The Arkansaw traveler., 1885-07-18
JOHN ROACH.
CHAPTER I.

CHATTER l.
 The story which it is my purpose to tell has no plot. A plotless story may not be so interesting as a daring fiction of un- expected development, but nine times out of ten it is purified by more life like atmosphere. l lived in an old neighborhood which men said was fifty years behind the times. No railroads no public conveyance of any kind except the swinging old stage coach which, in my infancy, associated with the rac- coon. My parents died when was very young, and l, almost incapable of realiz ing the awful meaning of death, was taken by my uncle. One of the first thoughts cherished with regard to him was that when grew to be a man, would "clinch with him in revengeful comblt must have been six years old when, one day he called me and said.
 John Roach, you are getting old enough now to go to work. Don't think, sir, that will allow you to spend your life in idleness."
 Before could reply, my aunt said.
 "Jasper, the child is not old enough to work'
 "Yes he is, plenty old. worked when wasn't any older than he is. Here, John, take that hoe and work that young piece of corn"
 Of course, obeyed him, although the sun shone with merciless fervor. After while, when though, no one was look ing, sat down ia the shade of an apple tree. Being very tired, dropped off to sleep. l had begun to dream pleasantly, of cool places and kind hearted people, when was awakened by violent jerk. It took me but moment to realize that my uncle had seized me by the collar This was not all. He had broken off an apple tree sprout and was laying it on to me. l thought then, and I have never since had occasion to change my mind, that an apple tree sprout can be made to produce more solid, unalloyed pain than any other instrument of torture. My loud cries attracted my aunt. Running quickly to the spot, she said
 "Oh, Jasper, do not kill the child"
 He turned upon her and struck her with the switch. This was more than l could stand. Wheeling around, seized his leg and buried my teeth in his flesh. heard him roar, but that was all heard, for he almost stamped the life out of me. When came to, was lying under the tree. My head was swollen and my lips were bruised. Darkness had come and knew not how long had been lying there. l was afraid to stay alone, so 1 softly crept into the house. l found my aunt sitting on the stairs leading to my room.
 "My poor little bov," she said, taking me into her arms, "my DOT little abused boy. There, don't cry. You might awake Jasper, and if he finds us here he will punish us both"
 "Aunt Emily" whispered, "why did you marry such man ?"
 "Oh, don't know, John had to. suppose. Slip up to bed, now and when he calls you in the morning, get up at once."
 stole up stairs and lay down. How l wished that l was big, strong man how earnestly prayed that some one might meet him in the road and knock him down. Just about the time the birds began to twitter among the vines that grew about my little window, heard Uncle Jasper calling me. Before was sufficiently awake to answer, he shouted
 "if have to come up there to you, sir, I'll make you think you enjoyed yourself yesterday. Come, pile down from there now. Pm tired of lazy lout like you, lying round here"
 lost no time in "piling down" After breakfast, resumed work, but did no, sit down under the apple tree.
 CHATTER II.
 Uncle Jasper would not allow me to attend school, but my aunt, who had been teacher, stole many an opportunity to instruct me. Consequently. by the time was eight years of age, l could read understandingly. We had conducted our little school SO slyly that Uncle Jasper was totally in the dark with re gard to it. Had he known that was able to read, am sure he would have