The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1880-04-23

will let me-
Solomon Granger, you are crazy" cx
claimed the nervous little woman when her
husband related the foregoing conversation.
The idea of having that boy in the house
all night. | shan't sleep wink. Likely
as not he'll kill us all before morning, and
make off with everything there is here
'Oh, no; | guess he's all right was the
farmers rejoinder while sweet voice came
from over the knitting.
q never saw boy with such face that
had anything in him but good, honest blood
Depend ont Lowly, there ain't nothing
wrong about the boy
But suspicious Mrs. Granger locked her
pantry door that night, her china closet.
the spare front room, the trunk in the attic
that held her best linen, and lastly the door
Of her grandma's room-the old lady pro-
testing, 1 amt mite afraid, Lowly,' hay-
ing no effect on her.
We'll, I'm thankful we're all here, was
the good woman's ejaculation, as she unbolt-
ed her bedroom door after a night of uneasy
dreams don't know what the boy might
do 1t fdgets me to death to have him
around. do wish you would find out who
he is, solomon.
lie don't seem inclined to tell, and don't
want to be too inqusitive, wife. 1t will
come out sooner or later
Two days passed. The lad kept faithfully
at his work, saying little and revealing moth
| ,,,.. . l..
meanwhile worried and fretted, turned a
dozen keys at night, and was surprised when
morning dawned to find everything un-
touched.
What are you going to do about going to
church? she asked, anxiously, on Sunday
morning. There's that boy.
There's room enough in the wagon re
sponded the husband, sereney.
| Il knOw-but 'tant bit likely he'll want
to 90. And | don't dare to leave him at
home. There'll be no telling what he II do
4 wouldn't worry about that boy. He
ain goirg off With the house
We'll, shall lock up everything and take
Ethel, too. We can cone home at noon If
she gets tired. He's been here just long
enough to find out where | keep my silver
and all. And there rardma it amt safe
to leave her alone with him"
Law, me, Lowly that boy ain't a going
to hurt me-; aud the old lady laughed a low,
iucredulous laugh.
4 amt SO sure about it, said Mrs Grang-
er,uodding mysteriou,ly. If anything should
happen should never forgive myself
wish he would 20 with us husband
The profered seat however, was declined,
the boy saying:
My clothes amt fit I'd rather stay round
here
SO Mrs. Granger, with numberless misgiv-
ings, cambered into the high wagon, tucked
Ethel in beside her, and off they went, over
the hills, to the town, two miles away
Let me see,' began grandma, when the
last load Of neighbors had passed the gate,
your name is Jasper, ain'ti?'
Jasper ma'am.'
Yes. Well, jasper, can you read?'
Yes, ma'am.'
well, s'po-in you read out loud to me a
spell, and little old book was brought ou,
from the great chest in the corner, entitled
Iaies of Il GranImother.'
30 the boy read; and grandma folding her
w,inkled hands-hands that were always
busy on other days--leaned back with look
of contentmenl on her sweet old face, think.
ing to herself, As if I'd be afyared O that
boy
You must ha' been to school consideia
bic, was the comment, when the first chap
ter was ended
4 never went was the rc.ponse
Never. who learned you to read, Them?
'Motucr.'
And she's dead? you say
Yes, ma am
The boy seemed reluctant to engage in an,
conversation, aud hastened to begin the sec
, ond chapter Some time passed till a
. length, the one auditor falling asleep, thu
story was continued in silence.
Grandma's nap was brought to a suddel
close by rap ON the outer door.
Two men stood on the doorstep, i'll look
= ira fellows, and very dirty in appearance.
Can yon give u something to eat?' a,ke,
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was spreod nnon ,be table and the man
u GOOD thioo. vanished vi,hout ceremonv.
The boy eyed the two sharn,v while Grand
u ~, altar roo.iyi,, .o,auho, c,r.ty g,
.war. to ,ba few kindly oue.tions sat nlact
~ rocking The eve. Of tbe men rove
searehinsly about the room Finally on
> asked.
.F.Iks rome 70 churcbo'
! T., We. rerlicd ,he old lady ippoceutI,
'Our folk, never ,tsy At home for nothing
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