Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1885-07-16
THAT BOY.
How He Ingratiated Himself into Farm
er Granger's Confidence.

D1nu.
No red-noscd or haggard-faccd old
man met his gaze, but q pale-cheeked,
barefooted 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, my boyp" was
the farmers salutation as he neared
the wood-pile.
II thought, maybe, you'd give me
some breakfast if sawed awhile" an
swered the lad, looking up as if to
note how this proposition would be re-
ceivcd.
breakfast! OF course! We never
turn folks away hungry. Where'd you
come fromP"
over east" was the indefinite re-
ply.
'Where'd you sleep last night?n
"Under the bushes, down the road
piece" the boy answered
well, you're a great one! | should
not wonder now, if you'd run away?"
half Intercepted the farmer, with
pleasant twinkle in his eye. ''Do YOU
mind telling your nameP"
Jap, sir"
Jap, hey?"
That's what they all call mc-my
real names Jasper"
WHO are they-your father and
mother?"
IL haven't any, sir.
brothers and sistersp'
mot 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
further had not the impatient lowing of
Whitley and Doll reminded him that it
was milking time.
"Well, you don't look over and above
strongish. You'd better let that wood
alone till you get some victuals down.
I'D rather keep on" was the only
answer; and the work proceeded with
no further interruption till Ethel, the
thrce-years odd pet of the family, came
trotting around the corner of the house,
TO announce i'll her baby fashion that
"b' asst" was ready.
Come right in, come right in.
You've ARMED good meal of victuals;"
and Farmer Granger led the way, with
his little girl perched upon his shoulder.
lac lad silently took the place as
signed him at one end of the square
table opposite Ethel and her father,
while Mrs. Granger and a happyfaced
old lady occupied seats on either side.
The first supply of boiled ham and
baked potatoes had disappeared from
the boys plate, and the second INSTALL
mcnt was vanishing bit by bit, when
Mrs. Granger suddenly discovered that
he had no butter.
mo, ma am; | don't care for it
this bread is good enough without
any was the reply when the plate
was passed.
Mrs. Granger received this compli-
ment with a pleased smile, and an extra
large doughnut Immediately found its
way to accompany the BUTTERFLIES bread.
"l'd like to work awhile longer to
pay for that breakfast" remarked the
boy. as he followed the farmer through
the woodhouse. IL haven't tasted any
thing so good in a long time, and the
saw was taken up without permission.
"Well, if you're mind 10 cut and
pile up a spell, you can stay and get
your dinner. We always mean to have
? good victuals and plenty of 'em
here"
Now, where are you bound for?"
questioned the farmer as the lad
picked up his bundle after dinner and
seemed ready to take his departure.
Il don't know, sir" he replied, dig
ging his bare toes in the dirt. II
s'pose I'll stop anywhere | can get
work.
''What's the matter with this place."
with little twinkle of the gray eyes.
''rhat woods to cut, and it'll take
three or four days, at the least calcu-
lation. I'll agree to give you enough
TO eat and 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 an
swer for minute; then he said:
you are very kind, sir. will stay
il you will let me. :"
Solomon Granger, you're crazylr
exclaimed the nervous little woman,
when her husband related the forego-
ing that boy in the house all night
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; l guess he's all right" wa:
the farmers rejoinder, while a sweet
voice came from over the knitting:
IL never saw boy with such face
that had anything in him but good anC
honest blood. Depend upon it, Lowry,
there amt nothin' wrong about thai
boy"
Two days passed. The lad KEEP
faithfully at his work, saying little and
revealing nothing in regard to himself
The farmer 5 wife, meanwhile, worried
aud fretted, turned a dozen keys al
night. and was surprised when morn.
ing dawned to find everything un-
touched;
What are you going to do about
going to church," she asked, anxious.
~, on Sunday morning. There i
that boy!
There's room enough in the wa.
gon. responded her husband serenely
Il know-but faint bit likely he'll
want to 60. And don't dare TO leav,
him home; there's no telling what he'll
do.
II wouldn't worry about that boy
he amt going to run off with th'
house.
The profi'ercd seat, however, wa;
declined the boy saying:
"My clothes amt fit. I'd rather
stay round here"
SO Mrs. Granger. with numberles,
misgiyngs, clambered into the higl
wagon, tucking little Ethel in besid,
her, aud off they went over the hills &c
the town two miles away.
let me see, began grandma, wher
the last load of neighbors had passed
the gate, your names Jasper, ain
itPn
Jasper, ma'am."
Yes. Well, can you read?''
Eyes. a'am.
well, s'posing you read out loud t
rae a spell. And little old book wa.