10 TII15 OMAITA DAILY JHiJTCs SUNDAY , ITEirRTTABY 10 , 1800.
BY Joel Chevndter
ht , 110 * . l > y Jtel < r ard : < T Hntrls.
CHAl'THH HI. CONTINUED.
"Tho sight of all this , " said the crny
pony , contlnulnc hi * atory. "surprised mete
to that I stopped In the road and cami
near tucking tall and running bick the way
1 came. But the Little Master was no\e.-r
afraid of anything. He stroked my shoul
der nnd scolded me , too , and urged mer -
ward. Now there was nothing about this
wagon train to frighten mo. I had si-en
wagon trains before. Hut this one loomed
up so suddenly and unexpectedly that It
made mo have a queer , shivery fcellne. as
when I hear a horse fly zoon'nir ' around and
don't know where ho Is going to llsht. It
happened that the wagons were on a fandy
leval. and neither their wheels nor the
mules' feet mode any noise. The negroes
were marching along as silently as the
rhadowg that run on the ground when the
moon 'Is shlnlnc and the clouds are flying.
It was the flrct tlmo I had ever seen negroes
golr.K along the road together In utter
sllcnco. They were neither talking t.or .
laughing ami they seemed to bo very far
from pinging.
"Going nearer , I saw that the negro driv
ers were chained to the wncons. On each
side of the flic of marching negroes rode
a while man , a shotgun lying acroea his
lap. I thought the negroes were prisoners ,
utid thnt the men wore carrying them to
court for the Judge and jury to sit on them.
So She Little Master thought , for he urged
me 'orward until we came up with the man
who rode near the tall negro at the head
ct the file.
" 'Good morning , ' said the Little Master
to the man.
" 'Good day , sonny , ' replied the man , but
he kept his eye on the negro at the head
.of the file.
" 'Whoso negroes are these ? ' the Little
MCI tor atked.
" 'Mine , ' said the man , smacking his lips
over It ; 'every ono mine. '
" 'Then we went on In silence. The Little
Mastnr had a way when he was puzzled of
reaching over the saddle and twisting a wisp
of my mane between his fingers. He did
this now. He curled the wisp of hair on
his forefinger and uncurled It ever so many
times , aa wo went on In silence. I noticed
that the negro at the head of the file had his
arms tied at the elbows. The whole weight
of the long rope , which was a big one. fell
on this negro , but ho was tall and strong
and moved forward without sign of distress.
"Presently the Little Master spoke to the
man again. 'What have your negroes done
tint they should bo carried to Jail ? '
"Tho man laughed loudly , as ho replied :
I'm not carrying thorn to Jail. They are
lor sale. '
" 'Then you are a negro speculator , said
the Little Master.
" 'That's what some people call mo , sonny.
Speculator or what net , I have negroes for
kale. If you want to buy one , I'll sell you
that buck at the head of the gang. He's the
finest of the lot , but .I'll sell him cheap.
He's WOMB than a tlcer. '
"The Llttlo Master urged mo forward
until we came to the sldo of the man at the
head of the file. That was my first sight
of the Son of Ben All. I knew at once that
he was no negro. The Llttlo Master spoke
to him. and he smiled as he answered.
" Til sell him' cheap , sonny , ' said the
man ; 'name your price , glvo me the money ,
and take him.1
"Tho Llttlo Master slapped the pommel of
his saddle , and L knew by that he was angry.
But what * ho lutendgd JsfBay wao never
said fpV Just" then-the. Whife-ialred Master
and thpUoaoher came by.In Uie.buggy , goIng -
Ing at ft-swceplng trfct , 'and tile lilttlo Master
gavel nre the rein to follow , which I was
more than glad to > do. Never before had I
eenvlho White-haired Master use the whip
onoil Sorrel , the buggy horse , but ho used
It that day , and I had hard work to catch
up and keep up. The teacher had turned In
his seat and watched the file of negroas and
thV covered wagons as far as he could see
.them. There was a frown on bis face and
hl " eyes had a queer light In them. I al
ways dodge when a man looks at me that
way.
"I think the White-haired master wanted
to'got the toachcr away from that procession
ot negroes. I heard them talking as I can
tered besldo the buggy.
" 'You are from the north , and , of course ,
you don't understand these thing ? , ' said tho.
White-haired Master.
" 'You are right , ' replied the teacher. 'I
don't understand them at all. I'm trul'
terry I taw that eight. I shall see it aga
In my dreams. '
" 'I have been living hero fifty yeara. ' the
White-haired Master remarked , 'and that li
the second time I ever saw It. '
"The teacher said nothing more , and we
won entered the town , where there worn G
great many people. Hitched to ono of the
racks I saw a rcan mule that had given me
a vicious bite when wo were In the drove
together. He was poor enough now , and his
cars hung dejectedly. I wanted to stop nnd
read him a moral , but the Little Master bade
mo go on , and I had no opportunity to speak
to my old tormentor. "
CHAPTRH IV.
GRISTLE CONCLUDES HIS BTOHY.
"Tho Little Master gave mo a drink of
cool water frdm the well In the public
square , and then ho had mo carried to a
comfortable stall In the stable behind the
old tavern. I don't know how long I stayed
there , but by the time I had dropped oft
into a comfortable doze , dreaming that I
was nibbling sassafra * buds in the orchard
at homo , a negro came running Into the
stable and Into my rtall. He came upon
mo BO sudden that I turned In the stall to
get out of his way , nnd nearly mashed the
breath out of him. Ho limped along and
led mo to the front of the tavern. There
I saw the Little Master waiting to mount ,
and I went toward him gladly enough.
"I thought wo wcro to go home , but my
thoughts Jumped ahead ot facts. I soon
saw that the speculator's wagons and his
file of negroes had come Into town , and
hart stopped to rest on the public square ,
where- great crowd had gathered around
them some out of curiosity and some out
of sympathy. I heard an old horse , blind
In one eye , say to a companion tied near
that such sights wore seldom seen In these
parts. The Little Macter had sent for me ,
so that , by smins on my back , he would
be as toll as any of the men.
"H rode ma Into the crowd that had
gathered around the negroes. The people
made way for him , and I soon found myself
BO close to the son of Den All that ho could
touch my nose with his hand , although his
elbous wcro pinioned. So that he was
able to Blve mo the sign , and I
knew him and spoke to him ana he
to mo ; whereupon ho knew that he had
found one- friend there. He had found two
frlondu , for the Llttlo Master stretched forth
his hand , while as a flower , and touched the
BM ot Ben All on the cheek , whore there
waa th mark of a wound , saying ' 1'oor fel-
lowj't'ara terry for you. ' And the Son of
Hun AH reached up the best he could , his
orniD being pinioned , and took the white hand
of the Little Master In his and preeted it
to bin forehead and thru to his lips. After
that h held his head higher , so that he
looked over all that stood around him and
beyond him , und sin I led a little.
' Hut Just then the man who owned him
cam6 liuitllng toward us , untied the. rope
to which the Son of Bon All waa chained.
Riul puHhtd him roughly through the crowd
to tb sheriffs block that Blood m'nr the
court house door , Thin he made the Son of
Hen All mount , 00 that all might nee him.
AB he stood there , without a coat , the col-
lor of bli slilrt thrown open , and the muscles
of hln chfpt KwellliiB and falling , he seemed
to lie u man amonK men. When the whlto
nun .tlooil on the block beside him , tht >
crown ot hip hut w < u no higher than the
6911 at , Brn All's vboulder ,
"TUa mr.n made a ircrch to tbo pecpla. I
don't remember everything ho said , but I
could tee he luted the Sou of Ben All and
was * fr'd of him. Ho was ready to Jump
from ttinj | > )9ck ) and nm. Hut the Son of Hen
AM paid no attention to him. He had his
yaj Jlvc-d oil the lice ot ( ho Little Mailer ,
follow Ing every movement ho made and al
ways smiling. The Little Mru'tcr kept his
ryes en the Whltc-halrcd Mauler and called
and beckoned to him. But tomehow I
couldn't ice what the trouble was the
While-haired Master appeared to be very
but < y. Ho wat talking with a man who was
a stunner to nu > , And , although he heard tti3
L ttle Maotcr , and nodded and smiled at him ,
ho kept on talking. I went toward him with
out any urging and when wo got there ho
was talking about constitutions and other
government contraptions and seemed to bo
very warm over It , I was so disgusted that
I snorted as often and as loud as I could ,
and If people had only known It there was
more hotpo pcnse In one ot my unorts than
there way In all the politics Ihave heard
from that day to this.
"But all this tlmo the speculator or trader ,
\\lmlcvcr you call him , uas calling to the
crowd to come and see the flue bargain he
was going to offer. I had one cir fcr the
trader and another for the Little Mauler. One
said :
" 'Como up , gentlemen , nnd see what a
mcrlflce I am going to make. Como up and
I'll tell you why. '
"The other sold ; 'Come , fattier , please
cornel You'll be too late ! ' The Whlto-halrcd
Master nodded and smiled. 'Presently , son ;
presently. '
"The trader said : 'Walk right up , gen
tlemen , and I'll loll you the truth , I'm sail
ing this l y because he's too Irlcky lo Iravel
with. He's bad tempered and hard headed.
What ho needs lo a maoter who will take
tlmo lo make him buckle down lo work. '
"The li'ttlo ' Master said : 'Father , come.
Oh , don't wait any longer. ' The Whlto-
halrcd Master smiled , 'Yen , yes ! ' and placed
his hand on my neck , whereupon I snorted
and phook It off.
"The trader cried out at the top of his
voice : 'Come up , gentlemen ! Come up !
Lcok nt this boy's limbs. Look at his mus
cles. Not a flaw about him , except his tem
per. What am I offered , cash down , for this
likely fellow ? '
"Tho llltlo master said : 'Please , pleise
ti got hi * head In my mouth , but ho saw
me earning and fell backward and rolled out
ot the way before I could reach him , nor
could I trample him. His luck raved him.
"And then somebody caught my bridle anil
gave It a Jerk thai brought mo to my pcnpfs.
Whoever II was led tno oul ot the crowd and
away from the court houw. I could feel
the Llttlo Master shaking In the saddle , and
1 knew ho was crying , but I held my head
down , not knowing what to do or where lo
RO.
"Presently the White-haired Master , hear
ing of the commotion , came running toward
us. His face was as whlto aa a. ahest.
"Why , my ton ! my darling bay ! What Is
the trouble ? " Ho placed his arms around
the Ltltlo Master. ' 0. tell your falhcrl Has
any ono dared lo hurst BO much aa your
llltlo finger ? There , don't cry any more. '
"Thon the Lltlle Master told him what
you have already heard , his voice shaking
and his white hands trembling.
" 'Walt ! ' said the While-haired Maslcr.
"WHh tha'l he suddenly lurned and went
toward the crowd at Ihe courl house. I fol
lowed , though the Lllllo Master never touched
a rein. The people seemed to expect some
thing , and they made way for Iho White-
haired Master and for me , with my nose
at bin coittally.
" 'Has the sala been closed ? ' ho asked
sharply. Hlo words were snapped out like
the popping of a whip.
" 'Yes , Blr ; yes , sir It has been closed , '
the trader replied. Ho was as humble and
po''to ' as one of his poor negroes.
" 'Gossell ! ' said Iho While-haired Maslor
his voice sounded ns I have heard It when
he was talking to a lazy plough hand
'Gossettl I will give you $1.500 for your
barcaln. '
"Mr. Gossett shook his head and smiled ,
showing Iwo or three yellow leeth. I was
so anxious to get at him that the Llttlo
Mauler was compelled to slap mo with the
slack of the bridle reins and bid me stand
still.
" "No , " said Mr. Gossetl. 'I'd rather havt
the nigger than the money. '
THE LITTLE MASTER URGED ME FORWARD UNTIL WE CAME TO THE SIDE OF
THE MAN AT THE HEAD OF THE FILE.
hurry , falher ! You'll bo too late. The mun
la selling him now1 ! The air was blue
with states rights and constitutions. I shook
my head and gave a. loud whicker. This
seemed to Irritate the white haired master ,
for ho ceased to smile nnd Joke.
" 'Go buy him yourself , ' he said , sharply.
" 'How much shall I bid , father ? '
" 'Up to J1.200. '
"Before the little master could take the
brldel tains in his hands I wheeled and
cantered toward the crowd thai had galbered
round the sheriff's block , where the Son
( Ben All stood.
"The trader was saying : 'How much am
I offered ? How much ? Look at him , gentlemen -
tlomen ! As sound as a dollar ! '
"Tho man who lives across the creek
ilr. Goshawk no Mr. Gossett got on the
block with the Son of Ben All and put on
his spectacles and looked al him , and felt
of him , and thumped him'on the back , and
punched him In Iho aides. The Son of Ben
All never flinched nor moved a muscle. Ho
kept his eyes fixed on the lltllemaster. .
But , after all , what could the llttlo masler
do ? Ho was bub a child.
"Mr. Gosaelt came down from the block ,
look off his spectacles , and eald something
to the trader , who then cried oul :
" 'Whal.do you Ihlnk , good poo'pto ? I am
asked to give this boy away ! My frlond
here offers me $500 for the finest hand that
ever stood on the block In Ihls counlry. Five
hundred dollars ! I am offered $500 ! '
" 'Seven hundred dollars ! ' cried the lltllo
master.
"Tho trader stepped and looked at the Llt
tlo Master , as If he thought the bid was a
Joke.
" 'Wlio said teven hundred ? ' ho asked.
" 'I did.1 said the Llttlo Master.
" 'Sovon hundred It Is , ' said the trader.
'I nm offered seven hundred only seven
hundredl'
" 'Mr. Gossctt said something lo the
trader , > tlio cried out : 'Eight hundred ! I
am offered eight hundred ! '
" 'Nino hundred ! ' said the Little Master.
" 'That Is right ! ' cried Iho trader. 'In
this country oven the children have saddle
b.igs full of money. Nine , hundred ! I am
offered nine hundred ! '
"Mr. Gossett nodded his head. I was
watching him.
11 'One thousand ! ' cried the trader. 'I
am offered ono thousand ! Am I to glvo tlia !
man away for $1,000 ? '
" 'Twelve hundred,1 said the Little Master
In a yolco as clear as a bell.
"This seemed to stagger the trader. Ho
looked at the Little Master and then he
looked at the crowd. He shook his head ,
and then some ofthe people laughed. This
made others laugh , and then the trader ,
very red In the face , turned to Mr. Qossett
anil said :
" 'I don't like to be made a fool of. This
negro Is yours , air , for $1,000. '
"This made the people laugh again , but
the Little Master didn't lauR > > > He cried lethe
the crowd eruuud , 'Get out of my way hero ! '
and gave me tboord to push my way
through. I needed neither whip nor spur
for that , and the people In front of me had
OH much aa they could do to scuflle and
scramble out of my way.
" 'Here , sir , what does this mean ? ' cried
the Llttlo Master. 'I hid $1,200 and you
sell him for $1,000. Whnt do you mean ? '
" 'Don't bother me , sonny,1 the man re
plied. 'The negro li mine. I sell him for
what I please. This gentleman bore , ' ho
pointed to Mr. Gossett , 'eald you were play
ing one of your pranks. I've no time for
pranks. If you are not pranking , plank
down your $1,200 on that block there. '
"Mr. Ootuett had laken from bla pocket a
lone red bnok , and was already counting out
the money he ha < ] bid. Then and there a
thing happened that has never been under
stood by anybody but me. Everybody will
tell you that the Little Master tried tp rldo
over and run down Mr. Gossctt , but It 1 *
not so. The Little Master tad no moro to
do with It tlian the eld buggy borso who was
tied to the rack near by. I foil the I.Htle
Master's Irnnd iluke aa U rested cu my
ihpuldcr. and I heard him sob , I was no
mad that everything grew dark except Mr.
Ucuuott'j fact. I plunged it lilm ami tried '
" 'I'll give you $2,000 , ' persisted the White-
haired Master.
"Mr. Gossett showed his yellow teeth
again. 'Well , sir , ' he said , 'If he's worth
that to you , he's wprlh 11 lo me. The facl
Is , I wanl lo lame Ihe 'nigger. ' They say he'o
as wild as a buck , and as hard-headed as a
mule. I want to lame him. '
"Tho White-haired Master turned to the
trader. 'Why did you Insult my son and
mo by refusing to cry his last bid ? ' He
caught the man by the throat and shook him.
The people gave back and scattered a little
at this , for In those times men were quick
to us ? their knives and pistols. But the
trader had no Idea ot using1 his , though he
had both In his belt.
" 'Let me explain , sir ; let me explain , '
he cried , aa the White-haired Master released
his hold. 'That gentleman there said the
youngster was only playing me one of hi ?
Jokes. '
" 'What gentleman ? ' Iho While-haired
Master asked me , as quick as a flash. He
wheeled and looked around , as If searching
for some one. The people were still afraid
a flfilit was about to take place , and they
stood off some distance , but not so far thai
they couldn't hear every word thai was
said.
" 'What gentleman ? ' the White-haired
Master repeated , facing the trader.
"The trader went lo Mr. Gossott and
toucl ed his shoulder so as to make no mis
take. 'This Is the gentleman , sir. ' he salt ) .
"At tills the White-haired Master fairly
roared with laughter. 'Pay him another
hundred ! He has earned II. You'll not find
another man In the country to pay you such
a compliment. '
"There must have been some Joke or hit
In this , for the people laughed oven louder
than the White-haired Master , and Mr. Gos
sott turned very red In tho'face. But If It
was a Joke it passed over my head. I saw
no fun In It , and neither did the Son of
Ben All , who had drawn near and was
fondling the thin white baud of the lltllo
master In his. " .
Hero the Gray Pony paused and held his
head up as If ho heard a nolsa somewhere.
Then ho cropped cff a bunch cf peach leaves
and chewed on them , to all appearances rel
ishing their flavor. This done , be scratched
his neck by rubbing It agalnrt the peach
tree , which was old and rough. The children
sat absorbed In the story he was telling.
"Now , rlghl here. " the Gray Pony went
on , "two or three things happened so close
togclhcr that the quickest eye could' hardly
separate them. If I told them as they hap
pened I them Id have lo tell them all at once ,
bul this can't be done , not even In your
tongue. So I'll have to blunder along tbo
best I know how. In cantering or gallopIng -
Ing I always start off on my right forefoot.
A man taught mo that with a whip and
I've never been able to forget It. That foot
CCIH03 down heaviest and I always fling the
right foreahoe first. In waa looie when wo
started from homo that morning and when
I Jumped at Mr. Goseett I wrenched It
nearly off. For a tlmo I didn't mind It , but
every time I stamped my fool to drive the
flies away It rang and rattled Ilka a cow
boll. The Son of Ben All , hearing It rattle
as ho stood by the Llttlo Master , ctocpod
and placed his ha'nd on my knee , I gave him
my foot and he drew the shoo off by giving
It a Blight twlet with hla fingers.
"When the Whlte-halrcd Master told Mr.
Goftett to pay the trader another hundred
dollars ho made a step toward the man to
see \\bat ho would do. Al that moment Mr.
Gosyett's son , George , a great rowdy and
bully , came rushing through the croud. He
waa red In the face and fairly foaming at
the mouth. Ho came crying , 'In pip In a
fm ? Where are you , pap ? ' He had a pistol
tel in his hand and when ho saw the White-
haired Master standing BO near hla pap , ae
be called htm , he bellowed like a mad bull
and ciins rushing up , leveling the pistol aa
he got near ,
"This happened Just a the Son of Ben
All -Affiiichod the shoe from my foot. Still
utoopliig he turned bla held and saw George
Gcspctt halt end point bis pistol at the
Whltc-halrud Master. I felt the body of
the Son of Ben All sway under my neck lu
tbo most unaccountable manner , and the
uext iiicmeu' I saw young Gowett fall aa It
- -
he had been'irrtfck by llRhlnlnjr. The Son ol
Den All cr pT Ohder my bslly , and whan I
saw him flRvn ho was Mlllng on the block
where ho hid ptofet to bo sold , his arms
folded and h | ore * * closed as It bo were fast
'
.
"No ono Vno what had happened cxccpl
the Son ofIlea All and myself. All eyes
had been fxed } jon George GoRPotl and the
Wh'to-hiilred , , Master. Some Wld Ooa.vtt
Imd fallen Ju a' , fit ot pjiulon and that the
blcod hid but t , from his face. Some silt
that ho had , fallen on a horseshoe thai hap
pened to boytng | neir. Some said one .thins
and some another. George Gospatt always
declared , so I've heard , that somebody
Jabbid him. in .the face with a forked sjtlck
but his bes't" ftlcnds paid ho was drunk a
the time and fell on the horseshoe and bur
himself. UM tricro were some people who
whispered II a'otlnd that they paw the blooi
gush from his face as he felt forward ,
"The mailer was never explained , and for
many a long day no one bul the Son of Ben
All and I knew thai Gosj'tt had been hi
In the face by one of my shoes. I think
the Whllo-halred Masler learned the trutl
by asking the Son ot Ben All about It one
night when they wcro returning from a lo
ride together.
"In the mldrt of Ihe excitement old Mr
Gossan forgol all aboul Iho Son of Ben
All. But after the wounded man had bfci
carried to n doctor's aliop and physicked , am
the dcclcra had said ho wculd recover , Ihougl
Iho brulto was A pjrlouo ono , Mr. Gomel
remembered his purcbam , and cams cut to
the public equare In some alarm , tctrlng tha
his no'Aly bought slave had given him Iho
slip. Bill he had not far lo wok. Though
Iho public square was deicrlod except to :
Ihe Iior > 2s > and mules lied lo Ihe rocks am
a tow pecpla slraggllng almleis'.y aboul. Iho
Son of Ben All still' pat on the sheriff's block
erect and rilcnt , his arms folded and his fee
crossed. The Iradcr'o wagon nnd his trait
ot slaves had passed on through the town.
"When Mr. Gcsoitt fliw the Son of Ben
All Bitting where he had lefl him , he noJdc ,
his held approvlngiy. His eon had come to
town In a wagon , and In Ihls the young mat
had to bo carried home. Straw was opreat
In the body of the wagon , and Into this
George Goseott was llftoJ. The old man
had como In a buggy , and he made the Sot
of Bon All sit beside him and drive him. "
At this point Ihe gray pony paused am
bit at a speckled fly that was slttlnt ; on Ills
fat olde out of reach of the sweep of his
tall.
"Is thai all ? " asked Busier John.
"It la enough , " replied 'the gray pony. "A
few days afterward , being on Ihe far side
ot the plantation , i heard a plough mule
telling Mr. GowoU's buggy horse that the
Son of Ben All h d gone to the woods. "
The gray , 'jp-ny , % oayuiR Ihls. lurned am
walked awaycs - '
, 'if ' .
M CHAPTER V.
AMBLERi'BEOINS ' HIS STORY.
The children . 'thought that they 4md been
treated somewhat Impolitely by. the gray
pony and so , as sean as they could flnil an
opportunity , and when Ihey thought he was
In a good hunior , .lhey as ol him why ho
walked away so abruptly and refuiirJ ta tsl
them the reason -Aaron went to the .wood ?
and whal befell Wm when he col Ihero.
"As for that , " the crayljiohy anowarcd , "I
know nothing of ! the matter"of my own
knowledge. Itja'all hearsay with mo. The
Son of Bon AIIcan tell you. . He knows. , He
was there. " , ' ' . t <
The chlldrsrf' ! ' < had to bo 'content with thl ?
until they ffei < J" ; n 'ppport-jnlty ; to talk with
Aarcn. Ho' fery 'busy ii'.irlng tha day , '
and Fometlir night , managing the affair ?
of the pla . ' but he told thanr that
whenever ixw a light in hie cabin
rlghl nflor he would Invo time to talk
to tlicm. lappenel. the next night.-
Oru&llla light , ohd * .told Sweetest'
Susan and 1 Jphn tf. was th > r(5 ( , and In
a few mln hey were ; all" in Aaron's"
They found hlnub'aklng ar-'lioecako nnd--fry-
IIIK eonie bicon , and It smelt o goad that
Buster Jobn s mouth began to water , al
though lie had just eaten his supper.
"Uncle An'ron/'jlie raid. "I'll give ; you Iwo
biscuits and'a'piece cf ham for a'piece ' of
youilhoecakeaind''Eome ; : ' ' of your moat. "
"Do so do'so , ainiwerod Aaron.
/'Bring fqnn b soulty and Iwo pieces of
ham , " criedjBvipateet Susan , as Bu.ster John
rushed out of the door. .Ho relumed in a
lUtle. while -wltro four biscuits , each sand
wiched with ai piece of bam. Whoretinan
Aaron turned over to the children all bin
hoacake and frl i bacon , which they de
voured w'th a rcjish which belongs to youth
alone. Thlp done , they gave Aaron to under
stand what they came for , and he. 'without
any apology , explanation or delay , such as a
negro would have Indulged in , and likewise
without any humor , told his story. Perhaps
there was no mom fw humor , but a negro
would have found a place for it.
"I can'l tell you Ihe story as the field
hands could , " said Aaron. "They hive a
word for everything. What I know Is that
when I saw the little white boy crying about
mo I was no lor3r the rime man. Some
thing twe'.led here" touching his thrcal
"and something b'roko here" striking his
breast. "I had vild to myself , be as cun
ning as a snake. My mind was made up to
run away from the man that bought me
and follow the negro trader and strangle
him in tbo nlghl. He was a boast. 1
promised my.ulf thai he should live no
more. The thoushta made mo hap-y and
then I saw the white child , small and crip
pled , crying because hi ? father had not
bought me. I said , what Is he to mo ? And
then my hands shotk and my knees trembled.
Another man crept Into my skin and looked
out of my eyes. Not since my mother
shook hands -with mo when I waa a boy
had I seen anybody crying for me. Then. I
said , the man 'who uets me today will gel
a good bargain.
"In my mind triero was but one thought
the child' Is my Little Master. The gray
pony has told me what happened , It wao
n save the Little Master's father that I
threw the horseshoe. I thought the young
man waa kllle'd , and I bald It Is a pity !
When I rode hcme with Mr. Gossett I kept
on saying It Is a pity a great pity ; and
when my new .master asked mo if I would
treat him right I smiled and told him I
would do the beit I could. And I did. I worked
for him as hard as I over worked for a man.
But he never itrusled me. He was alnaya
watching me.
"Ono night , just after sundown , ho called
mo out of my hut It was not a cabin and
sad ! ho wanted mo to get In Ihe one-horse
wagon and take a bale of cotton to a neigh
bor's house and cell It to him. At once I
cmellcd tiouble.
" 'Bul ' will the man buy It ? ' I asked.
"The answer was : 'He may ; If ho does ,
the money Is yours. If not , no harm is
done. '
" 'I am afraid of the patterrollers , ' said I.
"Tho answer was ; Til not bo far away. '
"I had nothing else to do but go , but I
knew Ihere was trouble al the end of the
road. I had seen negroes lashed for selling
their matters'.things , and I had seen white
men sent to i jail .for trading with negroes
between two suns. I found oul long after
ward thai Mv > Ggssotl's neighbor had some
land that hai.retused to sell. Ho was not
very well off , buj , he held to Ma land and
made poor crons. . If he bought the cotton
from mo Mr , Gpasetl could buy his lander
or put him in'Jail. But this was all dark
to mo then. 1 '
"I mountedtftliB wagon but wait ! Ram
bler , the track .jlog , Is here. He knows
what happened , jj.will call him.
Aaron went to . ( he door of his cabin , put
his right hatid Mo his mouth , and gave a
musical halloo.l."Tio ) dogs were barking In
another partJ.of'tire lot , but they ceased In
stantly , as if'listening. ' Then Watch , the
catch dog , bbrkeil three times.
( To tfe Continued. )
I' in u
9tfl Chicago Post.
Three lltlle girls nre weary.
Weary of books and of play ;
Snd Is the world and dreary.
Slowly the time slip * away.
Six little feet ore nchlntf.
liowed Is each little head.
Yet they are up and shaking1
When there la mention of bed.
Ilravely they lauuh and they chatter ,
Just for a minute or two ;
Then , when they end their clatter ,
Bleep comes quickly lo woo ,
Slowly their eyes are closing- ,
Down again drops cv'ry head ,
Three little umlila are dazinsr ,
Though they're not ready for bed.
That la their method ever.
Nlsrht utter night they protest.
Claiming they're sleepy never ,
Never In need of Ihelr rest ;
Nodding' und ulmoat dreaming ,
Drowsily each little head ,
Still Is forever scheming.
Merely to keep out of bed.
TOMMY AND THE GRAND DUKE.
-
it- *
* * .
A True Story of n Hrnvc Kentucky ( Ilrl. Si *
'H ' cJ
( Oopyrlnht , 1S9 , by Oenevlove 1 * llr.wni1. )
Tommy lived on a farm In Kentucky. She
was a short , slMitly built girl ot 14 , with
strong , heavy ankles and wrlHs , a rude
chock ot nhort hair , which wan unusually
bristling. She cponl most ot her tlmo out
of doors , wearing1 no head covering except
ing a discarded brim tint had bel"ngoJ to
the hat of one ot the farm hands. She
had a contempt tor dolls , and while rhe
never shirked any hcusehold tasks that were
asulgned her , they wcro no sooner fln'uhcd
than she was off to the fields or woods , not
to return until hunger or nightfall compelled
her.
her.Sho
She would work In the fields beside her
father and farm hands for hours without a
word of complaint , tor she laved the smell
of fresh turned cirtli and all the forms ot
creeping , growing life.
Her mother was much concerned over
what she conaideroJ Tommy's lack of fcm-
Inlno tendencies , and held many a consulta
tion with grandmoUierei , auntp and courlns
us to what course she had beJl pursue In
order to correct the gltl.
"I should whip her and make her remain
Indoors , " eiU n warped npliutcr.
"Do not allow her among the farm hands , "
cautioned one.
"Drcso her more as n young Indy and make
her take music lesswn , " suggested another.
"Send her to a convent , " urged the fourth.
Tommy heard their verdicts with firm , set
Hp3 and flashing eyes , but her father , who
had given her the masculine paiudonym ,
snapped his lingers and slid : "Let the
child alone. You will sec that she'll come
out all rlgliti The exerclfa In the open air
To worth everything el93 to her whllo she
It growing , and her \vc-rk In the flclda Is
worth twice that of her brother. "
She turned a grateful look toward his hard ,
neitned face , and dartej away down the path
to the stables , flinging out the wild , free
notesof an unfcttcic.1 bird.
Her father found her ono day standing be
fore the stall of the young stallion he had re
cently purchased.
"What Uo you think of ths Grand Duke ,
Tom lan't he a fine fellow ? Hut ho hasn't
bosn broken. He's a vicious creature , too.
The men don't Itko to tackle htm. "
Tom was delighted , for she loved horses ,
SHH SPRANG AS A YOUNG PANTHER UPON THE HORSE.
and had never experienced a sensation of fear
among Iheni.
When her falher wa * well out of the way
she climbed on the salt box , near the stall ,
and , reaching down , secured the halter. She
backed the Grand Duka out and led him Into
the barnyard. He no aaoner found himself
under the open skies than ho made a grand
plunge for freedom , running round and round
the girl , wrapping the rope on her wrlsta un
til the skin broke , plaining It with her Wood.
Finding himself balked , he made a lunge
toward her , rearing his great hoofs over her
head. WHh the large cart whip In her hand
she irtepped back , looking him steadily and
fearlessly In the eyes , the whiles of which
shwie ominously.
"D-n't you dare ! " she crloJ , preparing to
bring the bull end down on his head. Hlo
greal 'legs wavered , and he brought Ihem
harmlcly to the ground beside her , only to
bo lifted again , while he wiortod angrily.
It was a struggle a cloud of dust , a plung
ing animal , a flying whip and then she
grasped him firmly by the mane and led him
back , for ahe heard her father's voice , and
feared Iho consequences If he should find her.
The horse Irled to catch her between his
body and the wall , and she was obliged to
climb Into his trough , dealing him a smart
blow.
The barn was opened and her father came
stralghl toward the stall.
"Tommy , Tommy. " he called , "I heard you.
Where are you ? What are you dolnc In thai
stall ? Como out Instantly and don't ever let
mo catch you there again. Didn't I warn
you against the vlclousness of thai animal. "
WHh a bound she reached his Bide , and ho
uhook her severely.
Bui this did not prevent her from making
dally pllgrlmngos to the Grand Duke , ' and
familiarizing him with her , softly rubbing
his back and allowing him lo cmcl ! the sad
dle , until at laot she was able to adjust II
upon him , and t > ? al herself flrmly , making
short trips to the barnyard.
Once , as she rode out ot the stall , eho saw
that she had forgotten to pul up the bar
ncrow l'io ' main doorway. The horse headed
for Hie opening , and as she pasied llirough
she glanced at the bar , as II stool leaning
obliquely against the door Jamb , and shud
dered with a feeling of apprebenuion lhal she
TOMMY.
could not explain to herself. In a moment
t was over , and she waa riding calmly Into
bo Holds.
The farm hands did not notice her until
itio was quite near.
"llntaw Faukei , look 'at 100 dawtawl"
dried one of them , staring at her In con
sternation , hi * mouth open , his fingers
spread.
"Mlstaw I'awkes" Bald nothing , but hli
ace blanched and Ills eyes were fixed sternly
on the girl.
"Shall I run and catch them } " asked the
nan.
"No no , " replied her father , collecting
himself and recalling how often he had found
her dodging about Ihn horse In the sUblo.
"She's probably broken him In. Look how
well she sits. " And a Kit-am of pride stole
Into his eC9.
"Tommy , " ho called , In a tone thnt she
dared not disobey , "tako that horse back. "
Tommy had fastened him to a post whllo
she adjusted the bar In the doorway , won
dering what could have bcn the cause of
lh * unaccountable chill of fear that had
seized her a few moments ago , ai she had
passed it , when her brother ran past , pantIng -
Ing with excitement.
"Tommy , Tommy , fitlier'a foot his been
run over by the harrow and wo can't stop
the blood. " .
"Whero Is heT" cried Tommy.
"Lying on Iho grass In the meadow. "
She paused a moment , then , entering Iho
stable , filled ono pudgy hand with dense
cobwebs , and , snatching up some cloth ? , she
shot away , as a speodJng arrow. She pushcJ
her way amongst the men kneeling beside
him.
him."Now.
"Now. Ihen , whal you up toT" said Ihe
man who had previously called attention to
her perilous position , She Ignored his scowl
and clotted the cobncbs thickly over her
father's wounds , bandaging them as tightly
as she could.
They carried him to the house and Tommy
lookcJ about for her brolher.
"Ho has gone for the doclor , " said her
mother , who sat anxiously beside her hus
band. She glanced at Tommy's calm and
stolid countenance repioachfully.
"This never would have happened If you
hadn't excited your falher with that harum-
scarum trick of yours , " she paid. Tommy
did not reply , but went away lo stable the
Grand Duke. She could find no troc ; of
him. Her heart beat wildly for a moment ,
then she slowly returned and seated herself
upon the doorstep among some of the farm
hands who had brought her father to the
house.
There came a pound of clatlcrlng hoofs
and Iho shoul of tome ono from Iho dusty
pike. Tommy , ever alorl , leaped lo her feet ,
straining her eyes and cars. It was the
great gray , bearing toward the stable , com
pletely beyond Ihe conlrol of her brolher ,
who was braced back , hatlcss , his tcclh set ,
his lists clulchlng Ihe bridle.
Her mother rushed out , screaming , "Slop
him ! Slcii him If ll.o bar Is up ho will be
killed. " But there was lire In the Grand
Duke's eyes , and none of Ihe men would rltOc
themselves before the reslslle > js body of Iho
tremendous animal. The boy throw an ap
pealing glance toward them.
Quick as a flash Tommy was In the road ,
and as he approached , she sprang as a young
panther upon the horse's breast , clinging
to his neck , and throwing herself a dead
weight upon him. She brought him to a
standi'tlll , pawing and shaking his head
angrily.
She came Into Iho presence ot her parents
with misgivings , for she expected a scathing
reproof for her daring.
"Co'me here , Torn , " said her father from
the sofa. "Did I not tell you , Amanda , thai
the child was all rlghl ? Peter , sir. you one
your Ilfo to your sister. Tom , henceforth
the GranJ Duke belongs to you. "
Frank 1'utnnm In tlio Tlmei-IInnM.
He gives his toys up freely at sister's
lightest plea ,
He'll stop his most amusing play to come
and Bint ? for me ;
Hut uheti we ask a simile too much he
rhakt'H his curly head
And Phuts oft all ulscu'wlon ' with a curt :
"My mamma auld ! "
Suppose the clock's short finger has worked
cround to 8 ;
Suppose that both his railroad trains are
loaded high nltb freight ;
And then suppose thut I ouggest he bellcr
BO lo bed ,
Ho turns me olt directly with n , shap ; "My
miimmu said ! "
I don't know when he pleaded before our
highest court ;
The casa waa never mentioned In any law
repoit ,
I3ut when he did , beyond a doubl the argu
ments be read
Woiu based on law and equity , because his
rnnmtnu said.
It IH the things be wants to do as well as
those he don't ;
It bncltH him up securely when he either
v/lll or won't ;
In short , there seems no limits to the
pointy beneath the hend
Of this mysterious verdict for my baby :
"Mamma said. "
Sometimes , though. I am tempted to have
the case reheard ,
Or to have the testimony and the argu
ments referred ,
Then get It bent to Helen , or perhaps to
Unclu Ned ,
In order to discover what it was bis
marnnta tmld.
I'llATTUiJ OK TIIH VOU.VGSTISHS.
Mamma Gracious ! Tow dirty your hands
are. You ne\cr saw my hands that dirty.
Elsie ( aged ) No , mamma ; bul I 'sped
gran'ma did.
"What did Delshazzar do when he saw the
handwriting on the wall ? " said the tenchor.
"He went It ono better , " hazarded Swlpesy
do Kid , seeing that no ono elsrt had any
conjecture to offer.
Teacher Johnny , I want you to use a
sentence with the word "disarrange. " Johnny
I don't know none on'y what Pop said dls
mornln1 when ho was llghtln' da fire , "What
did ho say ? " "Ho sed ; 'Damn dls 'ere
range. ' "
Little Irene ( entertaining Mr. Noodle ) Do
you play very hard with my sister , Clara ,
Mr. Noodle ? Mr. Noodle Play with > our
slUnr ? Why. no , I don't pljy. Why do you
ask ? LUtle Irens Well , slit ? says you make
her awful tired.
Papa Who's the smartest boy In ypur
school , Bobby ? Bobby Well , Tommy Jones
rays ho Is , and teacher says Ullly Darlow Is ,
and I well , I don't like to say who I think
la , 'coa I ain't as conceited as Tommy.
"Mamma , teacher whipped a boy today for
whispering In school. " "Well , lhat was
right. " "Hut. mamma , ho hollered ton limes
as loud as he whispered ! "
"My dear , " ald Mr. Wllklns , "we mtisl
economize , wutch every penny , for doltari
are scarce. " Ten minutes Inter he added ,
"Tommy , why haven't you gone to school ? "
"I'm helpln' you to economize , pop , " said
Tommy. "You eald I could have IS If I
wasn't late Ihls term. I BUCKS I'll bo late
today. "
MM. KauntUroy You bad little boy , to
throw stone * at my Algernon ! What are
such wicked lltlle boy * as you allowed lo ) lv
lor , anyway ? Tommy Tuffboy If It ueion't
'or wicked llttlo boys Ilko me , rna'am , you
couldn't see liow cooJ your Algernon U by
comparison.
GOT A BABY BOY NOW-
Happiness in a Southern
Man's Homo.
Itrnt Uir Hi-il of OniiRor n ( Ilio
Itnllronit C Wnrnlnir
Men.
"Kor twcnty-sK
ytarj I have usvd
tobacco In great
quantities , nml of
lfllc rcnns took to
cigarette nnokhiR , "
writes Mr. W. K.
Simpson of ho
co.nptp. La. "t
want la go on rcc-
"rd that tobacco
las robbed mo of
many joars of Ufa
niul a grcnt deal of
tiapplncss. I realize
It now as I compare -
pare my feeling *
ami my condition with that of A your ago ,
when I was a tobacco saturated cigarette
fleml. , . .
"Many and ninny a tlmo did I try to quit
smoking myself Into eternity , but t could
not put tliroiiKli n day without mirferliiK
extreme nervous torture , which would In
crease hour by hour till tmnlly , to save my
self ns It seemed from nlmoit flying to
pieces , I lind to HtfiU the little white pipe-
Htlok and swallow the smoko.
"Ono day I read In my paper 'Don't To
bacco Spit nml Smoke Your I.lfo Away ,
just whnt I wan doing ; It came to me like
the warning of the man who waves the red.
niu : of danger nt the railroad ciosslng. nnd
said thnt No-Ttt-Hnc wan an absolutely
gimrantocd relief from tobacco slavery.
"J did not believe It. but like n drowning
man gin plng Ht n straw I commenced tak
ing No-To-Uno.
"The. effects were magical : It destroyed
the nerve cin.vlng nnd dcslro for cigarette1 ! .
Two boxes , would you believe It ? made
mo well and strong.
" 1 liavc Rained mcnlallv , phyrlcally In
vliror nnd manhood , and with trne brnln free
from the nicotine and a breath no longer
befouled with tobacco smoke , I am no happy
today to write No-To-llac did It all n year
nKO , so the cuiu Is time-tested nnd tried ,
not only In my own case , but several of
my f i lends who hnvo also been cured.
" \\'o have n baby boy now.
"My wife nml I feel that all tlili happi
ness * started from the time wnen I Ilrst used
No-To-Hnc. and In evidence of our apprecia
tion , and In order that the memory of the
happiness may bo perpetuated In a living-
form , we want to name our baby bov after
the man who wrote the line "Don't Tobacco.
Spit and Smoke. Your Life Away. '
"No-To-Hnc Is j > opular here and all our
druggists sell It , Hardly ad ay passes but
somebody a ks mo about No-To-Unc , no I
don't want you to hesitate to uie the o
1 1 ni"t In any way that you think will make
known to Buffering humanity the happiness
that there Is In No-To-Bac for the ninny men
with nt"otlnlzed brnlnH and weakened reso
lutions , If they will only mnko up their
mlnd.s to snvo the waste of vital powc
to say nothing of the money now going up
Into smoke and out In tobacco iiplt. "
ANY OTHER REMEDY.
Tnrrant'i Txtraot of Ci- :
twin nnd Cnpalba Is a safe ,
rr tin I n anil quick cure for
conurihea nml ir.eel and li
nn clJ-ltlnl remedy for all
illneiife * of the urlnnry or
gan ? . Combining In n lilrlilr
roiicentmted form the me
dicinal \lrtuea of cubVbt
nnd cntmtba , lla portabls
Rliipp , frmtmn from tosto
ml itpeeJy ucllun < curlm In
Ics time tlmn any otlxr
piuparatlon ) make It THtO
MUST VAI.I'AIU.1 ' ! KNOWN
HI5MEHV. To prevent fraud ,
lee tlul M ry package tins ft red ittilp votuas the
face ot mlicl , ultli the nlgnalura of Tnriant A
Co. . N. Y. . upon It. miCD. M.OO. Bold by ail
OP IIIH
% H IW RJH pAWtSSSL ? i PJSlUUEiTTLT WEED
o ; = t. & , 0. GOLL-iros-
PAINLESS OPIUM AtiTIDOTE
ORIQIHAl AND Oh'LY GENUINE REMEDY.
Discovered In 1868. " THERIAKI" Book Pros.
Office 312,78 Monroe Street , puiOApn III
. n. D uv > R C ! . unilrHUUi ILLi
Searles &
Searles
SPECIALISTS l.i
Hcivous , Clirouic
and
Private Oiseis:3. :
BEXUAlAir.
AU 1'rlvato
TruaDiirut by
Lousultuttun frou-
SYPHILIS. .
Cure.I for Ufa end iioU.ii tlioiouehly
clfameit from the jjstoin. I'lM'H , KIKTUI.A
n HKCTAIj UI.CUKS , lIYUnoCULIM AND
VARICOCULB permiinently nnil successfully
cured. Method new nml unfalllnc.
STRICTURE AND GLEET
Iy new mctliod without pain or cuttlnc.
Call on or ndilress v/llli sluinp.
Dr , Searlcs & Seirlw ,
A SPECSALTYMM8S
UaryByphliiapcrnmiiently cured In 16 lo
35iloyB. You car. to treated at homo for
tliogarooprlcoI'.ide'naao ; ; imruuty. II
yjrun prefer to come hero na < ? IU contract
to par railroad faro anil hotel a 1)2 ) , anc1 no )
eburco.lfiro foil to euro. If you hare tnkcii mer
cury , Indldo potanh > and etlll liavo action nn < !
pnln . Mucous J'otp'io * In moulli.Soro Throat ,
I'lmplc * . Copper Colored Kpotfl , Ulcnro on
nrpartof tboboilr , llulrnrIy l > rii\vH fiilllnir
out , It lithlaByphlJUlo IJI.OOIJ 1'Ol.HON ttmi
we eimrnntcn to euro. Wo oolldttlio moot obitl-
nuto 011809 and clinllouca the world for a
cant } wo cannot euro. u'lil dlfanio Ims nlirura
baflleU tl.o skill nftliomoBtomlllimtpliyol-
claim. 8500,000 cupllnl behind our DiicomlU
tionnlguaranty. Absolutopi-nofiKentanalocay
ippllcallon. Addrona COO ft JtUMJCUV CO. .
1107 aiuuuutu Temple , CHICAGO , I LI *
WEAK MEN
CURED AS IF BY MAGIC.
Victims of Lost Manhood should Bend at
ouco for iv book
that explains how
full mauly vigor
Is < tafilly , quickly
and pcrmanuiitly
rcstnrod. No mun
suftorinff from
weakness can af
ford to Ignoiut till
tlmoly ttilvloo.
Book to ! In how
, 'full ' ttruDKth , de
velopment and tone are Imparted to every
portion of the body. Bent with positive
proof ( sealed ) free to any muu on application ,
ERIE MEDICAL CO. , BUFFALON.Y.
nd the marrrlnui Kruorb
HomedCALTHOS > . , ami u
fiTOIIH.rhDfBM A Kroluloni.
Cl/UK HiM.rn..f0rrkni , 'urlco < ll.
ad UKiTOUK I.u.t Vigor.
l/tt it and fay tfiallif.td ,
iddrtu , VON MOHL CO. ,
Bui. anrrltu 1 | U , ll.fU.Ht. till ,
W11.COA.
'AHSY9PILLS
nafoand BtlltH. Alw y rHlnlJo. T k
noiubitliuir. For aUibyull < JrimgUt5. lioo. Hend
r. lot Wumnn- tal'iittant. WllJUnX HI'KCIflU
CO. . 213 tOUTII KIUHT1I ST. I
Kim's I * Celebrated I'owdtra ptvtt Fcmalo fill.
naa
! * cu/i tt. u
4ft . ftbd fun ( ifttf
m f with T i
H F Dr > 0X
