Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1903-02-26
Stairs Of Sand
ERNEST DE LANcY PERSON.
Copyright, 1901, by Street g. Smith.

events of the day before.
What he had to do he must do
quickly, for it seemed that he was
not altogether safe himself, and he
felt that he could not trust Ellison.
"Once he is free" referring to the
school-teacher, land the young peo-
pie are united, and I have settled
matters with that other rascal, [
shall go back to my old home with
smiling face,'' he said to himself, as
he made his scanty toilet. Thinking
over plans for the future made him
alternately merry and sad, but the
controlling feeling seemed to be one
of satisfaction.
After a hasty breakfast he made
UP his mind that he would try and
find out how Dick had Jared since
his experience of the night before,
and whether they had taken any
precautions against his repeating his
nocturnal ramble.
He approached the building from
the back, concealing himself behind
the bushes that had sheltered him
on his last visit. He had a good view
of the place where young Barnett
was confined, and noted that the
window was now protected with new
iron bars, instead of the fimsy ones
that had been there formerly.
AS Job watched, an utter stranger
to him appeared at the window and
peered out. Though he stood there
for an hour or more, he did not see
the young school-teacher, and at last
turned away, believing that he must
have been removed to some safer Sc
clusion.
'sThat prank of his may cost him
dear, in the loss of privileges that
he enjoyed BEFORE" feeling 'disap-
pointed in his visit. "Well, guess
he thinks it paid. It will brace him
up-that stolen visitor all that he
may have to GO through
Approaching the front of the con-
man whiting stick on the steps
a gaunt parsonage, whose garments
seemed to have partaken of the
earthly color of the land in which he
worked.
AS Job came up, the aged loafer
expectorated with deadly precision
at a passing bug on the steps, and
said, without waiting for the otho !.
to begin:
EFF yer waitin' to see Blivens, he
hain't in"
'Indeed''
'No; I'm his pap
"And where has he gomez"
went up with the prisoner this
morn early to Ferrenford, the coun-
ty seat. Be Their week."
Rather sudden, wasn't it?" asked
Hendricks.
oval, rayther," with a hoarse
chuckle. Eye see, the young caty-
mount got SO obstrepulous that Their
want no keepin' him in place like
this, and so Sim-that's my son-he
jest thought he'd get shed of him
by putin him away in the county
Jail, where he'd be safe. Stranger in
these parts, I take it?" looking Job
over from head to foot.
Yes; stranger. I'm much
obliged to you," and then moved off,
to the evident disgust of the patri-
arch, who was minded to get some
amusement out of the stranger, as
travellers were a scarce variety in
that peaceful farming neighborhood.
Job, deep in thought, had mechan-
ically pursued his way in the direc-
ton of James Ellison's estate, and
he did not apparently think about
where he was until the big lions by
the gate doomed up before him.
He stood for moment cogitating
what to do, and then entered the
smooth carriageway leading to the
house.
IT can learn what I want from this
model landowner" he said to him
self, "and incidentally spur him on
to do his best for the boy" A man
who was trimming the grass on the
borders of the road looked up at
him in contemptuous way as he
passed, and then resumed his work.
Job, who had noticed this, smiled
quietly.
II suppose he thinks I am not
|
the principal road to the house"
He had no hesitation in going up
the great stone steps of the front
entrance as bravely as if attired for
a gorgeous function. His loud ring
brought man in livery to the door,
who gave him a cold stare and did
not attempt to answer when he
asked if Mr.. Ellison was at home.
The funky was about to close the
door on the seedy visitor, when the
latter deity inserted large, rough
shod foot, saying at the same time:
IF you want to keep your place,
young man, you will tell Mr.. Ellison
that Mr.. Hendricks would like to see
him on matters of Importance. Do
| you hear? Go and do as / say!"
| These words, delivered in such a
decisive tone, satisfied the servant
that he was dealing with some one