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

Farmer Henderson came in from the
barn one morning with his hands and
clothes wet and covered with mud, his
face red and his eyes flashing.
"Nedr' he shouted as he entered the
kitchen. "Where's Ned ?"
"Here l amp came q CHEEKY voice in
reply, and an instant after q bright, strong
boy of some sixteen years entered the
old fashioned country kitchen from the
adjoining woodshed where he had been
cutting potatoes for the days planting.
"Do you want anythingf"
81 want to tell you this" said Mr..
Henderson, as he washed himself at the
sink and rubbed his weather-beaten face
with the coarse towel until it was even
more red than before. "Old Dan must
be killed! Just see the state l am in,
and all from that worthless old rascal
won't have him about the house an.
other day. He's good for nothing but
to make trouble, and he must be shot
before night" added the farmer wrath
fully.
Ned was about to plead for his pet
when bis little sister came into the room.
"Why, papa, what is the matter ?" she
cried running to him in astonishment.
did you fall into the creek ?"
II might as WE'LL" he replied half
laughing. "Old Dan butted me into the
watering-trough."
There was shout OF laughter from
both children, in which their, mother
Joined.
"Well, Jedediah," said Mrs. Hender-
son coming into the kitchen shaking with
mirtb, "what could you be thinking
about to let an old ram, most twenty
years old, knock you into the watering
trough ?"
"But,' explained her husband, she took
me unawares. / had just filed one pail
10 carry to the barn, and was STOPPING
to din the other when the old rascal
came at me like the wind, and knocked
me completely into the water. He scam
pered, l tell you, before l could get out
He knew he had done mischief. Any
how, he's got to be killed to-day, sure.
He's only nuisance, and I'll shoot him
tonight, when We come back from town,
If he's on the farm!"
Two hours later Mr.. and Mrs. Hen
derson drove away to be absent from
home until night AS they ratified out
OF the yard old Dan suddenly appeared
close to the gate, and sagging his tail as
If in derision gave utterance to hoarse
"Baa-a-aw
The farmer turned, shook bis whip at
the fellow, and cried, "This is your last
day, my boy; make the most of i'll!
Ned and Carrie were the only children.
Leaving Carrie in the house alone, after
they had considered awhile wfiether there
was any way OF averting old Dams fate,
Ned shouldered his hoe and marched of
to his work, planting potatoes with Cron-
son, she hired man, in the "back lot"
Bot the little girl OF thirteen had no
thought of being afraid. She had the
breakfast dishes to wash, some sweeping
to do, and the dinner to get, all before
IL o'clock
Time fed. The dishes stood in shin
ing rows upon the pantry shelves, she
broom had performed it's work.. and Car
rie was preparing the vegetables to be
boiled when there came faint knock
at the back door, Supposing it to be
one of the neighbors the little girl did
not rise, but called:
"Come in"
The door was slowly opened and
man stepped within.
He wore black coat, buttoned to his
chin, and very threadbare. His trousers,
too, were blacksand very shiny and much
too short for him. On one foot was
boot while the other was graced by
ragged shoe. He carried battered silk
hat in bis hand. His face was long and
solemn, but quite red, his eyes bleared,
his hands very dirty, and altogether be
was queer-looktng visitor.
"Is your ma at home, miss p said he
in a half-whine as he glanced sharply
about the room.
.No, SIR" replied Carrie, wondering
Why he asked "she has gone to Under
hill. Do you wish to see ber2"
"Oh, no." the man replied. 81 only
asked out of politeness, you know" and
be smiled solemnly at the little girl and
winked one eye. "No, l came on bust
ness with your pa-particular, urgent
business. S'pose he's round, is he not Z"
"No, sir; he went to town with moth
err" said Carrie.
"Now, that's too badT exclaimed the
visitor as he seated himself; "and I've
come SO far to see him. But perhaps
your brother or sister would do as wei" "
II haven't any sister," said the little
hostess laughing, and my brothers over
in the back lot. He'll be in by-and-by,
though, il he'll do"
"Well, I don't hardly believe he will,
after all, said the man, shaking his head
thoughtfully, sand l can't wait to-day
anyway / hain't the time. But I'm ter
ribly hungry Ill could I'd stay to din.
ner, miss. However, under the circum-
stances, perhaps you had better give me
light lunch before I 60; piece of pie,
and Q cup of tea and little meat, OF
something of that sort"
"Oh, certainly; only I can't give you
the meat, for We haven't it in the house, u
said Carrie, rising; "but III find some
thing" And she brought from the pan
TRY . whole apple pie which she placed
lbefore him, with knife and fork.
"If you'll help yourself Ill have the
tea ready in three minu:es."
GAIL right, my DEAR" said the man,
seizing the knife and drawing the pie to-
ward him. II will act upon your advice
The last time l took dinner with General
Grant," he continued as he cut grea,
piece and began to eat, "he said to me,
Governor, Governor said he, never
disregard lady's advice;'" and be
chuckled merrily, and nodded his head al
the delicious looking pastry before him
| Carrie wondered little at the table
manners of the man who had dined with
Grant, but she stepped his tea, favored
It with rich cream aud sugar and passed
e. IN him