Connecticut western news., 1880-06-09

LIZ WOI0 d D1ttCh COtbbS UuGIO1Gu1 GO LID chin, and very threadbare. His trousers, too, were black and very shiny, and much too short for him. :, On one, foot was boot, while the other was graced by ragged shoe. He carried 8 battered silk hat in his hand. His faceywas long and solemn, but quite red, his eyes bleared, his hands very dirty,s and alto gether he was queer looking visitor.
 els your ma at home, miss ?" said he, in half whine, as he glanced sharply about the room. .- ... ...... .-... z..
 No, sir" replied Carrie, wondering why he asked she has gone to Under hill. Did you wish to see her ?'' ''' q
 "Oh, no," the man replied. .'I only asked out of politeness, you know" and he smiled solemnly at the little girl, and winked one eye. "No, I came on busi- ness with your particular, urgent business. S'pose he's round, is henot?"
 "No, sir; he went to town with moth er," said Carrie.
 "Now that's too bad P exclaimed the visitor, as he seated himself; ''and I've come so far to see him. But perhaps your brother or sister would do as we'll :"
 "I haven't any sister," said the little hostess, laughing, "and my brothers over in the back lot He'll be in by and-by, though, if he'll do.''
 "Well, I don't hardly believe he will, after all, D said the man, shaking his head thoughtfully, "and I can't wait to-day anyway; I hain't the time. But I'm terrible hungry. If could I'd stay to dinner, miss. However, under the cir cumstances, perhaps you had better give me light lunch before I go piece of pie and cup of tea and little meat, or something of that sort.
 ooh, certainly only I can't give you the meat, for we haven't it in the house," said Carrie, rising; "but I will find something" And she brought from the. pantry a whole apple pie, which she placed before him, with knife and fork
 eff you will help yourself I'll have the tea ready in three minutes.'' .''
 "All right, my dear," said the man, seizing the knife and drawing the pie to- ward him. ''I will act upon your ad- vice. The last time I took dinner with General Grant, he continued, as he cut great piece and began to eat, Che said to me, Governor, governor, said he, never disregard lady's advice ; and I have always remembered what he said, :" and he chuckled merrily, and nodded his head at the delicious-l looking pastry be- fore him., z,., r e-s .e.
 Carrie wondered little at. the table manners of the man who had dined with Grant. but she steeped his tea, favored 1t with rich cream and sugar, and passed it to him. 4s anal. .a ..s
 "I am not much of hand for tea, |" said the man, as he drained the cup, "but my doctor says that I must drink it for my digestion. Ruined my diges- tion while I was in the army, you see ; and he winked solemnly. s'By the way, D he continued, picking up the silver tea spoon from the saucer, "have you any more of these? They are as neat a pat tern as ever saw, and odd, too. I should like to see the rest of the dozen, if you have them" s@
 "Mother has only eleven, " said Carrie, in her innocence, "and she is very proud of them but I will show them to you. F Then she brought the little box with the precious able-silver-eleven tea spoons, four tablespoons and an ancient cream-jug-aH pure silver and shining brightly-and placed them before her inquisitive visitor to admire. 'e.
 He had finished his eight lunch. J That is, the pie was demolished and the teapot empty. As the little girl handed him the treasures he arose, took the box to the window, examined its contents with critical eye for 8 moment, and then, as if in joyful surprise, said:
 CT am right! They are the very spoons! The very same identical spoons 1 that my friend lost when he was boy How lucky it is that I have found them at last p
 With these words, and a very low bow, the rascal opened the door and slipped away with the spoons and silver cream pitcher down the path towards the gate. For an instant Carrie stood motionless then, rushing after him, she shrieked:
 "Give me those spoons They are my mothers spoons, and you are trying tc steal them! You are a thief, thief
 Bring them back! bring them back p The man, however, paid no attention to the child's cries, but ran rapidly dow1 the path, carrying the box in his arms } and the spoons and pitcher would have been lost forever if new party had no
 appeared on the scene.
 Old Dan was quietly nibbling the gras
 near the gateway. Hearing his littl' mistress's voice he looked up at the yer, instant that the tramp passed. What h. saw about the man that disturbed him ) don't know; but, erecting his head witl , hoarse "Baa.a-ap he shot after hin , like a cannon ball. s- s,s.-. .A 2 The man turned to receive him an, , defend himself, but the ram struck hin
 fairly in front and knocked him, half senseless, flat on his back, scattering tn silver in all directions.
 For an instant the fellow lay sprawl ing in the dust, then he slowly arose ) imping and grooming, and without , glance at his enemy, began to gather u , his stolen spells. ~a He had partly completed his task whe old Dan, who all this time had bee l watching the proceedings from beneat
 his shaggy eyebrows, shook his lon , beard, and with another tremendou } "Baa-a-aI' dashed at him again. an