New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1874-11-29

ing on the identical spot. On the Opposite
side was an immense limestone rock, ~
high as this ceiling. 1t stood above very
| fine spring. The landlord told me queer
| story about the lost barrel of lard, which he
said was generally believed at the time he
settled there.
THE story was that Pennsylvania wsg.
oner, going east once, broke down, ana
placed his load just where the house after
wards stood, while he went across the Lutte
Kanawha to get his wagon mended. When
he returned there was barrel OF lard miss
ing, The following winter the hoops and
slaves of the barrel were found at the foot
OF the precipice.
1--WE walked to the bottom Of his garden.
and he showed me the precipice. He said
that blacksmith at the ford. when hunting.
| the next winter. found the slaves sticking
above the snow. and collected most Oh
| them to make a barrel. All OF them We're
greasy. and some Of them gnawed. The con.
| clusion that the people came to was tnat
| the bears. which we're then numerous there,
| had found the barrels of lard during the
wagoner's absence. and in trying to get at
/ the inside of one Of them had set it rolling
down the hill, and it had gone over the
ledge and lodged in one of the holes on the
| Hat rock below. As it was partially broken
| in the fall, she bears pulled it to pieces and
| ate the lard. l was foolish enough to grope
| in the holes to see if could tnd any OF my
| lost gold.
| The landlord then told me that the same
| blacksmith robbed and murdered man
| who was driving his wagon on his way to
Kentucky the next autumn. and threw his
body over the precipice and ran away with
| his money: Of course he got my money ont
Of the barrel that rolled over the precipice.
and took that along also.'
| '.NO, sir" said Uncle Ben. when the
bears ate the lard, as they had no use for
1 A. va - hD1a In
| leaves of autumn and then the SHOWS OF
| winter covered it up snugly. and the black.
smith only got the slaves and hoops. The
| man who, as they told you. was murdered.
| got your money and now stands before You.
Your loss, Mr.. Cook. has been my gain. The
! guineas aud halt.eagles that came out Of
| that barrel Of lard made my fortune have
| kept strict account with you for twenty.
nine years. and tomorrow | will you a
| check on the Bank Of kentucky for prin-
| cipal and compound interest at ten per
cent. ! am your debtor for nearly $50, GOO
may add that the pleasure of returning it
is doubled by knowing that Sue. there. and
Ajax are to be made happy by its posses.
sion.''
The bloom. after fitful visits and flights.
! presently settled in Sues cheeks. The tears
| dropped from her long eyelashes. She
laughed and wept by turns. At last she
| laid a hand on each shoulder of the old
Kentucklan, and looking once mere into his
| eyes, said:
| it was Uncle Cooks money you found. And
| all alone, by Gods help, have worked out
this deliverance from our troubles. Blessed
| by His name p Then she kie sed the two
| old men and bade them good night
AS we sat silently gazing into the CRATE
| after Sue had gone, my mind reverted to
| her nervousness as the conclusion of Uncle
-. 10 Il
| impressive act and words before bidding
| him good night; her allusion in our chamber
| tn cOrrOborative evidence of the truth of
Uncle Bens story; her suddenly avoiding
| the subject; and her earnest, supplicating
prayer. Then thought of her seizing the
newspaper before breakfast and drawing
| the old mans attention to the circus adver-
| tisement, the day spent at Germantown,
and the two lines of that old song. This
| guileless girl, with woman's intuition.
| had size upon an incident in the narration
| of the old kentuckian's adventures, and
| connecting it with a story heard in her
childhood, had worked out this deliver.
| ance from our troubles"
Why did she not contide her plans to her
| husband, and seek his counsel and c0opera
| ton?
Would she raise him to heights Of hope
| for few brief hours, perhaps only to
plunge him deeper back into the slough OF
| desponed:
Such. no doubt, we're her thoughts as she
| sat by the baby,s crib the night before.
placed the baby silver cup. with some
cigars in it. before my uncles, and babe
them good night. IA the old Kentuckian
| commenced telling Uncle Cook the story Of
his adventure with the robbers. and his
l finding the money.
As entered our chamber Sue arose from
her knees. and putting her arm around my
| neck. SAID:
"You wouldn't believe the. Ajax. when I
| told you. afteS we were married, that had
| a fortune somewhere, if could only find it.
Now you can pay those obstinate French.
| men, ard viii! hold the mortgage on the
house. and we will have SIG 900 left.'
Then Lulie stirred in her crib and opened
her large gray eyes. SO like Sues. Then
We both kissed her. and kissed the dear
| old medal. and hung it around the baby's
neck.--.lHaRtie.