would your mother <10, if she knew vo" -re stealing apples?" "Well," Ronnie, "she might put me to bed, or lock me in the spare room, or whip me, or make me go without my ] •ncli, or " "And do you think that an apple is worth that?" "Yes," replied Ronnie, taking.another lite. For a moment they eyed each other, then Ronnie turned and fled. Twenty minutes later Aunt Elsie stepped over the threshold of the Hotwater's home, and was met by a differRonnie. So different that she did not recognise him. He was dressed in an immaculate cream silk shirt and neat grey trousers, his dark hair was brushed and scented, his tanned face had not a speck of dirt on it, and liis deep blue eyes looked .extremely innocent. "What a dear little boy," gushed Aunt Elsie, taking him in her arms. "What a nice little shirt. Did mother make it?" "Yes, Aunt Elsie," replied Ronnie, in the meek, obedient tone he kept specially for the school inspectors. "What a sweet little dog," h& continued in the same strain. All went well till after lunch, when the poodle, for no reason at all, suddenly dashed across the lawn, over the gate, and down the street. "My poodlei" screamed Aunt Elsie. With his best Indian war whoop, Ronnie was after it. Up and down the streets of Bletern the dog flew, with Ronnie close on its heels, over newly-ploughed fields, through briar hedges, over a haystack, under barb-wire fßhces, through a bog,. and at length into a sluggish river. It was there Ronnie canght the poodle. On the way home he met a chum, who invited him to go through the sawmill. The invitation was accepted and "when Ronnie eventually arrived liome his clothes were torn and plastered with mud and sawdust, his hair was rumpled, his bright and bis face very dirty. "Heavens, gasped Aunt Elsie, "it's the apple thief!" "It is Ronnie," screamed his mother. Then, to Ronnie's horror and disgust came the revelation. _____ V ' '