The Arkansaw traveler., 1886-01-16
LenGanSett.
BY OPlE p READ.
CHAPTER VI.

There was scarcely a word uttered dur ing the meal. Occasionally the colonel giving himself up to thoughts which ciphered "suns" of perplexity on his brow, would lean back and 6xedly gaze into the featureless face of vacancy. When B.ntly and Len had returned to the library, the colonel said:
 Gansett, were you ever in trouble P
 Oh, have been in situations which don't suppose anyone would envy, but don't know that aside from the sorrow incident upon the death cf some one who was dear to me, that have seen real trouble. can say this: none of my stages have ever been robbed"
 The colonel smiled. The "sums" of perplexity were wiped from bis brow. "l don't know" he replied, but that you are fortunate in not owning stage line The school teacher, the congressman whose home is in country town, and the owner of stage line are not 10 be en- vied."
 "The owner of the stage line has one advantage" said Len. "He can sell out"
 "Oh," the colonel replied with a shrug, he has no advantage over the congress man, for the congressman can sell cut"
 Yes, but the school teacher can't This makes his position the most unen- viable of the three"
 "You arc right, Gansett. There is nothing in store for the country school teacher. Yet the presidents place is no, more important. Heigho hardly know whatto do. Itis almost impossible to catch those robbers. l cant do it alone, aud the officers are not very act i've. I'll have to offer reward. This will stir up the guardian angels of justice. There is in Missouri band of train robbers, and 1 am inclined to the belief that they have opened branch office in this neighborhood,"
 "Aud," Len suggested, "they seem to be doing pretty fair business"
 "Yes, but on borrowed capital. We'll, there is no use in worrying over it. ,GlH. sett, have learned great deal from your grandfather. He IS philosopher, If there ever was one. If that man were to lose enc arm, he would congratulate himself that the other one had been spared. have never met man the contemplation of whose character af- foided me more pleasure and profit. His strong nature is set of by gem of generous forgiveness. There are others who would make If. frown he would make it a smile"
 "Why," said Len, "you are trying to make poem of the dear old man."
 "He is, poem, Gansett; hexameter, for you know he is six feet"
 The evening wore pleasantly away The clock struck eleven. A stick of wood in the Fireplace broke in two, and a cat jumped up with a sneeze of alarm.
 "GAnsett, your room is just across the hall. It Is ready for you at any time You may sit ap all night or go to bed, just as you like"
 "Well, since it is left to me, I'll go to bed. Good night" he added, arising.
 Good night"
 Len arose early the next morning and had gone out into the yard when the colonel joined him and said: "Gansett, the dogs treed something over on the h,ll just before daylight. Don't you hear thsnp Let us go over and it it is coon we'll chop the tree down, hold off the large dogs and have fight, Here Rogsrs." calling negro, "get an axe and bring 1t along. Did you ever see coon ksht Len1"
 "No, sir"
 "rAsn you have been cheated out of rare sport. Come, let us hurry"
 They found the dogs "baIking up" a large oak tree.
 "Git i'm down, ole boys git i'm down, ' exclaimed the negro as he stuck his axe { ints the tree. Sits cider CT little 'possum s ur q 'cooa."
 aWhy little 'possum ?" Len asked.
 "'Cass sr big 'possum ain ap' ter climb sf big tree. Git i'm down, ole boysi < Nss' chep her down, cun12 ?"
 Yss, % ahead. Let's ses. Throw is