Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1899-11-30

kindred spirit. The press of business
and the weight of thought, but they
alone, may sometimes prevent me from
sharing the secrets of my bosom with
him for whom l have 80 great sym
pathy. You perhaps wonder when
shall return the two pounds
"Oh, no, no! Make fire, make fire,
boy. We will have pot of hot coffee
presently" said the German. rubbing
his hands and looking about, not know
ing how best to show his pleasure at
the unexpected visit.
For three weeks the Germans diff
dent Good evening" had met with
stately bow, the chin of Bonapart0
lifting itself higher daily. and his shad
ow had not darkened the cabin door.
way since he came to borrow the two
pounds. The German walked to the
head of the bed and took down a blue
bag that hung there. Blue bags were
a speciality of tie Germans. He kept
above 80 slowed away in different cor
ners Of his room. some filled with Curl
GUS stones, some with seeds that had
been in his possession II years. some
with rusty nails, buckles and bits OF
old harness. in all Il wonderful lssort-
ment, but highly priced.
we have something here not so
bad" said the German smiling know
!ngly, as he divetl his hand into The ba.
and took out n handful of almonds and
raisins. II buy these for my chickens.
They Increase in size. hui they still
think the old man must have some
thing nice for them. And tho old man
well, big hoy may lave Il sweet
tooth sometimes. may hi MOI. Ii:,
ha. said the German chuckiing Mt his
own joke. as he heaprd the plate with
almonds. Here is Il stone. two stones,
to crack them. no lata patrn Improve.
ment-wcll. Adan'a nu,cracker Ia,
ha! But think we shall do We will
not leavc them uncrackctl We will
consume few without fashionable i'm.
-provements.''
Here the German sat down or one
side of the table. Bonaparte on the
other. each one with n couple of fiat
stones before him and the plate be-
tween then.s
do not be afraid" said the German,
do not be afraid. | do not forget the
boy at the fire. | crack for him The
bag is full. Why. this is strange" lie
said suddenly. cracking open large
nut. three kernels. | have not observ-
ed that before. This must lie rptain-
ed. This Is yal,H bic He wrapped
the nut sr,.vely IN paper and put u
carefully in his walstcoat pocket. "val-
nalle, very valuable. lie said. shaking
his head.
All. my fricnd' said Ronaparte,
'.wlR; JOY il is 10 be once more in your
society,"
The Germans eye glistencd. and
Rnnaparte seized his hand and squeez-
ed it warmly. They then proceeded
to crack and eat. After awhile Bona.
partc said, stutting n handful of raisins
into his mouth:
Il was SO deeply grieved my dear
friend, that you and Tant' Sannic had
some slight unpleasantness this even.
ing"
.'oh. no, mol" said the German. '.Ii
is all right now. A few sheep missing.
but 1 make it good myself. give my
II sheep and work in the other eight"
ut is rather hard that you should
have to make good the lost sheep said
Bonaparte. lit is no fault of yours
Well" said the German. this is
the ease: Last evening | count the
sheep at the kraal. Twenty are miss,
ing. ask the herd. He tells me they
arc With the other Iock; lie tells me
so distinctly. Tow can think he lies?
This afternoon count the other flock.
The sheep are not there. | cone back
here. The herd is gone; the sheep lre
gone. But canGot-no. | will not
believe he stole Them said the Ger
man, growing suddenly excited. Soma
one else but not he. ! know that boy.
knew him three years. He is Il good
boy. have seen him deeply affect
ed on account of his soul. And she
would send the police after him! l say
would rather make the loss good my
self. I will not have it. lie, has fled
in fear. know his heart 1t was"
said the German, with Il little gentle
hesitation. under my words that he
iTSt lelb ms iieSu VI u SLY ioul.
Bonaparte cracked some more al
monds, then said. yawning, ana more
as though he asked for the sake Of
having something to converse about
than from any interest he felt in the
subject:
"And what has become of the herds
wife,"
The German was alight again in a
moment.
Eyes; his wife. She has a child Q
days old, and Tant' Sannie would turn
her out into the fields this night. That"
said the German. rising. that is what
l call cruelty, diabolical cruelty. My
soul abhors that deed The man that
could do such thing could run him
through with knifew' said the Ger.
man, his gray eyes flashing and his
bushy black heard adding to the muir
derous fury of his aspect. Then, sud-
denly subsiding, he said: "But all is
now well. Tant' Sannie gives her word
that the maid shall remain for some
days. go TO Dom Muller's tomorrow
to learn If the sheep may not be there