The Arkansaw traveler., 1883-11-24
A FRANK RASCAL.

largest and best cultivated cotton planta- tions in Arkansaw. His large house had never been graced by wife. In short, Colonel Hatwell was an old bachelor. This condition must have been his own choosing, for in the colonels immediate neighborhood there were many maidens with many styles of gay bonnets and many bright smiles who would have been happy to have accepted him and his property. His nearest living relatives were two nephews, the prospective heir, known as reckless Bill Short. The ap- pellation of reckless was we'll enough in application, but his real name of Short was something of a misnomer, for young Short was at least six feet feur, standing in the stockings which he bought on credit and for which he never contem- plated paying. One day, Bill, mounted on mule SO low that the riders feet brushed the dew from the foxtail grass, rode up to his uncle's gate and imperiously com- manded one of the negroes to take his charger, as he termed the dwarfed ani- mal to the stable. The negro hesitated, and Bill had seized him, when the colonel walked out and demanded:
 What are you doing there, Bill?"
 Throwing this negro over the fence"
 What right have you to go round to peoples houses and throw negroes over fences 2"
 What right have negroes at peoples houses to refuse to take my mule?"
 " Say, there, Bob," addressing the ne- gro, If you don't throw Bill over the fence I'll drive you of the plantation. Now, Bill, if you want anything from the nigger, help yourself"
 Bob was powerful fellow and only needed little encouragement. He and Bill grappled and for moment the grass flew from around their feet, and then Bill fell over the fence like rail.
 I'll eat the devil wh ole if he ddn t serve you right" exclaimed the colonel Now, Bob, take that jack rabbit around to the stable. If you've got any business with me, come into the house"
 Bill looked a, the negro in revengeful way.
 ' Needn' be CT cut,ln' yer eye at me, sah Fool wid me agin an'll fling yer ober de house."
 Well, wha, do you want" asked the colonel, when Bill sat down by the fire. !" What can do for you -
 '' Die" Bill replied.
 Die" repeated the old man, looking up with start.
 Yes, sir, die. You've lived long enough and are not making any use of your property. unde rstand that at your death your property falls to me. If this is the case, why not wind up your affairs as soon as possible. There is none of,he hypoerite about me. like you we'll enough, but you've had your day. l could honey around you with long face, but that ain't my style. l should like to have this property. wouldn't stint myself let me tell you. I'd live like a race-horse, would"
 "You conscienceless scoundrel '" said the old man. " did not think thata sis ter of mine could give birth to such a child"
 " Probably she didn', think so. either, but woman never knows her capabii- ties, you understand"
 =" l am great mind to kick you out of my house."
 That would sound bad, retailed around the neighborhood Good enough old man. uncle. Pretty clever old fellow, but somewhat in the way. If things go my way, when you die you shall be neatly buried in the orchard. There shall be no tears, no crocodile emotion"
 Who said that was going to leave my property to you:'
 "l don't know, bu, have always under stood that l was to be your heir. You don, want the old plantation divided, have heard you say, and of course know that some one person would receive the bulk of your property"
 "fou forget your brother Henry, you meroiless wretch"
 No, l have not forgotten my brother. He is good fellow, studious and hard worker. but too slow. Contemplates literature, l believe. Good man for such slow and quiet business, but wouldn', know how to enter into the enloymen,s guaranteed by the possession oi a large estate"
 He has heart, sir, and that is more than l can say foryou."
 "Yes, Henry has something of heart. l have nothing to say against him.