Catoctin clarion., 1898-12-01

answers to the few K,nu., questions, sat
blacidly rocking. The eyes of the men
loved searchingly about the room. Finally
one asked:
"Folks gone to church ?"
La, yes," replied the old lady, limo.
Gently. "Our folks never stay at home
for nothing"
The speaker threw quick glance toward
his companion; the other nodded. Neither
movement escaped the pair of watchful
eyes in the corner.
A moment after the boy left his seat,
sauntered across the room, stopped by the
window to look up the road, and then, GO.
ing through the hall which led out Of the
kitchen, he called from the foot of the
stairs
"Dave Dave you asleep up there?"
"What do you want ?" sounded gruf
,oioe down the stairway.
"Come down, can't you? And bring
s,ong Tige and Fritz. Don't 60 to sleep
.gain."
Grandma heard in mingled amazement
md alarm. Could the boy be in league
9TH these men, and another in waiting up
kairs
As if in confirmation of her fears, low
Towl sounded from the room above Then
same a sharp yelp, followed by little whines
kimpatience and, with a careless Hurry
~, Dave /" the lad walked leisurely back
y the kitchen. As he reached the door,
randma, overwhelmed with CONSERVATION,
made desperate rush for the bedroom be.
Pond, locking the door behind her.
The men in the meantime had neared
As outer door.
SCOT some dogs up there, have YEP"
sAd one, with disagreeable leer.
"You heard 'em, did your" was the
>~eless rejoinder.
"Come on, Jim !" addressing his COM
panion. ''We might as well clear-our
saues up!"
Don't be fool I" was the reply, in an
,ndertone. "Whos afraid O pups !"
Yer dogs amt fierce, be they, young.
ts,?"
Fritz ain't over and above friendly to
es.ngers, replied the boy, coolly, "and if
was you wouldn't be found here when
rxe gets out for rum" Then in louder
suUe.
"Dave, amt you coming? But don't
.As Tige loose till these men get away!"
At this the trampa moved off, cursing
Vie dogs, and muttering low, wrathful
threats, while the lad, with final 81 ad-
disc you to put good piece O road between
you and Tige!" closed the door, softly
Gliding the bolt
Then going to the room where grandma
lay crouched upon tie bed. scarcely daring
70 stir, he called through tie keyhole:
They're gone Yon can come out
now"
The dogs" gasped faint voice.
"There amt any " he answered softly.
nooo tbo dow opd I'll foil vou ~
The bolt was cautiously withdrawn and
the old lady's face appeared, white and
terrified.
"Come and sit down" said the boy, ten.
derly. ~ am sorry frightened you so.
I was afraid it would, but could not hell
"I won't stir STEP" said grandma
stoutly. "What do you mean by this'
You can't fool me l heard the dogs and
the men, too"
low, pleasant laugh sounded through
the room.
"'Twas only me, grandma saw
those men only meant mischief, and l
knew something must be done pretty quick,
so / made believe there was somebody up
there"
"But the dogs !"-cried the old lady,
be~ildered. "Where are the dogs"
~ made them bark-listen
And then came from the throat Of the
little ventriloquist such torrent Of growls,
whines and yelps, interspersed with "Down
Tige!" and "Be still, FRITZ ~ that the
door was swung open, and grandma leaned
against the wall exclaiming:
"Well, never in oil my life II you
don't beat all the boys ever did see and
there supposed you was connivin' with
them critters, and was so soart was just
as weak as rag"
Awhile after this fright at the farm
house, Old Billy, with his load of three
was plodding peacefully over the brow d
the little hill, quarter of mile freu
home, when suddenly Mrs. Granger's voioA
wild with terror, rang out sharply on this
still air.
1.-THE house is afre !" she screamed
And grandma !-oh! Solomon, if grand
ma is killed will never forgive myself
never! Why did we leave that boyP o..
run the horse, Solomon, run the horse "
Nonsense said the easy going far
mer. Nevertheless, he whipped up O!d
Billy, and anxiously scanned the corner d
the roof visible behind the trees whore shs
smoke was ooiling up gray and thick.
n uOZGu OF mOEC WSIl ulGCbCu poAk "
water had done the work, howeverl ~
only wet, smoked timbers and hlsak
ened pile of rubbish met the farmers ~
when he sprang from his wagon are
slighted at the side Of the breathless l.ttS
worker.
The sight of the house and barn ~
touched, and grandma standing in the deS
awe and well, put all fears to flight IN a.
n,,f tlnra fnrv rnISS1
and the boy stood modegtly by while grand
ma dwelt upon the exciting events Of tst
past hour The tramps, it was supposed
were the incendiares but happily try
fire had been discovered in time to preveS
any damage.
The returning loads of church goers
eager to know the cause Of the unusual es
citement, stopped at the farm gate; aE4
the lad suddenly found himself the hero y
the hour
IL told EN- all the bad qualities of Tiss
and Fritz Uncle Georges dogs exclaino
ed the boy, unmindful till the words werS
spoken that tho hearers had never heard "
"Unoe George" before Then with
bright blush he dropped behind one of the
men, and for a time let the talk go on up
needed.
"Where O. doggies ?" persisted Ethel, :
few minutes later, unable to understand
from whence the sound proceeded while
the others laughed and wondered, as the
young ventrioquist tried the powers which
had done such effective service that day.
~ do believe that boys saved my life
Lowly. Depend ont the Lord sent him
and grandma, concluding her story with
long-drawn breath, sat down on the doot
step and was Immediately engaged in AZ
eager talk with old Mrs. Atkins.
1t was many hours before quiet settled
down upon the inmates of the little farm
house but before they settled for tht
night Father Granger and his wife learned
all that was needful to know Of Jaspas
Goodrich's former life.
Tho nrlu ranno., I hnrn,,,A told uor