The Osceola times., 1879-02-22
THE FAITHFUL GUEST.


THE FAITHFUL GUEST.
There was something, forget what,
to take my grandfather and grandmother
away from home one day in October of
the year ! lived with them in Burns
Hollow. IL may have been funeral or
some religious meeting, for they both
drove off dressed In their best in the gig,
with old Ajax har messed to it and after
| had tucked il grandms's iron gray silk
skirt and ran back to the house for
grandpa's spectsees, and had seen the
gig vanish in the distance, felt lonely.
Burns Hollow was a lonesome, rambling
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 Oskes and the Irish
lad Anthony. heard them laughing
merrily together, for, though Hannah
was an old woman, she was full of fun,
and 10 five minutes the door opened and
Hannah came In with the tray. ..
PLEASE, miss" said she, as she set it
down, may run over to Mapleton to-
night t.? My sisters daughter mad boy
last night, they say, and want to see il,
nsLrally-it's the first Pve ever had OF
grsndniece or nephew"
VINO brought the Dews?" | asked.
Anthony, miss" said Hannah. F" He
met George that's my niece's husband
when he WAS out after the COW, stray
ing IA she always is, and told hum 10 tell
Hannah she's grsndaunt.
You may go" l said, but don
stay late Grandpa and grandma may
he away all night, and l feel nervous.
To be sure, there is anthony, but never
rely on him. Be certain not to stay
late" repeated thisinjunction with a
sort oi trigat stealing over me-a pre-
eminent of evil, might say-and
something prompted me to add: Be
back by g." Why, cannot say; but
felt as il by Q should be in some peculiar
danger.
Hannah promised, and, alter doing all
| required, went away, and | heard her
heavy shoe. on the garden walk outside.
Early as it was, mad dropped the cur
tain and lighted the wax candle on the
mantel, and sat long after my tea, find.
ing q certain cOmpsnionship in it, as
women of all ages will.
| sat thus long time, and WAS startled
from my reverie by rap at the door "A
timd sort of rap so | knew at once that
- ,,t har q ha
intimate friend. | waited, expecting
Anthony TO open the door, but finding
he did not went to it myself.
II had grown quite dark, and the moon
rose late that night. At first | could
only make out crouching figure at the
b)ttom OF the porch but when | spoke
it advanced, and by the light of the hall
lamp saw black man. | bad always
had sort oi fear ofa negro, and instinct.
lively shruDk away, but as | did so he
spoke in husky whisper: "This is
Masss Morton's, isn't it,"
Yes" | replied, "but grandfather
is out"
| 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.
Ia trabbled five davs since | left him,
hidin' like. rs awful hungry Pears
like I'd drop, and ole masss's srter me-
For de lub OBJ heaben, miss, let me hide
IS symewheres, and glib me jes' crust.
Masss Morton 'ud help me, aud it's kept
me up. Missus will, know
knew tina. grandfather had given
succor to some Of these poor wretches
before but felt that might be doing
wrong by admitting a stranger in his alb
sence.
Caution and pity struggled With me.
At last | said, You have note from
the Judge, | suppose, sir?
Il had some wrilin' on paper" said
the man, "but rs lost it de night it
rained 20. All miss, Is tellin' the trufi
Judge sent me, sure as Is a sinner Is
been helped along 81 lar, aud pears ls
| get to Cansdy. Can't go back noways
Wife's dsr, and the young uns. Got
clear year ago. Miss, III pray for you
ebry day OF my life ell you'll be 30 good
to me Tank you, mis-.
For somehow when he spoke of wife
and children had stepped back and let
him in.
1t was the buck hall door to which the
rap had come, and the kitchen was close
at hand led him thitber When
saw how worn he ws-, how wretched,
how his eyes elistened, and how under
his rough blue shirt his heart beat "
that YOU could count the pulses, ,orgot
my caution | 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 Tor
his lodging throughout the night
To my surprise, Anthony was nowhere
about the house or garden.
Hannah must have taken him with
her across the lonely rosd 10 Mapletcn.
II was natural, but | was angry
Yet Ilonsed for Hsnnsh's return. and
listened very anxiously until the clock
struci nine. Then, instead Of her foot.