St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1885-09-19

tease uOn GnlnK me T6oIlSn, J0En;
Tn so happy I just can't help crying.
Indeed, | didn't expect anything half so
comfortable and nice, and now that we
are all together again in home of our
own, can think Of nothing else worth
asking for"
Going behind her chair her husband
took her hands in bis own, and, stoop-
ing down, k;ssad her twice, and was
silent for time. Then he said, huskily:
'Tm glad we are together again,
Martha, and don't mean we shall ever
be parted any more. Now you rest
while | go and help, Rastus with the
horses" and turning he left the house.
When he came back in company with
the boy he found his wife busy prepar-
ing their supper, the material for which
Jennie and Lucy were bringing from
the wagon.
John brought out his own stores to
add to those of the travellers, and soon
the family were seated about the table,
at the first meal eaten together for so
many years; indeed, the first meal that
the girls could remember to have ever
eaten in company with their father.
Then followed questions and answers
regarding the friends in the States, and
the journey which was just ended so
happily, and at late hour the family
retired to rest upon such beds as could
be improyised from the stock in the
wagon added to that which the husband
and father had been able to provide in
view of their coming; and soon all were
sleeping the blessed sleep that comes
from WEAKNESS and feeling of having
passed safely through much of danger
all but John Parsons, who, despite
ais last right of waking, slept but little,
and arose in the morning with look
that showed his wife at once that there
was something upon his mind, a knowl-
edge of which he was. striving to keep
from the family, and instantly she re-
called what had been told her by some
friendly squatters near whose cabin
they had camped the second night out
from Sacramento: of rumor that some
settlers, somewhere further down the
valley, were likely to lose their claims
through some cause, which those who
repeated the tale did not properly
understand.
It had not occurred to her at the time
that it was possible it could be Johns
claim that was in danger.
It seemed strange now that it did
not. But so full was her mind of
thoughts of John himself, of their COM
ing reunion, and of the future when
they should all be together in the new
home, that there was no room for any
o1-1s 1IO lnI alTr
heard the tale at all, or hearing it had
dismissed it at once with a single ex-
preston of pity for the poor families
who were to lose their all-eVen as she
and John had done back in the States
through the greed of those who are
not content with what is justly theirs.
But now she understood it.
Itwas Johns claim that was involved,
and they had come two thousand miles
to find home and resting place, only
to be hidden to move on again ere they
had shaken the dust of the long journey
from their garments.
SIS it the title to the place, John?"
she asked; 4 know there is something
terrible on your mind; something you
are afraid to tell me- I ought to have
seen it last night, but didn't. I, was
so tired and so glad, that I couldn't
think of anything. Whatever it is,
don't be afraid to tell me. can bear
anything, only so that we remain to-
gether. And she put her arms around
his neck and laid her head upon his
bosom.
Then John Parsons broke down and
wept. The children came in and stood
wondering and silent. They knew
something terrible had happened, or
was about TO happen, for, young as
they were, they knew that men do not
weep at the scratch of brier; and
they saw their father weep and saw
their mother put up her hand and
stroke his beard and face and whisper
softly something they could not hear,
but which they felt must be words OF
comfort that were sorely needed.
It was Erastus that broke the spell at
last. He had been the first to rise and
had gone out Immediately to feed and
rub down the horses; and returning
had entered just in time to hear Mrs.
Parsons speak of the title to the claim.
Then he, too, remembered the rumof
which they had heard, and knew that
it was true, and understood all that it
meant to those who had been the only
real friends he had ever known, and
his young blood grew hot and for a
moment he felt that he could kill the
men who were the cause of so much
suffering; and then there came q great
wave of affection for the friends who
had given him all the love he had ever
known, and, stepping forward, he said,
in tone of voice that gave weight to
his words which his years would have
denied him:
..Uncle John, if the land thieves
], 20 c.nhhInd this rIana ton LET them