The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1899-04-23

watched all these proceedings with
paused every now and then to talk to
| himself. Yes, that's me- he declared
over and over again; "Roby Ransom.
corridor l, room g.
He paid no attention to Buster John
and Sweetest Susan. nor to Drusiila.
who Joined them as the wagon drove in
the gate. and he seemed to have for
gotten the child in the wagon But
Sweetest Susan had not forgotten it.
She stood by the wagon and saw the
nttle one looking at the man with
scared eyes.
The whole affair was very interesting
to the children. The big trees had been
favorite resort for campers in old
times, and the youngsters vaguely re-
numbered seeing strange men sitting
around the fire frying bacon that sent
1orFh very savory odor, but of late
years there had been no campers there.
The campers and wagoners. like most
OF the able-bodied men. had been camp
ing out under the tents of the army Of
sleeping, as Johnny Bapter put it, "un-
der the naked canopies." Therefore
this mysterious man was the first
camper who had kindled a fire in the
spring lot since Buster John, Sweetest
Susan and Drusilla had been of an age
W appreciate the ClrculnSt stance.
Consequently they watched him close
iy, and in comparative silence, their
comments being confined to low whis-
perS. Sweetest Susan's solicitude was
for the child in the wagon. but her
curiosity compelled her to keen sharp
eyes on the man. who went nerv-
ousiy about his business and very awk-
Wardly. too, as even the children could
see. Sweetest Susans solicitude was
rewarded, for, as she leaned against
the frame of the wagon. the child on
the inside reached its soft little hands
out and patted her gently on the arm.
To Sweetest Susan this was more than
carest, and she seized the small hand
and held it against her cheek for a mo-
menf. Then she made bold to ask the
man-she called him M. Ransom at
venture-if she might bring the little
one some supper.
Who told you my name?" the man
asked, with suspicion in his eyes.
L heard you call yourself Robv Ran
SOM replied Sweetest Susan very po-
litely.
We'll. you heard right for once" he
said. supper for the young-un? Toohv (
sure; fetch it. 1 didn't allow I'd take T!
in boarders when 1 started. an I amt !
got any too much vittles for myself" /
So Sweetest Susan and Drusilla went |
child some supper, while Buster John |
Jagged behind and watched the man till /
the bell rang. Meanwhile the grand |
father had told his daughter tthe i
mother of Buster John and Sweetest
Susan) about the child in the wagon,
and that lady was in quite a fume
about it. At first she insisted on going
down and taking the child away from
the man; she was sure there was some /
thing wrong.
There may be-" sad the White
haired Master, but we are not sure |
about 1T. and we might make bad mat .
ters worse. There's plainly something /
wrong about the man; that much is |
certain, but the child may be his. and
1t may be badly spoiled. No il would /
be wrong to interfere with him: I've /
it all over"
IF you'll take my advice remarked
his daughter, you'll make the negroes
tie the man and lock him in the corn
crib until we find out something about
him"
That would hardly be legal" said
the old gentleman.
We'll, / don't think there is much
law in the country at this time the
lady insisted. IF we knew he had stolen
the child, what could you do with
him?''
What you say is very true re-
marked the White-haired Master, ''tru-
er even than you think it is. Stin.
there is no reason why we should be
hasSy and unjust"
AS the lady was convinced against
her will, she remained of the same
opinion still, and that opinion became a
conviction when Sweetest Susan arriv-
I'd and told all she saw and all she
thought. But there was nothing TO be
lone but to give the child one fun meal
f it got no more, and so the lady set
about fixing supper for the unfortunate.
She piled the plate high with biscuits
and ham and chicken, and when the
children We're through supper they
waited impatiently for Drusilla to lin
sh hers. SO they could all go together. /
Sweetest Susan insisted on carrying the
plate herself.
When they arrived at the campers
ire they found the man eating supper
~ himself
Where's the baby?" asked Sweetest r
Susan.
"In the Vaughn replied the man,
,urtly. Il wanted to take the imp out. :,
,ut he wouldn't let me tech him. Git
him out if you can
The child needed no coaxing when