The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1880-07-16


Farmer Henderson came IN from tn,
barn one morning with his hands anc
clothes wet and covered with mud, hi
face red and his eyes flashing.
Ned! he shouted, as he entered the
kitchen. "Where's Ned
Here / ami" came o CHEEKY voict
in reply; and in an instant after bright
strong boy of some sixteen years entered
the old-fashioned country kitchen from
the adjoining wOod-shed, where he had
been cutting potatoes for the days's plant
ing. "Do you want anything?"
81 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 kill
ed! Just see the state am in, and all
from the worthless old rascal / won't
have him about the house another day.
He's good for nothing but to make trou
bic, and he must be shot before night +! I"
added the farmer, wrathfully.
Ned was about to plead for his pet,
when his little sister came into the room.
Why, papa, what is the matter?" she
cried, running to him in amazement.
" Did you fall into the creek?"
81 might as well," 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, Jedediah," !" said Mrs. Henderson,
coming into the kitchen, and still shaking
with mirth, "what could you have been
thinking about to let that ram, most
twenty years old, knock you into the
watering place?"
But" exclaimed her husband, che
took me unawares. had Just filled one
pail to carry to the barn, and was stoop-
ing to dip the other, when the old rascal
came to me like the wind and knocked me
completely into the water He scampered,
/ tell you, before l could get out. He
knew he had done mischief. He's only q
nuisance, and I'll shoot him tonight,
when We como back from town. H he's on
the farm!"
Two hours later Mr.. and Mrs. Hender-
SON 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 de-
rision, gave utterance to a hoarse
" Ba-a-a!"
The farmer turned, shook his whip at
the 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 awhile whether there
was any way of averting Old Dams sad
fate, Ned shouldered his hoe and
marched off to his work, planting potatoes
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 fed. The dishes stood in shining
rows upon the pantry shelves, the broom
had performed Its work, and Carrie was
preparing the vegetables to be boiled,
when there came faint knock at the
door. Supposing it to be one of the neigh
bors, the little girl did not rise, but called !:
aCOme in!
The door slowly opened and q 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. One foot was in boot
while the other was graced by q ragged
shoe. He carried . 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.
ais your ma at home, miss ?" said he,
in half whine, as he glanced sharply
about the room.
aNo, sir" replied Carrie, wondering
why he asked; "she has gone to Under
hill. Do you wish to see hen? 2"
"Oh, no." replied the man. / asked
out of poIiteness, You know" and he
smiled solemnly at the little girl, and
winked one eye. "No, came on par
ticnlar business with your pa-particular
urgent business. S'POse he's round, is he
mot p
~No, sir; he went to town with moth.
err" said Carrie.
aNow. that's too bad I" exclaimed the
visitor, as he seated himself; and I've
come 90 far to zee him. But perhaps
your brother or sister would do as well.
81 haven't any sister" said the little
hostess, laughing, and my brother il
over IN the back lot. He'll be in by-and
by. though, IL hen do"
aWelL / don't hardly believe he viii
said the man thOughtfnlly, and can,
wait TODAY anyWuF: haven't the time