The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1880-05-14
OLD DAN.

one morning with hands and clothes wet and
covered with mud his face red and his eyes
flashing.
''Nedr 70 he shouted, as he entered the
kitchen, where's Ned?"
"Here 1 am = came a CHEEKY voice in re-
ply and an instant after bright, strong
boy of some sixteen years entered the old
fashioned country kitchen from the adjoining
woodshed, where he had been cutting pota-
toes for the days planting. 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 killed! Just
see the state l am in, and all from that
worthless old rascal l won't have him
about the house another day. He's good
for nothing but to make trouble, and he must
be shot before night - added the farmer
wrathfully.
Ned was about to plead for his pet, when
his little sister came into tn room.
''Why, papa, what is the matter ?' she
cried, running to him in astonishment "Did
you fall into the creek Pc
81 might as we'll, " he replied, half laugh
ing. cold Dan butted me into the watering
trough"
There vas a shout of laughter from both
children, in which the mother joined.
''Wel, Jedediah,' said Mrs. Henderson,
coming into the kitchen. and shaking with
mirth, ''what could you have been thinking
about to let an old ram, most twenty years
old, knock you into the watering trough"
'sBut," explained her husband, che took
me unawares. / had just filed one pail to
carry to the barn, and was STOPPING to dip
the other, when the old rascal came at me
like the wind, and knocked NE completely
into the water He scampered, tell you,
before I could get ous. He knew he had
done mischief. Anyhow, he's got to be kill
ed to-day, sure. He's only 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. Henderson
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 T.
The farmer turned, shook his whip at the
! old fellow, and cried, "This is your last Gay,
my boy, make the best of it
Ned and Carrie were the only children
/ Leaving Carrie in the house alone, after
/ they had consulted awhile wheth er there was
/ any way of eyading Old Dams sad fate, Ned
shouldered his hoe and marched of to hi.
I work, planting potatoes with Bronson, the
hired man, in the ''back lot"
But the little girl of thirteen had II,
thought Of being afraid. She had the break
fast dishes TO wash, some sweeping to do
and the dinner to get, all before u O'Clock
Time fed The dishes stood in shinin.
rows upon the pantry shelves, the broom haC
performed its work, and Carrie was pTepar
ing the vegetables to be boiled. when Their
came a faint knock at the door. SuppoSini
it to be one of the neighbors, the little cir
did not rise, but called
"Come in -
The door slowly opened, and man step
pea within.
lie wore long black coat, buttoned tC
the chin, and very threadDare. His trousers
too, were black and shiny, and much to
short for him. On one foot was boot
while the other was graced by ragged shoe
lie carried a battered silk hat in his hand
His face was long and solemn, but quite red
his eyes bleared, his hands very dirty, an
altogether he was queer-looking visitor.
as your ma at home, Miss 80 said he, i
a half whine, as he glanced sharply aboU
the room.
No, sir replied Carrie, wondering VIII
he asked ''she has gone to Underhin. Di
YOU wish to see here
ooh, no," the man replied. Il only ash
, ed out of politencss, you know" and !
Il. - 4 r;,,lya
/ one eye. NO, l came ON business, wit
| your pa-particular urgent business. S'po:
5 he's round. is he not 20
' NO sir, he went to town with my mot
: er, ," said Carrie.
t seNow, that's too badg' exclaimed the Vi
e itor. a. he seated himself "and I've con
so far to see him. But perhaps your broth
y or sister would do as well?''
n Il haven't any sister," said the little he
e tess, laughing ''and my brothers over
4 the back lot He'll be in by and by, thong
n if he'll do"
e 'sweu, don't hardly believe he will, ;
: ter all, said the man, shaking his he
e thoughtfully. ''and / can't wait to-day. al
e way l hain't the time But / am tenil
d hungry. If could I'd stay to dinner, Mis-
e However, under the circumstances, perha
d YOU had better give me a light lunch bef,
r l 90 piece OF pie and a cup of tea, and
little cold meat, or something of that sor
It cob, certainly, only l can't give you
4 meat, for we haven't it in the house" 5;
Is Carrie rising "but I will find somethin.
er And she brought from the pantry a VIII,
le apple pie which she placed before him, W
5 a knife and fork.
&c If you will help yourself III have
at tea eady in three minutes,
Id ''AH right, my dear" said the man, seiz
the knife and drawing the pie toward h
d, 4 viii act upon advice. The last tim
ne took dinner with General Grant" he c
i'd tinued, as ne cut great piece and begaI
eat, che said to me, Governor, Govern
it said he, never disregard a lady's advi
and | have always remembered what
n said, - and he chuckled merrily, and nod
V his head at the misunderstanding pastry
fore him.
he Carrie wondered little at the table IN
as ners of the man who had dined with Ora
but she stepped his tea, favored it with !
ce cream and sugar and passed it to him.
- am not much of hand for tea" :
ut the man. as he drained the cup, 'but
at doctor says that must drink it fDr my dig