South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1879-06-20
There's room enough in the wagon.

want 10 go. And don't dare TO leave
him home. There's no telling what he'll
do
Il wouldn't worry about that boy: he
amt going to run off with the house
The profTered seat, however. was de.
clined, the boy saying:
My clothes amt 1T. I'd rather stay
round here
So Mrs. Granger, with numberlcss
misgivings, clamhercd into the high wa
gon, tucking little Ethel in beside her.
and Off they went ov,r the hills to tho
town, two miles away.
Let me see, began grandma. when
, the last load of neighbors had passed
the gate, your names Jasper. amt it?'
Jasper, ma'am
'Yes. Well. Jasper can you read?'
Yes, ns'an'
Well. s'posin you read out loud to
me SPELL and a little, old book was
brought out from the great chest in the
, corner. entitled: Tales OF a Grand
mother
So the boy read; and grandma, fold.
ing her wrinkled hands-hands that
were always busy on other days-leaned
back with look of contentment on her
sweet old face, thinking to herself, AS
if I'd be afeard O. that boyl'
You must ha' been TO school consid
er'ble, was the'comment when the first
chapter was ended.
Il never went was the response.
Never! Who learned you TO read
then2'
Mother
The boy seemed reluctant TO engage
in any conversation, and FASTENED to
begin the second chapter. Some time
passed, till, at length, the one audi tor
falling asleep, the story was continued
! in silence.
Grandma's nap was brought to n sud-
lien close by loud rap on the outer
door.
Two men stood on the doorstep; ill.,
looking fellows, and very dirty in APP
pearance.
Can you give us something to eat?'
asked one.
'Sartin, sartin; come right in and sit
down. said the old lady, busting OF TO
the pantry. Which do you like best
apple pie or custard?' And soon boun-
tiful repast was spread upon the table,
and the good things vanished without
ceremony.
The boy eyed the two, aharply; while
grandma, after receiving somewhat crus-
ty answers TO the few kindly questions,
sat placidly rocking The eyes OF the
men roved searchinsly about the room.
Finally, one asked:
Folks gone TO church,
La, yes replied the old laly. in.
nocently. Our folks never stay home
! for nothn.'
The speaker threw p quicl. 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,
sauntered 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 Of the stairs:
Dave Dave you asleep up thcre?'
What you want?' sounded "a gruG
voice down the stairway
Come down, can't you? And bring
along TiSe and Fritz Don't 60 to sleep
again
Grandma heard in mingled amaze
ment and alurm. Could the boy be In
league with these men, and enothcr be
| in waiting upstairs
AS if in Coniirmatic~ Of Ter fears, =
low grow sounded from the room over
head. Then came = sharp yelp. follow.
ed by little whincs of Impotence and
with careless, Hurry MP, Dave the
lad waltcu ieiSurely back TO The kitchen.
As he reached The door, grandma, over
whelmed wi;h Consideration, made q dos.
perate rush for the bedroom beyond,
locking the door behind her.
| The men in the meantime had neared
the Outer door.
Got some dogs up there, have YEP
sail one. with disagreeable leer.
You heard en-, didn't your was The
careless rejoinder.
Come on, Jim = addressing his com
pauion. We might as we'll clCar--our
games up +
Don't be a fool = was the reply. in
an undertonc. Who's afraid o pups =
Yer dogs ANT iercclbe they, young
Fritz Amt over and above friendly
to strangers. replied tic boy. coolly ;
and II | was you | wouldn't be round
here when Tige gets ont for rua'--
Then IN louder tone:
Dave, amt you coming? But don't
let Tige loose till these men get away =
Az this. tie men moved OF, cursing
The dogs and muttering low, wrathful
threats; while the lad, with a final. 7
advise you TO put COOL piece o. road
between you and Tige = closed thc door,
softly sliding the bolt.
Then going TO the room where grand
ma lay crouched upon the bed. scarcely
daring 20 stir, he called through the koy.
hole:
They're gone. You can como out
now
The dogs +. gssped q faint voice.
There Amt any = he answered. soft
". Open the door and I'll tell YOU