South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1879-06-20


made believe there was souebody up
there
But the dogs = cried tire old lady,
bewildered. Where are the dogs?
Il unade'em bsrk-listen :
And then came from the thyo.t OF the
little veutriloquist such torrent Of
growls, whines and yelps, interspersed
with Down, rige y and BE still. Fritz2'
that the door was swung open, AMI
grandma leaned against the wall. ex-
claiming:
We'll, never in all my life ! If you
don't beat all the boys ever did see
and there l 'sposcd you was connivin'
with them critters, and was so scarf
was just as weak as rag
A while after this fright at the farm
house, old Billy, with his load Of three,
was plodding peacefully over the brow
OF the little hill quarter Of mile from
home, when suddenly Mrs. Changers
voice, wild with terror, rang out sharp
ly on the still air:
The house is afre = she screamed
And grandma oh Solomon, il gran d.
mas killed, I'll never forgive myself,
never Why did we leave that boy? Oh,
run the horse, Solomon run the horse =
Nonsense !! said the easy. going farm
er, Nevertheless, he whipped up old
Billy, and anxiously scanned the corner
of the roof visible behind the trees where
the smoke was curling up. gray and
thick.
A dozen or more well-directed pals
OF water had done their work, however :;
and only wet, smoked timbers and q
hlackened pile OF rubbish met the farm
er's eye when he sprang from his wagon
and alightcd at the side of the breath
less little worker.
The sight Of the house anil barn un-
harmed and grandma standing in the
doorway alive and well, put all fears to
flight in an instant. But there was n
story TO relate, and the boy stood mod
estly by while grandma dwelt upon the
exciting events Of the past hour. The
tramps, it was supposed, were the incen-
diaries; but happily the fire had been
discovered in time TO prevent any dam
age.
The returning loads Of church goers,
eager 10 know the cause Of the unusual
stir, stopped at the rarmgate and the
lad suddenly found himself the hero Of
the hour.
/ toldcm all The bad qualities of Tige
and Fritz, Uncle Georges dogs ex-
claimed the boy, unmindful until the
words were spoken that his hearers had
never heard of Uncle George before.
Then, with bright blush, he dropped
behind one OF the men, and for time
let the talk 90 on unhee led.
Il do believe that boys saved my life,
Lowry. Depend ont the Lord sent him =
and grandma concluding her story with
long-drawn breath, sat down on the
doorstep, and was Immediately engaged
in an eager talk with old Mrs. Atkins.
1t was many hours before quiet set
tied down upon the inmates OF the little
farmhouse but before they settled for
the night Farmer Granger and his wife
learned all that was necdful to know OF
Jasper Goodrich's former life.
'Tho only reason | haven't told you,
said the boy, in reply TO the farmers
question, is because | was afraid you'd
send me back. 1t might as we'll come
out thought have run away. but | new
er'll go back TO Uncle Georges I'll die
irstr
1t was short story. Until he was
seven years old he knew only happy
life. Then his fathers health failing
and sea voyage being decided upon,
his father and mother sailed for France,
leaving him in the care Of the village
minister and his wife. In six months
came the news Of his fathers death. and
some weeks later his mother, too, died
cnd was buried in a foreign land. The
boy remained with his friends few
months only, for on the minister's re-
moyal to another town he was taken
possession OF by half-brotber Of his
father s. a rascally, unprincipled man,
who had no love or kind feeling for his
young nephew. Here hc was shameful
Is treated till Inc could endure it no
longer, and at last. after six years Of
abuse and torment. he determined to
seek a home among strangers.
4 wanted TO stay the boy concluded
but didn't dare to tell you, for fear
you would send me back
Never, my boy = interrupted the far
mcr, earnestly. You can stay with us
I'LL you find a better home, and VIC II do
all We can Tor you
Well said Mrs. Granger, as she lay
down that night. the idea OF my die
trusting that boy =, / declare. it makes
me feel mean % think OF it,
Early the next morning the farmer
harnessed old Billy. and. dressed in his
sunday best. took The east road over the
mountain lie returned late in the
afternoon
The announcement made at the tea
table was startling 70 at least ono hear.
or.
I have seen your uncle. Jasper.
The boys face palcd, but the farmers
next words we're reassuring.
lie was inclined at FIRST 20 be little
ugly, but after Ia had ny say he cooled
down n trine aud fancy no won't give
You any further trouble You can stay
just as long as you please