Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1900-04-12
CHAPTER VII.

HE SETS HIS TRAP.
MAY I come in? l hope l do not
disturb you, my dear friend" said Bo-
naparte late one evening, putting his
nose in at the cabin door, where the
German and his son sat finishing their |
supper.
1t was two months since he had been |
installed as schoolmaster il Tant San
nie's household, and he had grown
mighty and more mighty day by day.
He visited the cabin no more, sat close |
to Tant' Sannie drinking coffee all the |
evening and walked about lofuly with |
his hands under the coattails of the |
Germans black cloth and failed to see
even niger who wished him 4 defer-
ential good morning 1t was therefore
with no small surprise that the German
perceived Bonaparte's red nose at his
door
"WaIk in. walk in," he said joyfully.
boy, boy. see if there is coffee left.
Well. none. Make a fire. We have
done supper, but
"My dear friend" said Bonaparte,
taking off his hat. Il came not to sup,
not for mere creature comforts, but for
an hour Of brotherly intercourse with
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 | have 50 great sym
patty. You perhaps wonder when l
shall return the two pounds
mol pn
boy We will have a pot of hot coffee
presently" said the German. rubbing
his hands and looking about not know
inc 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 Bonaparte
lifting itself higher daily. and his shad-
ow had not darkened the cabin door
way since Inc came to borrow the two
pouuls. The German walked 10 the
head of the bed and took down blue
bag that hung there. Blue bags were
q speciality of the Germans. He kept
above 30 slowed away in different cor
ners of his room. some filed with curl
ous stones. some with seeds that had
been in his possession 10 years, some
with rusty nails, buckles and bits Of
old harness. in all wonderful assort-
meut, but highly priced.
1--WE have something here not so
bad" said the German, smiling know
ingly. rs he diyed his hand into the bag
and took out a handful Of almonds and
raisins Il buy these for my chickens.
They increase in size, but they still
think the old man must have some
thing nice for them. And the old man
well. big boy may have sweet
tooth sometimes. may he not? Ha.
har' said the German. chuckling at his
own joke. as he heaped the plate with
almonds Here is a stone, two stones,
to crack them, no late patent improve
ment-well. Adams nutcracker. Ha,
ha. But | think we shall do. We will
not leave them uncracked. We will
consume a few without fashionable inn
provements."
Here the German sat down or one
side of the table, Bonaparte on the
other, each one with a couple Of fiat
stones before him and the plate be-
tween them.
"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" he
said suddenly, cracking open Il large
nut three kernels! have not observ-
| ed that before. This must be retain
ed This is valuable" He wrapped
/ the nut gravely in paper and put it
! carefully in his waistcoat pocket. val
liable, very valuable" he said, shaking
| his head.
"Ah. my friend said Bonaparte,
"what JOY it is to be once more in your
society,"
The Germans eye glistened. and
| Bonaparte seized his hand and squeez-
ed it warmly. They then proceeded
to crack and eat. After awhile Bona
parte said, stufing a handful of raisins
into his mouth:
II was so deeply grieyed, my dear
friend, that you and Tant Sannie had
some slight unpleasantncss this even
ing"
"Oh, no. nor said the German. al
! is al IlRlll HOW y lew SlltNp liloelit =
but make 1t good myself. | give my
y sheep and work in the other eight
"It is rather hard that you should
have to make good the lost sheep" said
Bonaparte. at is no fault of yours"
"Well," said the German, this Is
the case: Last evening | count the
sheep at the kraal. Twenty are miss
ing. | ask the herd. He tells me they
are with the other flock; he tells me
so distinctly. How can think he lies
This afternoon | count the other flock
The sheep are not there. | come bacl
here. The herd Is gone; the sheep are
gone But | cannot-no, | will not
believe he stole them," said the Ger
man, growing suddenly excited. "Som'
one else, but not he. | know that boy
| knew him three years. He fs n gooC
boy. have seen him deeply affect
cd on account Of his soul. And sh'
would send the police after him! | sa!
/ would rather make the loss good my
self. | will not have It. He has fec
in fear. know his heart. 1t was,
said the German, with n little gentl
hesitation, under my words that 1t
first felt his need of a Saviour"
Bonaparte cracked some more al
monds, then said, yawning, and NOR
MS though he asked for the sake o
having something to converse abou
than from any interest he felt in th
subject:
"And what has become Of the herd
wife?
The German was allght again in {
moment.
Eyes; his wife. She has n child
days old, and Tant' Sannic would tur
her out into the fields this night. That,
: said the German, rising, that is wha
l call cruelty, diabollcal cruelty. Nj.
& soul abhors that deed. The man tina
could do such a thing l could run bin
through with a knifew said the Gei
man. his gray eyes flashing and hi
bushy black beard adding to the mui
, derous fury Of his aspect. Then, sue
} denly subsiding he said: But all
now well. Tant Sannie gives her wor
that the maid shall remain for som
days. | 20 to Dom Mullcrs tomorrow
\ to learn If the sheep may not be there
) If they are not. then ! return. The
are gone; that Is all make it good
"Tant Sannie is n singular woman,
said Bonaparte, taking the tobacco ba
the German passed to him.
ssG,Tr,rt7l,,r N,a eofJ thp German