The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1894-12-15
Mono, sir"

"Our dorg, he is dead. explained
the baby, solemnly.
"Well that's a good thing. Will
the old gentleman be in soon?"
Ell = don't know-yes - IL
hope SO. Is there any message you
would like to leave for him."
Before the man could answer the
baby's voice was heard again.
"My faver, he's dorm off,"
"Where's he gone, sonny?"
He's dorm on the tars, SOS my NOV
Grand mysbrover he put EN- on
and he won't be home till I'm asleep
and he's dom to bring me drum
and put it.in my bed"
Oh, how Rose longed to shake the
baby!
"Well then, ladies, since you are
likely to be alone, / think I'll stay
and keep you company, and since
you press me to stay, I will stay to
tea and spend the evening. Don't go
to any extra work though, it looks all
very nice. I am very hungry, so you
may dish up that ham at once, my
dear" This to Florence, who had
shrunk almost into invisibility be-
hind the stovepipe, and who seemed
glued to the spot. "I've usually a
very fair appetite, and I'm sure I 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 toward the stairs, for
she felt that she must let the intrepid
Cassie know, and find out what she
advised.
"Where are you going, my dear?"
asked the tramp, suspiciously. "You
have not got any big cousin or uncle,
or anything of that kind upstairs that
you are going to call to tea, are
your
ooh, 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.
Gin that case be spry, for I'm hun
cry and want you to pour out the tea
for me. I like to have pretty face
opposite me at table"
Rose dragged herself up the mar
row Enclosed stairs into Cassie's
room.
swell, Rose, you must be tuckered
out. You come upstairs as if you
were eighty" said Cassie, looking up
from the shoe she was fastening.
"Why, what ails you? You look as if
you had seen ghost!
ooh, Cassie! there is one of them
down stairs" came in whisper.
"What do you mean, Rose Bost-
wick9 A ghost down stairs9"
'No-no-a tramp"
"Wheww and Cassie gave low
whistle. "And [ s'pose you're
scareds"
"Oh, Cassie, l feel as if l were
choking! Do hurry down; he may
be killing poor little Florence and
the baby-what shall we do7 The
baby told him we are alone"
"The baby ought to be soundly
spanked for that"
"What can we do? Try to think"
Cassie sat swinging the button
hook in her hand thinking very hard
and fast.
"Does he know I'm here?"
"Yes. I've told him."
''Then it would be no use for me to
pretend to be Ned" thinking aloud.
"I'm afraid not"
Another silence dedicated to
thought.
"Rose."
eyes"
"I'm going to be crazy. I'm going
to chase him off the farm"
"Oh, Cassie, you can't He's a
great big, impudent wretch. What
folly to talk about chasing him off
the farmI"
"It's our only chance"
"Don't count on me. l can't help
you. My teeth are chattering with
terror and my legs are doubling up
under me this very minute. could
not help chase fyP
"You can scream, s'posei"
"Oh, yes, can do that
"Well, you do the screaming and
I'll do the chasing. Rush down
stairs and scream and scream-and
bang the door to, and just shrek:
She's out-she's out-she's coming