The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1876-03-24

and a cOmmisserating silence fell upon
the group as they regarded the strange
ly mated twain, who sat side by side at
the feet of the helmsman.
He was not like the others, the
stranger. His face was more refined,
but there were deep lines there that
showed that sorrow and he were init
mate. His eyes had a far-off, dreamy
look, and there was deep flush on
either cheek which showed that disease
had taken hold upon his system. His
hair was gray and SO long that it fell
upon his shoulders. He was slight in
build and of medium size. His habili-
ments consisted of a heavy blue shirt
such as the others wore, and a we'll
worn coat and pantaloons.
Going to alocker one of the men pro-
cured some simple food and sat down
before the man, who muttered his
thanks, and, giving the dog share,
began to eat.
The meal finished, one of the men
approached and began to question.
.Where are We from, stranger?" he
asked in kindly tone.
1t matters not where I am FROM"
was the answer.
"But," persisted the man, "what is
yer name?''
"My name? You may call me Ismael,
if you ike,'' said the stranger, with a
bitter laugh.
can how came ye here in this wild
place?" questioned the man.
81 came from there" said the stran-
ger, pointing towards the east. He
came and drove me away. He drove me
from Valparaiso; he drove me from the
coast, but / was innocent of what they
charged against me. 1t was wicked
and cruel deed!"
| His questioner arose and tapped his
forehead significantly.
cam hev we no friends?" the boat
man asked again.
"Friends? l have no friends-but
one.''
As he spoke his hand rested gently
upon the head of the dog, who looked
up affectionately.
After that they left him alone. For
three days the pair remained on the
boat, the proprietors regularly bringing
them their meals, which the old man ate
in silence.
On the fourth day they came to spot
where tributary flowed into the main
stream. Beyond the banks of this river
stretched level plain, which under the
warm rains had changed from dusty
waste to vast flower bed. As far as
the eye could see the earth was clothed
with floral riches, which were as many
hued as the rainbow.
!. When the stranger caught sight Of
this display his eye frightened and he
arose to his feet.
Flowers, Tim!" he cried. awe
!, must go!"
: The boat was headed for the bank
and the old man, putting two gold piece!
on the bench upon which he had beer
: sitting, stepped ashore and walked rap
} idly away.
r After walking until turn in the rivel
< hid the boat from view, the old mar
/ threw himself down and began to plucl
the blossoms about him.
| "Ah! tits beautiful nosegay, Tim, ,
, he said to the dog. "And they cam
: drive us from this, can they, Tim?''
/ Then rising he YEARLY took up hi
march towards the hills on the east, hi
footballs making no sound on the spring,
path of velvet moss. The sun beat dow
fierce and hot, and deeper grew th
, flush on the old mans cheek. At time
, he muttered wildly to himself, and hi
, pace grew more unsteady. When h
| faltered the dog went on ahead, an,
facing about, seemed to urge him on
4 | e. s1z. l. L
length mining camp came in view
, Then the old man stopped.
, ''Shall we 60 there, Tim? What i
!, he should be there! Oh! Bandini, yol
are cruel, you are cruel!" he cried
clasping his hands convulsively.
: The dog came back and taking hin
by the skirt of his coat tried to pull hin
, along. The old man staggered forwart
until they came in sight of the worker
by the rivers edge. Again he stoppeo
: while the dog tugged at his coat, but il
vain. The sickness upon him and tn
, heat had sapped his strength. He reel
ed and fell, and as he fell he crushed tn
; dog to the earth, who, crawling from
beneath the weight that held him down
turned about and licked his master
face.
HHe might have lain there until h
l died, but ministering angel in the forr
1 of woman was the means of keepin
' the flame of life in his body for time
She did not possess the beauty of
: Veronese Madonna nor the tender grac
e of an Ophelia. She was middle-age
and homely; she was dressed in coars
0 garments, and she held heavy bucke
a in her sun-burned hand. But she ha
e the heart of a woman, for, going to tn
k PROSTATE figure Of the poor sufferer, sh