Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1882-09-08

| ", and in an hour return TO seek AMI
| in field or barn, collared with an answer
from Lot Spinner. In this way the dog
became in limited sense, the messen-
ger and postman of the family when oc-
casion prompted, and very quick and
faithful one.
1t was the last Thursday in August
when Major Pepper, finishing his sec
ond cup of coffee at breakfast exclaimed
TO his wife: "Thorc, Helen, forgot ~
tell you last night that ID You want 10
go down TO the town in the phaeton
with me to-day and give this afternoon
to picking out those carpets, it'll suit me
capitally."
Aunt Pepper laughed. "Why does a
man always choose just the wrong day
of all othersp" she said, merrilv. "Amzi
and Mira (Mira was Amzi's wife and
Aunt Peppers coot) "wanted to go TO
New York to-day TO attend that we'd
ding-her sisters you recDllcct They
started early Cat four o'clock) for the
station, and don't expect them back
until long after we're in bed tonight. |
can't leave the house and Ford 20 take
care OF themselves
"Oh yes, you can" laughed Uncle
Pepper ''Ford might 20 along if it
wouldn't be n hot and stupid day in
town for him-we shall b. so busy.
Leave him good luncheon, and let
him keep house by himselffor once Leo
will help him. You wouldn't mind it,
oh, Ford?"
Ford laughed too, and said that he
rather guessed not.
oven not be later in getting back
home than six o'clock, 1 suppose"
said Aunt Pepper, reluctantly consent
ing.
"Oh dear no." replied the Major,
land Ford will just have fine appetite
for n late dinner"
A half-hour later Ford and Leo, the
one with his hand and the other with
his active if unimportant tail, waved
Major and Mrs. Pepper goodbye from
the broad piazza, and then turned them
selves about TO begin the work of pass
ing jolly day together. Ford did not
like to leave the house for any length
OF time.
A wooden swing he was contriving in
the garden, the arrangement of his col
lection of Indian relics, and letter to
his room mate at the school-one Harry
This latter, or letter business, was
still on hand, and Ford was scratching
away at it in the summer-house, when
Leo suddenly growled. Then he sprang
up, barking Violently. A strange gem
tleman was leisurely drawing near the
pair of friends. Ford rose and stepped
out of his retreat.
al beg pardon for intcrrupting you,
SIR" began the stranger, very pleasant
ly, "but are your father and mother at
home 10 -dayp'
MY father and mother are in Eu-
rope" replied Ford, "but-n
"Ah OH see.' continued the civil
stranger. ~ had forgotten that my
old friends Major and Mrs Pepper had
no children. Is your uncle at homc?"
I'm sorry. SIR replied Ford, 'but
they have both driven to town this
morning, and will not be back till even
ing. BE quiet, Leon' for Leo persisted
in showing his teeth, and making sun
dry impolite noises, not TO say growls,
while he eyed tie polite new conner
very much us if he had been snake.
"A fine dog that" remarked the
stranger, carelessly. "Wcll, since |
am unlucky enough TO miss your uncle,
could see that excellent man he en-
ploys here, Amzi-Amzi-dea me, /
can not just recall his name.' The
strange gentleman had clear, rich
voice. He was, by-the-way, stout,
well-made young man, with dark blue
cravat.
"SoTy again, sir" returned Ford,
"but Amzi and Mira are away, too, un-
til quite late this evening. 1t just hap
pened so. Couldn't take your mes
sage forunclep Leo, be still, / tell your
YOU'RE very kind, my dear boy" "
said the unknown gentleman. looking
at his watch, and backing out from the
summer-house gracefully, "but / won t
trouble you. | should prefer riding
over from my place tomorrow evening.
Please tell your good uncle that Mr..
Alexander Kingbolt--he will remember
my name-called on business. and will
at eight. Good-by." And Mr.. Alex
ander Kingbo!t, whstling sweetly:
"There's one more River to Cross
stepped into n light buggy standing
without the gate. Another gentleman
sat in it, and the two rode away talking
rapidly
The afternoon shadows grew long;
twilight closed in; Ford and Leo sat to-
gether, the boy with his hand upon the
dogs head. Both began to feel some
what lonely-at least Ford did. Why
in the world did not the phaeton come
toiling up the steep mountain road?
Halloa! n white owl iluttered across the
lawn into an acacia.
Ford had long desired to ascertain
that particular owls private address.
He dashed after it, and Leo bore him
company. Up through the dark garden
bird, boy and dog sped. Presently
Ford slipped and fell He uttered cry
when he rose, and found that he could
put his left foot to the ground only with
a pain that sickened him, so severely
had his fall strained it.
Very slowly and painfully Ford
limped into the garden again, his un-
lucky foot feeling more miserable with
each step. All at once he looked
through the trees, and saw lights in the
dining-room of his uncle's house.
Major Pepper and Aunt Helen were
back, doubtless much disturbed to
know where in the world Ford and Leo
had gone, or since what hour of the day.
AS he drew nearer the closed shut
i tiers, he caught the sound of low strange
voices, the faint clink of hammer.
Could it be possible anything was amiss 4?
Ford was frightened. but prudent.
LEO" said he, very softly, but almost
sternly. to the dog, whose ears were on
the alert too, "lie down.
Leo obeyed
Forgetting his painful foot in his
breathless excitement, Ford crept down
along the back of the house. The strange
voices came clearly from within. ''And
we d better be quick about it," some,
body was saying.
| A rnhhery IL sIlrnly Nns Enrl IIlrnnl