Delaware state journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1870-1883, 1880-09-02
OLD DAN.

barn one morning with his hands and
clothes wet and covered with mud, his
face red and his eyes flashing
''Nedi" be shouted rs be entered the
kitchen. where's Ned?'
Here / am ~ came CHEEKY voice in
reply, and IN instant after bright, strong
boy Of some sixteen years entered the
old-fashionsd country kitchen from the
adjoining woodshed whore he had been
cutting potatoes for She days planting
''Do you want anything
81 want TO tell yau this" said Mr..
Henderson, a. be washed himself at the
sink. and rubbed his veather.putfou face
with the coarse tnpel until it was wen
more red than before. Odd Dan must
be killed just e8- thr state | aui in, aud
VII from that worthless old rascal. wont
have him about the place smother dHy
He's good for nothing but tomske trouble
and he must be shot before night " added
ths farmer wratbfnily.
Ned was nbout TO plead for his pet when
his little sister came into the room.
why, papa, what ia the matter 2 she
cried. running 10 him in establishment.
Did You fail INTO the creek p
II might as we'll, he replied, half laugh
ing. "Old Dan butted me into the water
ing trough
There was a shout OF laughter from
both children, in which toeir mother
joined.
"Well, Jedndah, said Mrs, HenGer-
son, coming into the kitchen shaking with
mirth, what could you have been think
ing about to Let au Old ram, most % years
old, kuock you into tine watering trough
''But,n explained her husband, ''he took
me unawares, had just filed one pail TO
carry to the barn, and was shopping 10 dip
the other when the old rascal came at mo
like the wind, and knocked me completely
into the water He scsmpered, tell you
before could get out. He knew he had
done mischief Anyhow, 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 MIR. and Mrs. Hender-
son drove away to be absent from homo
until night. As they ratified out of tho
yard old Dan suddenly appeared close to
the gate, and wagging his tail as If III
derision, gave utterance to hoarse
"B.a-a.a!"
The farmer turned, shook his whip at
the fellow, and cried, This is your last
day, my boy, make the most of it -
Ned and Carrie were the only children.
Leaving Carrie in the house Alone after
they had considered awhile whether there
was any way of averting old Dams sad
fate, Ned shouldered his hoe and marched
of to his work. planting potatoes with
Cronsou, the hired man, in the back
lot
But the little girl of 10 had no thought
of being afraid. She had the breakfast
dishes 10 wash, some sweeping to do, and
the dinner to get all before II o'clock.
Time fed. The dishes stood in shining
rows upon the pantry shelves, the broom
had performed its work, and Carrie was
preparing the vegetables TO be boiled, when
there came faint knock al the door. Sup
posing it to be one of the nei9hbors, the
little giri did not rise, but called
Come in ~
The door was slowly opened and man
stepped within.
He wore a black coat, buttoned to his
chin, and very threadbare. His trousers,
too, were black and very shiny, and much
to short for him. On one foot WAS a
boot, while the other was graced by a
ragged shoe, He carried battered silk hat
in his hand. His face was long and
solemn, but quite red his eyes bleared,
his hands very dirty, aud altogether he
was queer looking visitor.
'Is your ma at home, miss 2" said he in
half whine, as he glanced sharply about
the room.
mo, sir, replied Carrie, wondering
why he asked she has gone to Under
hill. Did you wish to see hel ?"
ooh no, the man replied. 81 only
asked out of politeness, you know, and
he smiled solemnly ut the little girl and
winked one eye. mo, 1 came on business
with your pa-particular, urgent business.
Spose he's round, is he not
mo, sir; he went to town with mother,
said Carrie.
Now, that's too bad - exclaimed the
visitor, as he seated himself "and I've
come so far &c see him. But, perhaps
your brother or sister would do as well.
81 haven't any sister," said the little
hostess, laughing, and my brothers owe
in the bnek lot. He'll be in by-and by
though, if he'll do
"Well, l Gon't hardly believe be will
after all, " said the man shaking his hea
thoughtfully, land can't wait to-day an
way; l hain't the time. But I'm terribl
hungry. II l could I'd stay to dinner
miss, However, under the circumstance.
perhaps you had better give me ligh
lunch before go; a piece Of pie and
cup of tea and u little meat, or somethin
of that sort"
"Oh, certainly, only l can't give 20
the meat, for we haven't it in the house,
said Carrie rising; but l will find sOmt
thing" And she brought from the pantr
whole apple pie, which she placed befoi
him with a {pifA and fprk
IF you will help yourself I'll have IL
tea readT in three minutes
IAN right, my dear" said the ma,
Selling the knife and drawing the y
toward him. Il will net upon your u
vice. The last time [ took dinner vii
Gen. Grant he continued, as he cut
great piece and began to eat, ''he said
me Governor, Governor said he, new
disregard a lGdy'3 advice, and / ha
always remembered what he said" and
chucliled merrily, and nodded his head
the delicious looking pastry before him.
Carrie wondered a little at the tat
manners Of the man who had died wi
Grant, but she stepped his tea. favored
With rich cream and sugar and passed it
him.
81 am not much of a hand for Tea
said the man as be drained the cup, ~
my doctor says that / must drink it (
my digestion. Ruined my digestion VIII
l was in tho army, you see r. and
winked solemnly. by the way
continued, picking up the silver teaspo
from his saucer, have you any more
these: They are as neat pattern as | e'
saw, and odd, too. 1 should like to
the rest of the Dozen, If you have then
"Mnther has only eleven said Oar
in her innocence, And Size is very pro
Of them but will show them to yo
Then she brought the little box with
precious table siiyer-ll teaspoons, f
tablespoons aud ar ancient cream Jug
pure silver and shining brightly
placed them before her inquisitive visi
to admire.
He had finished hi5 light lunch I
is, the pie was demolished and the tea
empty. AS the girl handed him
treasures he arose, took the box to
window, examined It's contents Will
critical movement, and then, as if i
joyful surprise, said,
II am right They 40 the v
spoons The very Same identical spa
that my friend lost when he was a b
How lucky it is that have found Their
last -
With these words, and very low |
the rascal opened the door and slip
away with the spoons and silver or
pitcher down the path toward the gate
For On instant Carrie stood motion
then rushing after hin, she shrieked
Give me those spoons! They are
mothers spoons, and you are tryiI
steal them You are thief, Il
IF-t. E.V.. & -, Al I