The Worthington advance., 1879-04-24

"Let me see" began grandma, when
the last lead of neighbors had passed tn
gate, ''your names Jasper, amt lts"
!. "1aapeEx ma'am."
"Y.a Veil, Jasper, can you reada'' Z
We'll, s'posin you read out loud to me
spill, and little, old book was brought
out from the great chest in the corner,
Antitled t'Tales off, faGsaadhother."
So the boy read; and grandma. folding
n& 1ri6kled:e hands that were always
busy on other days-leaned back with .
look of contentmcnt on her sweet old
face, thinking to herself, "As if Id be
latsated j that boyl' ,.>
You must ha' been to school consider
able" was the comment when the first
chapter was ended.
II never went," was the response.
"Ncver! Who learned you to read,
thcnf"
"Mother."
The boy seemed reluctant to engage in
any conversation, and FASTENED to, begin
tie second chapter. Some time passed,
asleep, the story was continued in silence.
Gradma's nap was brought to sud-
den close by loud rap on the outer
door. -r,I ;2GL.Is -,
Two men stood on the doorstep; i'll
looking fellows, and very dirty in ap.
pearance. -,
. "can you give ue something to e.tf''
sS3s;;y .aartis Ill 5co1m. ;r,oht q and s;t
down." said the old lady, busting off to
the pantry. (which do you like the
best-apple.pie or custard9" And soon
bountiful repast was spread upon the
table, s:aad the good things vanished
without ceremony.
The boy eyed the two, sharply; while
grandma, after receiving somewhat
crusty answers to the few kindly ques-
tions, sat placidy recking. The eyes of
the men roved searchinyly about the
room. Finally, one asked:
"Folks gone to church2''
LA, yes" replied the old lady, limo.
Gently. "Our folks never stay home for
nothin'."
:Tne speaker threw q quick glance to-
ward his companion; the other nodded
Neither movement escaped the pair Of
watchful eyes in the corner.
A moment alter, the boy left his seat,
sauntered across the room, stopped by
the window to look up the road, and
then, going through tho little hall which
led out of the kitchen, he called from the
foot cf the stairs:
"Dve' Dave! you asleep up there's"
"What you wantf" sounded a gruff
voice down the st 'irway.
"Come down, can't, you2 And bring
along Tige and Fritz! Don't go to sleep
again.
Grandma heard in mingled amazement
apd alarm: Could the boy be in league
with these men, and another be in wait
ing upstairs!
As fin confirmation of her fears, a
low growl sounded from the room over
head. Then came sharp yelp, followed
by little whines of impatience; and with
a careless, "Hurry up, DAve!" the lad
walked lcisurely back to the. kitchen
As he reached the door, grand ma, over
whelmed with CONSERVATION, made des-
pcrate rush Tor the bed room beyond, lock-
ing the door behind her.
The men in the meantime had neared
the outer door.
= "Got some dogs up there, have ye2''
said one, with disagreeable leer.
"You heard 'em, didn't you2" was the
careless joinder.
'"Come on. Jim!" addressing his COM
panion. We Mi ght as we'll clear--our
games up!'
"Don't be fool!" was the reply, in an
"Who's. afraid o. pups!'
"Yer dogs amt fierce, be they,
youngster?'
Fritz ain't over and above friendly to
strangers" replied the boy, coolly; ian
if were YOU wouldn't be round here
when Tige gets out for rum" Then in
louder tone:
"Dave, amt you coming2 But don't
let Tige loose till these men get away!'
At this, the men moved of, cursing
the dogs and muttering low, wrathful
threats; while the lad, with final, IL
advise you to put good piece O. road
between you and Tige!" closed the door,
softly sliding the bolt.
Then going to the room where grand.
ma lay crouched upon the bed, scarcely
daring to stir, he called through the key
hole"
"They're gone. You can come out
now"
"The dogs' gasped faint voice.
There amt anyl'' he answered,
softly. "Open the door, and III tell
you"
The bolt was cautiously withdrawn,
and the old lady's face appeared, white
and terrified.
Come and sit down." said the boy,
terder|y. am sorry I frightened you
so. was afraid it would, but I could
not heipit
II won't stir a STEP" said grandma,
stoutly.. What do you mean by all this2
You cant fool me! I heard the dogs,
and the men, too"
Allow, rleasant laugh sounded through
the room.
"T~as only NE, grandmal I saw
those men meant mischief, and I knew
something must be done pretty quick
so I made believe there was somebod =
UP there"
But the doys!' cried the old lady, be.
wildered. "Where are the dogsa"
II made 'em bark-listeui
And then came from the throat Of the
little ventriloquist such a torrent of
growls, whines and yelps, in.erspersed
with "Down, Nger!" and "Be still, Fritz!
that the door MAS swung open, and grand.
mh, leaning against the wall, exclaimed
well, never in alt my lifel If you
don't beat all the boys l ever did see
aid there I 'sposed you was connivin' with
them critters, and I was 10 scarf was
inst as weak as arag."
Awhile after this fright at the farm.
house, old Billy, with his load of three
was plodding peacefully over the brow
OF the little hill quarter Of a mile from
home, when suddenly Mrs. Changers
voice, wild with terror, rang out sharply
| on the still air:
"The house is afire!" she screamed
"And grandma!-oh! Solomon, it grand
mas killed, Ill never forgive myself
never! Why did We leave that boy3 Oh