Smyrna times., 1880-07-21
Old Dan.
A GOOD STORY FOR A HOT DAY.

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.
"Nedw he shouted, as he entered the
kitchen. "Whsre's Ned?"
"Here | ami cane che0ry voice in
reply, and an instant after bright, strong
boy Of some 81 teen years entered the old
fashioned country kitchen from the adj0in-
ing woodshed where he had been cutting
potatoes for the days planting. DO you
want anything?'
90 want to tell you this" said Mr.. Hen
derson, 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 am in, and all from that
worthless old rascal. l won't have him
about the place another day He's good for
nothing but to make trouble, and he must
be shot before night - added the farmer
wrathtully.
Ned was about to plead for his pet when
his little sister came into the room.
"Why, papa, what is the matter?' she
cried, rum NJ to him in aston;shmcnt, " Did
you fall into the creek
1" / might as we'll" he replied, half laugh
ing, cold Dan butted me into the water
ing trough"
There was shout of laughter from both
children, in which their mother joined.
"Well, Jedediah," said Mrs. Henderson,
coming into the kitchen shaking with
mirth, "what could you have been thinking
about to let an old ram, most twenty years
old knock you into the watering trough y
But" explained her husband, "he took
me unawares. | had Just filled one pail to
carry to the barn, and was STOPPING to dip
the other, when the old rascal came at me
| like the wind, and knocked me completely
| into the waterl lie scampered, l tell you,
before | could get out. lie knew he had
done mischief. Anyhow, he's get to be
killed to-day, sure. He's only nuisance,
and I'll shoot him tonight, when we come
back rom town, if he's on the farm!
Two hours later Mr.. and Mrs. Henderson
drove away to be absent until night. As
they ratified out of the yard old Dan sud.
denly appeared close to the gate, and wag-
ging his tail as if in derision, gave utter
ance to hoarse :" "B-a.a-aW
The farmer turned, shook his whip at the
fellow and cried, "This is your last day, my
bov make the most of itp
Ned and Carrie were the only children.
Leaving Carrie in the house alone, after
they had considered awhile whether there
was any wav Of averting old Dams sad fate,
Ned shouldered his hoe and marched off to
his werk planting potatoes with Cronson,
the hired man, in the "back lot
But the little girl of thirteen had NO
thought of being afraid. She had The
breakfast dishes to wash, some sweeping 70
do, and the dinner to get, all before twelve
o'clock.
Time fled. The dishes stood in shining
rows upon the pantry shelves, the broom
had performed its work, and Carrie was pre-
pairing the vegetables TO be boiled, when
there came faint knock at the door
SupposiRg it to be one of the neighbors, the
little girl did not rise, but called:
"Come in y
The door slowly opened and a mar
stepped within.
lie wore black coat, buttoned to hi
chin, and very threadbare. His trousers
too, were black and very shiny, and mucf
too short for him. On one foot was boot
while the other was graced by ragged
shoe. lie carried battered silk hat il
his hand. His face was long and solemn
but quite red, his eyes bleared, his hand
very dirty, and altogether he was quee
looking visitor.
ais your ma at home, miss ?i said he il
a half whine, as he glanced sharply abou
the room.
"No, sir )" replied Carrie, wondering VIII.
J he asked "she has gone to Underhill
Did you wish to see herr"
"Oh, no." the man replied. 81 onl
asked out Of politeness, you know" and h
smiled Golemnly at the little girl, ant
winked one eye. &c No, came on bushes
with your pa-particplar, urgent. business
4 Spose he's round, is he notp
u "No, sir; he wentto town with mother
said Carrie.
"Now that's too badI" exclaimed tn
visitor, as he seated himself; "and Nv
come so far to see him. But perhaps you
brother or sister would do as WELL"
81 haven't any sister," said the littl
hostess, laughing, and my brothers over il
. the back lot. He'll be in by.and.by
though, if he'll do"
"Well / don't hardly believe he will
after ALL" said the man shaking his hea
thought:ully, "and can't wait to-day am
way hain't got the time. But I'm terr
bly, hungry. If conld I'd stay for dinns
miss However, under the circumstance
perhaps you had better give me ligh
iunch before l 60; piece of pie and a Gu
OF tea and little meat, or something {
% that sort"
HQh. certainly, only can't give yAu th
meat, for we have none in the house." sal
@ Carrie rising; "bgt will find something
Ard she brought from the pantry who
y apple pie, which she placed before him Wit
knife and fork.
off you will help yourself I'll have I'll
tea ready in three minutes"
Q "All right, my dear" said the man, sci
ing the knife and drawing the pie towar
him. ! will act upon your advice. I'll
last tjme took dinner with General Grant
he continued, as he cut great piece an
~ began TO eat, Nhe said to me 'Governo
Governor said be, 'peEeF disregard lady
advice and / have always TememberC
what he said," and he chuckled merrill
\. and nodded his head at the dilicious loo
ing pastry before him.
Carrie wondered little at the table ma
pers Of the man who had dined with Gran
but she steepsd bis tea, favored it with ri'
, cream and sugar, and passed il to him.
i" am not much Of hand fer tea" so
-ss -. the man as he drained the cup, "but n
~ doofor aava that I nauat drink IL for N