Erick Enlists in the Fighting Army Meanwhile the sunny September had approached and everywhere the apples and pears were smiling down from the trees.

Every morning one could see the Mayor of Upper Wood walk toward the hillside, where he had started a new vineyard where only reddish, sweet Alsatian grapes grew.

The hillside lay toward the valley about a half-hour's walk below Upper Wood; but the walk was not too far for the Mayor to watch the growth of his grapes, for they were of the most delicious kind.
The Justice of Peace, Kaetheli's father, had also a small vineyard on that side, but of a much inferior kind, and when he sometimes went to see whether his grapes would ripen this year, he always found the Mayor there, and usually said, pointing to the latter's grapes: "A splendid plant." And the Mayor answered: "I should think so.

And this year will not be like last! Just let them come!" and with these words he held up his finger threateningly.
"If one only could get hold of one of that crowd," remarked the Justice of Peace, "so that one could make an example of him of what would happen to all the wicked fellows." "I have prepared for that, Justice of Peace," the other answered, full of meaning.

"The boldest of them will carry the reminder of the sweet grapes for weeks about with him and will be plainly marked." This conversation had already been repeated several times, for both men had an especial interest in the topic.