Idaho news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1887-1891, 1888-07-28
THE Invisible Guest.

of wooden crutches leaning against the
window sill where he was lying.
1t was a warm day and a party Of
happy school-fellows were on their
way 10 the river for row. There was
Ned johnson Will Fairfax and True
Stevens; and so full of nonsense and
fun were they that none of them no
ticed the wistful gaze of poor little
Perry Evans as he followed them with
his brown eyes only, while they went
laughing down the lane
Besides being lame. Perry was lone
"; for he had no brothers and sisters,
and his mother had 10 go out to work.
So he found the Summer days long and
wearisome. Fortunately he had some
talent for making little toys and tribes,
which was an occupation, but often he
was not well enough to work; and TO-
day he was mourning the loss of his
only tool of importance. an old knife,
which had been SO often sharpened
that it had at last snapped in two.
Perhaps this was why his ewes were
so quick to detect something shining in
the road-s0mething that True Stevens
had pulled out of his pocket with his
handkerchief, as he went laughing
along in his careless fashion, and had
left it lying there. TO be crunched by
the first cart-wheel that passed.
Perry reached for his crutches and
hobbled out 10 where this shining OBJ
jeet lay; and his heart gave bound of
delight as he picked up brand new
knife with big and little blades.
What a beautyp' he said TO himself
as he turned it over and over, and
forthwith drew from b pocket piece
of wood, at which he had been inef-
fe ctually hacking. The knife cut the
pine wood as if it had been cheese. and
in less than no time Perry had the
hulk of a small schooner on the bench
beside him.
The morning was gone before he
knew it, and tile bench was full of
chips, while feet of little boats stood
in trim array on the window sill by the
time Perry remembered that his dinner
must be eaten.
He thought he was alone as he un-
covered the plate of cold meat and
bread which his mother had left for
him, and so would any one else have
thought had that person looked in the
neat and tidy place which was parlor,
bedroom and kitchen all in one; but all
the same. he was not alone Unknown
TO Perry. a strange guest was sitting
bes de him, and one who comes unbid-
den TO many a feast where wine sparkles
and fruit and flowers blush and glow.
Singular that he should take poor
,s.s.. FAF hnuA M han n nan
have kings and emperors for the choos-
ing.
But here he was, close beside Perry,
whispering in the child's ear; and this
was what he said:
That knife is yours. 1t is just
what YOU need. 1t might have been
twisted into uselessness or rusted and
| broken before any one saw it. had you
| not been at the window. II was just a
| chance that made you aware who
/ dropped it; and that careless boy can
| buy as many as he wants, while you
suffer in need of one. How foolish you
| are to think tor a moment of return
I ing itl Take my advice; keep it Say
! nothing TO any body about it, and no
/ one will he the wiser
Perry pushed his plate away. saying
/ to himself. I'm not bit hungry;
guess I've worked TO hard.
! just then small brown wren be.
| gan twittering on the maple tree, and
/ sweet scent of honeysuckle was watt
/ ed in from the vine outside. Perry
loved birds and flowers more than most
boys perhaps because he had observed
them more closely; but to-day the bur
den of the wren's song seemed to be-
Don't, don't do it You know why.
You know why"
The tired little fellow curled himself
MP on his bed and went to sleep. The
strange, invisible dinner guest went
away. The wren few to her nest
Late in the afternoon. Ned and Will
and True, who had not only rowed
but SWAN and fished for hours ON the
river. were sauntering home in tbs
tired, listless way that boys fall into
when their days sport is over. wher
they heard some one hallooing tC
them.
who's that?'' said Ned. shifting
the oar he was carrying from on'
shoulder TO the other.
sOnly one of those little pests o
Mickletown. answered Will Come
on, BOYS. Don't notice him. Lool
out for your fish. True, or before yo'
know it the scamp will cut you
string"
just as he spoke, there, sure enough
stood little chap with a knife in hi
hand.
True turned. and would have strucl
him had he not seen that the child wa
lame. AS it was. he said GROSSLY
BE of with you, and let my fist
alonerN
Il don't want your fish," was tn
reply, IN quiet hurt voice. Il onll
want to give you knife you droppe,
this morning. and 10 tell you used it :
What business had you 10 do thate'
began True; but his tone suddenl,
changed. II beg your pardon" sal,
he. How did you know the knife wa
minep" And he rummaged his pocket
for penny. which. not finding, h
drew forth instead lump of putty
Here" said he "Don't you wan
this?m
NO" said Perry; but his eye
.,a,,,,A o., ,,nnA,saIiot his word