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

a
suppose it is Z"
Farmer Granger turned himself in
bed, listened moment, and then, with
the sleepy sigh of one who realizes
that the time for dreaming is over and
work hours are at hand, replied:
alt is old Warner, likely. He's had
time to get over his tantrum. I'll see"
The farmers toilet was not one that
required hours to perfect, and before
Mrs. Granger had concluded that it
was time to be stirring, the brown
trousers and blue frOck of her husband
could have been seen at the farther end
of the big kitchen, while two keen
gray eyes were peering through the
half-open blind.
No red-nosed, haggard-faced old
man met his gaze, but pale-cheeked,
bare footed boy, whose low whistle
kept time as he worked, while the
heap of sticks at his feet gave evidence
that his saw had made quick pace
since sunrise.
"What are you about, boy 7" was
the farmers salutatiOn, as he approach
ed the wood pile.
81 thought, may be, you would give
me some breakfast, if | sawed awhile" ;"
answered the lad, looking up as if to
note how his proposition would be re-
ceived.
"Breakfastl OF course! We never
turn folks away hungry. Where did
you come from 7"
cover east" was the indefinite re-
ply.
"Where did you sleep last night ~
aGTTnA., ha hnShnS Il he road n
piece" the boy answered.
"Well, you're great one should
ut wonder, now, if you'd run away y
half interrOgated the farmer, with Il
pleasant twinkle in his eye. "DO you
mind telling your name 7"
Jap, sir"
Jap, hey 7"
That's what they call me-my real
name is Jasper"
"Who are they-your father and
mother 7"
Il haven't any, sir"
"BrOthers and sisters p
"Not one" was the curt reply.
The farmer looked sharply at the
boy from under his broad -brimmed
hat, as the saw piled to and fro, and
doubtless he would have pushed his
inquiries still farther had not the i'm
patient lowing of Whitley and Doll re-
minded him that it was milking time
''Well, You don't look over and
above strongish. You'd better lei
that wood alone till you get some vict-
uals down"
"I'd rather keep on" was the only
answer; and the work proceeded Will
no interruption till Ethel, the three,
year-old pet of the family, came trOt-
ting around the corner of the house tC
announce in her baby fashion thai
''bekast" was ready.
"Come right in, come right in
You've earned a good meal of victuals,
and Farmer Granger led the way with
his little girl perched upon his shoul
der.
The lad silently took the place as,
signed him, at one end of the table
opposite Ethel and her father, Will,
Mrs. Granger and a happy-faced ole
lady occupied seats on either side.
The first supply of brOiled ham ant
baked potatoes had disappeared from
the boys plate, and the second install
ment was vanishing bit by bit, whel
Mrs. Granger suddenly discOvere'
that he had no butter.
"No ma'am | don't care for it-thi
bread is good enough without butter,
was the reply when the plate was pass
ed
Mrs. Granger received this cOmpli
ment with pleased smile, and an extr
large dOughnut Immediately found it
way to accompany the BUTTERFLIES
bread.
'I'd like to work a while longer t
pay for that breakfast" remarked tn
; boy as he followed the farmer thrOug
$ the woOdhouse. ~ haven't tasted an
+ thing so good for a long time !" an
; the saw was taken up without waitin
!, for permission.
+ "Well, if you've a mind to cut an
5 pile up a spell, you can stay and e
your dinner. We always mean t
. have good victuals and plenty of thel
T here"
Mrs. Granger stopped now and the
/, to look out the buttery window an
; ~ wonder who that boy is, anyhow
a was repeated more than once thu
: morning to grandma, who sat in til
l. little old rocker quietly knitting.
o "NOw, where are you bound for
questioned the FARMER, as Une lau plct
: ed up his bundle after dinner an
seemed ready to take his departure.
II don't know, SIR" he replied, dig
ging his bare toes into the dir
"S'pose I'll stop anywhere l can g
work"
whats the matter with this place
with a twinkle of the gray eye
D. There's wood to cut, and it'll tai
n three or four days at the least calculi
$ ton. III agree to give you enough
y eat and a comfortable bed. Maybe |
3 that time you'll want to run hon
2T again"
The boys eyes flashed; but he s
his lips firmly together and made I
ni answer for a minute. Then he said ::
"'You are very kind, sir. I'll stay
you will let me-"
N "SOlOmon Granger, you are crazy
n exclaimed the nervous little WON,
oil when her husband related the foreg
ing conversation.
or "The idea of having that boy in Il
nd house all night. | shan't sleep a win
is Likely as not he'll kill us all befo
II I morning, and make off with ever
in thing there is here"
''Oh, not l guess he's all right
was the farmers rejoinder; while