Democratic Northwest and Henry County news. [volume] (Napoleon, O. [Ohio]) 1894-1905, 1897-03-11

when Fred tainted he would lay like one
dead. His face would become ashen pale
oh, no. the man replied, Il only
asked out of politeness, you know,
and he winked one eye. No l came
on business, with your pa--particular.
ly urgent business. 'Spose he's
aroundY
No, sir, he went to town with
mother
Now, that's too bad, exclaimed the
visitor, as he seated himself;'and I've
come all the way to see him. But
perhaps your brother or sister would
do as we'll
4 haven't any sister, said the little
hostess, laughing, and my brothers
over in the back lot He'll be in by
and-by, though if he will do
well, I don't hardly tie Ave he
would after all, said the man shak-
ing his head thoughtfully, and l
can't wait to-day, anyhow; | haint
the time. But I'm terribly hungry.
If could I'd stay to dinner miss;
however, under the circumstances,
you'd better give me lunch before
| goa piece of pie and cup of tea,
and little meat, or something of
that sort
oh, certainly; only I can't give
you any meat, for we haven't it in
the house, said Carrie raising; but l
will find you something And she
brought from the pantry whole apple
pie, which she placed before him with
knife and fork.
IF you please help yourself l
viii. have the tea ready in three min
utes.
'All right, my dear, said the man
seizing the knife and drawing the pie
towards him. | will act upon your
advice. The last time l took dinner
with General Grant, he continued, as
he cut great piece and began to eat;
he said TO me, Governor, Governor
said he, never disregard the advice
Of LADY, and he chuckled merrly
and nodded his head at the delicious
pastry before him.
Carrie wondered little at the ia
BILE manners OF the man who had
dined with Grant, but she stepped
the tea, favored it with rich cream
and sugar, and passed it to him.
'I'm not much of hand for tea,
he said, as he drained the cup, 'but
the doctor says that | must drink 1t
for my digestion. Ruined by diges-
ton in the army, you see, and he
wlnked solemny. BY the way, he
continued, picking up a silver tea
spoon from his saucer, 'havo you any
more of these? They are as neat a
pattern as l ever saw, and odd too. 1
should like to see the rest of the doz-
en-, if you have them
Mother has only seven said Car
rie, in her innocence and she is very
proud of them; but I will show them
to you
Then she brought the little box
with the precious table sllver-seven
teaspoons, four tablespoons and an an
cient cream jug-all pure silver and
shining brightly-and placed them
before her inquisitive visitor to ad-
mire.
He had finished his light lunch.
That is, the pie was demolished and
the teapot emptied. AS the little girl
handed him the treasurers he arose,
took the box to the window, exam
ined its contents with critical eye
for moment, and then in joyful
surprise, said: I'm right! They are
the very spoons; the.very same iden'
tical spoons that my friend lost when
a boy. How lucky it was that l
have found them at last.
With these words and very low
bow the rascal opened the door and
slipped away with the silver, down
the path toward the gate.
For an instant Carrie stood mo.
tionless; then rushing after HIM she
shrieked:
'Give me those spoons. They are
my mothers spoons, and you are try
ing TO steal them. You are a thief,
a thief. Bring them back, bring
them back.
The man, however, paid no at.
tention to the child's cries, but ran
rapidly down the path, carrying the
box in his arms; and the table silver
would have been lost forever, If .
new party had not appeared on the
scene.
Old Dan was quietly nibbling the
grass by the gateway. Hearing his
little mistress voice he looked up at
the very instant the tramp passed.
What he saw about the man that dis
turbed him is not known; but with
his head down, and hoArse 'Baa a-ap