The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1873-01-29
THE. FAITHFUL GUEST.

to take grandfather and grandmoth- |
or away from home one day in Octo-
her of the year | lived with them in
Burns Hollow 1t may have been a
funeral or some religious meeting, for
they both drove off dressed in their
best, in the gig, with old Ajax har-
messed to it, and after had tucked in
grandma's iron gray silk skirt and ran
back to the house for grandpa's spec
tacles, and had seen the sig vanish in
the distance, felt lonely. Burns
Hollow was lonesome place at all
times; and the handsome rambling
mansion, which might have sheltered
a regiment, had a ghostly air about it
when one walked through the upper
rooms alone.
There were but two servants in tie
kitchen, Hannah Oaks and the Irish
lad, Anthony. l heard 'them laughing
merrily together, for, though Hannah
was an old woman, she was full of fun,
and in five minutes the door opened,
and Hannah came with the tray.
please, miss" said she, as she set
it down, "may run over to Mapleton
tonight? My sisters married daugh-
ter had boy last night, they say, and
want to see it at'rally-it's the first
I've ever had Of grand-niece or neph-
cw!"
"Who brought you the newa?" l
asked.
"Anthony, miss" said Hannah.
"He met George-that's my niece's
husband he was out after the
COW, straying as she always is, and he
told him to tell Hannah she's grand
aunt"
"YOu may CO." l said, "but don't
stay late. Grandpa and grandma
may be away all night, and ] feel ner-
vou.. To be sure, there is Anthony,
but | never rely on him. BE certain
not to stay late" | repeated this in
junction with sort OF fright stealing
over me-a prescntment Of evil, /
might say-and something prompted
me to add, "Be back by nine" Why,
! cannot say, but felt as if, at nine,
| should be in some peculiar danger.
Hannah promised, and after doing all
that | required, went away, and heard
her heavy shoes OIL the garden walk,
outside.
Early as il was, | had dropped the
curtains and lighted the wax candles
on the mantcl, and sat long over my
tea, finding certain companionshir
in it, us women of all ages will.
l sat thus 4 long time, and was
startled from my reverie by q rap al
tho door-a timid sort of rap-so that
| knew at once that it was neither Q
member of the house nor an intimate
friend. | waited. expecting Antho
ny to answer the door, but finding he
did not, went to it myself
1t had grown quite dark, and the
moon rose late that night. At first
could only make out kind of crouch
ing figure at the bottom of the porch
But when | spoke it advanced, and by
the light Of the hall lamp l saw i
black man. had always had sor
of fear of negro, and instinctivelN
] shrunk away, but as ] did SO he SPOKE
in husky whisper:
"This is Massa Morton's isn't it? p
YES" | replied, "but grandfathe
is out"
retreated. He advanced.
, "Please, MISS" he said, Judge B
sent me here. He said massa 'ud hel
me on. Let me stay here night
miss. Is trabbled five days sense
: left him. Hidin' like. Isawtul hun
CRY, pears like I'd drop. and ole mas
sa's arter me. For de lub OBJ heaben
miss, let me hide somewhere's, ant
glib me jes' crust. Massa Judg
promise Massa Morton 'ud help me
an it's kept me up. Mlssus will,
4 know"
knew that grandfather had give
succor to some of these poor wretche
before but | felt that might be doin
wrong by admitting stranger in hi
. absence.
G Caution and pity struggled With
h me. At last | said:
! "You nave a note from the Judge
'' | suppose, sir"
81 had some writin' on a paper,
said the mon, "but Is lost it, de nigl
, it rained SO. All = miss, Is tellin' tn
truf-Judge sent me, sure as rs a sill
> ner. Is been helped along so far, an
pears like l mus get to Canady. Can
go back noway. Wiie's dare, and d
t young uns. Got clear a year age
: Miss, I'll pray for you ebry day OBJ m
life ef you'll jes' be so good to me. 5
will Dinah. Tank you, miss"
- For somehow, when he spoke (
wife and children, l had stepped bac
and let him in.
,s 1t was the back hall door at whiC
the rap had come, and the kitchen WI