The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1880-07-15
OLD DAN.

clothes wet and covered with mud, his
face red and his eyes flashing.
"Nedl" he shouted, as he entered the
kitchen. "Where's Nedl"
"Here / ami" came a CHEEKY voice III
reply; and an Instant after a bright,
strong boy Of some sixteen years entered
the old-fashioned country kitchen from
the adjoining woodshed, where be had
been cutting potatoes for the days plant
ing. do you want anything
''I%ant 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 | am in, and
ali from that worthless old rascal. I
won't nave him about the house another
day. He's good for nothing but to make
trouble, and no must be shot before
night" added the farmer wrathfully.
Ned was about to plead for his pet,
when his little sister came into the room.
s"Why, papa, what is the natter she
cried, running to him in astonishment.
''Did you fall into the creek!"
'I might as we'll" he replied, half
laughing. cold Dan, butted he into the
watering trough"
There was shout of laughter from
both children, i'll which their mother
joined"
"Well, Jedediah," said Mrs. Hender-
son, coming into the kitchen shaking
with mirth, "what could you have been
thinking about to let an old ram, most
twenty years old, knock you into the
waterng-trough?"
"But," exclaimed her husband, che
took me unawares. / had Just filled one
pail TO carry to the barn, and was stoop-
ing TO dip the other when the old rascal
came at me like the wind, and knocked
me completely into the water. He scam
pered, | tell you, before [ could get out.
He knew he had done mischief. Any
how, he's got to be killed to-day sure
He's only nuisance, and I'll shoot him
to night, when we come back from town,
if he's on the farm"
Two hours later Mr.. and Mrs. Hender-
son 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 hoarse "Ba-
a-ar'
The farmer turned, shook his whip at
the fellow, and cried. This is your last
day, my boy, make the most of it,"
Ned and Carrie were the only children.
Leaving Carrie in the house alone, after
they had considered awhile whether there
was any way of averting old Dams sad
fate, Ned shouldered his hoe and march
ed off to his work, planting potatoes with
Cronson, the hired man, in the ''back
lot :"
But the little girl of thirteen had no
thought of being afraid. She had the
breakfast dishes to wash, some sweeping
to do, and the dinner to get, all before
II o'clock.
Time fed. The dishes stood in shin
ing rows upon the pantry shelves, the
broom had performed its work, and Car
rie was preparing the vegetables to be
boiled, when there came faint knock at
the door. Supposing it to be ono of the
neighbors, the little girl did not rise, but
called:
Come inl''
The door was slowly opened and man
stepped within.
lie wore black coat, buttoned to bis
chin, and very threadbare. His trousers,
too, were black and very shiny, and much
too short for him. On one foot was
boot, while the other was graced by a
ragged shoe. He carried battered silk
hat in his hand. His face was long and
solemn, but quite red, his eyes bleared,
his hands very dirty, and altogether lie
was queer looking visitor.
''Is your ma at home, miss?" said he,
in half whine, as he glanced sharply
about the room.
"No, sir" replied Carrie, wondering
why he asked; she has gone to Underhill.
Did you wish 10 see her?'
"Oh," no, the man replied. Il only
asked out of politeness. you know" and
he smiled solemuly at the little girl, and
winked one eve. "No, came on busi-
ness with your pa-particular urgent
business. Spose he's round, is he notl"
"No, sir; he went to town with moth.
er," said Carrie.
"Now that's too badl" exclaimed the
visitor, as he seated himself; ''and I've
come so far to see him. But perhaps
your brother or sister would know as
we'll"
/ haven't any sister,. - said the little
hostess, laughing, and my brother is over
in the back lot. He'll be in by-and-by,
though. if ke'll do"
"Well, | don't hardly believe he will,
after all, " said the man, shaking his head
thoughtfully, ''and I can't wait to-day
anyway. I hain't got the time. But Tn
terrible hungry. If could STAY to din
ner, miss, However, under the o;reum
stances, perhaps you had better give me
q light lunoh before l gol a piece Of pie
~~i cup OF tea and little meat, or
something of that sort.
"Oh, certainly; only can't give you
the meat, for We haven't it in the house"
said Carrie. rising, but ] will find some
thing" Aud she brought from the pan
try whole apple pie, which she placed
before him with knife and fork.
If you vii help yourself I'll have the