The enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 188?-1899, 1889-07-03


"ou, LUKEl LUKEl HAVE you coMEin
o. us TO come. But it'd been safer'n Ohio
we hain't got as much trouble thar ez we've
got here"
mo, sir, think not. Though they are
raising armies all the time in Ohio, it's all
for one side; while here you seem divided"
"Yes; didn't 'spect when ye left us last
summer, boy, that you'd find US in sich a
fix when ye came back. Oh, tell ye it's
awful-we don't know one hour whatll
happen next"
The new conner bowed his head for a mo-
ment and q strange look Of sadness swept
over his face. At last, after many efforts
to clear his throat, he began:
"Mr Nef. the distracted state Of the
country has more than any thing else de.
| termined me to make this visit"
Tho old man sighed, pressed his hand upon
his forehead, and uttered a half suppressed
groan, as IL he dreaded what was coming.
Luke cast a glance about them. They were
alone on the porch, as Lille had not re-
turned, and only the negro boy rolling
upon the lawn was in sight Luke con-
tinued:
"Mr. Neff, ! owe my very existence at
this moment 10 you. You, have been in
| formed, snatched me when an infant from
the destroying flood. You IL was who gave
me place in the home Of your brother,
where I lived until reached mans estate.
1t Is to you that owe my education and the
blessings which enjoy; but, .Neff, there
is one thing you have kept from me-the
secret Of my life. Only that was the waif
OF some great food do know Of myself
You have promised TO tell me all you know
Of me, and we know not in these distracted
times what an hour may bring forth. Can't
you won't you tell me all nowi"
| Lille had carried the visitors hat In the
hall and hurried through TO see that the col
ored cook was attending 10 her duties, that
a suitable dinner would be prepared for the
visitor. Mr.. Neh almost lost his breath, so
sudden was the question propounded. After
q moment however, he said:
"Wall, Luke, / reclrn l. Il tell you now all
know about ye. rdhopcd that the time d
come that could cleared up the mystery,
but can't It's boon twenty-five vars ago
this spring since was with my brother on
the Missouri river, few miles below Lex
ington. We had farms thar then an was
| UOIu IOuuktT NDhu uOHs Auo IlNCI war
very high that spring, an lots o. the bottom
lands war overfowed We knowed many
people were drowned out, and had our
sldff. tryin' TO help 'em git their goods
saved, when one day we saw somethin'
foatin' down the river. Il warnt uncom-
mon ter see things a fioatin' down the
river; but this war somethin' uncommon,
as we could see. Somehow u peared y
me Is / orter go out n see what IL war, an
l tole my brother T. pull out 10 u We both
laid 10 our oars, n soon kim near 'nuff q
see what u war
"It's CRADLE said my brother, lookin'
over his shoulder. We got nearer an suah
nuff 'twar cradle an had bed In Y, an
a baby war In tn cradle. That at baby
war you, Luke"
dis that all you know Of met"
"Yas, that's about all"
"Did you find nothing by which l might
have been able 10 trace my parentagep
"Nuthin but big, yaller Handkerchief
sich as the niggers war II had en-
broidered on one corner Luke Mason"
An expression Of agony and disappoint-
ment swept over the young mans face, and
he heaved sigh. That for which he had
hoped was disappointing at last, and the
mystery OF his life was as far from being
solved as ever. Could he, a nameless
waif, an unknown child Of the food, press
his claim for the hand OF the fair girl
whose heart he had already won. The old
farmer, who had noted his disappointment
In order 10 change the subject said;
Have ye gone into business yeti"
ayes, sir, opened an ofice, but have
done very little, owing 10 the distracted
condition OF the country" Lille Neff now
came from the house, her pretty checks
glowing with pleasure and her eyes spark
ling happiness. She seated herself upon u
rustic mat near her father and the visitor.
90 c'ose ye can't do no business IN
these times; decla' l never knowed the
like. Pears like every body's goin' crazy"
"Where Is Albertln Luke asked.
"Went after tn mail; he'll be back
soon.n
"He hasn't gone In the army yetr'
mo, but Jest look fur him y do IT,"
A question trembled on the lips OF Luke
Mason. He wantes 10 ask IN which army his
schoolmate would enlist, but for fear tlc
question might crate harshly on the ears Of
his friends he refrained In the border
States men were liable TO take either side,
and TO change their views any day, for 1851
was the beginning OF transition period,
and men were as yet unsettled in their con-
victions. II was quite q relief 10 Luke
when Lillie, with one Of her most winsomo
glances from the darkest Of eyes, said:
Brother is Union"
"Iam glad Of that, " he answered. "ThoreL
the South may have some real, or imaginary.
grievances IL does not justify any man IN
taking up arms against his countrf.p
"Oh, dear mel dun mo-" groantd Mr..
Neff. spears q me like all the poop
gwine crazy. They or jest or ta.ip' the
country to pieces; an its no tellin' wlrdi
they'll burn our house an hang u.s."
"You have no cause 10 fear UnioY 'ol-
diers, hopeP