Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1881-03-10

/ ISioi'ioii b-d1lSel, you are crazy.
exclaimed the nervous little woman
when her husband related the foregoing
conversation.
'The idea Of having that boy in tho
house all night / shan't sleep wink
Likely as not he'll kill us before morn
ing, and make oFwith everything there
| is here"
"Oh, no. guess he's ali right" was
the farmers rejoinder; while a sweet
voice came from over the knitting
81 never saw boy with such a face
that had anything in him but honest
blood. Depend ont, Lowly, there amt
nothin' wrong about that 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 gfndma's
room--the old lady protesting, II amt
a mite afraid, Lowly," having no effect
on her.
"Well, Pm thankful we're all here, "
was the good woman's ejaculation, as
she unbolted her bedroom door after a
night Of uneasy dreams. 81 didn't
know what that boy might do 1t fidg-
cts me to death to have him around. |
do wish you would find out who he is,
Solomon"
ale don't seem inclined to tell, and
| don't want to be too inquisi tive, wife.
1t will come out sooner or later"
Two days passed. The lad kept faith
fully at his work, saying little and re-
vealing nothing in regard to himself.
The farmers wife, meanwhile, worried
and fretted, turned dozen keys Il
night, and was surprised when morn
ing dawned to find everything I'M
touched.
what are you going to do about GO
ing to church % She asked, anxiously,
on Sunday morning. There's that
boy"
There's room enough in the wagon. F"
responded the husband, serenely.
81 know but faint bit likely he'll
want to go. And ! don't dare to leave
him at home. There's no telling what
he'll do"
81 wouldn't worry about that boy.
He amt going off with the house"
well, | shall lock up everything,
and take Ethel, too. We can come
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's grandma-it amt safe to leave
her alone with him."
claw me, Lowly that boy amt y
goin' to hurt me-" and the old lady
laughed low, incredulous laugh,
81 amt so sure about it" said Mrs.
Granger, nodding mysteriously. 'If
should happen | should never
forgive myself wish he'd go with us,
husband"
The protlered seat, however, was de-
clined, the boy saying;
"My clothes amt fit. I'd rather stay
round here"
So Mrs. Granger, with numberless
clambered into the high
wagon, tucked little 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 names Jasper, amt ?"
"Jasper, ma'am."
eyes. Well, Jasper, can you read?'
eyes, ma'am.'
well, s'posin' you read out loud to
me a spell, and little old book was
brought out from the great chest in the
corner, entitled, Tales of Grand
mother
SO the boy read; and grandma folded
her wrinkled hands-hands that We're
Il al 4
back with look of contentment on
her sweet old face, thinking to herself,
"AS if I'd be afeared O that boy -
"YOu must ha' been to school CON
siderable" was the comment when the
first chapter was ended.
Il never went to school"
"Who learned you to read, them"
Mother
And she's dead, YOU say?'
"Yes, maam,"
The boy seemed reluctant to engage
in any conversation, and FASTENED to
the second chapter. Some time passed,
till mt length, the one auditor falling
asleep, the story was continued in ST
lcnce. Grandma's nap was brought to
a sudden close by a rap on the outer
door.
Two men stood on the door step, i'll
looking fellows, and very dirty in APP
peaNncc. Can you give us something
to eat?' asked one.
"Sartin, sartin; come right in and set
down." said the old lady. busting off
to the pantry, (Which do you like
best, apple PIE or custard?" And soon
a bountiful repast was spread upon the
table and the good things vanished
without ceremony.
The boy nYed the two sharnly. while