The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1889-01-06

The proposition seemed to please Seth; he
even extended his hand in the darkness.
But he met only an irresponsive void. With
slight shrug of his shoulders and grunt-
ing farewell, he felt his way to the door and
disappeared. Far few moments it seemed
as if Uncle Ben had also deserted the school
house, so profound and quiet was the hush
that fell upon it. But SIS the eye became
accustomed to the shadow a greyish bulk
app AIRED to grow out OF it over the masters
desk and shaped itself into the broad figure
of Uncle Ben. Later, when the moon rose
and | oked i'll at the window, it saw him as
the master had seen him on the first day be
had begun his lessons in the school house,
with his face bent forward over the desk
aid the same look of child he perplexity
and struggle that he had worn at his allot-
ted task. UDheroic, ridiculous, and no doubt
laundering and idiotic as then, but still
vaguely persistent in bis thought, he re-
manned for some moments in this attitude.
Then rising aud taking advantage of the
moonlight that flooded the desk he set him
self to mend the trolfeu lock with a large
mechanical clasp-knife he produced from
his pocket, and the aid of his workmaniike
thumb and finger. Presently he began to
whistle softly, at first little artificiaily and
with relapses Of reflective silence. The
lock of the desk restored, he secured into
position again that part OF the door lock
which he had burst OFF in his entrance.
This done, he closed the door gently and
once more stepped out into the moonht
clearing. In replacing his knife in his
pocket he took out the letters which he had
not touched since they were handed to him ia
the darkness. His first glance at the hand
writing caused him to stop. Then still star
ing at it, he began to move slowly and
automatically backward to the porch.
When he reached it he sat down, unfolded
the letter, aud without attempting to read it,
turned Its pages over and over with the I'M
familiarity of an Illiterate man in search of
the signature. This when found apparently
plundged him again into motionless abstrac-
ton. Once he changed his position to pull
up the legs of his trousers, open his kheSs,
aud extend the distance between his feet,
and then with the unfolded pages carefully
laid in the moonlit space thus opened before
him, regarded them with dubious Specula-
ton At the cod of ten minutes he rose
with Il sigh OF physical and mental relaxa-
ton, refolded the letter, put it in his pocket,
ana made his way to the town.
When he reached the hotel he turned into
the bar room, aud observing that it hap
pened to be comparatively deserted, asked for
a glass of whisky. In response to the bar
keepers glance of curiosity-as Uncle Ben
seldom drank, aid then only as social
function with otherS-he explained:
II reckon straight whisky is about ez
good eZ the next thing for bl nj chills"
The ba keeper here int9rposed that in his
larger medical experience he hal found the
imbioltion ct ginger i'll combination with gin
attended with effect, although it was evident
that in his business capacity he regarded
Uncle Ben, as driHker, with distrust.
I'VE amt seen MIR. Ford hanging round
yer latelyIn confined Uncle Ben with labori-
Gus ease.
The barkeeper, with his eye still scornfulIy
fixed on his customer. ut his hands which
were engaged in washing his glasses under
the coInter giving MIN the air of humor-
ously communicating with hidden confed-
crate, had not seen the schoolmaster that
afternoon.
Uncle Ben turned away and slowly
mounted the staircase to the masters
room After moments pause on the land
ing, which must have been painfully obvi-
GUS to auy one who heard his heavy asce ut,
he gave two tImid raps on the door which
were equally ridiculous in contrast with his
powerful tread. The door was opened
promptly by the master.
'Oh, it's you, is itF' he said, shortly.
"Come in"
Uncle Ben entered without noticing the
somewhat ungracious form of invitation.
at war me-" he said, dropped in, not
finding ye down stairs Let's nave a
drink"
The master gazed at Uncle Ben who
owing to bis abstraction had not yet wiped
his month Of the liquor be had imperfectly
swallowed, and was in consequence more re-
dolent Of whisky than a confirmed topper.
He rang the bell for the desired refreshment
with a Slightly cynical smile. He was sat
isiied that his visitor, like many others of
humble position, was succumDing to his good
fortune.
Il wanted to see ye, Mr.. Ford, " he began,
taking an unprofered chair and depositing
his hat after some hesitation outside the
door, lin regard to what | onct tod We
about my wife in Mizzouri. P'r'aps you dis
remember
II remember" returned the master, re-
signedly;
fool Stacey sent the sheriff and the Harri-
sons over to McKinstry's barn"
Go oa!' petulantly said the master,
who had his own reasons for not caring to
recall it.
1T was that AFTERNOON, you know, that
YOU hadn't timo to bark TO me-hevin' to 90
off on an engagement" continued Uncle
Ben, with protracted elaboration, and
Eyes, yes, | remember interrupted the
master, exasperatedly, and really unless
you get on faster, I'll have to leave you
again"
ait was that afternoon" said Uncle Ben,
WI; hOut neSulnS MIN, when L JoiU you
hadn't idea what had become o my wife ez
1 left in Mizzouri."
Yes said the master, sharply, and l
told you it was your bounden duty to look
for her. -
That's So" said Uncle Ben, nodding
comfortably, ''them's your very words;
on'y leetle more strong than that, eff !
don't disremember. Well, reckon I've got
an ideem
The master assumed sudden expression
of interest, but Uncle Ben did not vary his
montonous tone.
Il KEN across that idea, so to speak, on
the trail. / KEN across it in the brush. |
picked 'em mp aud Pve got 'em here
He slowly took the letters from his pocket
with oae hand, while he dragged the chair
on which he was sitting beside the master.
But with quick fash OF Indignation Mr.
Ford rose and extended his hand.
"rhese are my letters, Dabney," he said,
sternly, "stolen from my desk. Who has
dared to do thisP'
But Uncle Ben had, as if accidentally, in
terposed his elbow between the master and
Seths spoils
Then it's all rightP he returned. deliber-
ately. Il brought 'em here because |
thought they mignt give an idee where my
wife was. For them letters is in her own
handwrite. You remember ez | told ez how