Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1879-01-19
THE FAITHFUL GUEST.

AhSAS VI1 SoAAAOLhliIA$o, AOASSL "liuI
to take my grandfather and grandmother
away from home one day in October Of
the year I lived with them in Burns
Hollow. 1t may have been funeral or
some religious meeting, for they both
drove off dressed in their best IN the gig,
| with old A ax harnessed to it; and after
| had tucked in grandma's iron gray silk
skirt and ran back /, to the house for
grandpa's spectacles, and had seen the
gig vanish in the distance, I felt lonely.
Burns Hollow was lonesome, ram bling
mansion, which might have sheltered a
regiment, and had a ghostly 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 mer
rily 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 to-
night? My sisters daughter had a boy
last night, they say. and want to see IT.,
nat'rally-it's the first I've over had OF
grandniece or nephew"
sWho brought the news?' I asked.
'"Anthony, MISS" said Hannah. He
met George that's my niece's husband
when he was out after the cow, straying
as she always is, and told him to tell
Hannah she's a grandaunt.'"
"You may co." I said, "but don't stay
late. Grandpa and grandma may be
away all night, and feel nervous. 10
be sure, there is Anthony, but I never
rely On him. Be certain not to stay late.'
I repeated this injunction with a sort of
fright stealing orer me-a presentment
of evil, l might say and something
prompted me to add: "Be back by g."
Why, cannot say; but felt as if by I
should be in some peculiar danger.
Hannah promised, and after doing all
[ required. went away, and heard her
heavy shoes on the garden walk outside.
Early us it was, dropped.the curtain
and lighted the wax candles on the man
tie, and sat long after my tea, finding
certain companionship in it, as women
of all ages will.
I sat thus a long time, and was startled
from my reverie by rap at the door--a
timid sort If rap, so that knew at once
that it was not member of the house nor
an intimate feiend. waited, expecting
Anthony to open 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 a crouching figure at the bot
tom of the porch; but when spoke 1t
advanced, and by the light Of the hail
lamp saw a black man. had always
had a sort of fear Of negro, and instinc-
tive.y shrunk away, but as I did so he
spoke in husky whisper: "This is Mas
So Morton's, isn't it,"
"Yes," I replied, "but grandfather is
out"
I retreated as he advanced.
"Please, Miss" he said, Judge B. sent
me here. He said massa 'ud help me on.
Let me stay here a night, Miss. rs trab-
bled five days since lett him, hidin like
Is awful hungry. Pears like I'D drop,
and ole massa's arter me. For de Tub OF
heaben, Miss, let me hide somewheres,
and glib me jes' crust. Massa Morton
'ud help me, and it's kept me up. Missus
will, I know"
| knew that grandfather had given
succor to some Of these poor wretches be-
fore; but felt that might be doing
wrong by admitting stranger in his alb
sence.
Caution and pity struggled with me- At
last l said. You have note from the
judge, [ suppose, sir?''
II had some writin' on paper" said
the man, shut rs lost it de night it raincd
so. All! Miss, rs tellin' the truff-J Judge
sent me, sure as rs a sinner. Is been
helped along SO far, and pears like l get
to Canady. Can't go back noways. Wits
dare, and the young uns. Got clear a
year ago. Miss, III pray for you e5ry
cay of my life eff you'll be Sc good to me.
Thank you, Miss
For somehow when he spoke of wife
and children had stepped back and let
him in.
1t was the back hall door to which the
rap had come. and the kitchen was close
at hand, led him +hither When I saw
how worn he was, how wretched, how his
eyes glistenad, and how under his rough
blue shirt his heart beat so that you
could count the pulses, I forgot my eau
ton. [ brought out cold meat and bread,
drew q mug Of cider, and spread them or
the table. The negro ate, and I left him
to find Anthony, to whom I intended to
give directions for his lodging through
out the night.
To my surprise, Anthony was nowhere
about the house or garden.
| Hannah must have taken him with her
across the lonely road to Mapleton
1t was natural, but was angry.
Yet I longed for Hannah's return, and
listened very anxiously until the clock
struck nine. Then instead of her foot
steps, heard the patter of raindrops and
the rumbling thunder, and looking out
saw that heavy storm was coming on.
Now, certainly, grandpa and grandma
would not come, and Hannah, waiting for
the storm to pass, would not be here for
hours. However, my fear of the negro
was quite gone, and I felt certain
prid Pin conducting myself bravely under
these trying circumstances.
Accordingly l went up stairs, found in
the attic sundry pillows and holsters, and
carried them kitchenward.
Here" said, SNAKE yourself bed
on the settee yonder, and be easy for the
night. No one will follow you in such a
terrible storm as this, and, no doubt
grandpa will assist you when he returns
home. Good night"
"Good night, and God bless you, MISS y
still speaking in a very husky whisper.
And so left him.
But did not go upstairs to my bed
room. INTENDED for that night to re-
main dressed, and sit up in grandpa's
arm chair, with candles and book for