Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1906-02-07

Say, you ought to wait till sister
comes. I amt SO very hungry, really
an truly; an maybe there amt much
to eat in the house She always brings
home somethin'-if she has the
money"
The stranger stirred the fire and
added lump or two Of coal.
What's next-teakettle?"
"Yes. TIL water is in the back
room. Take the candle"
The stranger smilingly seized the
kettle and taking up the candle dis
appeared through the inner doorway.
The boy could hear him humming
some old song as he crossed the creaky
flooring. In a moment or two he was
back with the kettle and had it over
the fire.
'How long have you been sick,
Joe"
Five weeks an two days"
The stranger stopped and busted off
the hearth.
what brought it on?"
Guess it was workin' in a damp
basement, sir. I helped with tn pack
In"
The stranger took down his coat and
put it on. Then he reached for his hat
The boy choked up little.
Coin, sir?"
mot far"
The boy breathed again
I'm glad you put the kettle on, sir"
"Why?"
Because when sister came home an
| told her about you comm here an
chasin' tn pain away, she'd say it was
all a dream. An then I'd point to tn
kettle an laugh-'causc she knows l
couldn't put it there. An then she
| couldn't say word. Where are you
goin', sir?"
The stranger laughed.
"I'm going out to do little shop
ping" he said. Perhaps you can tell
me where the nearest open grocery
is?"
cts Engelheim's, sir. Just around
the next corner. He's German an al
ways gives good measure-an' he
keeps open evenings
II can find it." He knit his brows.
I'm afraid" he said, chat an oyster
| stew is about all I'm equal to. Do you
like oysters?"
The boy moistened his lips.
81 think they're fine" he cried. "But
sister says they're very expensive"
"Well, We'll hear what Engelheim
says. Look for me in twenty min
| utes."
you'll surely come back?"
Surely"
AS the door closed behind him the
boys face suddenly clouded. Then his
sharp eyes stared hard at the lamp and
at the kettle on the stove. The cloud
| disappeared and he smiled.
I'll bet he'll come back" he NUT
tered and smiled again and fell to
whistling
1t was less than twenty minutes. 1t
couldn't have been more than fifteen.
The strangers arms were filled with
bundles.
81 made a bet that you'd come
back" said the boy.
'You win," laughed the stranger
Didn't 1 hear somebody whistling
just now?"
That was me-" said the boy. 81
was whistlin' an the kettle was sing
in. Better move it back"
"Good," said the stranger. "We'H
stop that little song"
He laid his packages on the table
and then pushed the kettle back on
| the stove
The boys bright eyes glistened.
"Somethin' like Christmas, amt
it?" he murmured.
The stranger laughed as he busted
himself about the stove.
1T takes snow and a tree, and
wreath in the window, and a stocking
by the chimney to make a real Christ
mas" he said. you can't make it
with just oysters and crackers and
celery and oranges"
"Say, that sounds good" cried the
boy. Then he shook his head reproach-
| fully. Didn't you know oranges was
cents apiece?"
"And none too good at that" said
the stranger. But your friend, the
German grocer, let me have a picked
dozen for 80 cents 1 told him they
were for you and he sent an extra big
one and hoped you would soon be well
again"
There was a little silence.
"Tm sorry tipped over his ash
BARREL" said the boy.
"Oh he's forgotten all about that"
cried the stranger. "He thinks you
are a very fair sort of a boy and he
says you have an uncommonIy nice
sister. l hope you appreciate herr"