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

And there sposed you was connivin'
with them critters, and was so scarf /
was Just as weak as rag"
A while after this fright at the farm
house, old Billy, with his load of three,
was plodding along peacefully over the
brow of the little hill quarter of a
mile from home, when suddenly Mrs.
Changers voice, wild with terror rang
out sharply on the still air:
"The house is a-fire!" she screamed
"And grandma !--oh, Solomon, if
grandma's killed III never forgive my
self, never. Why did we leave that
boy! Oh, run the horse, Solomon, run
the horse !"
"Nonsense," said the easy going
farmer. Nevertheless, he whipped up
old Billy, and anxiously scanned the
corner of the roof that was just visible
behind the trees where the smoke was
curling up gray and thick.
A dozen or more pals of water had
done their work, however, and only
wet, soaked timbers and blackened
pile of rubbish met the farmers eye
when he sprang from his wagon and
alighted at the side of the breathless
little worker.
The sight of the house and barn un-
harmed and grandma standing in the
doorway, alive and well, put all fears
to flight in an instant. But there was
a story to relate, and the boy stood
modestly by while grandma dwelt upon
the exciting events of the last hour.
The tramps, it is supposed, were the
incendiaries, but, happily the fire had
been discovered in time to prevent any
damage.
The returning loads of church goers,
eager 20 know the cause of the unusual
stir, stopped at the farm gate, and the
lad suddenly found himself the hero OF
the hour.
Il told 'em all the bad qualities Of
Tige and Fritz, Uncle Georges dogsl'
exclaimed the boy, unmindful until the
words were spoken that his hearers had
never heard of "Uncle George before
Then, with bright blush, he dropped
behind one of the men, and let the talk
90 on unheeded.
II do belive that boy saved my life
Lowry. Depend ont, the Lord sent
him."
And grandma, concluding her story
with long drawn breath, sat down
on the doorstep and was Immediately
engaged in an eager talk with Mrs
Atkins
1t was many hours before quiet ses
tied down upon the inmates of the farm
house but before they settled for the
night Farmer Granger and his wife
learned all that was needful to know
of Jasper Goodrck's former life.
"The only reason haven't told you,
said the boy IN reply to the farmers
question, sis because l was afraid you'(
send me back. 1t might as well COM
out thought have run away, but II
never go back to Uncle George's-Il
die first!'
1t was a short story. Until he wa
seven years old he knew only happ.
life. Then, his fathers health failing
and a sea voyage being determined up
on, his father and mother sailed fol-
France, leaving him in the care of tn,
village minister and his wife. In si'
months came the news of his father
death, and some weeks later his moth
er, too, died, and was buried in for
eign land. The boy remained with hi
friends few months only. Upon tn,
minister's removal to another town, h,
was taken possession of by half broth
er of his fathers, a rascally man, whit
had no love or kind feeling for hi
nephew. Here he was shamefully treat
ed until he could endure it no longer
and after six years of abuse and tor
ment he determined to seek a hom
among strangers.
81 wanted to stay" the boy conclud
cd, "but | didn't dare to tell you, fo
fear that you would send me bac'
-"
"Never, my boy" interrupted tn
farmer, earnestly. "You can stay wit
us until you find better home, an
we will do all we can for you"
"Well," said Mrs. Granger, as sh
laid down that night, "the idea of mis-
trusting that boy! declare, it make
me feel mean to think of it,
Early the next morning the farme
harnessed old Billy, and, dressed in hi
Sunday-best clothes, took the east roa
over the mountain. lie returned lat
in the afternoon.
The announcement at the tea tabl
was startling to at least the one hcal
er.
81 have seen you uncle, Jasper
The boys face paled, but the farm
er's next words were reassuring.
"He was inclped at first to be Ii
tie ugly, but after l had my say out b
cooled down a trihe, and fancy h
won't give you any further troubl
You can just stay here as long as 20
please
81 knew there wasn't nothin' wron
about that boy" said grandma, with
triumphant nod toward the radiar
Jasper. "Depend upon it Lowry, ii
Lord sent him."