The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1879-09-01

So Mrs. Granger, with numberless mis-
givings, clambered into the high wagon
tucking little Ethel in beside her, and
off they went over the hills to the town
two miles away.
"Let us see,' began grandma, when the
last load of neighbors had passed the
gate, "your names Jasper, amt it?'
"Jasper, ma'am."
eyes. Well, Jasper, can you read@'
ayes, ma'am"
"Well, s'posing you read cut loud to
me a SPELL" and a little old book was
brought out from the great chest in the
corner, entitled "Tales of Grand
mother"
So the boy read, and grandma, folding
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
a-feared O. that boyw
"You must ha' been to school consider
able" was the comment when the first
chapter was ended.
81 never went," was the response.
"Never! Who learned you to read
then?"
"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 auditor falling
asleep, the story was continued in silence.
Grandma's nap was brought to sud-
den close by a loud tap on the outer
door.
Two men stood on the doorstep; i'll
looking fellows, and very dirty in appear
ance.
'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. "What 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 sharply; while
grandma, after receiving somewhat
crusty answers to her few kindly ques-
tions, sat placidly rocking. The eyes of
the men roved searchingly about the
room. Finally one asked:
"Folks gone to churchw
'La, yes" replied the old lady, inno-
Gently. "Our folks meyer stay at home
for nothin'."
The speaker threw quick glance to-
ward his companion, and the other
nodded. Neither movement escaped the
watchful eyes in the corner.
A moment after the boy left his seat,
sauntered across the room and 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! are you asleep up
there?'
"What do you want?" sounded a gruf
voice down the stairway.
"Come down, can't you? And bring
along Tige and Fritz! Don't go to sleep
again"
Grandma heard this in mingled amaze
ment and alarm. Could the boy be in
league with these men, and another be
in waiting up stairs.
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 impatience, and with
careless, Hurry up, Dave" the lad
walked leisurally back to the kitchen.
As he reached the door grandma, over
whelmed with CONSERVATION, made a
desperate 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, hev YEP one
said, with disagreeable leer.
"You heard 'em, didn't you?" was the
careless rejoinder.
"Come on, Jimw addressed his COM
panion; "we might as well clear, our
games up"
"Don't be fool" was the reply in
an undertone. "Who's afraid of pups?'
eyer dogs amt fierce, be they, young.
sterY
"fritz amt over and above friendly to
strangers" replied the boy, coolly; "and
if | was you wouldn't be round here
when Tige gets out for rum" Then in
a louder tone:
"Dave, amt you coming? But don't
let Tige loose till these men get away"
At this the men moved off, cursing the
dogs and muttering low, wrathful threats;
while the lad, with final II advise you
to put good piece Of road between you
and Tige," closed the door, softly sliding
the bolt. .
Then going to the room where grand