Madison times. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1884-1???, 1885-08-22

with disdainful air. The light waned
and the serricd ranks OF mist that
had been lying III wait amid the ives
tern hills and across the straits closed
in upon the city. The merchant grew
inpatient under the long delay.
81 can't understand. Martin, why
you didn't get rid of the man along
with the rest. Did he venture to ques-
ton your authority. or my right to
control my property
"Why, YOU see. sir, | didn't like to
speak rough to the old chap. I'd ven
ture to say ne hasn't always been
what he is now. Fact is, Ididn't speak
TO him direct. thought he'd take
the hint and leave"
"My soul" The man shrank from
the indignation and disgust expressed
in his employers tone, then hastencd
to smooth away his righteous indigna
tion with o happy after-thought.
"Come to think of it, haven't seen
a sign ofhim since yesterday. Like as
not he's gone OF his own accord, un-
less" The watchman's face became
suddenlygrave.
"WCll, unless what?"
"He's lying down there all this time.
He was thin. notwithstanding fellow;
the kind that 20 ffquirk. sometimes. +"
"What n ghoul you are, Martini"
Brewster laughed a short, nervous
laugh. Pleasant suggestion this, that
on his own land. not forty rods away,
q dead man was lying, who had per-
, haps perished from lack ofproper food
stirred his heart. He was a narrow
soulcd man, but not ard-hearted.
"Take your lantern and come ahead,
Martin; no morgue on my premises, II
can help it"
They stepped out into the chill and
darkness, carefully locking the door
behind them as precaution against
lawless intruders. As they left behind
them the tall lumber-piles with their
sweet scent of the woods, and APP
preached the border of Mission Creek,
malarial poisons filled the air, and a
! host of unsavory Odors assailed them.
Reeklng vapOrS seemed to arise from
the putrid heaps and clutch at their
throats with phantom fingers. Their
feet slipped and sank into the masses
| OF fostering decay. 1t was Brewster 5
first visit to this choice portion of his
recently acquired possessions, and
the thought came to his mind that it
was Il poor stick of man who would
deny q fellow-creaturc the hospitality
OF such an accUrsed spot, on any other
grounds than that OF its total unfit
ness for human occupancy. Suddenly
Martin brought up with "a short step,
| swinging his lantern around to illumln-
ate the spot for his employers inspec-
| ton.
| Here we are, sir"
| Brewst er leaned forward and deserted
| a low, irregular structure, not fourfeet
above the ground n its highest point.
His preconceived notions OF the style
OF building operations pursued IN these
primitive dwellings were completely
overturned. Instead of neat and shin
| ing rows of tin cans. rising tier upon
tier into a prctentious and fancifuI
| structure. he bnheld Il rude frame work
OF refuse boards, imperfectly covered
with rusty strips OF tin, an humble de
fence against wind and weather; the
merest apology for a covering. He had
time to take but a cursory glance al
these details, when a weak voice from
the interior hailed the visitors
"Who's there?'
Brewster hesitated minute before
replying. He could not announce
himself as a friend, for his mission was
far from friendly. He resolved to pre-
sent himself on strictly neutra
grounds.
Your landlord"
sorry not to give you a more fit
ting reception. mine host, but as Tn
hardly in shape to receive company
if you'll be kind enough to slip YOU
bill under the door"
Brewster's dignity was offended. Il
was all very well for him, the man o
property and position to condescent
a ioketo the vagabond who trespasseC
on his domain;forthe ascal TO presum
TO assume a jocularto towards him
in turn, was intolerable! He though
of the underwriters and the increased
premium, and interrupted the fellow
angrily.
Come now, this won't do! Get on
ofnere. and away with you"
Sorry 10 be unable to comply witt
vour polite request, sir, but ] don
think could walk verv far tonight.
"Humbugi want you to under
stand that you are on my ground, slr
Every moment you stay endangerS m
property. Out OF this place In tw
minutes, or rTllhaveyouunder arrest.
Brewster had worked himself into
fine rage, and felt that he was acquit
ting himself with credit. His sci
congratulatory meditations were II
terrupted hy a movement within tn
tramp domicile The highest sectio
OF the roof was pushed away by
thin hand. and tail erect figure ros
through the aperture like aJack kin th'
box. Something more than the une'
pected nature Of "npparition cause
brewster TO fall 49,, with start, a
if he had seen ghost. He was not
fanciful man. but the uncanny localit!
thenoiscme smells, the curling wreath
. of Vapor the moon struggllngto plert
the thick veil of mist overhead, col
pied, perhaps, with the afternoon
: "reminiscences. carried him back twent
wears, and he was in the pens OF Al
dersonville waking from a trouble
= sleep to see the thin form OF Leno
: stealing to his side at midnight,