The Pascagoula democrat-star. (Pascagoula, Miss.) 1878-1920, 1881-06-10

to me afterward, as things do come
back with Il sudden flash across
the dark shield OF memory man
who was lounging on the steps
looked hard at me.
colored "a little, and thought tC
myself: "Well, he'll know me the
next time he sees me,' aud then
forgot all about it, for | had mothers
black bombazine TO match and Ills
spring hat to buy, and some dinner
china to select, aud the doctors pre-.
scription for Leeman to fill out at
the druggists, so il was well on to
seven when | turned old Pomp's
head homeward, in the suburb OF
the town, with q feeling OF emotion
" hich was quite pardOnable, when
one considers my iuexperi nee in
the marketing line and my excep.
IiOually good success.
The sunshine was warm, aud still
on tue high road, and | was rather
glad at first we came TO the cool
shadows of the Red swamp, where
the birds were all silentiu the noon.
heats, aud the sweetest of odOrs
came floating up from The tangled
rrcesses Of fern and cowslip, on
either side the solitary, railed.iu.
road.
All at once old Pomp gave a
sidewise start, bis ancient idea OF
shying, aud then | saw Il man, pale
dusty aud tired-looking, sitting on
u fallen log, just outside of the road.
| felt sorry for him; ! was like
mother, who never would let the
shabbiest or meanest looking yaga.
bond 90 past our house without u
draught OF milk, or piece of fresh
baked pie, or slice OF her famous
homemade bread.cake, aud with.
out stopping to think, drew in old
Pomp's rein.
"Are you going towards Lennox
cross roads n said l. 'Yes ~ "Then
Jump in; rm going in that dlrec.
lion, toe, and III give you lift.'
lie thanked me in silent, droop-
ing sort Of way, aud seated himself
OH the board 1T the back of the wa.
gon, toward which | pointed with
the handle of whip.
"You look ILL.," said |.
81 am not ill,' he said with a
smotherca cough; "only tired
with my long walk. | didn't know
it was so far to Lennox.n
"L,suppose you are ging for
work " said /. "Deacon Rrierly
has a good many hands just now in
his tobacco factory
"No,' said he, 81 am not going
to work."
| asked no more questions. | did
not like the idea of a man's shroud.
ing himself in a mystery in that
sort ofway; ard, as | glanced once
more, sudden revelation came
across me like a blaze of light.
1t was the same man who had
eyed me so keenly on the steps OF
the Park hotel.
Then | remembered my mothers
words of caution, Leeman's reitera-
ted exbortations, and the landlords
friendly words of warming.
And, in spite of 1t all, | had de-
liberately thrust my silly head into
the jaws of danger. There was on
Iy one thing for me to do-to get
out of the scrape as we'll as | could.
/ cast about in my lniud how to
do this; and presently, with beat.
Ing heart, | dropped a little parcel
Of blue ribbon into the road.
Oh y | cried, checking up Pomp,
sl'yc dropped my parcel. Would
would you mind getting out after
itp
eNot in tho least" said the stran.
ger; aud he climbed laboriously
ont Of the wagon.
He had scarcely set his foot on
he ground before | laid the whip
an old Pomp with will, and rat
led away over the long, straight
road at pace that seemed positive
y marvellous to me aud Pomp both.
SO we left our passenger behind
n the middle OF the Red swamp.
could see him standing there, blank
and astonished, the sole picture in
Ihe long perspective, as l yentured
10 look back but | only whipped
Pomp the harder, aud never let
him bate his pace till we were well
Dut of Red swamp.
" l've t-generaled him." said |
to myself "and I've saved Leeman's
s24. Tm sorry about the blue rib.
boa; but it was only yard aud q
quarter after all, and | can trim
LiPs hat with something else"
They were delighted ut my prov.
ess when | related my adventure
at home. Leemap declared l was y
capital little market woman; !; moth
er shuddered at the desperate
tramp alone with me in the swamp;
Lii declared that | was q hero.
Wasn't it a good idea for Kate
to drop the blue ribbon and send
him after itfn said she.
"Kate was goose to ever let
him get into the wagon" said Lee
man, Knitting his brow.
"Kate mustn't 60 by herself
such a long distance again. said
mother.
And drank my cup OF tea and
rested myself, and went out after
ward to see the new brood Of darl