The Arkansaw traveler., 1885-05-02
Jasper, ma'am." "Yes Well, can you read 2" G U-- fn

l "Yes, ma'am."
 "Weil, s'pos;ne you read out loud to me a spell" And . little old book was brought from the great chest in the cor ncr, entitled l" Tales of Grandmother. 1" i So the boy read, and FssSsEHa, folding her wriAkled hands-hands. that were al- ways busy on other days-leaned back with look of contentment on her sweet old face, thinking to herself, "As if I'd be aSeared O that hoyl"
 "You must ha' been to school consid- eFabie," was the comment when the first chapter was ended.
 "l never went," was the response.
 "Never! Who learned you to read, then ?"
 Msther."
 The boy seemed reluctant to engage in any conversation, and hsstened 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 sud- den close by loud rap on the outer door. Two men stood on the doorstep, ill. looking fellows, and very dirty in appear ance.
 "Cau you give us something to ca, ?" 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 custard p And soon bountiful repast was spread upon the table, and the good things vanished with out ceremony.
 The boy eyed the two sharply, while grandma, after receiving somewhat crusty answers to her few kindly questions, sat placidly rocking. The eyes of the two men moved searchingly about the room. Finally one asked:
 "Folks gone to church 2"
 La, yes," replied the old lady inno- gently. "Our folks never stay at home for nothin'."
 The speaker threw a quick glance to- ward his companion, and the other nodded. Neither movement escaped the 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 hall which led out of the kitchen, he called from the foot of the stairs:
 "Dave! Dave you asleep up theieT'
 "What do you want 7" sounded grufl voice from the stairway.
 "Come down, can't you, and bring along Tige and Fritz Don't go to sleep again"
 Grandma heard this in mingled amsz ;. ment and alarm. Could the boy be in league with these two men, and another be in waiting up stairs.
 As if in confirmation of her fears a low growl sounded from the room overhead Then came sharp yelp, followed oy little whines Of impatience, and with a careless "Hurry up, Dlve," the lad walked leisurely back to the kitchen. As he reached the door, grandma, over whelmed with consternation, made a desperate rush for the bedroom beyond locking the door behind her.
 The men in the meantime neared the outer door.
 "Got some dogs up there, have ye p one said with disagreeable leer.
 "You heard lem. didn't you? ?" was the careless rejoinder.
 "Come on, Jim," addressing his com. Pahion, i've might as well clear our games up."
 "Don't be fool" was the reply in an uudCh -OuCs hO pups
 "Yer dogs aint fierce, be they, young. ster ?'
 "Fri'z ain't over and above friendly to strangers" replied the boy cooly !" and if were you wouldn't be 'round here when Tige gets out for run" Then in a louder tone:
 Dave, ain't you coming? But don, let Tige loose till these men get away"
 At this the men moved of, cursing the dogs, and muttering low, wrathful threats, while the lad, with final ad- wise you to put a good piece O ground between you and Tige," closed the door softly sliding the bolt.
 Then going to the room where grandma lay crouched upon the bed, scarcely dar- jag to stir, he called through the keyhole
 They're gone. You can come out now"
 "The dogs2" gasped faint voice.
 "There ain't any," he answered softly "Open the door and I'll tell you"
 The bolt was cautiously withdrawn, and the old lady's face appeared, white and terrified.
 "Come and sit down." said the boy tenderly. |" am sorry frightened you so. was afraid it would, but couldn't help it"
 "I won't stir a single step" said grand ma, stoutly. "WhAt do you mean by all this? You can't fool me! heard the dogs, and the men, too.
 A low, pleasant laugh sounded through the room.
 "'Twss only me, grandma. l saw those men meant mischief, and knew something had to be done pretty quick ; so made believe there was somebody up there"
 C But the dogs" cried the old lady, be- wildered. "Where are the dogs? r"
 made 'em bAIk-hsteE."
 And then came from the throat of the little ventriloquist such a torrent of growls, whines and yeIps, interspersed with Down, Tige and Be still, Fritz !" that the door was swung open, and grandma leaned against the wall exclairn-