Idaho news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1887-1891, 1890-02-22
AN UGLY CUSTOMER.

4
What troubles you now, Fred?'
asked his father, anxiously.
There's another sheep gone on
of the flock since | looked them III
the first of the week." replied Fred
as he scrubbed his face vigorously a
the sink.
another one gonel' exclaimed
Mrs. Harper. Something must b,
catching them. Perhaps bear from
Potter's mountain has come across
Sucker brook to our ridge"
We've lost three sheep and q
lamb and Mr.. Elkins has lost his
calf within six weeks" said Fred
excitedly. IF a hear caught them
l think it's strange l can't
find a trace of the place where
he's taken them. Not bit of WOOL
or any thing to show where they
were caught and eaten can be found
in that pasture"
1T does seem strange asssnted
his father. as he raised himself on his
elbow and looked out of the window.
you'll have to do the best you can,
Fred; can not be much help to you
yet"
MIR. Harper was just recovering
from a severe illness and was still
too feeble to worry much about the
farm work.
About the disappearance of the
sheep Fred had his own opinion
which he was determined to verify
that very night, if possible.
lie said nothing to his father, or
indeed to any one, of his intention.
but ne was resolved to watch in the
midst OF that flock of sheep every
night until he had satisfied himself
the sheep were taken in the daytime.
Then it would be time to make turth.
er Investigations.
That evening. as the plucky boy of
fifteen was leaving the shed with an
axe on his shoulder and an old robe
to spread on the ground under him.
he encountered his sister Nellie,
year younger than himself.
What are youdoing Fred?" asked
she.
I'm going to camp up on the
ridge by that big, lone maple, where
the sheep come at night" replied
Fred, as he put down the axe and be-
gan to roll up his robe so as tocarry
it easily.
what makes you do that" asked
she, in establishment. II don't be-
lieve mother would want you to"
81 am in hopes to find out who's
stealing our sheep and lambs, said
Fred. II mistrust Hank Garcelon.
and if | catch him at it I'll spoil his
for mutton for one while"
''Oh, Fred! May be it's a bear
after all! I'm SO 'fraid something1l
happen to you. Can't l go, too?"
entreatingly.
go. too! / should smiIel Why,
you'd be scarce to death before
returned he.
No | wouldn't either; and you'll |
be dreadful lonesome up there OK |
alone, Fred. Can't l please go?" (
coaxed she.
mo, indeed, Nellie, | couldn't let
you" said he decidedly. "The house
is not more than forty rods off and
all III sight and hearing, and / can
come down ifI get very sick of it.
Don't tell mother, she'd worry so;
but you see we must save the sheep
TO pay the doctors bill. "
He again shouldered his axe and
marched off down the road to the
pasture bars and up the steep ledge
% the maple, where he ensconced
himself under the tree and in che
shadow of n huge pile OF cord wood,
hauled there and "yarded" the win
er before from higher up on the
'id%e, when new clearing was beIine
made. 1t was q bright moonlight
light and he could see his home
almost as plainly as in the daytime.
Nellie went up to hef room and
aised the window, $50 as to keep
fred company" she said to herself,
md it seemed nearer to have the
window wide open. She had deter
mined to keep watch with him even
she were not permitted to join MIN. |
The sheep came back and settled !
own near the dark SHADOW of the !
rood pile where Fred had disap-
'eared, as if a human companion
'ere agreeable to them, and all was /
uiet once more.
An hour passed and Nellie found
erself nodding and rightly guessed i
hat Fred, tired with his hard days /
vork, must be fast asleep.
Itwasno halfpast ten o'clock and
inclination to retire, q
ut resisted because of the feeling n
hat it would be leaving Fred alone 3
nd in dangerl G
She strained her eyes to catch n
limpse of him in the gloom thatsur- Q
bundled the shady side Of that wood {
lie. h
Suddenly there was scampering .
mong the sheep, and while she held Ii
srbreath and chung to the window {
her excitement there was fright A