The Cheyenne daily leader. [volume] (Cheyenne, Wyo.) 1870-1884, 1882-06-08

Here l am !" came a CHEEKY voice in
reply; and a instant after n bright,
strong boy of some sixteen years entered
the old-fashioned, country kitchen from
the adjoining wood-shed, where he had
been cutting potatoes for the days plant
ing. "Do you want anything"
al want to tell you this" said Mr..
Henderson, rs 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 he state l am in,
and all from that worthless old rascal !
l won't have him about the house
another day. He's good for nothing but
TO make trouble, and he must be shot
before nightr added the farmer wrath
fully.
Ned was about to plead for his pet
when his little sister came into the room.
"Why, papa, what is the matter p she
cried, running to him in amazement.
"Did you fall into the creek /"
81 might as WE'LL" he replied, half
laughing. "Old Dan butted me into the
watering trough"
There was a shout of laughter from
both children, in which their mother
joined.
"Well, Jedeiah," said Mrs. Hender-
son, coming into h kitchen, M still
\ SluhlDH Will hlilIIt "haS Nui you
have been thinking about to let an old
ram, most twenty years old, knock you
into the watering placer
But" exclaimed her husband, "he
took me unawares. l had just filled
one pail to carry to the barn, and was
stopping to dip the other, when the old
rascal came to me like the wind, and
knocked me completely into the water
He scampered, 1 tell you, before ! could
get out. He knew he had lone mischief.
Anyhow, he's got to be killed to-day, sure.
He's only a nuisance, and III shoot him
tonight, when we come back from town,
if he's on the farmp
Two hours later Mr.. and Mrs. Hem
derson drove away to be absent from
home until night AS they ratified out
OF the yard, Old Dan suddenly appeared
close to he gate, and, wagging his tail
as If in derision, gave utterance to a
hoarse "Ba-a-ap
The farmer turned, shook his whir a.
the fellow, and cried This is your last
day, my boy, make the most of itr
Ned and Carrie were the only children.
Leaving Carrie in the house alone, after
they had considered a while whether
there was any way of averting Old Dams
sad fate, Ned shouldered his hoe and
marched off to his work, planting pota-
toes with Bronson, 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
twelve o'clock.
Time fed. The dishes stood in shin
ming rows upon the pantry shelves, the
broom had performed its work, .Grd
Carrie was preparing the vegetables to
| ha hpilnl u-l,an fharn % nn n faint GnnpH
at the door. Surprising it to be one of
the neighbors, the little girl did lot rise
but called:
"ComeiD,' e..
Tie door slowly opened and a man
stepped within.
He wore a long black coat, buttoned to
his chin, and very threadbare. His
trousers, too, were black and shiny, and
much too short for him. One foot was a
boot, while the other was graced by a
ragged shoe. He carried a battered six
hat in his hand. His face was long and
solemn, but quite red, his eyes bleared,
his hands very dirty, and altogether lie
was n queer looking visitor.
is your ma at home, miss" said he,
in n half whine, us he glanced sharply
about the room.
NO, sir" replied Carrie, wondering
hill. Did you wish to see herr"
"Oh, no." eplied the Ia 81 asked
out of politeness, you know" and he
smiled solemnly at the little girl, and
winked n eye; NO, l came OIL par
ticular business with your pa-particnlgr,
urgent business. S'pose he's round, is
be notT'
mo, sir; he wen: To own with moth.
err" said Carrie.
Now, that's too bad p exclaimed the
visitor, as he seated himself; "and I've
come SO far TO see him. But perhaps
your brother or sister would do as we'll"
4 haven't any sister," said the lith
hostess, laughing, land my brother
over in the back lot. He'll be in by-and-
bye, though. if he'll do"
We'll, l don't hardly believe he win,
said the man thoughtfully, and l can't
wait to-day anyway l haven't the time.
But Pm terrible hungry. If j could L
stay to dinner, miss. However, under
the circumstances, perhaps you'd bet
ter give me n light lunch before / go; a
piece of pie, and a cup of tea, and a little
cold meat. or something of that sort"
"Oh, certainly only / can't give you
the meat, for we haven'tit in the house."
said Carrie, rising; "butI will find some
thing" And she took from the pantry a
whole ~apple-pie, which she placed before
him, with a knife and fork.
"If you will help yourself m have
the tea ready in three minutes"
"All right, my dear" said the man,
seizing the knife and drawing the pie
oward him. II will act upon your ad-
vice. The last time 1 took dinner with
General Grant" he continued, as he cut
a great piece and began to eat. "he said
20 mo, Governor, governor said he,
| MAYER IlGrApnF ri m lalN.Ia alNt1a > apl r
nave always remembered what he said"
n he chuckled merrily, and nodded
his head at the Misunderstanding pastry
before him.
Carrie wondered a little at the tabl
manners of the man who had dincd
with Grant, but she stepped his tea,
favored it with rich cream and sugar,
and rassed it to him.
81 am not much of a hand for tea"
said the man, as he drained the cup, but
doctors say that 1 must drink it for my
digestion. Ruined my digestion while in
the army, you gee )" and he winked sol
EMMY. by the way" he continued,
picking up the silver teaspoon from his
saucer, shave you any more of these?
They are as neat n pattern as l ever saw,
and odd, too. l 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 box with
the precious table-silver-eleven tea
spoons, four tablespoons and an ancient
cream jug all pure silver, and shining
brightly-and placed them before her in
quisitive visitor to admire. He had
finished his light lunch. That is, the
pie was demolished and the teapot
was empty. As the little girl handed him