The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1880-07-20

them"
"Mother has on y seven," said Carrie,
in her innocence, "and she is very prout
of them; Tut will show them to YOU
Then she brought the little box with
the precious ble-silver-eleven tea
spoons, four tablespoons and an ancient
cream-jug-all pure silver and shining
brightly-and placed them before her in
quisitive visitor to admire.
He had finished bis eight lunch"
That is, the pie was demolished and the
teapot empty. As the little girl handed
him the treasures he arose, took the box
to the window, examined the contents
with critical eye for moment, and
then, as if in joyful surprise, said:
II am right! They are the very
spoons! The very same identical spoons
that my friend lost when he was boy
How lucky it is that l have found them
at last"
With these words and very low bow
the rascal opened the door and slipped
away with the spoons and silver cream
pitcher down the path toward the gate.
For an instant Carrie stood motion
less; then, rushing after him, she shrek.
ed:
"Give me those spoons! They are my
mothers Spoons, and you are trying ia
steal them! You are thief! thief!
Bring them back! bring them backr'
The man, however, paid no attention
to the cbild's cries, but ran rapidly down
the path, carrying the box in his arms
and the spoons and pitcher would have
heen lost forever if new party had not
appeared on the scene.
Old Dan was quietly nibbliBg the grass
near the gateway. Hearing his little mis-
tress' voice he looked NJ at the very in
slant that the tramp passed What be
saw about the man that disturbed him !
don't know: but erecting his bead with
a hoarse "Baa-a-a" be shot after him
like cannon ball.
The man turned to receive him and
defend himself; but the ram struck him
fairly in front and knocked him half
senseless, fiat on his back, scattering the
silver 10 all directions.
For an Instant the fellow remained
sprswliug in the dust, then he slowly
arose, limping and groaning, and with
but glance at his enemy, began to gath
er up his stolen spoils.
He had partly completed bis task when
old Dan, who all this time had been
watching the proceedings from beneath
his shaggy eyebrows, shook his long
beard, and with another tremendous
"Baa-a-aw at him again, and over he
went second time, his treasures flying
from his hands.
And now began strange battle. With
cries Of rage and pain the man recovered
bis feet and turned upon the ram, kicking
and striking at him furiously, while Dan,
accustomed to such warfare from years
of experience with the boys of the coun-
tryside, easily eluded him, aud in return
butted him to the earth again and again.
The spoons and cream pitcher were
knocked hither and thither, as the com
batants struggled the road was trampled
into something like race course; the
air was filled with very bad language,
very angry "baa-a-as," and very great
cloud Of dust.
But after some five minutes victory
declared itself upon the side of the quad
ruped; and, bruised and bleeding, with
clothes in rags, minus hat and shoes, the
vanquished man suddenly turned away
and ran limping down the road, leaving
bis antagonist in full possession of the
field and the stolen silver.
Old Dan remained motionless, gazing
after his enemy until he disappeared
around a distant turn in the road; then,
shaking the dust from his coarse wool,
be gave utterance to low grumble Of
satisfaction, and wagging his tail return
ed to his dinner in front OF the house.
Half an hour later, as Carrie washed
the coveted spoons and the bright little
pitcher and laid them carefully away once
more, she told her brother the story and
how the robber was fciled, and Ned, full
of enthusiasm, cried:
'.We will not kill old Dan at all, for
l do not believe that father would shoot
him now for hundred dollarsi"
And the boy was right. The old ram
won more than he knew when be fought
the tramp and conquered him He won
his masters regard, and free, happy
life for the remainder Of his days.