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


the army, you see :" and he winked solemn
ly. ''By the by" he continued, picking up
the silver teaspoon from the saucer, 'ehave
you any more Of these They are as neat
pattern as I ever saw, and odd, too. should
like to see the rest Of the dozen, if you have
them"
Mother has only eleven" said Carrie, in
her innocence, "and she is very proud of
them but will show them to you"
Then she brought the little bCX with the
precious table silyer-eleven teaspoons, and
an ancient cream-jug-all pure silver, and
shining brightly-and placed them before
her inquistive visitor to admire.
He finished his Eight 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
IS contents with a critical eye for moment,
and then, as if in joyful surprise, cried:
Il 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 L have found them at last ?''
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 toward 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 to steal
them You are a thief Bring them back.
bring them back %
The man paid no attention to the cEild's
cries, but ran rapidly down the path, carry
ing the box in his arms aud the spoons and
L. I l..
party had not appeared upon the scene.
Old Dan was quietly nibbling the grass
near the gateway. Hea ring his little mis-
tress's voice, he looked mp at the very in
stant that the tramp passed. What he saw
about the man that disturbed him 1 don't
/ know but, erecting his head with hoarse
'.Ba-a-a - he shot after him like a cannon
J ball
The man turned toreceive 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 direc-
tions
For an instant the fellow remained sprawl
ing in the dust, then he slowly arose, limp
ing and groaning, and without glance at
his enemy, began to gather up his stolen
spoils.
lie had partially completed his task When
Old Dan, who had all this time been watch
ing the proceedings from beneath his shaggy
eyebrows, shook his long beard, and witt
another Tremendous ''Ba-a-a q" dashed at hin
again, and over he went a second time, hi:
treasures flying from his hands.
And now began a strange battle-witl
cries of rage and pain, the man recovered
his feet and turned upon the ram, kickin:
and striking at him furiously, while Dan
accustomed to such warfare from years o
experience with the boys OF the countryside
easily eluded him, and in return butted hin
to earth again and again.
The spoons and cream pitcher were knock
ed hither and thither, as the combatant
struggled, and the road was trampled int
something like a race course, and the air wa
filed with very bad language, very angr
''baas" and great cloud Of dust
But in some FIVE minutes, victory declare,
itself upon the side Of the quadruped; am
4 bruised and bleeding, with clothes in rags
minus hat and shoes, the vanquished ma
suddenly turned away and ran limping DOW
= the road, leaving his antagonist in fun Pc.
session of the field and the stolen silver.
Old Dan remained motionless. gazing al
ter bis enemy uutll he disappeared around
distant turn in the road, then, shaking tn
dust from his coarse wool, he gave utteranc
: to a low grumble Of satisfaction, and was
ging his tail returned to his dinner in frou
of the house.
Half an hour later, as Carrie washed tn
p coveted spoons and the bright little pitche
and laid them carefully away once more, 81
told her brother the story, and how the rol
Der was fOiled; and Ned, full of enthusia su
U cried
b eve will not kill Old Dan at all, for / d
: not believe that father would shoot him no
L for a hundred dollars 80
!, And the boy was right The old ram wo
u more than he knew when lie fought IL
tramp and conquered him. He won his ma
i tcr's regard, and free, happy life for Il
II remainder Of his days.