Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1880-02-15
OLD DAN.

barn one morning with his hands and
clothes covered with mud. his face red,
and his eyes flashing.
"Ned.' he shouted as he entered the
kitchen. where's Ned?'
"Here l amp came CHEEKY voice in
reply; and an instant after, 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 plant
ing. "Do you want anything?'
II 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
redder than before. "Old Dan must be
killed. Just see the state am in, and
all for that worthless old rascal! l won't
have him about the house another day.
He's good for nothing but to make trou-
added the farmer wrathfully.
Ned was about to plead for his pet,
when his little sister came running into
the room.
"Why, papa, what Is the matter?" she
cried, looking at him in establishment.
"Did you fall into the creek9'
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, Jepediah, said Mrs. Henderson,
coming into the kitchen, and still shak-
ing with mirth, ''what could you have
been thinking about to let an old ram,
most twenty years old, knock you into
the water troush2'
But" explained her husband, ''he
took me unawares. l had just filled one
pail to carry to the barn, and was stoop.
lug to dip 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 could get out
He knew he had done mischief Any
how, he's got to be killed to-day, sure
He's only a 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
dcrson 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, wagging his tail
as if in derision, gave utterance to a
hOarse s'Ba-a-ar'
The farmer turned, shook his wnip at
the fellow, and cried, This is your last
day, my boy, make the most of it's
Ned and Carrie were the only children.
Leaving Carrie in the house alone, after
they had considered for awhile whether
there was any way OF avertlng Old Dan s
sad fate, Ned shoulde:ed his hoe and
marched off to his work, planting pota-
toes with Bronson, the hired man, in the
"back lott
But 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
twelve o'clock.
Time fled. The dishes stood in Shin
ing rows upon the pantry shelves, the
broom had performed its work, and Car
RE was preparing the vegetables to be
boiled, when there came faint knock at
the door. Surprising it to be one of the
neighbols, tn little girl did not rise, but
called
"Come in!'
The door was slowly opened and man
stepped within.
He wore long black coat, buttoned to
his chin, and very threadbare. HIS trous-
ers, too, were black and shiny, and much
too 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,
hls hands very dirty, and altogether, he
was a queer looking visitor.
as your ma at home, Miss2' 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 herr
''Oh, no." the man replied. II only
asked out Of politeness, you know and
he smiled solemnly at the little girl, and
wlnked one eye. mo, came ON busi-
ness with your pa-particular, urgent
business. S'pose he's round, Is he not?"
mo, sir; he went TO town with moth
en-" said Carrie.
Now, that's too bad!" exclaimed the
visitor. as he seated himself; "and have
come so far to see him! But perhaps
your brother or sister will do as we'll"
~ haven't any sister," said the little
hostess, laughing, land my brothers
over in the back lot. He'll be in though,
if he'll do"
"Well, l don't hardly think he will
after ALL" said the man, shaking his
head thoughtfully; "and can't wait to-
day, anyway;I amt the time. But I'm
terrible hungry, if 1 could I'd stay to
dinner, Miss. However, under the cir
cumstances, perhaps you had better give
me light lunch before 1 go;a piece of
pie, and a cup Of tea, and little cold
meat, or something OF the Sort
'Oh, certainly; only 1 can't give you
the meat, for we haven't it in the house."
said Carrie, rising, shut 1 will find some
thing" And she oronght from the pan
try whole apple-pie, which she placed
before him, with a knife and fork"
IF you will help yourself, I'll have
the tea ready in three minutes"
"All rloht. nv dear" said the man.