The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1882-08-30

ness tOr bn6 hlnR. III ulu uOb SOou
to him what he should do when he
reached Tracey's and had been sup
piled with food. At present he was
''obeying orders"-and beyond that his
thought did not go. It was indeed a
long walk he had undertaken, and it
was Just at dusk that he reached his
destination. The Halfway house was
lonely hostelry, situated at the inter
section of two roads, with no other
house in sight, and was common
stopping-place for persons passing to
and from the city. Nat stepped boldly
upon the broad piazza in front, and
with full consciousness OF his right
walked unhesitstiugly into the pleasant
sittiug.room. Mrs Tracey came for
ward to meet him.
"Why, Nat. is that you?"
"Yes'm," he answered, grRvely. al
was told to come here an get square
meal. The King sent me-"
"The King sent you? Well guess
I'll have to give you supper then,"
said she. "And by the way, Nat, did
you sec my husband on your way here Z"
"Yes'm; and he said for me to tell
you he'd be home to-morrer night an
for you not to be uneasy bout that
money"
"Oh, dear I did so hope he'd come
this evening"" she sighed.
She was indeed uneasy on account OF
the money in the house. She had slept
but little the preceding night for think
ing Of it, and had worried about it all
through the day, and now another
lonely night was before her. As she
was preparing supper for her guest
another thought came to her. Gould
she not induce Nat to stop there for the
night? His notion of wandering made
it an uncertain request, and even if he
remained, with his beclouded intellect,
he could not be depended on in case Of
trouble. Sill he would be company,
and perhaps he might aid her-she
prayed for that-if she needed help.
"Nat," she said, as she poured out
glass of milk for him, "won't you stay
here tonight p
"I don't know whether it be orders"
he answered, uncertainty. "Parson
said the King sent out His messengers,
an they wasn't to take no money nor
nothin' to eat, an don't know if it be
right to stop"
"Oh, yes, it is," replied Mrs. Tracey,
catching at once an idea of his thoughts.
"I heard what the parson said, too.
When the Kings messenger entered a
house he was to abide there-that is to
stop. Don't you remember"
Nat considered the proposition.
"Yes m, that's His orders. I'll stop"
he said.
"And, Nat" pursued the lady, rem
dered eager by her success, there's
another thing the King said-you heard
it at Sunday school. He said, 'SuffsI
little children to come unto me that
:. is such little children as mine there.
pointing to them as they stood at hsl
side. "And the King said, too, Who
{ soever shall offend one of these little
onea it is better for him that milestone
were hanged about his neck, and he
were cast into the sea- The King
doesn't wish any harm to come to His
little ones, in any way-you remember
that?'
"Yes M" replied Nat, absently.
"Well, then" continued Mrs. Tracey
driving the concluding nail into her ar
gument, off any bad, wicked mel
!, should come here tonight and try t.
{ hurt me or these little one
r that belong to the King, you woulC
help us, wouldn't youY'
/ She waited Gnxiously for the reply
Nat looked at her vaguely for q mo
I ment, and then his eyes wandered aim
| lessly about the room, and then bacl
j, to her. Finally he said, quietly:
+ "The King sent me. I'll obey or
ders."
r., L.. "a ,,n5 <,.okood sho 5;5 80
, know, and all her effort could draw ou
I no mora definite reply, and with tina
a she was obliged to be content. As tn
' evening grew late she provided he
n guest with a sleeping place, in an ad
joining room, by throwing a few quilt
4 on the hoor-for Nat would sleep no
a where else-and then she lay down
|. without undressing, on q bed besid
!, her children. But it was a long tim
o before slumber visited her troubles
' spirit.
9 As for Nat, no thought of worry o
anxiety for the future was on his mind
s and he ''slept the sleep of the just" an
Il his dreams were peaceful. But afte
h time those dreams became dis
turbed and discordant-a voic
IL seemed to be calling him from his King
d and presently he awakened with
" start.
Q "Nat helpl Nat, the King want
10 you p came in smothered tones from tn
a. other room.
70 In an instant he sprang lightly to hi
feet, and grasping his stick he strod
;" forward and opened the door. A fesrfu
at struggle met his view as he entered
s, Two rough, evil-looking men were ther
s, -one holding Mrs Tracey, the othe
Ii the children-and the villains were ev
s, IDENTIFY trying to bind and gag their VII
/ tins. As Nat witnessed the scene hi
We tall form seemed to tower yet highe
n and strange, fierce light CLEANED frol
W his eyes.
q. al belong to the Kingln he thu