The Northern Pacific farmer. [volume] (Wadena, Minn.) 1878-1885, 1880-09-23

and dusty with travel. In his hand he
carrid q large satchel.
"Good-evening, he. said courteous
ly.
"Efening to you sir" replied Peter
Groat.
"I'm peddler," said the man, speak
ing in German. IL have sold nearly all
my goods, and am on nv way back to
New York. / got left by the train and
undertook to walk to the next station.
I lost my way and find that will have
to get lodgings for the night. Can you
help me?"
1.-THE good book commands us to
show hospitality" said Peter. :'And
although we are not rich, we never yet
turned away benighted traveller So,
come in, and my frau shall get you
something to eat"
The table was soon spread with a
neat, white cloth, upon which was
placed Il platter of cold boiled meat,
garnished with vegetables, then Il plate
Of white bread, a roll Of butter, a dish
OF shining black rasberries and plate
Of spicy ginger cookies.
II feel too dirty to sit down to IL de-
cent table," said the traveller, with I:
smile? "May trouble you for :. basin
of water?'
It was brought. AS he took off his
coat preparatory to washing his face
and hands, Gretchen, who stood beside
him with Il fresh towel in her hands,
uttered Il slight scream.
"Blood!" she cried. "rhere's blood
on your sleeves ~
The basin of water fell from the
strangers hands. His face shone white
through the glistening drops of water
he had dashed upon it. Then with an
effort, he said carelessly:
"Ah, yes; those rocks by the creek
made quite.a gashin my shoulder. "You
sce," blandly explaining, "while I was
lost 1 thought I'd try to cross the creek
1t was getting dark, and when I reach
ed the other side, I found it so rocky
that could scarcely climb up. l got
half way, then sudden misstep made
me fall. A sharp piece Of rock pierced
my shoulder, and indeed, it has caused
me considerable pain"
each, too bad!" said Frau Groat
II have soothing lotion which you
may put on it before you go to bed
Thanks. And I'll go to bed right
after I've had my supper, if you please,
for am very tired. Besides, I will
have to rise early tomorrow morning,
so that I may take the first train.'
The next morning the whole family
was up in time to see their guest de-
part. He partook with good appetite
Of Frau Groat's breakfast of ham and
eggs; he listened quietly and with rev.
erence to his host as he read a chapter
from the old, black German Bible and
offered up the usual morning prayer;
then, just as he was ready to start, he
inquired what he should pay for his
board and lodging.
"Oh, notings -notings! You're vel
come to the bed and bite!' said Groat
heartily
"You're very kind" said the stran-
ger. "But I feel that I ought to repay
you in some way. See here''-opening
his satchel-''if you will not let me give
you money, pray do me the kindness
of accepting these little tokens of graf
itude. Here, Frau Groat, are two pairs
Of stockings that would just fit your
busy feet, and here, Gretchen, is Il bra1,
new piece of calico, more than enough
for dress. They are the only things
I did not sell, and do not care to lug
them home again"
The two women accepted his gifts
with much pleasure. and, with mutual
expressions of good luck, the traveller
and his kind entertainers parted. The
former wore IL blue-checked shirt of
Peter Greats. He left his own behind
him, telling Frau Groat that it was too
soiled for wearing, but that she might
keep it in exchange for the one she had
given him. AS the strangers shirt was
of excellent material, with linen bosom
and cuffs, the worthy dame thought she
had b made good bargain. :. =
William Grayson, a farmer in the
vicinity of Haywood, missed one of his
COWS that Friday night, and early on
the following morning set out to search
for her. He hunted through the mead
ow-lands, followed the course Of the
creek quite a way, and finally entered
the pine woods. When about half way
through, a brown object lying on the
grass, a little distance from him attract
ed his attention. He went to it. It
was a large piece of wrapping paper,
and Il long bit of Irvine was lying be-
side it. The paper was damp with dew,
and, as Grayson carelessly turned it
over in his hand, he observed some red
spots on it. He examined them more
closely. They were the bloody prints
IF a th11roh or1 f~oorcf
He looked around him keenly. He
soon noticed that the bank of ferns
bordering the path was, in one place,
crushed and broken. He followed
these marks; they led him to the dens-
est and most unfrequented part Of the
woods, and there, in hollow, almost