The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1880-02-19
OLD DAN.

|
Farmer Henderson came in from tn,
arm one morning with his hands ant
clothes covered with mud. his face red
and his eyes flashing.
uNed!' lie shouted as he entered tn,
kitchen. "Where's Ned7"
"Here I amp came CHEEKY voice il
reply; and an instant after, a bright
strong boy Of some sixteen years, entered
the old-fashioned, country kitchen from
the adjoining woodshed, where he hai
been cutting potatoes for the days plant
ing. "Do you want anything2"
II want to tell you this" said Mr.
| Henderson, as he washed himself at thu
sink, and rubbed his weather-beaten fact
with the coarse towel until it was ever
redder than before. "Old Dan must be
killed! Just see the state l am in, anG
all for that worthless old rascal! I won'1
have him about the house another day
He's good for nothing but to make trou.
ble, and he must be shot before night!'
added the farmer wrathtully.
Ned was about to plead for his net
| when his little sister came running into
the room.
"Why, papa, what IS the matter?" she
cried, looking at him in astonishment
did you fall into the creek?''
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 mothe,
/ joined.
"Well, Jepediah, said Mrs. Henderson,
coming into the kitchen, and still shak
ing with mirth, "what could you have
been thinking about to lot an old ram,
most twenty years old, knock you into
the water -trough2'
But" explained her husband, che
took me unawares. I 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 scaln-
pered, tell you, before could get out.
He knew he hai 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
derson 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 "Ba-a-a!'
The farmer turned, shook his whip at
he 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 for awhile whether
there was any way OF avertlng Old Dams
sad fate, Ned shoulde ed his hoe and
marched off to his work, planting pota-
toes with Bronson, 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
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. Supposing it to be one of the
neighbors, 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, 100, 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 a battered silk
hat in his hand. His face was long and
solemn, but quite red, his eyes bleared,
his hands very dirty, and altogether, he
was queer looking visitor.
''Is your ma at home, Miss9'' said he,
in a 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 her?'
'Oh, no. the man replied. II only
asked out ot politeness, you know" and
he smiled solemnly at the little girl, and
wlnked one eye. "No, came on busi.
ness with your particular, urgent
business. S'pose he's round, Is he not?''
mo, sir; he went to town with moth
er," said Carrie.
Nov, that's too bad!' exclaimed the
visitor, as he seated himself; "aud have
come so far to see him! but perhaps
your brother or sister will do as we'll"
II haven't any sister," said the little
hostess, laughing, land my brothers
over in the hack lot. He'll be in though
if he'll do''
"Well, 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 I could I'd stay tc
dinner, Miss. However, under tho CIT.
cumstances, perhaps you had better give
me light lunch before yo;a piece Of
pie, and a cup of tea, and a little cold
meat, or something OF the sort"
"Oh, certainly; only I can't give you
the meat, for we haven't it in the house.
said Carrie, rising, "but will find some
thing" And she Dronght from the pan.
try whole apple-pie, which she placed
before him, with knife and fork"
IF you will help yourself, I'll have
the tea ready in three minutes.''
GAIL right, my dear" said the man
seizing the knife ard drawing the pie to-
ward him: 81 will act upon your advice
The last time I took dinner with General
Grant, he continued, as he cut grea,
piece and began to eat, he said to me
Governor, Governor said he, never dis
regard lady's advice;' and have al
ways remembered what he said" and hi
chuckled merrlly, and nodded his mead
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
it with rich cream and sugar and passed
it to him.
II am not much of hand for tea.
said the man, as he drained the cup, "bu
my doctor says that must drink it fo1