The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1882-08-17

out undressing, on a 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
start.
:" Nat! helpi 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.
Il 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 a child in the
hands of a giant. and in a moment he,
- L,,f,, Ioerrr AfgA
stopped and drew the two insensible
forms toward him.
" Now bring them ropes, and Pn
/ hang abe paused, and left the SEN
tence unfinished. ''But there amt no
millstOnes bout here to hang round
their necksr' he added, looking up be-
wildered. "Do you b. lieve a big rock
would do? / must obey orders
| 'tNo, / don't believe a rock would
/ do replied Mrs. Tracey, smiling in
! spite of her alarm. 8 But they will be
/ coming to presently; 1 would just tie
/ their hands and feet and leave them I'M
til morning"
'sYes'm, so viii. The King said tie
1 'em hand and foot-that's His orders.
/ They won't offend His little ones any
more,n and in few minutes Nat had
them safely secured.
i
lowed, of how Nat kept sleepless guard
J over his captives, and of how, when
morning came and help came with it,
/ the burglars were safely lodged in the
/ county Jail. All that is easily sur
missed. But at last Nat was hero
not only in his own eyes but in the
/ eyes of all others. He bore his honors
meelSly and with dignity, as a right be-
longing to a servant of the King. He
accepted the numerous congratulations
and hand-shakings, wondering, perhaps,
what it all meant, and replying to the
questions heaped upon him with the
| simple statement: Il just obeyed or
ders." Nothing, however, could induce
him to accept ANY reward for his sery-
ices. The royal command was to take
no bread, no money in his purse, and he
would not
But Nat did not lack for friends after
that. He still continued his wander
ing, and, as the story spread, homes
and hearts were open to him every
| where. But it was at Tracey's that
he was more especially welcomed, and
as the years came and went it was no.
ticed that his visits became more fire.
quent and his stays more prolonged. In
deed, as Tracey expresses it:
Hell get his orders to come here
an die yet, I reckon; an he's welcome
to all the care we can give him. An
just believe that away up in that other
world we read about, he II be as clear
headed as any body, and in genuine
earnest will forever be on business fol
the King. '"-Oatr Continent