The Cheyenne daily leader. [volume] (Cheyenne, Wyo.) 1870-1884, 1881-08-04

knock At the door. Surprising Ii to be
one of the neighbors, the little girl did
not rise, but called:
sConie ini''
The door was slowly opened and q
man stepped Within
lie a black coat. buttoned to
his chin, and very threadbare. His
trousers, too, were black and very
shiny, and much too short for him.
On one foot boot, while the other
WAS graeed by a rage | shoe. He car
ried q battered silk hat in his hand.
Ills face was long and solemn, but
quite re !, his eyes cleared, his hands
very dirty, and altogether he was q
queer-iooking visitor.
SIS your ma at home, miss" said he,
in a half whine, as he glanced sharply
ABOUT the roumi-
mo, sir" replied carrie, wondering
why lre asked "she has gone to I'M
derliill. Dai You wish TO see her?"
'Oi, no, Tic man replied Il only
askel Il of pOliieness, you know"
and lie smiled solennly at the little
girl, and winsed one eye. mo, 1
came on business with your pa-par-
t~icular, urgent business. S'pose he's
round, is lac not?"
"No, sir; he went to town with
mother" said Carrie.
"Now, that'stoo bad.' exclaimed the
visitor, as lac seated himself; and Pye
come so far 10 see hin. But perhaps
your brother or sister would do as
WELL"
81 haven't any sister," said the little
hostess, laughing, '.and my brothers
over In the back lot. He'll be in by
and-by, though, IL he'll do" =
.sWell, 1 don't hardly believe no
will, after ALL" said the man, shaking
his head .thoughtfully, "and / can't
wait to-day anyway; i hain't the
time. But Pm terribly hungry. If l.
could I'd stay to dinner, miss. How
ever, under the circumstances, perhaps
you had better give me a light lunch,
before / 60; q piece Of pie aud q cup of
tea and q little meat, or something Of
that Sort
"Oh, certainly; only I can't give you
the meat, for we haven't II In the,
house." said Carrie, rising; ''but l.
will find something" And she brought,
from the pantry a whole apple pic,l
which she placed before him, with q
knife and fork.
"If you will help yourself I'll have
the tea ready In three minutes"
Gall right, my DEAR" said the man,
seizing the knife aud drawing tho pic
toward him. ~ will act upon your
advice. The last time ! took dinner
with General Grant" he continued,
as he cut q great. piece and began to
eat, she said to me, Governor, Cover
nor said he, never disregard . lady's
advice : and he chuckled merrily, and
nodded his head ct the delicious-look.
ing pastry before him.
Carrie wondered q little at the Ia
BILE manners of the man who had
dined with Grant, but she stepped his
tea, favored It with rich cream and
sugar and passed. 1t to him.
II Am not much Of q hand for tea"
said the man, as he drained the cup,
but my doctor says that / must drink
{ for my digestion. Ruined my di-
gestion while ] was In the army, you
Sec" and he wInksd solemnly. "By
tho way" he continued, picking up
the silver teaspoon from his saucer,
shave you any more Of these? They
are a. neat o pattern as l ever saw, .
and odd, too. 1 should like TO see the !
rest OF the dozen, II you have them" !
"Mother has only soven," said Car.
rio in her innocence, land she Is very .
proud Of them ; but l will show them
u you" I,
Then abe brought the little boz
with the precious table, dlver-eleven
teaspoons, four tablespoons aud 40
ancient creamjug-all pure silver,
and shining brightly-and placed
them before her inquisitive visitor 70
admire.
He had finished his eight lunch"
That II, tho pie was dcm0lisb~i $50
the teapot empty. AS the little girl
handed him the treasures, ho arose,
took the box to the window, cxainin-
ed its contents with q critical eye for
a moment, and then, as If in joyful
surprise, said
II am right They are tho very
spoonsi The very same identical
spoons that my friend lost when he
was a boyl How lucky it is that |
have them at lasti"
With these words, and a very low
bow, the rascal opened the door and
slipped away with spoons and silver
cream. pitcher down the path toward
the gate.
For an instant Carrie stood notion
less; then, rushing after him, she
shrieked
i. "Give me those spoons! They NJ,
my mothers spoons, and you are try
ing to steal them! You are a thief,
q thief! Bring them back! bring
them back !"
The man, however, paid no attcn-
ton to the child's cries, but ran
rapidly down tho path, carrying the
box in his arms; md. the spoons and
pitcher would have been lost forever
If a new party had not appeared OH
the scene.
Old Dan was quietly nibbling tho
grass near the gateway. Hearing his
little mistress's voice he looked up at
the very Instant that the tramp passed.
What lie saw about the maj that dis.
turbed him l don't know ; but, erect
ing his head, with a hoarse ''Baa.a-a"
he shot after him like o cannon-ball.
The man turned to receive him and
defend himself, but the ram struck
him fairly in front and knocked him,
half-senseless, fat on his back, scat
tering the silver In all directions.
For an instant the fellow remained
sprawling In the dust, then he slowly
arose, llmping and grooming, and with
but o glance at his enemy, began tn
gather up the stolen spoils.
He had partly completed his task
when old Dan, who all this time had
been watching the proceedings from
beneath his shaggy eyebrows, SHOOK
his long beard, and with another ire
mcndous "Baa. IA I" at him again, ami
over he went q second time, his trca.
sures flying from his hands.
And now began q strange battle
With cries OF rage and pain, the mai
recovered his feet aud turned pom
the ram, kicking aud striking at him
furinusIy while Dan. accusiomnI 10