Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1908-04-29


house. His father and mother were
called over to his Uncle Jirah's. seven
miles away. His Uncle Jirah was very
sick
Tommy would be alone all day. Per
haps his mother would stay at Uncle
Jirah's that night, but his father would
surely return before dark. Tommy was
quite sure he wouldn't like to be alone
after the shadows came. He didn't
mind it at all while the daylight last
ed, but the night was something very
different
Tommy hadn't been well. The doctor,
said 1t was malarial fever. That was
why they didn't take him with them to
Uncle Jirah's. He was better of at
home, and he was so nearly well that
Il was quite safe to leave him.
You viii be a good boy" said his
mother a little anxiously as she put
out the milk in a blue pitcher aud the
creamy bread on the blue plate and
saucer heaped up with the cookies he
liked best
"Yes'm."
And not play with the matchesT
Nom"
And you won't be scared because
you are alonef"
Tommy's father frowned. He let his
hand rest lightly on the boys head. q
Toms a little man." he said.
There's nothing that can brighten
him"
That was very sweet praise. His
father was not given to remarks Of
this pleasing sort. The care OF farm
that was but fairly productive had
taken most OF the sentiment out Of
Ezra Crandail's life. But he was very
fond OF Tommy in his quiet way. And
Tommy particularly liked to be called
Tom. 1t had a much more manly ring
than Tommy.
So the older Crandalls drove away
and Tommy Crandall was left alone.
After they were quite out Of sight he
went back into the house. 1t suddenly
seemed very empty. He remembered
that 1t was the first time that he had
been left quite alone, A little lump
came up In his throat.
Toms a little man." 1t was what
his father said. Nothing can brighten
him"
He stiffened up and walked through
the lonely rooms. whistling gaily When
he reached the kitchen he looked at the
pitcher of milk and the white bread.
Then he glanced at the old-fashioned
clock on its little shelf above the stove.
It was only IL. He would be a man
and wait until noon for his luncheon.
Tommy was just IL himself, and an
excellent scholar for his age. His
mother had taught him how to read,
and to write very well. Tommy's
mother was a school teacher when she
married his father, and 1t was her de-
light to impart knowledge to this IA
Vored pupil. She knew his books
would furnish him choice entertain
ment during that day Of lonesomeness.
Tommy went to the book shelf in the
sitting room and took down Robinson
Orusoe. 1t was shady on the front
porch, and the little rocking chair he
: particularly liked was there.
Just before he sat down to his liter
airy feast he stretched himself up on
his tiptoes and looked into the valley
toward the village, little more than
q mile away. Yes, he could just see 1t
the top of the white tent and the tall
poles with their gay flags. 1t was a
CIRCUS, and Jim Hardy said it was 60
ing to be a mighty good one. Jim
knew. He never missed circus.
IT'S coed both ways" said Jim, with
the air OF a seasoned critic 1.-THE ami
mails 10 first class, but they amt no
better than tn circus. An they've got
Pete Slicer, tn best clown In tn biz
ness"
Tommy sighed. He had never seen a
circus. His father didn't believe In
than. He had told Tommy they were
wicked and a waste OF time.
The boy opened his book at the right
place and was soon lost In the fascinat-
Ing pages.
Presently he looked up. A confused
murmur Of voices drew his attention.
A number Of men and boys were COM
Ing up the hill. The crowd was led by
a man In a light wagon who was driv-
ing a glossy black horse.
Tommy closed the book and ran
down the walk to the gate In the hedge.
The party had halted In the roadway.
The man with the black horse was
standing up and looking about the
fields. He had very black eyes and a
huge black hat and a fierce black mus
tache that he twirled-
She'll sneak for the woods the first