Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1888-07-18

consider It But 1 amt naturally so
curious as some people, you know, Mrs.
Jack; and It's only when a thing like
this turns up that i catch fire, as you
might say, and want to sift the matter
to the bottom. But, begin to feel as
you do now-yes, L certainly do wish
We knew somethip' more"
At this stage OF the conversation
the apparition of bare-footed urchIn,
issuing from pasture lot across the
road, caused Mrs. Sharp's eyes to kim
die as with sudden apparitioA.
Theses Tommmy," murmured she
to herself. Then aloud, There's my
Tommy, Mrs. Jack. He's the boy we
need-the very boy for US"
What, howf I don't understand
you, Mrs. Sharpp'
"Why, I mean what l saw and
nothin' more Tommy's the very boy
for US There's not a smarter lad
anywhere about at gettin' at the gist
OF things, If i, his mother, do say it,
Besides" continued she, half in an
aside, "there's a pair OF his shoes that
wants mendin' pretty bad and meant
to have him take 'em TO Rogers yes
terday. So that III Just suit US this
mornin' III call him over right away
Tommy, come over here; mother wants
you at once"
The boy thereupon crossed the road,
and, nodding response to Mrs. Jack s
Good mornin', how are you, Thomasp''
awaited the maternal commands.
"Temmy, go into the back Kitchen"
said Mrs. sharp, land in the lower
closet on the right hand side, next the
glue pot, you'u find them shoes of
yours that need mendin'. Get EN- and
take 'em Immediately TO Rogers. You
remember told you to take elm yes
terday. But, Tommy" she added,
sweetening and subduing her tone of
voice, "while you are up there try and
find out what you can, IN a nice, polite
way, about the housekeeper Roger is
goin' to get, You're the boy to pick
up news if there's any around worth
hearin', though 1 bein' your mother do
say 1t. However," here she spoke less
softly. ''yOu ought TO feel ashamed of
yourself for not speakIn' to Mrs. Jack
Just now. He's not feelin' so well as
usual, l guess, Mrs. Jack" she re-
marked apologetIcally; land that's the
cause of his dumbness.
Tommy, meanwhile, entered the
open front door ami vanished to do her
bidding; then seeing her friend move
nervously, she was prepared to hear the
presently forthcoming, ''Well, L b'lieve
l must pass on. I've a good deal to
look after this mornin'. hope your
Tommy will find out somethin' more,
Mrs. Sharp. III call around again
before long"
do" replied her neighbor, sand
you may depend upon it, Mrs. Jack,
Tommy will get hold of something. He
always sees more than he's told To see;
he has never failed yet TO my knowl-
edge, If do say It.''
"Well, good-mornin'."
''Good-mornin'."
And, while Mrs. Jack tripped down
to the curve OF the street and disap-
peared around It, Mrs. Sharp walked up
the garden path between the roses, to
her door. intent on arriving at the rear
OF the house, to discover whether her
son had yet set forth upon his errand.
But, Tommy. ever willing and ready
to undertake an enterprise involving
the exercise OF his detective powers,
whereof be was not 4 little proud. was
already advanced upon his way when
his mother entered her kitchen.
The meeting house clock struck
eleven as he ran up the three wooden
steps leading to Rogers door, which,
when he pushed II open, made a little
bell utter a snappish tInkle, useful in
apprising the cobbler OF the arrival of
customers. Lifting his gaze from the
boot he was toeing upon a bench at the
rear end OF the shop, the said cobbler
frowned savagely at Tommy, albeit
there followed q comical twinkle of his
gray eyes.
''Good-day, Mr.. Roger" spoke the
boy, "I've brought you these shoes
of mine to get mended. When can
you do 'em for meI''
Not right of, that's certain, I've
got too much else on hand more i'm
portant. They'll have to wait awhile.
1t won't make any difference IL you
don't get 'em right away. will it?"
"Oh, no, SIR" returned Tommy,
meekly, l can wait"
Then he ventured to ask:
''Goin' to make a pair of boots for
anybody, Mr.. Rogerp"
"well, don't know as It's your
business il am; but l amt, though. :"
''Oh, no, sir, none of my business.
But when can you fix the shoes; to-
morrow, or next day, Mr.. Rogerp"
mo, 1 can't; won't be here"
Roeer?" Tommy found the courage to
inquire.
.Well, you are a meddlesome young
sterl Yes, am goin' away from home,
rs you've got the brass to ask me the
question"
Tommy dropped his eyes to hide
their sparkle, and began to examine the
seams in the floor attentively. The
mountain appeared to be coming to
him instead of his going to the noun
tain. But, at length, he dared again
to speak, saying: 'Do you mind tellin'
me when, Mr.. Roger?"
"I'm goin' in the twelve forty-live
train from Three FORCES station, :"
roared Roger, ''if the Lord let's me
live that long; and now you'd better
be attendin' to your own affairs-do
you hearp"
Yes, sir, " Tommy answered, flush
ing with mingled fear and joy, as he
swallowed this choice morsel; for now
he should be able to reap a full harvest
of praise without having had to ex-
pend a modicum OF his native tact.
So thinking, he laid his shoes down
upon the rough, dirty board counter.
and then moved towards the door.
swell. when shall L call in again,
Mr.. Rogerp" he inquired, most sub
missively.
ION a Thursdsy-wait-let me see.
Yes, come on a Thursday. I'm to be
gone a couple OF days. Come on a
Thursday; and of with you'll"
No longer did Tommy linger; but,
opening the door, out he rushed,
scarcely hearing its suappish tinkle as
he jumped at one bound to the side
walk, and began running towards
home.
AS for Roger, at precisely twelve
O'Clock he stopped work. arose from
his bench, went to a shelf in the corner
of the shop, whereover were strewn bits
of wax-end and strips of leather, Sc
lected therefrom a long, NARROW throng,
which might do future service a,
strap or collar, and which he slipped
into his pants pocket Then. having
washed his hands, changed his coat,
ana put on his hat, he walked TO the
l.. E., dOyEn