The Arkansaw traveler., 1885-04-25

catch them. They sounded 10 her hke John has won-John Fremoy." Suddenly there was . cheer inside. Then the negroes took it up.
 Bob Sewer! C1nnel Bohl HooTay for Bohi'
 I Lou sat down and covered her face with her hands. Her brother came hc her in a moment.
 Get uP and come sloss Aesne," Ae said roughly.
 She caught his arm and patted it.
 Don't you mind il, JoAnny," she said. "You kin do lots oi thinHs Bob Sevier knows nothin' about" she cried, 6ercely.
 No, Bob won it fair" he said, sturd. fly, I'm a dunce; didn't deserve 1t ; that's the worst of it's His face was cslorless, even to his lips, but he showed his disappointment, in no other way.
 Judge Peters came to the village the next day, heard the report of the ex am. ination, sent for Sesier, and promised him the appointment.
 He then went out to the farm which he owned, near to Caeel Fremoy's, Johns uncle. The boy crept over. to. ward night, to catch glimpse of the great man who might have made him happy for life, but had no. done it.
 He hung miserably about tho place until evening, and then set out home ward.
 Coming to the edge of Craggy Creek. just where it turned from the mountain, he sat down on the bank, and put his hot feet into the water. Tomorrow he was to DC set blowing with the negroes.
 "lt's all yer tt for" his uncle said "Yed chance for West Point, an ye didn't take 1t. So ye ken kennel with the daikeys tor the rest of yer life m feed ye no moie."
 John sat moodily fiinginS pebbles into the water, until dusk came on, and an owl began to boot.
 Suddenly the boy stood ap, trembling with excitement, holding a stone in his hand up to the fast-fading light. It shone with brilliant lusteE, like a great drop of dew in the morning sun. As he moved it, it flashed a blood red star in his dirty palm. John had heard of the ruby which had once been found in the next gorge.
 "l It was worth thousands of dollars l" he sobbed, .ther than spoke. "l heard Judge Peters tell my uncle there was corundum on bis farm, and a ruby is a kind of corundum. am rich for life"
 He sat down breathlesS, carefully rub ping the brilliant lump 10 his hand, as Aladdin might have done his lamp. What was West Point to this2 Money, beautiful housss a glimpse of the world, an easy, happy life for himself and Lou.
 |" Poor Lou ! 1 was so cross to her to-. dayl I'll go and tell her"
 Then he stopped as if some one had struck him. The ruby was not his he was on Judge Peters land.
 The boy sat doWn again, and for one whole hour the tempter strove with him If there was one quality strong and dom. inant in John Frcmoy, 1t was his hon. esty; but this was a temptation such as seldom comes in the way of any man,
 The mex. morning Judge Peters was mounting his horse to go into the village, when a boy came across the yard. He walked quickly as if driven by some force from behind.
 The judge waited, one foot in the stir rup. As long as John Fremoy lived, he remembered, like a sudden, terrible pie ture, the glaring light of the little muddy yard, the staring negro boy holding the horse, the poity, kind looking old man awaiting his approach.
 When John reached the judge, he stopped and vas silent. He had his lit- tie speech all ready, but his tongue was stiff and his throat parched.
 Well, my boy, what is it" asked the judge, kindly.
 John thrust out his hand.
 "A ruby, sir. It's worth great many thousand dollars. 1 found 1t on your land"
 Judge Peters took the stone and exam ined it eagerly then he turned ;o John, and looked at him as curiously.
 "Why didn't you keep ii, if ii is worth so much 7"
 "l had mind to, but it's yours"
 astop my boy Who are your"
 John Fremoy, sir"
 "Oho! Uncle Job spoke of you to pno You are uncommonly quick at figures, eh27
 "IfI am, Pm a dunce at everything else. if had not been might have gone to West Point.
 "Ye-es." looking very thoughtfuily at John. "Vey well, Fremoy, Pm very much pleased with your honesty. Good morning" And the judge rode ab- ruptly away.
 He rode directly to Uncle Jobs house, and was close.ed with him for an hour The next day the village was electrified by hearing that Judge Peters was going to take John Fremoy to Annapolis to pass an examination in the engineers depart ment of the Naval Academy. and that Lou was to be put to school in Raleigh by the same kind friend.
 
 John Fremoy is nov a middle aged man, ranking high in his profession.
 He met Judge Peters abou: year sso, at his sisters house, for Lou married planter in Virginia, and is a happy wife and mCthAx