Ottumwa weekly courier. (Ottumwa, Wapello County, Iowa) 1872-1899, 1873-04-17
Il NIGHT OF PERrI.,

An Ast sf iConapAssion ANA . Rescue.
There was something-I forget what
l-totake grandfather and grandmother
away from home one day ID October
Of the year lived with them In Burns
Hollow. 1t may have been Z funeral
or some religious meeting. for they
both drove of dressed in their best, in
the gig, with old Ajax harnessed to II
and after / had tucked in grandma 3
iron-gray silk skirt and ran back to
the house for grandra's spectacles and
| had seen the gig vanish in the distance,
felt lonely. Burns Hollow was q
lonesome place at ell times; and the
handsome rambling mansion, which
/ has sheltered regiment, had a
Ighostly air about II when one walked
through the upper rooms alone.
| There were but two servants in the
kitchen, Hannah Oakes and q lad
named Anthony. heard them laugh
Ing merrily together, for though Ham
nah was an old woman, she was full
of fun, and in Ave minutes the door
opened and Hannah cane In with the
tray. ~ lsE8s
4 "Please, Miss, said she, as she sat
down, "may I run over to Mapleton
tonight? My sisters daughter had
boy last night, they say, and nagrally
l want to see-it's tho first I ever had
of grand niece or nephew y
"Who brought the news7v' asked.
"Anthony, Miss" said Hannah. -
"He met GeOrge--that's my Yiieco's
husbaud-when he was out after the
COW, straying, ss che always II, and
told him to tell Hannah she's 4 grand.
aunt.'n +
"You may CO." said, ssbut don't
stay late. Grandpa and grandma
may be away all night and / feel
nervous. To be sure, there II Anthony
but never rely on him. Dc certain
not to stay late.'
| I repeated this injunction with a
sort of fright stealing over me--a pre-.
sentiment Of evil--and something
prompted me to add, s.Be back By
nine.' Why, can not say; but l felt
as IL at nine / should be id come Pc
culisr danger.
Hannah promised, aud, after doing
all that required, went away, and /
heard her heavy shoes on the garden
walk outside.
Early % It was, had dropped the
curtains and lighted the wax candles
on the mantle; and I sat long over my
tea, finding certain compani0nsllip in
in 1t, as women Of all ages win.
sat thus long time, and was star
tied from revery by rap at the door
"a timid sort Of rap, SO that knew
/ at once that it was neither . member
of the household nor an intimate
friend. i waited, expecting Anthony
to answer the door, but finding he did
not, went to 1t myself. r
1t had grown quite dark, aud the
moon rose late that night. At first
could only make out a crouching fig-
ure at the bottom of the porch. But
| when spoke it advanced and by the
light of the hall lamp I saw a black
man. ! had always had fear Of me-
gro, and l instinctively shrank away !;
but as did go he spoke in q husky
whisper: "This is Massa Morton's,
isn't it2"
"Yes," I replied; "but grandfather
is out"
/ 1 retreated; he advanced.
| please, miss" he said, .tJudge u.
sent me here. He said massa 'ud help
me on. Let me stay here q night,
miss-- Ia -trAbblsl- -0vs- dave since I
left him-hidin' like. Use awful nun
CRY; pears like I'd drop, and old mas
| sa's arter me. For the iub of heaben,
miss, lot me hide somewheres, and glib
me jes' crust. Massa Judge promise
| Massa Morton 'ud help me, an it's
kept me up. Missis will, know.
l knew that grandfather had given
| succor to some Of these poor wretches
before, but ! felt that might be doing
wrong by admitting stranger in his
absence.
Caution and pity struggled within
me. At last I said: "You have note
from the Judge, ] suppose? 2.
II had some writin' on paper"
said the man, "but done lose it de
night II rained SO. All! Miss, rs
tellin' de trufe-Judge sent me, sure
Pas rs sinner. rs been helped along
50 far, and pears like ] mus get 10
Canada. Can't 60 back no ways.
Wife's dar, and young uns. Got clear
. year ago. Miss, pray for You cherry
day Of my life, Of you'll jes' be so good
TO me. Tank you, Miss"
For somehow, when he spoke OF his
wife and children, l had stepped back
and let him In.
It was tho back hall door to which
the rap had come, and the kitchen was
close at hand. ] led him thithcr.--
When ! saw how worn he was, how
wretched, how his eyes glistened, and
how under his rough blue shirt his
heart beat SO that yon could count the
pulses. Iforget my caution. Ibrought
out cold meat and bread, drew Q mug
of cider and spread them on the table.
The negro ate, and left him to find
Anthony, to whom / intended to give
directions for his dying.
To my surprise, Anthony was no
where about the house or garden
Hannah must have taken him with her
across the lonely road to Mapleton.
1t was natural, but felt angry.
Yet lopged for Hannsh's return,
and listened very anxionsly until the
clock struck nine, Then, instead oil
her footsteps, ! heard the patter oi
raindrops and the rumhling Of thun.
der, and, looking out, saw that heavy
storm was coming on.
Now, certainly, grandpa and grand
! ma would not come, and Hannah wait.
Ing for the storm to pass, would not be
here for hours. However, my fear ol
the negro was quite gone, and felt 6
J certain pride In conducting myself
bravely uader these trying circ,im.
stances.
Accordingly went up stairs, found
In the attic sundry pillows aud bolstcrl
and carried them kitchenwnrd.
Here" / said, snake yourself bee
on the settee yonder, and be easy fol
the night. No one will follow you il
such q terrible storm as this, aud III
, doubt grandpa will assist you when h,
returns"
!, "Good night, and God bless yo,
miss" still speaking in husky whis
per-. And SO left him.
But dii not go upt my bed room
81 | intended for that night to renal,
dressed, and sit up in grandpa's arm
! chair, with candles and book TO
. company. Therefore locked the doc