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

from home, when suddenly Mrs
Granger's voice, wild with terror, rang
out sharply on the still air:
"The house is afrep she screamed:
"and grandma Solomon, if grand,
mas killed Pll never forgive myself,
never. Why did we leave that boy? Oh,
run the horse, Solomon; run the horser'
Nonsense" said the easy-going farm
er. Nevertheless, he whipped up old
Billy, and anxiously scanned the corner
Of the roof that was Just visible behind
the trees where the smoke was curling
up gray and thick.
A dozen or more well-directed pals of
water had done their work, however, and
only wet smoked timbers and black
ened pile of rubbish met the farmers eve
when he sprang from his wagon and
alighted at the side of the breathless lit
tie worker.
The sight of the house and barn un-
harmed and grandma standing in the
doorway alive and well, put all fears to
fight in an instant. But there was
story to relate, and the boy stood mod
estly by, while grandma dwelt upon the
exciting events of the past hour. The
tramps, it is supposed, were the incendi-
aries, but, happily, the fire had been dis
covered in time to prevent any damage.
The returning loads of church-goers,
eager to know the cause of the unusual
stir, stopped at the farm gate, and the
lad suddenly found himself the hero Of
the hour.
"I told 'em all the qualities of Tige
and Fritz, uncle Georges dogs" ex-
claimed the boy, unmindful, until the
words were spoken, that his hearers had
never heard of "Uncle George" before.
Then, with bright blush, he dropped
behind one of the men, and let the talk
go on unheeded.
'I do believe that boy saved my life,
Lowly. Depend ont, the Lord sent
himp
And grandma, concluding her story
with long-drawn breath, sat down on
the doorstep, and was Immediately en-
gagged in an eager talk with old Mrs. At
kins.
1t was many hours before quiet settled
down upon the inmates of the farm
house; but before they settled for the
night, Farmer Granger and his wife
learned all that was needful to know Of
Jasper Goodrich's former life.
"The only reason l haven't told you,"
said the boy, in reply to the farmers
question, "is because I was afraid you'd
send me back. 1t might as we'll come
out, thought have run away, but I'll
never go back to Uncle George's-Tll die
first"
1t was short story. Until he was
seven years old he knew only a happy
life. Then his fathers health failing
and sea voyage being decided upon, his
father and mother sailed for France,
leaving him in the care of the village
minister and his wife. In six months
came the news of his fathers death, and
some weeks later his mother, too, died,
and was buried in a foreign land. The
boy remained with his friends a few
months only, for, upon the minister's re-
moval to another town, he was taken
possession of by a half-brother of his
father, rascally man, who had no love
or kind feeling for his young nephew.
Here he was shamefully treated till he
could endure it no longer, and after six
years Of abuse and torment, he de-
termined to seek home among strangers.
'1 wanted to stay" the boy concluded,
"but didn't dare to tell you, for fear
that you would send me back"
"Never, my boy" interrupted the
farmer earnestly. "You can stay with
us till you can find a better home, and
we'll do all we can for YOU"
"Well," said Mrs. Granger, as she laid
down that night, "the idea of mistrust-
ing that boy! I declare it makes me feel
mean to think of It'll"
Early the next morning the farmer
harnessed old Billy, and, dressed in his
Sunday best clothes, took the east road
over the mountain. He returned late in
the afternoon.
The announcement made at the tea
table was startling to at least one hearef.
81 have seen your uncle, Jasper"
The boys face paled, but the farmers
next words were reassuring.
lIC was luCllncu az ulSb W Uc d llGUf0
ugly, but after I'd had my say he cooled
down trife, and I fancy he won't give
you any further trouble. You can stay
just as long as you please"
81 knew there was nothin' wrong about
that boy" said Grandma, with tri-
umphant nod toward the radiant Jasper,
depend ont, Lowly, the Lord sent
him"