The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1885-07-10

he am going to run off with the
house"
The proffered seat, however, was de-
clined, the boy saying:
"My clothes amt fit. I'd rather
stay round here"
SO Mrs. Granger, with numberless
misgivings, clambered into the high
wagon, tuckiug little Ethel in beside
her, and off they went over the hills to
the town two miles away.
1.et me see," began grandma, when
the last load of neighbors had passed
the gate, ''your names Jasper, amt
it 7"
Jasper, ma'am.'
"Yes. Well, can you read?'
ayes, ma am"
"Well, s'posing you read out loud to
me a SPELL And little old book was
brought from the great chest in the
corner, entitled "Tales of a Grandmoth-
er."
SO the boy read, and grandma, fold
ing her wrinkled hands-hands that
were always busy on other days
leaned back with look of content
ment on her sweet old face, thinking
to herself, GAS if I'd be afeared O. that
boy!'
"You must ha' been to school con-
siderable" was the comment when the
first chapter was ended.
81 never vent was the response.
"Never Who learned you to read,
then p
"Mother."
The boy seemed reluctant to engage
in any conversation, and 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
sudden close by loud rap on the outer
door.
Two men stood on the doorstep, i'll
looking fellows, and very dirty in ap
pearance.
"Can you give us something to eat?'
asked one.
"Sartin, sartin; come right in and
sit down." said the old lady, buslling
off to the pantry. "What do you like
best, apple pie or custard p And soor
a bountiful repast was spread upon the
table, and the good things vanished
without ceremony.
The boy eyed the two sharply, while
grandma, after receiving somewhat
crusty answers to her few kindly ques
ctions, sat placidly rocking. The eye,
of the two men moved searchingIy
about the room. Finally one asked:
"Folks gone to church7"
"La, yes replied the old lady limo
Gently. sour folks never stay at home
for nothin."
The speaker threw quick glance to
ward his companion,and the other nod
ded. Neither movement escaped th,
watchful eyes in the corner.
A moment after the boy left his seat
sauntered across the room and stopped
by the window to look up the road
and then going through the little hal
which led out of the kitchen, he called
from the foot of the stairs:
"Dave! Dave! you asleep up there?
"What do you want?' sounded q
gruff voice from the stairway.
"Come down, can't you, and bring
along Tige and Fritz! Don't go u
sleep again
Grandma heard this in mingled
amazement and alarm. Could the boy
be in league with these two men, an,
another be in waiting up stairs.
AS if in confirmation Of her fears ;
low growl sounded from the room over
head. Then came a sharp yelp, fol
lowed by little whines of impatience
and with a careless "Hurry up, Dave,
the lad walked lesurely back to tn,
kitchen. AS he reached the door
grandma, overwhelmed with conster
nation, made desperate rush for tn
bedroom beyond, locking the door be
hind her.
The men in the meantime neared tn
outer door.
"Got some dogs up there, hav
| ye = one said with a disagreeabl
leer.
"You heard EN-, didn't you7" was tn
careless rejoiner
"Come on Jim,' addressing his com
panion, 1--WE might as well clear GU
games up
"Dont be fool was the reply il
an undertone. "Who's afraid {
pups!"
"Yer dogs amt fierce, be they
youngstera"
"Fritz amt over and above friendl
to strangers" replied the boy coolly
"and if | were you wouldn'tbe 'roun'
here when Tige gets out for run.
Then in louder tone
'Dave, amt you coming Bu
don't let Tige loose till these men ge
away"
AT this the men moved off, cursin
the dogs, and muttering low, wrathfu
|, threats, while the lad, with final g
advise you to put good piece o groun
between you and Tige, closed the door
softly sliding the bolt.
Then going to the room where grand
ma lay crouched upon the bed, scarcel
daring to stir, he called through tn
keyhole:
"They're gone. You can come ou
now"
"rhe dogs T. grasped a faint voic.
"There amt any," he answere
softly. "Open the door and III te
= you"
: The bolt was cautiously withdraw
and the old ladys face appeared, whit
and terrified.
, "Come and sit down." said the bo
5 tenderly. 81 am sorry frightene
yeu so. | was afraid it would, but
couldn't help it,
. 81 won't stir single STEP" sal
grandma, stoutly. "What do you mea
by all thisl You can't fool me! | hear
. the dogs, and the men, too"
Alow,pleasant laugh sounded throug
the room
"Twas only me, grandma. | sa,
those men meant mischief, and l kDe'
something had TO be done pretty quicl
so made believe there was somebod
up there"
"But the doos cried the old lad,