New Ulm weekly review. [volume] (New Ulm, Minn.) 1878-1892, 1891-03-11
AN UGLY CUSTOMER.

11dl per colulHS III from the pasture
where the sheep and lambs we're kept.
"What troubles you now, Fred?"
asked his father, anxiously.
"There's another sheep gone out
of the flock since T looked them up
the first of the week." replied Fred,
as he scrubbed his face vigorously at
the sink.
"Another one gone!' exclaimed
Mrs. Harper. Something must be
catching them. Perhaps a bear from
Potter's mountain has come across
Sucker brook to our ridge"
"We've lost three sheep and a
lamb and Mr.. Elkins has lost his
calf within six weeks" said Fred
excitedly. ''If a bear caught them
think tits strange I can't
find a trace Of the place where
he's taken them. Not a bit of WOOL
or any thing to show where they
were caught and eaten can be found
in that PASTURE
1T does seem STRANGE" assented
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
YETI
Mr.. 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.
He said nothing to his father, or
indeed to any one, of his intention,
but he 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, a
year younger than himself.
"What are you doing 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 to carry
it easily.
"What makes you do that?" asked
she, in astonishment II don't be-
lieve mother would want you to-
II am in hopes to find out who's
stealing our sheep and lambs" said
Fred. 81 mistrust Hank Garcelon,
and if | catch him at it I'll spoil his
appetite for mutton for one while"
"Oh, Fred! May be tits a bear
after all! I'm so 'fraid something'll
happen to you. Can't l go, too?''
entreatingly.
eco. too! [ should smile! Why,
you'd be scared to death before
morning." returned he.
"No | wouldn't either; and you'll
be dreadful lonesome up there all
alone, Fred. Can't I please go2''
coaxed she.
No, indeed, Nellie, couldn't let
YOU" said he decidedly. A'The house
is not more than forty rods off and
all in sight and hearing, and [ can
come down if 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
to the maple, where he ensconeed
himself under the tree and in the
shadow Of a huge pile of cord wood,
hauled there and "yarded'' the win
ter before from higher up on the
ridge, when a new clearing was beling
made. 1t was a bright moonlight
night and he could see his home
almost as plainly as in the daytime.
Nellie went up to her room and
raised the window, $50 as to keep
Fred company she said to herself,
and it seemed nearer to have the
window wide open She had deter
mined to keep watch with him even
if she we're not permitted to Join him.
The sheep came back and settled
down near the dark shadow of the
wood pile where Fred had Gisap-
peared, as if a human companion
were agreeable to them, and all was
quiet.once more.
An hour passed and Nellie found
jherselfnodding and rightly guessed
that FEED, tired with his hard days
work, mast be fast asleep.
Itwasnow halfpast ten o'clock and
she felta strong inclination to retire,
but resisted because Of the feeling
that il rausd be leaving Fred alone
and l., -dngar!
She strained her eyes TO catch
glimpse ofhin in the gloom that sur
rounded the shady side OF that wood
pile.
Suddenly there was a scampering
~, o,,oc tho q no n v,l,iIa t,ho hold