Port Royal commercial and Beaufort County Republican. [volume] (Port Royal, S.C.) 1873-1874, 1873-10-23

of their wifftb But oh their loving
| darling-all this occurred 80 wildly to
me that, with great cry for help to
Heaven, I fell at the mans feet, and en-
treated him not to kill me.
"Kill you thought it was your
uncle who was to kill me Bless your
little heart, am eoihg to take care Of
you. You look pale. Now, didn't you
come off in too great hurry to have
time for breakfast? Have a bit of
luncheon "-stooping to take black
bag from under the seat. 81 always go
about provided with something good.
I'm soft-hearted boy, I am, and never
see fine young woman suffer, if l can
help it. Peck bit now-do; you have
a hungry look"
What should I-must J--Ado' I sat
up, and said as steadily as I could,
choking back the tears-for I would not
cry before him:
"I am not hungry; will not eat.
Do not speak to me any more. You
must not-I am lady"
GA ladyl I know that. Do You
think I'd be 80 good to you if you were
not? 7 know lady when I see her
and hungry lady, tool knew yeu
was. Come, peck a bit. Don't be
bashful."
By this time he had unlocked the
bag, and taken from it-yes, it may ap-
pear improbable, but, oh! 1t is dread
full true-a turnip-a great unboiled
turnip--a turnip still covered with the
soil Of the field from which the wretch
had taken it'll He began to scrape and
pare it while I looked on.
Was he mad? Iwould try to please
him, and do as he wished, and then
perhaps he would not hurt me. I should
soon be with aunt now, and at that
thought I felt the tears coming again,
but opened my eyes widely, and bit my
lips hard-the tears must not fall.
crushed them back, and sat watching
my companion till, having peeled the
turnip to his satisfaction, he cut off q
thick slice and handed it to me. Raw
turnip! And touched by those fingers!
"Come, take it, my beauty-a peach
ripe and downy as your own cheek.
Peaches is dear, too, this season but
give noheed to that. If SO be as I find q
pretty girl to eat 'em, I don't grudge the
money. Come, peck away or do you
want me to feed you? No, you shan't
have it without THANK you. After all
my trouble, that amt manners" with
a significant look at the knife.
"Thank you'll" I said, eagerly. !
took the slice of turnip-and began to
eat it-yes, ate it all, every mouthful
making me feel more i'll. Another
slice was offered, took it and began
to eat, but my throat seemed to be
closing-I could not swallow.
"Come, finish it. Good, isn't it
The ladies are always fond of bit of
fruit. Don't be bashful-Ive some
thing here for you to wash it down.
Nothing like drop of brandy to make
it agree with you," and he touched the
neck of black bottle which stuck out
of his pocket.
What would become of me? I had
once seen dreadful woman for few
moments at home-a new cook she was
who was, oh SO frightful. Nurse
told me she had taken brandy and was
drunk. I had thought her mad. If he
had made me drink it, and if, when
Aunt Margery found me, but no,
this I would not do; he might kill me
first. went on eating the turnip, and
all the while I prayed earnestly for
rescue. Was my prayer answered ?
The train began to slacken its speed
it stopped; but there was no station in
sight think it was sliding or some
thing of that kind.
At the side of the carriage where I
was sitting there was a steep bank
which shut out all hope; at the other
side were several lines of rail beyond
was the open country. In an instant
my torturer was at my window. With
an oath he commanded me to "be still,
and stay where was" heard some
one pass, and, in reply to question, I
suppose, say that we had been shunted
to allow special train to go by-it
would pass in three minutes. I called,
but very family, I am afraid, for no one
..5 kba NoadO furnod nm