The Arkansaw traveler., 1885-09-19

the puisiest thing you ever seed. She ont think that Lank Ben is so power ful ugly as some folks does, but then agin she knows mighty well that he ain't good lookin'. Less turn down this way |; it's neardest. Yander's the house an here comes Madam"
 shall never forget the impression the first sight of Mad m produced upon me. She was small, with movements almost too quick to display grace, but her face was picture of uncared-for beauty. She reminded me of wild flower.
 "Lank, who's this you've got?" she asked.
 Oh, he's a man named Hawkins. Mister" addressing me, "this is Little Madam what was tellin' you about. Ain't she puttier than red apple"
 Sbe certainly is," replied as ] dis mounted.
 Did you come all the way here to say that ?" she asked with charming pout.
 No, came to keep from getting wet"
 Well, come on to the house, then"
 The house was built of logs and stone. and was just the kind of house to har- monize with its surroundings. Old man Barker sat in large chair, made of hick- ory saplings. An expression of pain had worn itself into his flce, reminding me of a rock scanned by exposure to dropping water.
 "Set down." he said with growl. Madam, hand that cheer Madam, con. found it, hand the cheer. Lank, fetch some fresh water. Lank, dam 1t, fetch some water"
 l sat down. The old fellow tapped me on the shin with his crutch and asked:
 "Whar you rum, hah-dam it, whar you rum ?"
 Little Rock," replied.
 "Yes, fine place. They'd steal the clothes offen dead nigger. You was raised thar, I recken2"
 "No."
 "Wall, where was you raised, dam it, whar was you raised" ?"
 "In Tennessee"
 "Yes, fine country. They'd steal the corn outeA dead chickens craw. Mad am ?"
 "Yes, pap"
 Get us somethin' to eat. Madam ?"
 "Yes, sir"
 "Why in thunder don't you get us somethin' to eat? Why don't Lank come on with the water2" "He's comin'." "Wall, dam it, why don't her"
 Lank Ben, carrying bucket of water, entered the room.
 "Why did you want to stay all day, hah2 Confound your lazy souls you poke around like snails."
 Lank Ben sat down and Madam busted herself with preparing something to eat The old man propped his feet on chair and closed his eyes. The dog that had mistaken for wolf lay down in front of the fire. Occasionally he would study the old mans face, and, seeing deep frown settle upon the rough features, he would shrink back as though he expected an outburst of anger. The dog closed his eyes. Lank Ben puckered his mouth and engaged in a scarcely audible whis- tie. A coal of fire popped out and fell on the dogs head. The dog jumped and overturned the chair on which old Barker had placed his feet. The old man fell and roared like lion.
 "Take me up, Lank. Dam it, why don't you take me up? Madam, hand my gun. I'll make him take me uP."
 All this time Lank and were endeav- bring to restore the old man to his former position. When we had accomplished the task, the old fellow asked:
 "Who done that?" The dog," Lank replied.
 "No, he didn't. Confound you, why don't you tell me who done thatl"
 "Well, must go," said l, arising.
 "You'll do nothing of the sort" growled the old man. "Dad blame you, can't you see tha, it's rainin'? Lank, set tAe dog on him. Madam1"
 "Yes, pap," the girl answered from an adjoining room. "How long before we'll have some thin to eat ?" "In minit."
 don't believe a word uvit, for you've been all day about it." The old man arose, with many groan, and hobbled into another room. Lank Ben, turning to me, said: