Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1900-03-15
Tba Man with tba Wooden Too

IL was saturday morning, and flne
lot of snow had fallen during the night
two facts which, taken altogether,
suited Danny exactly, and very soon
after breakfast he took his sled out for
a grand good time. But when he
reached the gate he stood still in sur
prise. Such queer tracks there were
in the fresh snow! There was the
print of a mans foot-a big one, too
and then where there should have
been another like 1t, was just round
hole, and so on down the street went
these peculiar tracks. Danny looked
at them a few moments; then followed
them along the walk turned corner
with them, and so kept on until they
Johnson's grocery store. They were
not on the porch itself, because Mr..
Johnson's clerk had swept the snow
off, but it was quite clear that the
maker of the tracks had gone into the
store, and since there were none &C.
ing away from it, that he was in there
yet. Danny hesitated. He wanted to
go in, but those prints in the snow
gave him a queer feeling, somehow.
While he was thinking about it, the
store door opened and man came out
"a large man with a CHEEKY face. He
wore an old blue overcoat, with cape,
and his arms were full of packages
All this, however, Danny scarcely saw
at first. His eyes, which were always
big, but just now were bigger than
usual, were fixed on the mans legs, for
one of them, below the knee, was not
a real leg at all, but something made
of wood, fastened in place by straps;
and Danny saw at once that this was
what had made these holes in the
snow. We'll, little chap!" the man
said in a big, CHEEKY voice, after a few
moments in which, while Danny was
looking at his wooden leg, he was look
ing at Danny. Never see one before,
eh?" "N-no, sir" replied Danny
somewhat embarrassed, and afraid ne
may have heen rude. Please excuse
me-" ooh, certainly. Look at it ali
you like" replied the man, stumpiag
along off the porch, while the little
boy watched him curiously. Just then
one of the packages fell to the ground
Danny at once sprang forward and
picked it up. Let me draw 'em all
for you on my sled!" he exclaimed,
eagerly. Il can just as we'll as not.
live your way" You do. Ell? How
do you know which way l liver in
quired Danny's new acquaintance, now
quite curious himself. Because IL
saw the tracks go by our house. and
wondered what made EN-, SO | came
to see" The man with the wooden
leg laughed-a big laugh, and CHEEKY,
like his face and voice. well, well"
he exclaimed, as he arranged his pack
ages on the sled. That's it, Ell? Yes,
thank you; I'll be glad to have you
haul this stuff for me, my man. You
see. we only moved here yesterday,
and | had to skirmish round early
this morning for provisions. | haven't
got much acquainted in this town yet,
but if you're fair sample of the folks,
| think they must be a pretty nice,
obliging sort" Danny looked pleased,
and they started for home. Il suppose
you are wondering how came to have
leg of this kinc," the man continued.
We'll, there isn't time for the whole
story now, so III only tell you that
lost the mate to this one'-slapping
the whole leg gin the battle of An
tietam, many long year ago" "Oh,
did you?" exclaimed Danny, full of in
terest. And will you tell me ali about
it some day, if you please?" Il don't
know" the man replied, seriously.
War is a terrible thing. my boy; but
I'll tell you something about it, if you
will come to see me. can carry the
things now. Thank you for your
help, my little friend" "Oh, ! can
take them clear home. just as well as
not" said Danny, and presently he
had his load at the door of the tiny
house-a small house for such big
man. he thought to himself. The big
man and Danny became great chums,
and although the Old soldier with the
wooden leg and the CHEEKY face and
voice soon had very many friends in
his new home, not one Of them all
held a warmer place in his heart than
the little boy whose acquaintance he
made that snowy Saturday morning.
c. A. p.