The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1880-02-11
in half whine, as he glanced sharply

IN Il Iall Willie, do Ao Sis'he." 'iiSA P1J
about theroom.
"No, sir" replied Carrie, wondering
why he asked; "she has gone to Under
hill. Did you wish to see her?"
ooh, 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. came
on business with your pa-particular
urgent business. S'pose he's round, is
he not?"
"No, sir; he went to town with
mother" said Carrie.
Now, that's too bad" exclaimed
the visitor, rs he seated himself: land
I've come so far to see him. But per-
haps YOUR brother or sister would do as
we'll"
Il haven't any sister," said the little
hostess, laughing. land my brothers
over in the back lot. He'll be in by-and'
bye, though. if he'll do" 49,
'"Well, I don't hardly believe he will,
after ALL" said the man, shaking his
head thoughtfully, land can't wait
to-day anyway; I hain't the time: But
I'm terribly hungry. If l could I'd
stay to dinner, miss. However, under
the circumstances, perhaps you had bet
ter give me light lunch before l go; a
piece of pie, and a cup of tea, and a
little cold meat, or something of that
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 something" And she brought
from the pantry whole apple-pie,
E 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 right, my DEAR" sail 4 the man,
Selling the knife and drawing the pie
toward him. 81 will act upon your
advice. The last time l took dinner
with General Grant," he continued, as
he cut great piece and began I o eat, he
said to me, Governor, governor, said
he, never disregard q lady's advice;
and have always remembered what he
said," and he chuckled merrily, and
nodded his head at the delicious-looking
pastry before him.
Carrie wondered a 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, VI
said the man, as he drained the cup.
"but my doctor says that must drink
it for my digestion. Ruined my diges-
ton while was in the army, you see" )"
and he winked solemply. "By the
way" he continued, picking up the sill
yer teaspoon from his saucer, have
you any more of these? They are as
neat pattern as l ever saw, and odd,
too. should like to see the rest of the
dozen, if you have Them
"Mother has only eleven" said Car
rie, in her innocence, land she is very
proud of them; but Twill show them to
you"
Then she bl ought the little box with
the precious table-silver - eleven tea
spoons. four tablespoons and an ancient
cream-jug-all pure silver, and shining
brightly-and placed them before her
inquisitive visitor to admire.
He had finished his "light lunch
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 con-
tents with critical eye for moment,
and then, rs if in joyful surprise,
cried:
II am right! They are the very
spoons! The very same Identical spoons
that my friend lost when he was boy
How lucky it is that 1 have found them
ut last!"
With these words. and very low
bow, the rascal opened the door and
slipped away with The spoons and a
silver cream pitcher down the path to-
ward the gate.
For an instant Carrie stood motion
less; then, rushing after him. she
shrieked:
"Give me those spoons They are
my mothers spoons, and you are trying
to steal them! You are thief, 4 thief!
Bring them back! bring them back!"
The man, however, paid no attention
to the child's cries, but ran rapidly
down the path, carrying the box in his
arms; and the spoons and pitcher would
nave been lost forever if new party
Lad not appeared on the scene.
Old Dan was quietly nibbling the
grass near the gateway. Hearing his
little mistress voice, he looked up at
the very instant that the tramp passed.
What he saw about the man that dis
turbed him l don't know; but, erecting
his head with hoarse "Baa-a-a" he
shot after him like cannon ball.
| The man turned to receive him and
defend himself, but the ram struck him
fairly in front and Knocked him, half
senseless, flat on his back, scattering
the silver in all directions
For an instant the fellow remained
sprawling in the dust, then he slowly
arose, limping and groaning, and with
out a glance at his enemy, began to
gatherup his stolen spoils.
He had partly completed his task
when Old Dan, who all this time had
been watching the proceeding from be-
meath his shaggy eyebrows, shook his
long beard, and with another tremen-
dous "Baa-a!" dashed at him again,
and over he went second time, his
treasures flying from his hands.
| And now began a strange battle.
With cries of rage and pain. the man
recovered his feet and turned upon the
ram, kicking and striking at him furi.
ously, while Dan, accustomed to such
warfare from years of experience with
the boys of the countryside, easily
eluded him, and in return butted him to
the earth again and again.
The spoons and cream-pitcher were
knocked hither and thither, as the COM
batants struggled, the road was trampled
into something like race-course, the
air was filled with very bad language
very angry "baas "ana q great cloud Of
dust.
But after some five minutes, victory
declared itself upon the side of the quad
rupel; and, bruised and bleeding, with
clothes in rags, minus hat and shoe, the
vanquished maI suddenly turned away
and ran limping down the road, leaving
his antagonist in full possession of tho
field and the stolen silver
Old Dan remained motionless, gazina
after his enemy until he disappeared
around distant turn in the road; then
shaking the dust from his coarse wool
he gave utterance to a low grumble o
satisfaction, and. wagging his tail. re
turned to his dinner in front of tllt
house.
Half an hour later, as Carrie washed
the coveted spoons and the bright ittl'
pitcher and laid them carefully awa.
once more, she told her brother tn
story, and how the robber was foiled
and Ned, full of enthusiasm, cried
1--WE will not kill old Dan at all, fo
do not believe that father would shoe
him now for hundred doilarsr'
And the boy was right. The old ran
won more then he knew when he fough
the tramp and conquered him. He wol