Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1882-03-27

all night. / shau't sleep a wink.
Likely as not he'll kill us all before
morning, and make off with every
thing there is here
'sOh, no! / guess he's all right,
was the farmers rejoinder while a
sweet voice came from over the knit
ting =
II never saw boy with such
face that had anything in him but
good honest blood. Depend ont,
Lowly, there amt nothin' wrong
about the boy"
But suspicious Mrs. Granger lock-
ed 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 to her
grandma S room-the old lady's pro-
testing ''I amt mite afraid, Lowly"
having no effect on her.
'sNel, I'm thankful we're all
here" was the good woman's ejacu-
lation, as she unbolted her bedroom
door after night of uneasy dreams.
81 don't know what that boy might
do. 1t fidgets me to death to have
him round. do wish you would
| find out who he is, Solomon.
s'He don't seem inclined to tell,
and I don't want to be too inquisi-
tive, wife. 1t will come out, sooner
or later
Two days passed. The lad kept
faithfully at his work, saying little
and revealing nothing in regard to
himself. The farmers wife, mean
while, worried and fretted, turned a
dozen keys at night, and was sur
prised when morning dawned to find
everything untouched.
"What are you going to do about
going to church?' she asked, anX-
iouslo, on Sunday morning. "There
is that boy
''There's room ensugh in the wag.
on" responded the husband, Sc.
renely.
~ know-but tain't a bit likely
he'll want to 90. And | don't wan
to leave him at home. There'll bt
no telling what he'll do
Il 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'
; been here just long enough to fine
| out where / keep my silver and all
| And there's grandma-it amt saf
5 to leave her alone with him. -
"Law me, Lowly! that boy aim
| agoin' to hurt me - and the old lad,
: laughed a low, incredulous laugh.
? |
II amt so sure about it, sal
l Mrs. Granger, mysteriously. 81
t anything should happen l shoul
e never forgive myself. l wish he'
90 with US, husband. y
y The proffered seat, however, wa
i declined, the boy saying:
e ''My clothes amt fit. I'd rathe
:, stay round here. -
f So Mrs. Granger, with numberles
y misgivings, clambered into the hig
wagon, tucked little Ethel in besid
|. her, and off they went, over the hills
: to the town two miles away.
e ''Let me see," began. grandm;
n when the last load of neighbors ha
passed the gate, "your name is Ja
$ per, amt it,"
:, "Jasper, ma a'am."
lie eyes. Well, Jasper. can yc
d read?"
eyes, ma am"
m "Wel, s'posin' you read out LOT
ID to me SPELL" and a little old boo
ID was brought out from the great che
t. in the corner, entitled ''Tales of
v Grandmother.
So the boy read; and grandm
= folding her wrinkled hands-han
Mt that were always busy on other da
te leaned back with a look of confer
ment on her sweet old face, thinkil
L. to herself, Gas if I'd be afeard
an that boy!"
ly s.You must ha' been to school co
IT. Siderable" was the comment, VIII
the first chapter was ended.
to II never went," was the respons
ed "Never! who learned you to rea
er then?"
ut "Mother.'
ng ''And she's dead, you say?"
up ''Yes, ma am"
The boy seemed reluctant to {
,ut gage in any conversation, and hi
nd tened to begin the second chapt
an Some time passed, till at length,
of one auditor falling asleep, the ste
was continued in silence.
nd Grandma nap was brought to
in sudden close by rap on the ou
oy door.
ore Two men stood on the doorst'
Ia, Unlocking fellows, and very dirty
ct appearance.
'sCan you give us something
i" eat?" asked one.
ad ssSartin, sartin; come right in q
1er sit down." said the old lady, bustl
ar off to the pantry. 'sWhich do J
like best, apple pie or custard? p A
ed, soon bountiful repast was sprt
irt. upon the table, and the good THU
IAN vanished without ceremony.
The boy eyed the two sharp
his while grandma, after receiving sol
ray what crusty adswers to the few kin
md questions, sat placidly rocking. ]