Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1878-12-18
THE FAITHFUL GUEST.
A Night of Danger ut MapletOn.


There was something, forgot what,
to take grandfather and grandmother
away from home one day in October OF
the wear [ lived with them in Burns
Hollow. It may have been a funeral
or some religious meeting, for they both
drove off dressed in their best in the
gig, with old Ajax harnessed to it; and
after | had tucked in grandma's iron
gray silk skirt and run back to the
house for grandpa's spectacles, and had
seen the gig vanish in the distance, |
felt lonely. Burns Hollow was a lone
some, rambling mansion, which might
have sheltered a regiment, had a host
" air about it when one wandered
through the upper rooms alone.
There were but two servants IN the
Kitchen, Hannah Cakes and the Irish
lad Anthony. [ heard them laughing
7nerrily 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. ii. +
"Please MISS" said she, as she set 1t
down, "may [ run over to Mapleton to-
night? My sisters daughter had boy
last night, they say, and | want to see
it, nat'rally-it's the first I've ever had
of grand-niece or nephew"
''Who brought the news?' L asked.
''Anthonv, miss" said Hannah. Gle
met George-thats my nleces nus
band-when he was out after the COW,
straying as he always is, and told him
to tell Hannah she's a grandaunt. /"
"You NAV 90" [ said, 'hut don't stay
late. Grandpa and grandma may be
away all night, and [ teel nervous. To
be are, there is Anthony, but never
rely on him. Be certain not TO stay
late" repeated this injunction with
a sort of fright stealing over me--a pre-
sentiment of evil. [ might say-and
something prompted me to- add: BE
back by g." Why, | can not say; but
I felt as if by g [ should be IN some pc
culiar danger.
Hannah promised, and, dong all re-
quired, went away, and | heard her
heavy shoes on the garden Walk out
side.
Early as it was, [ had dropped the
curtain and lighted the wax candles on
the mantel, and sat long over my tea,
as women of all ages will. ,.. l..
I sat thus a long time, and was start
led from my reverie by a rap at the
door-a timid sort of rap, SO that |
knew at once that it was not member
of the house nor an intimate friend. l
waited, expecting Anthony to open the
door. but, finding he did not, went to 1t
myself.
1t had grown quite dark, and the
moon rose late that night. At first L
could only make out a crouching figure
at the bottom of the porch; but when l
spoke it advanced, and by the light of
the hall lamp [ saw a black man. |
always had a sort of fear Of a negro, and
instinctively shrunk away, but as | did
so he spoke in husky whisper: This
is Massa Morton's, isn't it ?"
Yes" [ replied; "but grandfather
is out"
I retreated as ne advanced.
"Please Miss" he said, "Judge B.
sent me here. He said massa 'ud help
me on. Let me stay here night,
Miss. Is trabbeled five days since [
left him. Hidin' like rs awful
hungry, pears like I'd drop, and ole
massa's arter me. For the hub ob
heaben. Miss, let me hide somewheres,
and glib me ies' crust. Massa Morton
'ud help me. and it's kept me up. Mis-
sus will, [ know"
knew that grandfather had given
succor to some Of these poor Wretcnes
before; but felt that [ might be doing
wrong by admitting a stranger in his
absence.
Caution and pity struggled within me.
At last l said: ''You have note from
the Judge, suppose, sir? ~
II had some writin' on a paper, y
said the man, "but Is lost it de night
it rained so. Ali Miss, rs tellin' the
truf-Judge sent me, sure as Is a sin
ner. Is been hoped along SO far, and
pears like | can get to Canady. Can't
60 back noways. Wife's dare, and the
young uns. Got clear a year ago.
Miss, I'll pray for you ebry day of
my life eff you'll be so good to me.
Tank you Miss"
For somehow when he spoke Of wife
and children | had stepped back and
let him in.
It was the back hall door to which
the rap had come, and the kitchen was
close at hand. | led him thither.
When [ saw how worn he was. how
wretched, how his eyes glistened, and
how under his rough blue shirt his
heart beat SO that you could count the
pulses, [ forgot my caution. 1 brought
out cold meat and bread, drew 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 lodging throughout
the night. -.
To my surprise, Anthony was no
where about the house or garden. f't
Hannah must have taken nim with
her across the lonely road to Mapleton.
1t was natural, but | was angry. -f1..-.
Yet l longed for Hannah's return
and listened very anxiously until the
clock struck 9. Then, instead of hel
footsteps, | heard the patter of rain
drops and the rumbling thunder, anC
looking out saw that a heavy storm was