St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1893-10-12

oN SNNhihB, iouNs' 10 yOui
pa at home ?"
Mo-" faltered Rose, trying to
settle to her own satisfaction wheth-
en- this dirty-looking stranger might
be some new neighbor, who had
come on legitimate business, or
whether he was her one horror-a
tramp.
amy of your big brothers in ?"
with rather a ocular manner.
"N-no, SIR"
"And | don't see any bulldog
loafn round" he added.
Our dord, he is dead" exclaimed
the baby solemnly.
"Well, that's good thing. Will
the old gentleman be in soon?"
IL don't know-yes-I-I-hope
so. Is there any message you would
like to leave for him ?"
Before the man could answer the
baby's voice was again heard.
MY fahver he's dorm orr"
where's he gone, sonny ?"
He's dorm on the tars, SOS my
mohver; and my bid brewer he put
ted YEN on, and he won't be home
til I'm asleep, and he's dom to brin
me drum and put it in my bed"
Job, how Rose longed to shake
the babyD
well, then, ladies, since you are
likely to be alone, think I'll stay
and keep you company; and since
you press me, will take tea and
spend the evening. Don't go to any
extra work for me, though; it looks
very nice. I'm rather hungry, so
you may dish up that ham at once,
my dear"-this to poor Florence,
who had shrunk almost into invisi-
bility behind the stove pipe, and
seemed glued to the spot-"Tve
usually very fair appetite, and I'm
sure will relish it,"
He tossed his hat down beside the
chair which he drew up to the table.
With the light falling full upon his
dirty, insolent face, Rose knew that
her greatest dread was before her.
With her knees almost sinking under
her, she started towards the stairs,
for she felt that she must let the in
trepid Cassie know and find out
what she advised.
Where are you going asked the
tramp, suspiciously. You've not
got any big cousin or uncle or any
thing OF that kind upstairs that you
are going to call to tea, have your
"Oh no, there is no one upstairs
but my poor sister," she managed
to gasp. She could not have told
why she said poor sister" unless it
was from the sense of calamity which
had overtaken them ALL
In that case be spry, for I'm hun
CRY, and want you to pour out my
tea for me. | like to have pretty
face opposite,me at table"
Rose dragged herself up the mar.
row enclosed stairs and into Cassie's
room.
well, Rose, you must be about
tuckered out. You come upstairs a:
if you were eighty" said Cassie
looking up from the shoe she wa,
fastening. why, what ails you
You look as if you had seen q
ghost"
ooh, Cassie, there is one of then
downstairs !" came in a whisper
What do you mean, Rose Bost
wick? A ghost down stairsl"
"No-no-a-tramp."
"Whew" and Cassie gave low
whistle. "And l suppose you're
scared ?"
20, Cassie, feel as if were chok
ing! Do hurry down, he may b.
killing poor little Florence and thu
baby. What shall we do? Thu
baby has told him we are all alone.
THE baby ought to be sound
ly spanked for that"
What eau we do? Try to think.
Cassie sat swinging the button
hook in her hand and thinking
| very HdTu anu last.
Does he know I'm here p
Eyes, I've told him."
"Then it would be no use for m
to pretend to be Ned" thinkin.
aloud.
I'm afraid not"
Another silence dedicated tt
thought.
"Rose?"
Eyes"
Pm going to be crazy. I'm &c
ing to chase him off the farm"
"Oh, Cassie, you can't! He's
great big, impudent wretch. Wha
folly to talk about chasing him O.
the farm"
cts our only chance
Don't count on me. | can't hel
you. My teeth are chattering wit
terror, and my legs are doubling u
under me this very minute.
couldn't help chase fy."
you can scream, s'pose 2"
ooh, yes, l can do that"
"Well, you do the screaming an
I'll do the chasing. Rush dow
stairs and scream and scream, an
bang the door to, and just shrek
She's out-she's out-she's comm
down stairsp And you'll see wha
a perfectly beautiful lunatic l will b.