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

THAT BOY.
''Husband! there's somebody out in
the yard saving wood. Who do you
s'pose 'tis?"
Farmer Granger turned himself in
bed. listened moment, and then, with
the sleepy sigh OF one who realizes that
i. the time Of dreaming is over and work
hours are at hand, replied:
''It's Old Warner, likely. He's had
time to get over his tentrum. III see."
The farmers toilet was not one that
required hours to perfect, and before Mrs.
Granger had concluded that it was time
for her to "be stirring" the brown trous-
ers and blue frock Of her husband could
have been seen at the further end of the
big kitchen, while two keen gray eyes
peered through the half opened blind.
No red-nosed, haggard- faced old man
met his gaze, but pale checked, bare
footed boy whose low " histle kept time as
he worked, while the heap of sticks at his
feet gave evidence that his saw had made
quick pace since sunrise.
what are you about, boya" was the
farmers salutation, as he neared the wood
pile.
II thought, maybe, you'd give me some
breakfast if I sawed awhile" answered
the lad, looking up as if to note how his
proposition would be received.
"Breakfast! Of course! We never
turn folks away hungry. Where'd you
come from2'
lover east" was the indefinite reply.
l"Where'd you sleep las night2'
"Under the bushes, down the road q
piece" the boy answered.
swell, you're great one! shout dnt
wonder, now, if you'd run away2"-half-
in+errogated the farmer, with pleasant
twinkle in his eye. ."Do you mind tell
ing me your names"
*Jap, sir"
"Jap, hey7"
That's what they call me-my real
names Jasper"
who are they--your father and moth
err"
~ haven't any, SIR
"Brothers and sisterss"
mot 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 lowing of
Whitley and Doll reminded him that it
was milking time,
swell, you don't look over and above
st1ongish. You'd better let that wood
alone till you get some victuas down."
Nd rather keep on was the only an
swer; and the work proceeded wit
no further interru ption till Ethel, the
three year old pet of the family, came
to announce in her baby fashion that
"b'e'k' asst" was ready.
Come right in, come right IN. You've
earned good meal of victuals;' and
Farmer Granger led the way, with his
little girl perched upon his shoulder.
The lad silently took the place assign.
ed him at one end of the square table op.
poslte Ethel and her father, while Mrs
Granger and happy. faced old lady oc.
cupied seats on either side.
The first supply of broiled ham and
baked potatoes had disappeared from the
boys plate, and the second installment
was vanishing bit by bit, when Mrs
Granger suddenly discovered that he he'd
no butter.
mo, ma'am; don't care fer it-this
breads good enough without any," was
the reply when the plate was passed.
Mrs. Granger received this compli
ment with pleased smile, aad an extra
large doughnut Immediately found its
way to accompany the BUTTERFLIES bread
I'D like to work awhile longer to pay
for that breakfast" remarked the boy as
he followed the farmer through the wood.
house. II haven't tasted anything Sc
good in a long time" and the saw was
taken up withou, waiting for permission.
swell, if you're mind to cut and pile
up a 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 for2'
questioned the farmer, as the lad picked
up his bundle after dinner and seemed
ready to take his departure.
II don't know, sir" he replied, digging
his bare toes into the dirt. III suppose
I'll stop anywhere can work"
"What's the matter with this placer
with little twinkle of tie gray eyes
"That woods to cut, and it'll take three
or four days, at the least calculation I'll
agree to give you enough to eat and ,
comf'table bed. May be by that time
you'll want to run home again.
The BOWS eyes flashed; out he set his
lips firmly together, and made no answer
tor minute. Then he said:
~ GU are very kind, sir. I'll stay il
you will let me-"
Solomon Granger, you're crazyl" 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! I shan't sleep a
single wink. Likely as not he'll kill us
all before morning, and make off with
everything there is here.'
ooh! no; I guess he's all right" was
the farmers rejoinder; while sweet voice
came from over the knitting.
II never see boy with such a face
that had anything in him but good
honest blood. Depend omit, Lowly, there
amt nothin' wrong about thas boy"
Two days passed. The lad kept faith.
fully at his work, saying little ana re.
vealiDg nothing in regard to himself. The
farmers wife, meanwhile, worried an6
frstted, turned dozen keys at night, anG
was surprised when morning dawned t.
find everything untouched.
+What are you going 20 do about going
to chrrch2" she asked, anxiously, on Sun
day morning. "There's that boyw
- "There's room enough in the wagon,
responded her husband, serenely.
81 know-but faint bit likely he'll
want to 60. And 7 don't dare to leav'
him home. There's no telling what he'll
: do. yia. ~. 49,. =, Fr.% - r,s::s,.sp
o."Iwouldn't worry about that boy; h,
amt going to run off with the house."
The profereds seat, however, was de
clihed, the boy saying: - - -
u a"My clothes amt fit. I'd rather stay
Q sr6und here 3H .t&2A -. '.F Sc! @st}
So Mrs. Granger, with numberless mis-
,, geivings, clambered into the high wagon
tucking little Ethel in beside her, and Of