Weekly Trinity journal., 1879-05-24

Solomon Granger, you're crazy |!
exclaimed the nervous little woman
when her husband related the foregoing
conversation. The idea OF having that
boy in the house oil night shan't SLEEP
single wink. Likely as not he'll kill
US all before morning, and make off with
everything there is here.'
Oh no, guess he's all right was
the farmers rejoinder; while q sweet
voice came from over the knitting:
: never see a boy with such face
that had anything in him but good, hon
est blood. Depend ont, Lowly there
amt nothin' wrong about that boy.'
But suspicious Mrs. Granger locked
her pantry door that night, her chins
closet, the spare front room, the trunk in
the attic that held her best linen, and
lastly the door of grandma's room-tht
old lady's protestaton, L ain It mite
afeard, Lowly! having no effect on her
Well, I'm thankful we're all here |!
was the good woman's ejaculation, as she
unbolted her bed room door after night
of uneasy dreams. / didn't know what
that boy might do. 1t fdgets me tc
death to have him round. do wish you
would find out who he is, Solomon p
He don't seem inclined to tell, and
l don't want to be too nqCisitive, wife
1t will come out sooner or later
Two days passed. The lad kept faith.
fully at his work, saying little and reveal
ing nothing in regard to himself. The
farmers wife, meanwhile, worried and
fretted, turned dozen keys at night
and vas surprised when morning dawned
to find everything untouched.
What are you going to do about go
ing to church ?" she asked anxiously, or
Sunday morning. There's that boy =
There's room enough in the wagon,
responded the husband, serenely.
Il know-but faint bit likely he'll
want to go. And | don't dare to leave
him home. There is no telling what be
will do
! wouldn't worry about that boy. He
amt going to run off with the house,
Well, | shall lock up everythin ing, and
take, Ethel, too. We can come home al
noon if she gets tired. He's been here
just long enough to find out where keer
my silver and all. And there's grandma
it ain It safe to leave her alone with
him |!
La, me, Lowly that boy amt a,
goin' to hurt me and the old lady
laughed loud, incredulous laugh.
amt so sure about it, said Mrs
Granger nodding mysteriously. IF any.
thing should happen l should never for
give myself. 1 wish he'd go with us,
husband
The proffered seat, however, was de-
ciined, the boy saying:
My clothes amt fit. I'd rather stay
round here
SO Mrs. Granger with numberess mis-.
givings, clambered into the high wagon
tucking little Ethel in beside her, and of
they went over the hills, to the town two
miles away.
Let me see,' began grandma, wher
the last load of neighhors had passed the
gate, your name is Jasper, amt it?
jasper, ma am.
Yes. We'll, Jasper, can you read :?
Yes, ma an
Well, 'sposin' you read out loud tc
me spell, and little, old book was
brought out from the great chest in the
corner, entitled Tales Of Grandmother.
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 afeared o. that boy p
You must have teen to school consid-
erable,' was the comment when the first
chapter was ended.
I never went, was the response.
Never Who learned you to read
then p
Mother
. And she is dead, you say =
Yes, ma am
The boy seemed reluctant to engage in
any conversation, and FASTENED to begin
the second chapter. Some time passed,
till, at 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 tho outer door.
Two men stood on the doorstep, ill
looking fellows, and very dirty in ap-
pearance.
Can you give US something to eat p
asked one.
Sartin, sartin; come righ. in and sit
down. said the old lady, bustling off to
TIE pantry. Which do you like the
best-apple-pie or custard ?" And soon
a bountiful repast was spread upon the
table, and the good things vanished with
out 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 o.
the men roaved searching about the
room. Finally, one asked
Folks gone to church p
La, yes replied the Old lady, limo
Gently. Our folks never stay home fol
nothing
The speaker threw quick glarce to-
ward his companion the other nodded
Neither movement escaped the pair ol
watchful eyes in the corner.
a moment after, the boyleft his seat
sauntered across the room, stopped by
the window to look up the road, and
Al 4