The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1879-04-23

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The bows ewes flashed; but he set his
lips firnly together, aud made no answer
tor q minute. Then he said:
"Aou are very kind, sir. TIL stay il
yen will let me-
Solomon Granger, you're crazy!n ex
claimed the nervous little woman, when
her husband related the foregoing CON
versation "11he idea of having that boy
in the house all night 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; guess he's all right was
the farmers rejoinder; while a sweet voice
came from over the knitting.
II never see boy with such o face
that had anything in him but good,
honest blood. Depend omit, Lowly, there
amt nothin' wrong about that boy"
Two days passed. The lad kept iaith-
fully at his work, saying little ana re-
vealing nothing in regard to himself. The
farmers wife, meanwhile, worried and
fratted, turned dozen keys at night, and
was surprised when morning dswned to
find everything untouched. =.
'What are you going to do about going
10 church, she asked, anxiously, on Sun
day morning. There's that boy"
'There's room enough in the wagon"
responded her husband, serenely.
II know--hut faint bit likely he'll
want to GO. And don't dare to leave
him home. There's no telling what he'll
do. 'N
II wouldn't worry about that hey; he
amt going to run IF with the house"
The proHered seat, however, was de-
clined, the boy saying:
"My clothes amt fit. Ia rather stay
round here"
So Mrs. Granger, with numberless mis-
glTings, clambered into the high wagon,
tucking little Ethel III beside her, and off
they went over the hills to the town, two
miles away.
''Let me see," began grandma, when
the last load Of neighbors had passed the
gate, 'your names Jasper, amt lt2"
"Jasper, ma'am"
Eyes. Well, Jasper, can you read?'
eyes, ma'am,"
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 'Hales Of Grandmother"
So the boy read; and grandma, folding
her wrinkled hands that were always
busy On other days--leaned back with
look of contentment ON her sweet old
face, thinking to herself, CAS- if I'd be
afeared o that boy'
You must ha' been to school consider
able" was the comment waep the first
chapter was ended.
''f never went" was lhe res onse.
"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,
TIL, at length, the one auditor falling
asleep, the story WAS continued in silence.
Gradmas nap was brought to a. sud
den close by 81 loud rap on the outer
door.
Two men stood on the doorstep; i'll
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, busting off to
the pantry (Which do you like the
best-apple-pie Or custard?'' And soon
bountiful repast wss 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-
lions, sat placidy rocking. The eyes of
the men roved searchingly about the
room. Finally, one asked:
"Folks gone to church2'
fla, yes,o replied the old lady, limo
Gently. "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,
sauntcred 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 cf the stairs: ~" f..
'Dave' Dave! you asleep up there2"
what you wants'' sounded a eruff
voice down the stairway.
"Come down, can't yous And bring
along Iige and Fritz Don't go to sleep
again"
Grandma heard In mingled amazement
aud alarm. Could the boy be in league
with these men, and another be in wait
ing upstairs -..-..
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, Dsve!'' the lad
walked leisureiy back to the kitchen.
AS he reached the door, grand ma, over
whelmed with CONSERVATION, made des-
perate rush Tor che bedroom beyond, lock-
ing the door behind her.
The men in the meantime had neared
the outer door.
SCOT some dogs up there, have ye9"
said one, with a disagreeable leer.
"You heard 'em, didn't your" was the
careless rejoinder.
"Come on, Jiml" addressing his COM
panion. We might as we'll clear--our
games up!''
"Don't be a fool" was the reply, in an
undertone. "Who's afraid O pups!"
eyer dogs amt fierce, be they,