The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1876-09-14
WHYLETTICE SYMPATHIZED WITH
MIR. BREMEN.

Lettuce nau Deen SICK all through tne
spring and early summer, but when the
weather became hot and dry the cough
and pain IN her side left her, faint streaks
cheeks, and she grew able to take ride
with her father every morning, and dur
ing each ride she found many common
place incidents to weave into thrilling
stories for her little brother Fred.
One morning, as they were driving
slowly along beautiful lane, Lcttice was
much amused by counting Il number of
cattle crossing brook on Il narrow plank.
There! Twenty -onc!' she cried, clap
ping her hands What a clumsy old
fellow that last one was l surely thought
he'd tumble into the water. hope they
will all do it over again when we come
back. must tell Fred all about it,
:" That reminds me of poor little Fred
rika Bremen replied her father, delight
cd to see his "languid lady, display so
tiers were watching some bullocks that had
been let out to drink at a pond. When
they came to Il certain place where the
gates had been taken down they all APP
peared seized with a dancing fit, and be-
gan to jump and prance, kicking their
hind legs in the air. The children were
amazed at such conduct in the quiet crea-
lures, and when their father came home
that evening Charlotte went into the Ii
brary and told him of the wonderful be-
havior of the bullocks He was amused
and interested, and wondered very much
what could have influenced them. Pres
emily in came another child and told the
same story The father listened but said
nothing. Then a third came in, repeating
what the others had said. The father
&,,I Last a. IL
little rcprcssed, irrcprcssible Fredrika
made her appearance, saying, Do you
know, papa, that the bullocks-' But
she was interrupted with, This is the
fourth time have heard that story. Now
there must be an end of it
How cross and unkind he wasr' ex-
claimed Lettice. He might have
listened to just one more. l have no
patience with him.
but it was something of bore for
him, you see,' said Mr.. Houyhton.
"Why," suddenly turning his attention to
the horse, Med has almost lost that fore
shoe. We must drive slowly. l will
watch the shoe while YOU keep sharp
lookout for blacksmith's shop. think
there is one near
Lettice sat erect, her bright eyes search
ing for she scarcely knew what, until her
turned corner close upon small I'M
painted building surrounded by broken
wagons. Through smoky doorway they
saw man bending over forge, drawing
a long red iron from the fire; but he threw
the iron on the anvil and came to the door
at the sound Of Mr.. Houghton's voice.
Loose shoe, eh?" he inquired, running
his fingers through his curly gray hair
DO it for you in five minutes; will that
suit you. ell? Better take the horse out,
Ell: Your little gal looks beat out;
better go in the house and stay with my
women folks, Ell? Powerful hot place
this shop is to set in, eh:''
1T will only be for few minutes"
assured her father, helping her down.
Perhaps you will find something to
amuse YOU
Lettice slowly crossed the dusty road,
and knocked at the door of the little rcd
house opposite the shop.
May please stay here until our horse
is shoc.:' she asked, as tiny old lady
appeared.
Yes, come in,' answered the old
lady, in a strikingly gentle tone. "How
thin you are. Have you been sick? Just
set in this rocking chair and put your feet
on this little bench, and I'll get you
glass of our spring water. No such
water as ours to be found for miles
around"
Lettice leaned YEARLY back among the
faded green cushions of the chair, while
the old lady stretched up to the highest
shelf of closet for glass, and left the
room, moving SO noiselessly that the child
was almost startled.
Letticc had made a study of everything it
ptai f1,o n1I LODI ,oI
with the glass of water and followed by
little brown dog.
What cunning little dog it ISL she
said, after she had drank the water, and
the dog came whining and jumping
around her chair.
YES assented the old lady, seating
herself, and commencing to darn a pair
of coarse socks. 'And what do you think
he did last night? 1t was the queerest
thing, for we never let him go upstairs;
but Jimmy had something like fetch of
chOlery, and he was took all of student
in the evening, though what he had been
eating to hurt him no one knows. For
his breakfast he only eat cakes-we was
out of buckwheat, SO we made them of rye
and Indian; we raise them over night
two quarts
But what did the little brown dog do ?'
inquired Lettuce
Well, you see Jimmy most had the
cholery, and we was at our wits end We
put him in hot water, and we put mus
tard on him, and gave him ginger and par
egoric, and the doctor lives long way off,
and there was no one to send, for John
had the asthmy, and father
so you sent the dog for the doctor ~
asked Lettuce.
No; OH, no, we should not think of
such thing returned the gentle old
voice. swell, you see, after we put him
III the not water we wanted to wrap him
up warm, and so Amandy went up to the
garnet chamber for quilt-we have q
nice parcel of quilts, for I've piecened
fifty three in my day-let me see. the first
one Ipiecened was when-''
Did the dog bring down the quilts"
again interrupted Lettuce
''Oh, no." replied the old lady, softly,
shaking her head, ''but he followed
Amandy upstairs, and she never thought
of him when she came out of the room.
and we was all so frightened we never
missed him, and thought nothing of it till
Jimmy was better this morning and
Amandy went to put the quilt away, and
as sure as you live there was Fido a-wae
ging his tail when Amandy opened the
door, and he must have been there all
night"
A Disappointed /" Oh "swas all the reply
that Lettice could make. E.t II SSs;
$50 you like Flido," repeated q thick
voice IS very old man opened bed.
room door SO close to her chair that Let
tice gave little start. "Slo you like
Flido," he continued, stumbling up to
a9 armchair and seating himself with dit.