Elmore bulletin. [volume] (Rocky Bar, Idaho) 1889-1906, 1893-12-16

I've lost my pepper pot" said Deb
orah. looking sharply about the kitchen.
II wonder IL you've been up to any Of
your tricks, JimY
Jim gave no answer except toss OF
the head as he slowly walked across the
kitchen, but Deborah's quick ears caught
n little chuckle as he went out the door.
"IIl give IL to you some day, you
young rascal. IL you carry away my
things!" went on Deborah. shaking her
fist at the little fellow.
Whats the matter, Deborahy' assed
her mistress. coming into the kitchen.
"Oh, it's that Jiini He's always up to
mischief. 1t comes material TO that
gypsyish sort to be tricky and snealxy,
and there's no such thing as gettin' 'cm
out of it,"
'lf it's natural to them we ought to
make some allowance for it," said Mrs.
| Graham, with 8 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
4 uOhC Va Ab nOIlltuUW hEttIH I'd nAN6 t1G
heart to drive him away"
II have" said Deborah very decid-
edly. "Look-a-there nova everlastin'
| tease!"
The two watched Jim as with a
roguish twinkle in has 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 grewl,
but Jim stood at little distance, with n
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 a savage
look at his tormentor, but Jim stood in
the same place, half asleep. and Carlo
lay down with long drawn sigh Jim
kept 1t up until the poor dog went to
find quieter place,
.Tve seen him do that dozen times"
said Deborah laughing, land know he's
hidden my pepper pot. Why, it amt so
long since | read a story about one o.
that set-must a. been first cousin to
Jim l reckon - that stole a elegant
breastpin, and it was laid to a poor
young girl that worked in the family.
She was disgraced and turned off. and
ever so long after 1t was found out that
that creetur'd been the thief. I've no
use for suchl''
And SO 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 q 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, MarianF' called Mira Gra-
ham to her daughter.
Marian came, looking admiringly at
the baskets of rosy checked, downy fruit
on the great table. all of which was wait
ing TO be made into peach butter.
"Is that your psarl ringT asked her
mother.
"oh-yes. was clearing my drawer
and put it on to see how pretty II looks
and forgot it. III take it off,
The pretty lassie worked for hours
over the peaches, pairing. stoning. meas
uring out sugar. stirring and tasting. AT
length she skipped mp to her room to
dress, but soon came running back with
an anxious face.
MY ring, Deborahl left it on the
corner of the table-back here. Have
you sean it.'
THE land. Miss Mariani No, amt.
And I've just this blessed minute scraped
up all tho peelin's and flung 'em out to
the pigs"
With tears in her eyes Marian ran
out to the lot in which the pigs were
kept, and searched eagerly. But the
grunters had made quick work Of Their
luscious meal, and no ring was TO be
found. More slowly she went back. and
looked about tho kitchen with forlorr
hone that tho ring might have escaped
But Deborah's scrapiug had been vigor
ous. and she went up stairs again with
woebegone look.
1
said Deborah, looking after her, "alwayi
a-leavin' her things round. But l aim
a-goin' to say it to her now she's a-feelin
so bad"
"Ha, ha--you thievin' rascal rv'
caught you at last, amt II
Mrs. Graham and Marian hurried on
at sound Of Deborah's excited voice z
see Jim struggling in her grasp. ID
+, was uttering shors, angry cries and do
ing his best TO free himself.
: al was just O. washin' my dishes, " erie
Deborah, '.when this limb comes a-peek
In and a-pryin' round. l nistrusted b
was up to somethin', an KEEP my ey
! On him and seen him pick mp sne O m;
teaspoons and sneak of with It. ! tool
after him, and just got hold o him righ
!. here--see2 He was just a-slippin' tha
!; spoon into that hole fer to hide itf'
: Mrs. Graham looked curiously 81 "a