The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1880-01-01

"No, 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 onl,
asked out of politeness, you know
and he smiled solemnly at the little
girl, and winked one eye. mo,
came on business with your pa-partic
ular, urgent business. S'pose he.
round, is he notp''
mo, sir; he went to town with moth
er," said Carrie.
Now, that's too badr' exclaimed
the visitor, as he seated himself; "and
I've come so far to see him! But per
haps your brother or sister would do a
we'll"
haven't any sister," said the lit
tie hostess, laughing, land my broth.
er's over in the back lot. He'll be in
by-and-by, though, if he'll do"
"Well, don't hardly believe he will,
after ALL" said the man, shaking his
head thoughtfully; land can't wait
to-day anyway; hain't the time. But
I'm terribly hungry. I'll could. I'd stay
to dinner, miss. However, under the
circumstances, perhaps you had better
give me a light lunch before I go; a
piece of pie, and 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 a whole apple-pie,
which she placed before him, with a
knife and fork.
If you will help yourself, I'll have
the tea ready in three minutes"
IAN right, my dear!' said the man,
Selling the knife. and drawing the pie
toward him. 81 will act upon your ad-
vice. The last time took dinner with
General Grant," he continued, as he
cut great piece and began to 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-look-
ing 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,
"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 solemnly. :'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 ever saw, and odd,
too. l should like to see the rest of the
dozen, if you have them"
mother has only eleven" said Car
RE. in her innocence, "and she is very
proud of them; but l will show them to
YOU"
Then she brought 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 slight 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 contents with a critical eye for a
moment, and then, as if in joyful sur
prise, 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 have found them
at 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 notion
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 a thief, thief!
Bring them back! bring them backr'
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
have been lost forever if new party
had 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 don't know; but, erecting
his head with a hoarse Baa-a-ar' 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, fat on his back, scattering
the silver in all directions.
Fol an instant the fellow remained
sprawling in the dust, then he slowly
arose. imping and grooming, and with
out a glance at his enemy, began to
gather up his stolen spoils.
He had partly completed his task
when Old Dan, who all this time had
been watching the proceeding from DE-
meath his shaggy eyebrows, shook his
long beard, and with another tremen-
dous "Baa-a!'' dashed at him again,
and over he went a second time, his
treasures flying from his hands.
And now began 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
CONTESTANTS struggled, the road was
trampled into something like a race
course, the air was filled with verv bad
language. very angry baas and a great
cloud of dust.
But after some five minutec, victory
declared itself upon the side of the
quadruped; and, bruised and bleeding,
with clothes in rags, minus hat and
shoe. the vanquished man suddenly
turned away and ran limping down
the road. leaving his antagonist in full
possession of the field and the stolen
silver.
Old Dan remained motionless, gazing
after his enemy until he disappeared
around distant turn in the road; then.