Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1882-06-29
OLD DAN.


"Nedi" he shouted, as he entered the
kitchen. where's Ned?"
"Here l ann" came CHEEKY voice ia
reply; and an instant after bright,
strong boy of some sixteen years en-
tered the old.fashioned, country kitch.
en- from the adjoining wood shed, where
be had been cutting potatoes for the
days planting. do you want any
thing?"
"I want to tell you this" said Mr..
Henderson, as he washed himself at
the sink and rubbed his weather beat
On face with the coarse towel until it
was even more red than before. "Old
Dan must be killed. Just see the state
L am in, and all from that worthless
old rascan L won't have him about the
house another day. He's good for moth
ing but TO make trouble, and he must
be shot before nightr' added the far
mer. wrathfully.
Ned was about to plead for his pet,
when his little sister came into the
room.
"Why, papa, what il the matter ?"
she cried, running to him in amaze.
ment. did you fall into the creek ?"
IL might as WELL" he replied half
laughing; "old Dan butted me into the
watering troughF'
There was a shout Of laughter from
both children in which their mother
Joined.
"Well. Jebediah," said Mrs. Hender-
son, coming into the kitchen, and still
shaking with mirth, "what could you
have been thinking of to let an old ram
most 20 years old, knock you into the
watering placer"
But" exclaimed her husband, "he
took me unawares. 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 waterl
He scampered, tell you, before 1
could get out. He knew he had done
mischief Anyhow he's got to be
killed to-day, sure. He's only a nui-
sance, and Ill shoot him tonight, when
we come back from town, if he's on
the farm"
Two hours later Mr.. and Mrs. Hen
derson drove away to be absent from
home until night AS they ratified out
of the yard Old Dan suddenly appeared
close to the gate, and. wagging his tail
Rs III In derision, gave utterance to a
h0arse "Ba-a-al"
The farmer turned, shook his whip
Mt the fellow. and cried: "This is your
last day, my boy, make the most of
siti"
Ned and Carrie were the only chill.
dren- Leaving Carrie in the house
alone, after they had considered a
while whether there was any way of
averting Old Dams sad fate, Ned shout.
dered his hoe and marched off to his
work, planting potatoes with Bronson,
the hired man, in the shack lot"
But the little girl of thirteen had no
thought of being afraid. She had the
breakfast dishes to wash, some sweep
ing to do. add the dinner to get, all be-
fore IL o'clock.
TINE fied. The dishes stood in shin
ing rows upon the pantry shelves, the
broom had performed its work, and
Carrie was preparing the vegetables to
be boiled, when there came a faint
knock at the door. Surprising it to be
one OF the neighbors, the little girl did
not rise, hut called:
Come in"
The door slowly opened and man
stepped within.
He wore long black coat, buttoned
TO his chin, and very threadbare. His
trousers. too, were black and shiny, and
much To short for him. On one foot
was q boot, while the other was Qraced
by q ragged shoe. He carried bat
tered silk hat in his hand. His face
was long and solemn, but quite red
his eyes bleared, his hands very dirty,
and altogether he WIS queer-looking
visitor.
lis your ma at home, miss? said
ne, In . half-whine, as he glanced
sshArDIy about the room.
No. sir" replied Carrie, wondering
WIZ he esked; she has gone to Un
derhilL Did you wish to see herY"
-Oh. no., replied the man. 81 asked
out OF politeneSs, you know" and he
SMILED solemnly at the little girl, and
Wnked one eye. NO, came on par.
Sicular business with your pa-partic-
ul~. urgent business. S'pose he's
round. is he not2'
mo. sir; be went to town with
mother" said Carrie.
''Now, that's too badT exclaimed
the visitor, as he seated himself; s.and
I've come so far to see him. But per.
haps your brother or sister would do as
well"
81 haven't any sister," said the little
hostess. laughing. "and my brother Is
over In the back lot He'll be in by.
and-bye. though. IL he'll do"
well. I don't hardly believe be
viii" said the man thoughtfully. aud
Il can't wait to-day anyway; 1 haven't
Jthe time. But I'm terrible hungry
~ I could I'd stay to dinner, miss
However, under the circumstances
perhaps you'd better give me light