The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1881-10-15

a singing ram, and a chill, damp air that
went to ones bones, until just before sunset,
when the west broke up into ragged clouds,
from which streamed garish yellow glow.
A clump Of willows beside the turbid bayou
was half obscured in a cloud of fog. Max's
boots made sucking sound in the heavy SOIL,
and left spongy marks behind them.
Lagniappe was ranging few feet ahead OF
me, when, Just Us had crossed the branch"
he started up covy of partridges right under
MaX's nose.
Well, that was the only shabby trick Max
ever served me. But twas enough, it SUI.
feed" as the fellow in tho play says, tor he
pitched me of against tree, and then made
tracks for home. | was conscious OF grind
ing pain in my left leg, and when | tried to
get on my feet, found that useful member
was-brOken.
This is the deuce of an idea" said.
Lagnlappe was walking round and round
me curlously, and as looked at him an IN
spiratlon seized me. With some trouble
took pencil and a scrap of paper from my
pocket and scrawled a few lines upon 1t. Then
called the dog coaxingly, and showed him
the slip, pointing in the direction o, the Oaks,
which was not more than nile away. lie
seemed to understand, for he grabbed the pa
per; but ne had not gone far before he tore IT
up, and ran back to me. l coaXed, command
ed, threatened in vain. He looked roguish,
and wagged his comical tail Then l lifted up
my voice and woke the echoes; but there was
no answering shout. fired my pistol several
times, but no one came.
Very we'll then" said l. 81 suppose must
lie here TIL morning"
| removed the comforter from about my
neck-it was some OF Anne's handiwork, by
the by-and began to roll it up INTO cushion
for my head, determined to be as comfortable
as possible, when Lagnlappe, with wicked
look snached it out of my hands, and darted
off into the underbrush, to tear 1t into ribbons,
never doubted.
Abandoned by even my horse and dog, you
may believe that my feelings were not envl-
able. The pain of the fracture was intoler-
able-a violent throbblng, varied by grind
ing agony whenever | moved hairs breadth.
had also the consolation OF rejecting that
this long delay might make amputation neccs-
sary, and | quaied at the thought OF being a
cripple. Fever and the want of a proper sup
port had sent all the blood to my head, and
between rage and pain | was well-nigh crazy,
longed to stiangle Lagntappe.
| was alone IN the horrible silence of win
ter night That silence, pregnant with half.
uttered sounds, whispered suggestions OF evil
ten times worse than the broad reality. Not
the chIrp of bird not the STIR OF n green leaf,
only the soughlng Of the wind across the max
ed flat, and the river booming threatcnlnely
against the levee. There was no moon, but a
pale, watery light spread itself over the sky
Soon | expected to feel the rain on my up
turned face.
Far, far off negro began that jarring cry
that bears harsh resemblance to the German
jodel. | tried to hail him, but my voice failed
me.
Then it seemed to me that the thoughts in
my brain began to buzz like bees with an ever
dllating and decreasing sound. God, if
could faint or diet" gasped.
There was cracking in the dead leaves,
and looking up saw Lagniappe. His sides
heaved, and foam hung from his lips | felt
tor my pistol there was still one cartridge in
1t. NY hand was unsteady; he wavered dir.
zly before my eyes; but the shot sped true to
the mark A sharp howl rang out on the still
air, and he fell quite close to me.
The sound sobered me. "LBgniappe"
cried IN horror at my own deed, and flung
the pistol as far as my arm could SEND it.
At my voice his large eyes rolled, and he
wagged his tail feebly as he dragged himself
nearer and tried to lick my hand. Then 9
culver ran through his body. felt him; he
was still warm, but he was dead.
Well, boys, don't mind telling you that
cried like a baby A moment atterward
heard voices and footsteps Lights flashed
through the dark, and soon crowd of people
came from behind the trees. In the midst o
them was sweet Anne herself the dark ten
drills of hair curling up with the damp arounc
her face that bloomed like rose under The
shadow of her white hood
"Annew cried, bewildered.
Eyes, my dearest Jack" she, said; ut was
all Larn.appe's work He came running II
with your comforter, and | knew something
had happened to you. Papa wasn't at home
so | came myself and we followed Lagniappe.
| II done tole missy free or TO- times dat
could boss dis yer job myself; but she'll hal
her own way er bust" was Abrams character
istc reJolnder.
And, oh, Jack!' cried Anne, 81 know some
thing dreadful is the matter with you"
Broken Leg" / managed to say.
"Well, we must take you home as soon
we can. And where's Lagnlappe-dear littl
hero Jack, he's deadr'
Ihad 10 tell a lie. "Anne" said, "he cam
running through the bushes; it was dark, ant
| fired"
knew nothing after that. A merctul fam
ing fit saved me from the joting OF the roug
litter, improvised of rails and boughs, O
which they placed me, with Lagnappe's dea
body by my side. .,
| was taken to the Oaks, and nursed bac
to strength by Anne and her grandmother
but always in the bottom of my heart lay. tn
cold thought that had murdered my frlen'
The worst of it was, discovered atterwar
that Jaclnthy's son-a gay young bachelor
had borrowed my boots to wear to a party ST
after all, Lagniappe had been blameiess.
I've been fortunate man IN my lite, happ
in nv wife and family and friends; hut "
, sometimes when | think OF the look IN Lagn
appes ewes that night shot him-lets tai
of something else-Hdrper's Bdzdr.
, The Chinese believe that the falling OF an
shadow over an ancestors grave is an lnsu
offered to that ancestor, and, strange as 1t ma
:. - .i;n h1lint 10 liEnlu n nreSprYe the ell