Democratic Northwest and Henry County news. [volume] (Napoleon, O. [Ohio]) 1894-1905, 1897-03-18

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On till the appearance Of some one from
the house would frighten the strangers
away, when the patriarch in the tree
TOP would send after them a derisive
"whoor- -hoor- -ha-a-ar'
A sad thief was Lijer. Itssemed that
Il there was an honest bone in his black
body it mast be a very small one. 1t
was believed by the Baxters that tho
only things safe from his dishonest bill
were those SO large and heavy that they
were beyond his ability TO lug off. For
metal objects, especially If they wero
bright, he had the greatest liking. Mrs
BaIter's thimblo would disappear, to be
perhaps found in some odd corner or
crevice. Soools of thread were TO be dis
covered pokcd into the bedding, in the
kindlinS box, behind tho wash bench,
out of doors under big chips and good
ness Knows whera else.
Part Of paper Of tacks left carelessly
about one day attracted Lijer's atten-
tion, and be made a number of trips be-
tween it and the bread sponge that Mrs.
Baxter had left on the table all ready
for the oven when neighbor dropped
in. After the departure of the caller the
housewife hastily thrust the bread into
the oven without noticing anything I'M
usual about it. Upon getting tho loaf at
supper she was astouished to find one
end of it plentifully studded with tacks.
Lijer dearly loved to get at a well
filled pincushion, from which he would
extract the pins one by one and thrust
them into some convenient receptacle.
One night alter the prophet, unbcknown
to any one, lad robbed the pincushion
Dolby was Jnsiderably surprised, if
not delighted, to find, upon going to
bed, his pillow carefully bcstuck with
pins.
One winters day old Mr.. Hanson
"sorta drappcd in" as he expressed it,
and was sitting beside tho stove retail
ing tho scanty gossip of the neighbor.
hood, while his dog, faithful Tyler, was
curlcd up before the fire.
Lijer was staggering about looking for
an opportunity for displaying his pecul-
lar talents when live coal popped
out of the CRATE. Like a flash be snap.
ped it up in his hard bill and inserted it
into tho dogs car. Poor Tyler sprang
up with terrible howl and dashed be-
tween the l. IS of his master, who had
just risen to take his departure, nearly
standing the old gentleman on his
head, and sprang out Of the door, collid-
ing with Dolby, who was just bringing
in bucket Of water. The bucket went
flying, half drcnchins the boy, and the
dog scuttled away, yelpins mournfully,
followed by Lijer's triumphant "whoor-
hoor- -hu-a-a!"
But, in spite of all his villainies, Lijer
had one redeeming trait. This was his
fondness for Dolby, whom he loved with
all his rascally little heart. 1t was Dob
by who had fed him when lie was n
helpless gormand and rescued him from
tho rooster aud bound up his broken leg
and nursed him tenderly. 1t was Dolby
who saved him from many unpleasant
usually brought upon himself
by his own rascality, and it was Dolby,
too, who petted him and pranked with
him, and it wes upon Dolby that he Law
ished all the affection that was in him.
He would swagger around after the
boy at his tasks, Investigating every
where, sticking his nose into everything,
often hindering sadly while apparently
intending to be helpful, and all the time
murmuring 20 his master in crow Ian
guage. He scanned to deem nothing too
good for Dolby, and often when the lad
was sitting quietly the crow would hop
up into his lap and pop into pocket or
q fold Of his jacket one of his choicest
steals and then back away as proud as a
peacock when Dolby found and accepted
the gift, usually some small article that
had been missing from the house and
accordingly charged to Lijer, though
perhaps no one had seen him steal it,
And when tired of pranking the crow
liked to hop up on Dohby's shoulder
and mutter and humble liz his ear and
then drop off to sleep with his head
against the boys check.
One September day the Ba-:ters were
thrown into O futter of excitement by
the coming in most unexpected fash
ion Of visitors from the fort. Miss Er.
nestine Rossiter of Chicago had lately
become tho guest Of Colonel and Mrs.
Conklin, and several times the house
hold under the tall cottonwood had seen
the stately beauty ride by, member of
all equestrian party from the post. To-
day her escort was blond mustaohed and
eyeglassed Lieutenant Lemon, just from
West Point, a gentleman Of apparently
Importance i'll his own mind.
How it came about does not matter,
but when little way from the Baxter
homestead the lady's horse stumbled,
giving her painful and mcst ungrace-
full tumble, bruising her somewhat and
giving her dignity sad shock. This
was truly unfortunate, for upon this
particular day she had arrayed herself
with unusual caro- for the purpose Ct
the officer.
That gentleman came gallantly to the
rescue and supported her tenderly to the
house, where Mrs. Baxter, in high state
of flutterment, did her best to admins
ter to tho needs Of her unexpected guest.
Tho lady's shoulder was abraded and
famed aud one OF her hands considerably
bruised. Mrs, Baxter was ready with
linen cloths and homemade liniment,
Dolby thoughtfully brought a pitcher
Of cool water from the spring, and little
Martha rendered what assistance lay
within her power.
Miss Rossiter was almost astonished
when Mrs. Baxter refused payment for
her kindness and seemed halt hurt that
it had been offered These prairie people
were hardly barbarians, after all, the
lady decided, Even the lieutenant, to
yu hotn cha xu hi cporo5 fhis oyrpnd with