Catoctin clarion., 1898-12-01
TAURM0KT, Frederick County, Maryland Thursday December 1898.

Whitley and Doll reminded him that 1t was
milking time.
swell, you don't look over and above
strongish. You'd better let that wood alone
till you get some victuals down"
"I'd rather keep Oh" was the only an.
swsr; and the work proceeded with no in
terruption till Ethel, the three-year old pet
Of tho family, came trotting around the
,orner of the house to announce in her baby
fashion that "bekast was ready.
"Come right in, como right in. You've
armed . good meal Of victuals;" and
Farmer Granger led the way, with his little
vin perched upon bis shoulder.
The lad silently took the place assigned
him, at one end Of the table, opposite Ethel
and her father, while Mrs Granger and
happy faced old lady occupied seats on
either side.
The first supply Of broiled ham and baked
potatoes had disappcard from the boys
plate, and the second installment was van
shing bit by bit. when Mrs Granger sud-
denly discovered that he had no butter.
mo, ma'am; don't care for it-this
bread is good enough without BUTTER" was
the reply when the plate was passed
Mrs. Granger received this compliment
with a pleased smile, and an extra large
doughnut Immediately found its way to
accompany the BUTTERFLIES bread.
I'D like tn work while longer to pay
for that breakfast" remarked the boy as he
followed the farmer through the wood
house. ~ haven't tasted anything SO good
for long time !" and tho saw was taken
up without waiting for permission.
well, if you've a mind to cut and pile
up spell, you can stay and get your din.
ner. We always mean to have good vic.
uals and plenty Of them here"
Mrs Granger stopped now and then to
look ont of the buttery window and ~
Wonder who that boy is anyhow" was re-
peated more than once that morning to
.1andma. who sat in the little old rocker
,uietly knitting.
NOW, where are you bound for ?"ques-
aoned tho farmer. as the lad picked up his
,lndle after dinner and seemed ready to
sske his departure.
II don't know, sir" he replied, digging
ais bare toes into the dirt. ~ s'pose III
cop anywhere can get work."
Whats the matter with this place ?"
with twinkle Of the gray eyes. THAT
GOODS to cut, and it'll take three or four
,ays at the least calculation. I'll agree to
give you enough to eat and a comfortable
oed. Maybe by that time you will want
~ run home again"
The boys eyes flashed but he set his
fps firmly together and made no answer for
minute Then he snid:
You are very kind, sir. III stay if you
sill let me-"
Solomon Granger, you are crazy ex-
.,aimed the nervous little woman when her
husband related the foregoing conversation
The idea Of having that boy in the house
Ill night shant sleep wink. Likely as
rot he'll kill us all before morning, and
make of with everything there is here"
"Oh, no! guess he's all right" was the
farmers rejoinder; while sweet voice
came from over the knitting:
II never saw boy with such q face that
had anything in him but good honest blood
Depend ont, Lowly, there amt nothn'
wrong about the boy"
But Suspicious Mrs. Granger locked her
pantry door that night her china closet, the
spare front room, the trunk in the attic that
held her best linen, and lastly the door OF
her grandma's room-the old lady protest.
ing. II amt mite afraid, Lowly," having
po sffeot on her.
Well, Pm thankful we're all here, was
the good woman's ejaculation, as she un-
oolted her bedroom door after a night Of
uneasy dreams. 90 didn't know what that
boy might do. 1t Adgets me to death to
have him round. do wish you would find
out who he is, Solomon"
"He don't seem inclined to tell, and l
don't want 10 be too inquisitive, wife. 1t
will come out sooner or later"
Two days passed. The lad kept faith.
fully at his work, saying little and revealing
oothng In regard to himself. The farmers
wife, meanwhile, worried and fretted,
saned dozen keys at night, and was sur.
prtsed when morning dawned to find every
thing untouched.
"What are you going to do about going
to church ?" she asked anxiously, on Sun.
day morning "Theres that boy"
"There's room enough in the wagon"
responded the husband, serenely.
II know-but faint bit likely he'll
want to CO. And don't dare to leave him
home There's no telling what he'll do"
81 wouldn't worry about that boy. He
amt going off with the house"
"Well, / shall lock up every thing, and
take Ethel, too. We can come home al
coon if she gets tired He's been here just
long enough to find out where keep my
oliver and all And there's grandma-it
amt safe to leave her alone with him
"Law, me, Lowly that boy amt goin'
70 hurt me " and the old lady laughed a
low, incredulous laugh.
% amt so sure about it," said Mrs Gran.
gsr, nodding mysteriously. "1f anything
Ihould happen should never forgive my.
.sf. wish he'd go with us, husband"
The proffered seat, however, was de.
a,ined, the boy saying:
MY clothes amt fit. I'd rather stay
sonld here"
So Mrs Granger with numberless mis-.
g4,ings, clambered into the high wagon,
kseked little Ethel in beside ber, and of
hey went over the hills, to the town two
Aales away.
LET me see," began grandma, when
ns last load of neighbors had passed the
sate, "your names jasper, amt it ="
Jasper ma'am."
"Yes Well, Jasper, can you read ?"
Yes, ma am"
"Well, sposin' you read out loud to me q
spsll, and little old book was brought
out from the great chest in the corner, en-.
daled Tales of Grandmother.
So the boy read ; and grandma, folding
80 wrinkled hands-hands that were al.
Ways busy on other days-leaned back
9TH look of contentment on her sweet
~ face, thinking to herself, AS if I'd be
scared o that boy
"You must ha' h"en to school considera-
H." was the comment when the first chap
"a was ended.
"I never went," was the response.
"Neverl wholearnedyou to read. then?"
Mother"
"And she's dead, you say?"
"Yes, ma'am."
The boy seemed reluctant to engage in
Nv conversation, and hastened to begin
tks second chapter. Some time passed,
IN at length, the one auditor falling
Asleep, the story was continued in silence.
0randma's nap was brought to sudden
desc by rap ON the outer door.