Little Falls transcript. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1876-1894, 1879-04-24

without ceremony.
The boy eyed the two, sharply; while
grandma, after receiving somewhat
tons, sat placidy rocking. The eyes of
the men roved searchingly about the
room. Finally, one asked:
"Folks gone to church2"
LA, yes" replied the old lady, inno-
Gently. "Our folks never stay home for
nothin'."
The 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 after, the boy left his seat,
sauutered across the room, stopped by
the window to look up the road, and
then, going through the little hall which
led out of the kitchen, he called from the
foot CT the stairs:
"Dave' Dave! you asleep up there2"
"What you want2" sounded a gruf
voice down the stairway.
"Come down, can't you2 And bring
along Tige and Fritz! Don't go to sleep
again"
Grandma heard in mingled amazement
and alarm. Could the boy be in league
with these men, and another be in visit
ing upstairsl
As if in confirmation of her fears, a
low growl sounded from the room over
head. Then came sharp yelp, followed
by little whines of impotence; and with
careless. "Hurry up, Dave!' the lad
walked leisurely back to the kitchen.
AS he reached the door, grand ma, over
whelmed with CONSERVATION, made des-
perate rush for the bedroom beyond, lock-
ing the door behind her.
The men in the meantime had neared
the outer door.
"Got some dogs up there, have yc2'
said one, with a disagreeable leer.
"You heard 'em, didn't you2" was the
careless rejoinder.
"Come on, Jimv' addressing his COM
panion. We might as we'll clear--our
games upp'
"Don't be fool!' was the reply, in an
undertone. "Who's afraid O. pupsw
eyer dogs amt fierce, be they,
youngster2'
"Frltz amt over and above friendly to
strangers" replied the boy, coolly; land
if we're you I wouldn't be round here
when Tige gets out for rum Then in
a louder tone:
''Dave, amt you coming2 But don't
let Tige loose till these men get awayl"
At this, the men moved of, cursing
the dogs and muttering low, wrathful
threats; while the lad, with final, II
advise you to put good piece O. road
between you and Tige!" closed the door,
softly sliding the bolk
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 any!' be 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,
tenderly. I am sorry frightened YOU
so. was afraid it would, but could
not help it."
II won't stir STEP" said grandma,
stoutly. "What do you mean by all thisi
You can't fool me! I heard the dogs,
and the luen. too"
Allow, Pleasant laugh sounded through
the room.
"Twas only ne, grandma I saw
those men meant mischief, and l knew
something must be done pretty quick;
so I made believe there was somebody
up there;
"But the dogs!" cried the old lady, be-
wildered. "Where are the dogs2"
II made 'em bark-listen!'
And then came from the throat of the
little ventriloquist such torrent of
growls, whines and yelps, interspersed
with "Down. Tiger !" and "Be still, Fritz!
that the door " as swung open, and grand
ma, leaning against the wall, exclaimed
"Well, never in all my lifel If you
don't beat all the boys l ever did see
and there I 'sposed you was connivin' with
them critters, and was so scarf I was
inst as weak as rag"
Awhile after this fright at the farm
house, old Billy, with his load of three,
was Flooding 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:
'sThe house is afire!" she screamed
"And grandma oh Solomon, if grand.
mas killed, I'll never forgive myself
never! Why did we leave that boys Oh,
run the horse. Solomon run the horse!
"Nonsense!" said the easy-going farm.
er. Nevertheless, he whipped up old
Billy, and anxiously scanned the corne,
of the roof visible behind the trees where
the smoke was curling up, gray AMI
thick.
A dozen or more well-oirected pals OF
water had done their work, however, and
only wet, smoked timbers and q blacken.
ed pile OF rubbish met the farmers eye
when he sprang from the wagon and
alighted at the side of the breathless lit
tie worker.
The sight of the house and barn IN.
harmed and grandma standing in the
doorway alive and we'll, put all fears tc
! 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 was supposed, were the in
cendiaries; but happily ths fire had beer
discovered In time to prevent any dam.
age. - ~ 5.
The returning loads Of church goers
eager to know the cause of the unusua
stir, stopped at the farmgste; and the LAD
suddenly found himself the hero of the
hour.
81 told them ALT the bad qualities d
Tige and Fritz, Uncle Georges dogs +
exclaimed the boy, unmindful until thu
words were spoken that his hearers ha6
never heard Of HUncle GEORGE" before
Then, with bright blush, he dropped