The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1895-06-15

garded as an overgrown child with
bent back and stiff legs, than with
any little boy of his own age.
Jane Grove would stand on the
doorstep and smile as she watched
her father and his little grandson set
out for walk hand in hand, perfect
ly happy and content together.
"They're more like a pair O lovers,
them two, than anything elsel Fa-
theirs like wrapped up in that lad,
and don't think O. me exceptin' to eat
the vittles 1 cook and set afore i'm;
nor little Peter, e don't think O. me
neither so long as e can ave is gran
dadl They're both of 'em civil to
me, and that's about all they are,
they're SO took up with each other"
When little Peter had stuck to his
grandfather like his shadow for five
years, he began to be aware that his
beloved con panion could not see
very far, and was shaky on his legs,
got tired before they were half across
the common, had habit of falling
asleep in the midst of the most inter-
esting conversation about rocks and
water rats, and was growing deaf, so
that he had to speak loud to make
him hear. These things grieved little
Peter, and as he could not see the
necessity for them he asked his
grandfather what he did them for.
"Grandad," he said, as he walked
slowly by his side, having hold of his
hand, "grandad, why don't you run
as quick as me?"
The old man smiled delightedly at
a question that seemed to him to dis
play little Peters immense intellect
ual powers.
cts seventy years too late, my lit
tie lad, for grandfather to go running
about like little dog at fair"
But grandfather, you know deal
more than me; you ought to know
how to run ever so fast, and climb
the bank and gather blackberries
same as me-"
SAY, so did when 1 was your age,
but blackberries were bigger then
than what they are now. They were
worth climbing for seventy years ago,
1 can tell you'll Butt am an old man
now, Peter" and 'Lijah looked down
on the child's upturned face that was
fresh and clear as flower.
Little Peter walked on few PAGES
in thoughtful silence. But, grand
father, what makes you such an old,
old MANI" And 'Lijah laughed with
delight at the question. Oh, Peter
was rare deep little chap, he'd get
to the bottom of everything if he
could.
"It's nothing but Anna Dominoes,
that's the matter wi me, little Peter,
and nothin' else" and the child stored
up the mysterious words in his tena-
cious memory.
Not long afterward Old 'Lijah, who
had grown neighborly again now that
he was happy, went one evening, &C
companied by his grandson, to spend
an hour with his old friend, Farmer
Blewitt. The two old men were seated
in armchairs at each side of the table.
Little Peter was lying on the hearth
playing with young spaniel puppy,
in whose delightful society he was
wholly absorbed, till he heard Farm
er Blewitt say:
Lets have a game O. dominoes,
'Lijah; it's many day since you and
me played together"
Little Peter sat up.
81 don't mind if l do play game"
said his grandfather.
Little Peter rose to his feet, pushed
the frivolous and seductive puppy
aside as being likely to interfere with
serious business, and modestly, but
firmly approached the table where
the old men were beginning their
game. He laid his hand on his
grandfather's arm, but he did not
feel it at first, SO he pressed harder.
''Hallo little chap, what's upi"
"Don't touch none O. them domi-
noes, grandfather Don't touch EN-"
said little Peter urgently.
"Whatever's to do with you, Peteri
You're onreasonablep said 'Lijah,
with as near an approach to asperity
as was possible towards his little
grandson.
But Peter was not to be daunted.
Grandfather, don't you remember
that day when l asked what made
you such an old, old man, you said it
was Anna Dominoes as did it alli
Don't touch 'em, grandfather, don't
touch one of 'em!" and Peters young
face was full of anxiety.