St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1882-03-24

tnat nad anything III MIN but good
honest blood. Depend ont, LOwly,
there amt nothing wrong about the
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 grandma's
rOom-the old lady protesting, 81 amt
a mite afraid, LOwly," having no eff
feet on her.
"Well, I'm thankful we're all here"
was the good wOman's ejaculation, as
she unbolted her bedroom door after
night of uneasy dreams. 81 don't
know what the boy might do. 1t fid
gets me to death to have him round.
do wish you would find out who he
is, Solomon"
''He doesn't seem inclined to tell,
and don't want to be too inquisitive,
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, meanwhile worried
and fretted, turned dozen keys at
night, and was surprised when morn
ing dawned to find everything I'M
touched.
"What are you going to do about
going to church ?" she asked, anxious
ly, on Sunday morning. "There's
that boy"
There's room enough in the wag-
on" responded the husband, serenely.
81 know-but 'tain't a bit likely
he'll want to 90. And don't care to
leave him at home. Therell be 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 eau 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 go
ing to hurt me-" and the old lady
laughed a low credulous laugh.
II amt so sure about it," said Mrs.
Granger, nOdding mysteriously. ''If
anything should happen | should new
er forgive myself. | wish he'd go
with us, husband"
The prottered seat, however, was
declined, the boy saying:
"My clothes amt fit. I'd rather
stay round here"
So Mrs. Granger, with numberless
misgivings, clambered into the high
wagon, tucked little Ethel i'll 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 name is Jasper, amt
it ?'
Jasper, ma'am."
eyes. Well, Jasper, can you read ?'
Eyes, ma'am."
''Well, s'pOsin' you read out loud to
me IA 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, fold
ing her wrinkled hands-hands that
were always busy on other days
leaned back with Il look of content
ment on her sweet old face, thinking
to herself, GAS if I'd be afeared % that
boy ~
''You must ha' been to school consid-
erable," was the comment, when the
first chapter was ended.
II never went" was the reply.
"Never who learned you to read
then p
"Mother.n
"And she's dead you say"
eyes, ma'am."
The boy seemed reluctant to engage
in any conversation, and FASTENED tC
begin the second chapter. Some time
passed, till at length, the one auditor
falling asleep, the story was continued
in silence.
Grandma's nap was brought to !
sudden close by rap on the Outel
door.
Two men stood on the outer door
step, i'll looking fellows, and very
dirty in appearance.
'"Can you give us something to eat p
asked one.
''Sartin, sartin :; come right in ant
sit down." said the old lady, bustlin2
off to the pantry. (Which do you lik,
best-apple pie or custard ?' And sool
bountiful repast was spread upon th'
table, and the good things vanished
without ceremony.
The boy eyed the two sharply whil
grandma. after receiving somewha
crusty answers to the few kindly ques
; tions, sat placidly rocking. The eye
of the men rOved searchingly abou
the room. Finally one asked:
"FOlks gone to church ?"
, ala, yes,n replied the old lady limo
; Gently. Our folks never stay home fo
: nothing"
The speaker threw a quick glanc
q toward his companion the other nod
a ded. Neither movement escaped tn
, pair of watchful eyes in the corner.
Y A moment after the boy left his seat
4 sauntered across the room, stopped b
q the window to look up the road, an
then, going through the hall which le
d out of the kitchen, he called from tn
t foot of the stair:
o "Dave! Dave! you asleep up there
n "What do you want p sounded
gruff voice down the stairway.
n "Come down, can't youP And brin
d along Tige and Fritz. Don't go t
- sleep again"
t Grandma heard in mingled amaze
e ment and alarm. Could the boy be i
league with these men, and another
- waiting up stairs
: AS if in confirmation of her fears,
d low grOwl sounded from the rool
above. Then came a sharp yelp, 70
: lowed by little whines of impatience
t. and, with a careless "Hurry up, Dave
It the lad walked leisurely back to IL
kitchen. As he reached the doc
!" grandma, overwhelmed with cOnste
5. nation, made a desperate rush for IL
,e bedroom beyond, locking the do,
l. behind her.
% The men in the meantime had neare
y the outer door.
lie "Got some dogs up there, have We
said one with a disa oreeahle leer