Claiborne guardian. [volume] (Homer, La.) 1877-188?, 1880-07-14

he, in half whine, as be glanced
sharply about the room.
mo, sir,n replied Carrie, wonder.
ing why he asked; "she has gone to
UnderhilL Did you wish to see
herr
"Ob, nor tho man replied. 81
only asked ont Of politeness, you
know" aud be smiled solemnly at
tho little girl, and winked one eye.
mo, l came on business with your
pa-particular, urgent business.
S'pose he's round, is he notf7
"No, sir, he went tn town with
mother" said Carrie.
"Now that's too badr exclaimed
the visitor, as he serted himself;
sand I've come 90 far to sec him.
But perhaps your brother or sister
would do "a WE'LL"
III haven't any sister," said the
little hostess, laughing, "and my
brothers over 10 the back lot.
He'll be in by.snd.by though, il
he'll dor
"Well, I don't hardly believe he
will, after ALL" said the man, shak.
ing his head thoughtfully, land |
can't wait to-day, anyway, hain't
the time. But Pm terribly hungry.
If | could I'd stay TO dinner, miss.
However, under the circumstances,
perhaps you had better give the Q
light lunch before l 60; a piece of
pie and q cup OF tea and q little
meat, or something Of that sort"
"Oh, certainly; only l can't give
you the meat, for We haven't 1t In
the house," said Carrie, rising; "but
| will find something And she
brought from the pantry a whole
apple pie, which she placed before
him, with a knife and fork.
"If you will help yourself III
have the tea ready in three min
utes."
"All right. my DEAR said the
man, seizing the knife aud drawing
the pie toward him. 81 will act
upon your advice. The last time l
took dinner with Gen. Grant, he
continued, as he cut great piece
and began to eat, "he said to me,
Governor, governor said he, 'nev.
or disregard a lady's advice and
have always remembered what he
said,r and he chuckled merrily, and
nodded his head at 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 il with rich cream
and sugar, and passed it to him.
IL am not much of hand fol
tea said the man, as he drained
tie cup, shut my doctor says that
| must drink it for my digestion
Ruined my digestion while l was IL
the army, you see;' and he winked
solemnly. "By the way" he con
tinued, picking up the silver tea
spoon from his saucer, shave yot
any more of thesci They are al
neat q pattern as l ever saw, ant
odd, too. | should like to see thu
rest of the dozen, if you hav'
them"
"Mother has only eleven" salt
Carrie. in her innocence, "and sh
is very proud of them; but l viii
show them to you
Then she brought the little bo'
with the precious table silver
eleven teaspoons, four tablespoon
and AL ancient cream jug-all pur
silver, and shining brightfy-an
placed them before her inquisitiv
visitor to admire.
He had finished his eight lunch
That is, the pie was demolished an
the teapot empty. AS the it'll
girl handed him the treasures h
arose, took the box to the window
txamined its contents with a crit
cal eye for momeut, and then,
il in joyful surprise, said:
III am right! They are the yer
spoons! The very same identities
spoons that my friend lost when b
was boy! How lucky it is that
have found them at last!'
With these words, and yer
/, low bow, the rascal opened til
door, and slipped away with tn
spoons and silver cream pitcht
9 down the path toward tho gate.
J., For an instant Carrie stood M
!. tionless; then, rushing after hin
!. she shrieked:
D "Give me those spoons! The
, are my mother,a eDOOps, and yC