The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1879-09-01

81 thought, maybe, you'd give me
some breakfast if l sawed awhile, an
swered the lad, looking up, as if to note
how this proposition would be received.
Breakfast! Of course! We never
turn folks away hungry. Where'd you
come from?"
cover East" was the indefinite reply.
"Where'd you sleep last nightw
"Under the bushes, down the road a
piece" the boy answered.
"Well, you're a great one! should
not wonder, now, if you'd run awayw
half interrogated the farmer, with pleas
ant twinkle in his eye. "Do you mind
telling your name"
Gap, sir."
"Jap, hey~
":That's what they all call me-my
real names Jasper"
"Who are they-your father and
motherw
II haven't any, sir"
brothers and sisters"
"Not one," was the curt reply.
The farmer looked sharply at the boy
from under his broad -brimmed hat, as
the saw piled to and fro, and doubtless
he would have pushed his inquiries still
further had not the impatient believing
of Whitley and Doll reminded him that
it was milking time.
"Well, you don't look over and above
strongish. You better let that wood
alone till you get some vituals down."
"Td rather keep on" was the only
answer, and the work proceeded with no
further interruption till Ethel, the three
year-old pet of the family, came trotting
around the corner OF the house, to an
nounce in her baby fashion that "b'e'k-
'ast" was ready.
"Come right in, come right in. You've
armed a good meal O vituals:" and
Farmer Granger led the way, with his
little girl perched upon his shoulder.
The lad silently took the place as
signed him at the end of the square table
opposite Ethel and her father, while Mrs.
Granger and happy-faced old lady oc-
cupied seats on either side.
The first supply of boiled ham and
baked potatoes had disappeared from the
boys plate, and the second instalment
was vanishing bit by bit, when Mrs.
Granger suddenly discovered that he had
no butter.
"No, ma'am; I don't care for it-this
breads good enough without any" was
the reply when the plate was passed.
Mrs. Granger received this compliment
with pleased smile, and an extra large
doughnut Immediately found its way to
accompany the BUTTERFLIES bread.
"1'd like to work while longer to pay
for that breakfast" remarked the boy, as
he followed the farmer through the wood
house. II haven't tasted anything so
good in long time" And the saw was
taken up without asking for permis-
sion"
"Well, if you're mind to cut and pile
up SPELL you can stay and get your
dinner. We always mean to have good
victuals and plenty of 'em here"
"Now, where are you bound for~ ques-
toned the farmer, as the lad picked up
his bundle after dinner and seemed ready
TO take his departure.
81 don't know, sir" he replied, digging
his bare toes into the dirt, II suppose I'll
stop any where l can get work.
"What's the matter with this place%'
with merry twinkle of the grey eyes.
''That woods to cut, and it'll take three
or four days, at the least calculation.
I'll agree 10 give you enough to eat and
comfortable bed. Maybe by that time
you'll want To run home again."
The boys eyes flashed, but he set his
lips firmly together and made no answer
for minute. Then said
"You are very kind, sir. III stay if
you will let me-"
Solomon Granger, you're crazyw ex-
claimed the nervous little woman, when
her husband related the foregoing con.
versation. ''The idea of having that boy
in the house all night l shan't sleep q
single wink. Likely as not he'll kill us
all before morning, and make off with
everything there is here"
"Oh, no; l guess he's all right" was
the farmers rejoinder, while a sweet
/
voice came from over the knitting:
81 never saw boy with such face
that had anything in him but good ant
honest blood. Depend upon it, Lowly
there amt nothin' wrong about tha
boy"
Two days passed. The lad kept faith
fully at his work, saying little and re
vealing nothing in regard to himself
The farmers wife, meanwhile, worried
and fretted, turned dozen keys at night
and was surprised when morning dawnet
to find everything untouched.
"What are you going to do about go
ing to church?" she asked, anxiously, OF
Sunday morning. "There's that boyl"
"There's room enough in the wagon,
responded her husband, serenely.
81 know; but faint a bit likely he'll
want to go. And I don't dare to leay
him at home. There's no telling wha
he'll do"
~ wouldn't worry about that boy; h
amt going to run off with the house."
The profered seat, however, was de
clined, the boy saying:
"My clothes amt fit. I'd rather sta,
around here"