The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1885-10-17

signed MIN az one end ot the square
table, opposite Ethel and her father,
while. Mrs. Granger and happy-faced
old lady occupied seats on either side.
The first supply of boiled ham and
baked potatoes had disappeared frcm
the boys plate, and the second install
ment was vanishing bit by bit, when
Mrs. Granger suddenly discovered that
he had no butter.
"No, ma'am; don't care for it--thls
bread is good enough without any," was
! thereby when the plate was passed,
Mrs. Granger received this compliment
with pleased smile, and an extra large
/ doughnut Immediately found its way to
| accompany the BUTTERFLIES bread,
I'D like to work awhile longer to
pay for that breakfast" remarked the
/ boy, as he followed the farmer through
the woodhouse, 81 haven't tasted any,
lthing so good in long time" and the
j saw was taken up without permission.
"Well, if you're mindtp cut and pile
l,up spell, you can stay and get gour
dinner We always mean TO have good
fyiptuais and plenty of 'em here"
"Now, where are you bound forP'
questioned the farmer, as the lad picked
/ up his bundle after dinnop and seemed
FreadY to take his departure,
81 don't know, sir" he replied, dig
ging his bare toes the dirt, 81 s'pose
III stop anywhere can get work"
whats the matter with this placer"
with g little twinkle of the gray eyes,
"That woods TO cpt, and it'll take three
or four days, at the least calculation.
! III agree to give you enough to eat and
q conf table bed, Maybe by that time
you'll want to run home again."
The boys eyes flashed, but he set his
lips firmly together and made no answer
for minute, then he said:
"You are very kind, sir. 1 will stay
if you will let me-"
Solomon Granger your crazy" ex-
claimed the nervous little woman, when
her husband related ths foregoing con-
ye-sation, ''The idea Of having that
boy in the house all night! l shan't
sleep a single wink. Likely as not he'll
kill us all before morning, and make off
with everything there is here"
"Oh, no; guess he's all right" was
the farmers reioinder, while a sweet
voice came from over the knitting:
81 never saw a boy with such face
that had anything in him but good and
honest blood. Depend upon it, Lowry,
there amt nothing wrong about that
boy"
Two days passed. The lad KEPT faith
fully at his work, saying little and re-
vcaling nothing in regard to himself.
The farmers wife, meanwhile, worried
and frattod, turned a dozen keys al
night, and was surprised when morning
dawned to find everything untouched,
"NVhat are you going to do about go.
ing to church," she asked, anxiously
,, on Sunday morning. There's that
boyp
"TherR' room enough in the wagon,
r. responded her husband serenely
'I know--but tain't bit likely he'll
want to go, And don't dare to leave
him home; there's no telling what he'll
do"
, II wouldn't worry about that boy; hi
, amt going to run of with the house"
The prolfered seat, however, was de-
alined, saying:
"My clothes amt ft, I'd rather stay
round here"
, So Mrs. Granger, with numbeTies:
misgivings, clamberel into the higt
wagon, tuckiDg little Eshei beside her
and of they went over the hills to the
town two miles away.
LET me see." began grandma" wher
the last load Of neighbors hal passed tn,
gate, "you're names Jasper, amt it?'
"Jasper, wa'am."
"Yes. Vol, can you read?'
"Yes. ma'am."
'FWei, s'p9slng you real out loud to
me a SPELL" AMI a little, OLD book was
brought from the great chest in the
corner, entitled tales OF Graniinoth-
; nr,'
80 the boy read. ard grandma, folding
her wrinlli6l han ls-rhanls that were
always busy on other days-leanei back
with & look of conteR,ment on her sweet
face, thinking TO herself; AS if I'd be
afeared Of that boyr
'You mus. have been to school con-
Siderable was the comment when the
lirst chapter was ended.
4 never went, was the response.
Never! Who learned you to read,
thenP
Mother
The boy seemed reluctant TO engage
in any conversation, anl FASTENED to
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 a sud-
den close by loud rap on the door.
Two men stood on the doorstep, i'll
looking fellows, and very dirty in ap-
pearance,
Can you give us something to eGt?'
asked one.
'Sartin, sartin; come right in and sit
down. said the old lady, bustling OF to
the pantry. What do you like best,
apple pie or cHstari9' And soon a boun-
titul Tepast was spread upon the table.
and the good things vanished without
ceremony.
The boy eyed the two sharply, while
grandma, while receiving somewhat
crusty. answers 10 her few kindly ques-
tiQps, set piacidly rocking. The eyes of
the two men moved searchingly round