Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1879-03-14
"What's the matter with this placei'

with a little twinkle of the gray eyes.
"That woods to cut, andit1 take three
or four days, at the least calculation.
I'll agree to give you enough to eat and
a comftable bed. May be by that time
you'll want to run home again."
The boys eyes flashed; but he set his
lips firmly together, and made no an
swer for a minute. Then he said:
"You are very kind, sir. I'll stay if
you will let me-"
"Solomon Granger, you're crazyp
exclaimed the nervous little woman,
when her husband related the foregoing
conversation. "The idea Of having that
boy in the house all night / shan't
sleep single wink. Likely as not he'll
kill us all before morning, and make off
with everything there is here"
"Ohl no; guess he's all right, was
the farmers reioinder; while a sweet
voice came from over the hritting:
never see boy with sash face
that had anything in hiS. bnt good.
honest blood. Depend ont, Lowly,
there amt nothin' wrong about that
boy"
Two days passed. The lad kept faith
fully at his work, saying little and re-
vealing nothing in regard to himself.
The farmers wife, meanwhile, worried
and fretted, turned dozen keys at
night, and was surprised when morning
dawned to find everything untouched.
"What are you going to do about
going to church ?" she asked, anxiously,
on Sunday morning. "There's that
boyp
"There's room enough in the wagon, {"
responded her husband, serenely.
II know-but 'tain't bit likely he'll
want to go. And I don't dare to leave
him home. There's no telling what he'll
do"
II wouldn't worry about that boy;
he amt going to run off with the house. :"
The proffered seat, however, was de-
clined, the boy saying:
"My clothes amt fit. I'd rather stay
round here"
So Mrs. Granger, with numberless
misgivings, clambered into the high
wagon, tucking little Ethel in beside
her, and off they went over tho hills to
the town, t. 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, ma'am."
"Well, s'posin you read out loud to
me SPELL" and little, old book was
brought out from the great chest in the
corner, entitled "Tales OF q Grand
mother"
So the boy read; and grandma, iold
ing her wrinkled hauis-bands that
were always busy on other days-leaned
back with look of coutentment on her
sweet old face thinking to herself, GAS
if I'd be afeard o. that cyl"
"You must ha' been to school consid-
er'ble," was the comment when the first
chapter was ended.
"I 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, al length, the one auditor
falling asleep, the story was continued
in silence.
Grandma's nap was brought to sud-
den close by loud rap on the outer
door.
Two men stood on the doorstep; ILL
looking fellows, and very dirty In ap-
pearance.
"Can you give us something to eat ?"
asked one.
"Sartin, sartin; come right in and sit
down." said the old lady, bustling off
to the pantry. (Which do you like
best-apple-pie or custard ?" And soon
bountiful repast was spread upon the
table, and 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 placidly rocking. The eyes
of the men roved searchingly about
the room. Finally, one asked:
"Folks gone to church ?"
"La, yes," replied the old lady, in
nocently. "Our folks never stay home
for nothin'."
The speaker threw 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,
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 cal ed
from the foot of the stairs:
"Dave Dave you asleep up there ~
"What you want ?" sounded gruh
voice down the stairway.
"Come down, can't your And bring
along Tige and Fritz Don't 60 tc
; sleep again"
Grandma heard in mingled amaze
ment and alarm. Gould the boy be in
league with these men, and another be
in waiting upstairs
As if in confirmation of her fears, 6
low growl sounded from the room over,
head. Then came sharp yelp, fol
lowed by little whines of impatience
, and with a careless, Hurry up, Dave I
the lad walked leisurely back to the
, kitchen. As he reached the door
! grandma, overwhelmed with consterna
ton, made desperate rush for the bed
$ room beyond, locking the door behind
J her.
The men in the meantime had nearei
the outer door.
/, "Got some dogs up there, have ye p
: said one, with disagreeable leer.
"You heard 'em, didn't your" wa
> the careless reioinder.
. "Come on, Jim - addressing hi
| companion. "We might as we'll clea
/ our games up !"
! Don't be fool |" was the reply
. in an undertone. "Who's afraid O
pups !"
4 "Ye dogs amt fierce, be they
= younpster ?"