The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1882-08-18

was preparing supper for her guest an.
other thought came to her. Could 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. Still he would be company,
and perhaps he might aid her-she
prayed for that-if she needed help.
MAT" she said, as she poured out
glass of milk for him, "won't you stay
here tonight"
81 don't know whether it be ORDERS"
he answered, uncertainty. PEARSON
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"
40 yes it is" replied Mrs. Tracey,
catching at once an idea of his thoughts.
Il 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 rememberp"
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:
Suffer little children to come
unto me'-that is, such little children as
mine there" pointing 70 them as they
stood at her side. "And the King said,
too: Whoever shall offend one of these
little ones it is better for him that mill
stone 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, them" continued Mrs. Tracey,
driving the concluding nail into her ar
gument, '.if any bad men should come
here tonight, and try to hurt me or
these little ones that belong to the King,
you would help US, wouldn't you?'
She waited anxiously for the reply.
Nat looked at her vaguely for mo-
ment, and then his eyes wandered aim
lessly around the room. and then back
to her. Finally he said. quietly:
1.-The King sent me. "I'u obey Or
ders."
How far he understood she did not
know, and all her effort could draw out
no more definite reply, and with that
she was obliged to be content. As the
evening grew late she provided her
guest with a sleeping place, in an ad-
Joining room, by throwing few quilts
on the fioor-for Nat would sleep no.
where else-and then she lay down with
out undressing, on bed beside her chill
dren. But it was long time before
slumber visited her troubled spirit.
As for Nat. no thought of worry or
anxiety for the future was on his mind,
and he "slept the sleep of the just"
and his dreams were peaceful. But
after a time those dreams became
disturbed and discordant-a voice
seemed to be calling to him from his
King. and presently he awakened with
q start.
MAT! help! Nat, the King wants
your came in smothered tones from
the other room.
In an instant he sprang lightly to his
feet, and grasping his stick he strobe
forward and opened the door. A fear
full struggle met his view as he entered.
Two rough, evil-looking men were there
---one holding Mrs. Tracey, the other
the children-and the villains were evil
IDENTIFY trying to bind and gag their vic
tins. As Nat witnessed the scene his
tall form seemed to tower yet higher,
and strange, fierce light cleaned from
his eyes.
81 belong to the Kingr' he thun-
dered: How dare you offend His little
ones"
At this unexpected intrusion one of
the burglars released his hold of Mrs.
Tracey, and sprang forward with an
oath to meet him. But it was in vain.
The great stick was whirled in the air,
and then came down with fearful force
on the head of the villain, and he sank
senseless to the floor. The remaining
burglar fastened to his comrades as
sistance, but he was like child in the
hands of giant, and in q moment he,
too, was hel pless and motionless. Nat |
stopped and drew the two insensible |
forms toward him.
Nov bring them ropes, and I'll |
hang abe paused, and left the sem
tence unfinished. 'But there amt no |
nillstones bout here to hang round
heir necksr' he added, looking up be-
wildered. "Do you b'lieve a big rock
would do? must obey orders.
''No, don't believe a rock would
TO-" replied Mrs. Tracey, smiling in
spite of her alarm. '.But they will be |
coming to presently; 1 would just tie
heir hands and feet and leave them un-
il morning."
"Yes'm, so 1 will. The King said tie
EN- hand and foot-that's His orders.
They won't offend His little ones any
nore," and in few minutes Nat lad
hem safely secured.
need not tell of the night that fol-
owed, of how Nat kept sleepless guard
over his captives, and of how, when
morning came and help came with it,
he burglars were safely lodged in the
county Jail. All that is easily sur
Missed But at last Nat was b hero
lot only in his own eyes but in the
Eyes of all others. He bore his honors
neekly and with dignity, as right be-
onging to servant of the King. He
the numerous congratulations
md hand 81 akincs, wondering, perhaps.
what it ali meant, and replying to the
questions heaped upon him with the
r;mplo Stafamant. al i,,cf nbovo6 ar |