The Arkansaw traveler., 1888-04-14
itors had consented to prolong their

OnCIe ShnuAN was too crushCM to respond. There seemed to be no fur. ther possibility of avoiding disgrace, His wrinkled cheeks were actually wet with tears as he groped his way into the buttery, and fell on his knees by the dresser. Then he lifted up his voice, softly, out of respect to the proprieties of tho house, but fer vently, after the manner of his race, and said:
 "Iawd. l ain nothin' but a pore ole niggah watts doin' dc bes' he kin to save dis house from bein' disgrace. Elf 1t aim askin' too much wish you done kill dis ole man right now, or else perwide mo somethin' to put into de stall and on ,ie table for dis we're iedge fun out wes' w'at's cum ter devour us like de locusses devour de chillua of lkrul.
 ''lse weekesi ole sinner. Q Lawd but ain done bad enough ter deserb dat my ole gray hair be brought down -wid disgrace dis way, nohow. l aim a-askin' nuthin' fer my own self dis time, but fo' de fambly--dey's quality, Lawd! Gib Us dis day our daily bread, and other things accor- jun"
 Uncle Sunday got up from his knees somewhat stiff and sore, but greatly comforted. X man of re- sources, he was inspired with one of more than ordinary greatness now.
 Perhaps his instinctivo consultation with the ancient watch which his master had given him years ago, sug- gested plan. The open face of this confidential friend smiled up at him and the hands seemed to make signs. What did they propose?
 Uncle Sunday started by the near est path for the village.
 "What'll you glib me for dis watch?" he asked the storekccper as he laid that tried friend on the counter and leaned his trembling brown hands heavily beside 1t.
 "l don't know. don't want your old turnip," was the curt reply.
 He gulped down the big lump in and drew himself up indignantly.
 ""Taint no turnip. 'Talnt be- comin' in no man to talk so bout a good watch, nuther. ast you a civil question, Mir. White, an spccted I'd get civil answer"
 He prepared to return the rejected timepiece to his pocket, but Mir. White good d-humoredly interposed.
 "Don't get wild, old man. Lei me have look at your watch2"
 He examined it with so much care lessness and want of feeling, that Uncle Sunday thought he should faint
 "What do you want for :.this old thiDg?"
 The negro thought rapidly He did not know anything about the value of such property, so he blundered upon a figure.
 "Seben dollars, sar."
 "Hoo! !' shouted White. "Do you throw yourself In along of the watch2 I'll give you three for It."
 Cali it fo', Mir. White. Call 1t fo' -an even fo' suggested our friend.
 "Nope. Tell you what l will do. l'll make 1t three and half"
 He turned to the till, and laid three dollars and half on the cou inter, then looked inquiringly at his customer. The watch lay between them; beside it were the bright coin.
 Uncle Sunday wavered. There came up before him the face of his old mas ter, of the first day that the watch had been worn, with a pride that could hardly be concealed. Then he remembered Miss Margaret, and the necessities of her house.
 "Well! What are you going to do?"
 "I'll take 1t. Mr. White"
 Whites large palm swept the watch towards him, but the negro, with cry that was pitiful, stretched out his hands involuntarily after 1t.
 "Jes' once mo, sah? Jes' femme hop 1t in my han opce mo-"
 It was given to him. He seemed to caress it, he placed it near his ear and listened to its long familiar voice he turned his back to the storekeeper for & moment, during which time no one may know what sacred rite was per formed, but when he handed 1t sud- denly to its owner, there was drop | of water on the crystal.
 "Hold on, unclew shouted White, as the old man struck blindly for the door. "You forgot to take your money. And, say" he added, T guess l may as well make that four, after aii.-
 When Uncle Sunday went mourn fully back over the style, across the field, his arms were full of bundles | and his heart burdeDed with grief. | Others might eat and be satisfied, but he felt that no dinner would ever 70 fill out his waistcoAt that he should l cease to have a sensation of vacuum |