The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1891-11-07
jim.

orah. looking sharply about the kitchen
II wonder if you've been up to any oil
your tricks, Jim?'
Jim gave no answer except toss Of
the head as he slowly walked across the
kitchen, but Deborah's quick ears caught
little chuckle as he went out the door.
"rn give it to you some day, you
young rascal, If you carry away my
thingsl" went on Deborah, shaking her
fist at the little fellow.
"What's the matter, Deborah" asked
her mistress, coming into the kitchen.
"Oh, it's that Jim! He's always up to
mischief. It comes material to that
gypsyish sort to be tricky and sneaky,
and there's no such thing as gettin' 'em
out Of it."
If it's natural to them We ought to
make some allowance for it," said Mrs.
Graham, with smile, as she helped
Deborah to hunt for the missing pepper
pot.
mo use a-harborin' such, seems to
me-" said Deborah.
MAY be so." said Mrs. Graham, "but
none of us somehow seems to have the
heart to drive him away"
II have" said Deborah very decid-
eddy. "Look-a-there nova everlastin'
tease!"
The two watched Jim as with a
roguish twinkle in his small black eyes
he made his way to where old Carlo
was taking his morning nap under the
lilac bush and gave him a sudden poke.
The dog raised his head with growl,
but Jim stood at little distance, with a
grave and innocent look at something
on the ground.
Carlo settled down again, and quick
as lightning Jim gave him another
poke. Up jumped Carlo. with savage
look at his tormentor, but Jim stood in
the same place, half asleep, and Carlo
lay down with long drawn sigh. Jim
kept it up until the poor dog went to
find quieter place.
"rve seen him do that dozen times"
said Deborah laughing, land l know he's
hidden my pepper pot. Why, it amt so
long since read story about one O.
that set-must a been first cousin to
Jim reckon that stole elegant
breastpin, and 1t was laid to a moor
young girl that worked in the family.
She was disgsaced and turned off. and
ever so long after it was found out that
that creeturd been the thief. I've no
use for suchr'
And 90 every member Of the family |
could have declared, but no one would !
be the one to say that Jim must 20, In
the course Of long drive over country
roads through heavy storm the farmer
had found Jim drenched and half
starved. OF course he brought him
home, and after being warmed, fed and
made comfortable the wild eyed, dark
looking little vagabond had wisely set
tied himself in such good quarters, and
had since showed no desire to leave them.
"You can come and help me peel the
peaches now, Marian!' called Mrs. Gra-
ham to her daughter.
Marian came, looking admiringly at
The baskets Of rosy checked, downy fruit
IN the great table, allof which was wait
ing to be made into peach butter.
us that your pearl ring?' asked her
mother.
"Oh-yes. Twas clearing my drawer
md put 1t on to see how pretty it looks
md forgot 1t. I'll take it off,"
The pretty lassie worked for hours
'ver the peaches, pairing, stoning, meas
,ring out sugar, stirring and tasting. At
ength she skipped up to her room to
lress. but soon came running back with :
n anxious face.
my ring. Deborah! left it on the i
orner of the table-back here. Have
'ou seen it?'' ,
1.-THE land, Miss Marian! No, l amt.
And I've just this blessed minute scraped q
p all the peelin's and flung EN- out to !
he pigs" =
With tears in her eyes Marian ran
ut to the lot in which the pigs were 4
ept, and searched eagerly. But the !
runters had made quick work of their
1scious meal, and no ring was to be $
ound. More slowly she went back. and
'oked about the kitchen with a forloru
ope that the ring might have escaped. :
mt Deborah's scraping had been vigor.
US. and she went up stairs again with
'oebegone look.
"Shcs dreadful careless little piece" s
i'd Deborah, looking after her, "always +
leavin' her things round. But amt
goin' to say it to her now she's a-feelin'
} bad" h
=. Err. r, -.-,.. .....-. "