The Springdale news., 1889-05-10

of me- and we know not i'll these distracted times what an hour may bring forth. Can't you, won't you tell me all now"
 Lillie had carrled the visitors hat in the hall and hurried through to see that the col pred cook was attending to her duties, that a suitable dinner would be prepared for the visitor. MT. Neff almost lost his breath, So sudden was the question propounded. After moment, however, he said:
 Wall, Luke, 1 rcckin | Il tell you now all know about ye. I'd hoped that the tune q come that I could a cleared up the mystery but can't. It's been twenty-two y ars ago this spring since was with my brother on the Missouri river, a few miles below Lex ington. We had farms thar then an' was both younger than now. The river war very high that spring, an lots O the bottom lands war overhowed. We knOwed many people were drowned out, and had our skiff tryin' to help 'em git their goods saved, when one day we saw somethin fioatn' down the river. It warnt uncom- mon ter see things q toat.n' down the river; but this war somcthin' uncommon, as we could sec. Somehow t peared t me s l orter go out n see what it war; an l tole my brother [ pull out to t. We both laid to our oars, n soon kim near huff t see what t war
 Its a cradle,' said my brother, lookin' over his shoulder. We got nearer an slah huff 'tvar cradle an had a bed in t, an a baby war in tn cradle. That ar baby war you, Luke" "
 [" Is that all you know of meH
 "Yas, that's about all
 Ibid you find nothing by which I might have been able to trace my parentaget'
 '' Nuthin but bg, waller handkerchief sich as the nigGcrs war. It had em- broidered on one corner Luke Mason"
 An expression of agony and disappoint- n4ent 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 flood, 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 to change the subject said:
 Have ye gone into business yct!' q
 "Ycs, sir, opened an office, but have done very little, owing to the distracted condition of the country Lllie Neff now came from the house, her pretty cheeks glowing with pleasure, and her eyes spark hng happiness Shc seated herself upon rustic mat acar her father and the visitor.
 '.O' c'ose ye cant do no business in these times; l deca' l never knowed the like Pears like every body's goin' crazy.
 Where is Albert~ Luke asked
 Went after tn mail he'll be back soon.n
 He hasn't gone in the army yet:"
 'No but jest look fur him t do it."
 A question trembled on the lips of Luke Mason He wanted 10 ask in which army his schoolmate would enlist, but for fear the question might grate harshly on the ears of his friends he refraiued In the border States men were liable to take either side, and to change their views any day, for 1861 was the beginning of transition period, and men were as yet unsettled in their con- victions. It was quite relief to Luke when Llllie, with one of her most winsomc glances from the darkest of eyes, sad;
 Brother is Union
 liam glad of that. he answered. Though the South may have some real, or imaginary, grievances it does not justify any man in taking up arms against his country"
 'Oh, dear me! l dun mo- groaned MT. Nef "'Pears t' me like all the peoples gwine crazy They CT jest CT tarin' the country to pieces; an its no tellIn' when they'll burn our house an hang us"
 You have no cause to fear Union sol diers, hope:"
 Dun no; Tn such times as these pears like ye can't trust no h.
 Fl think that Price will soon be driven from the State and then you will be all left at peace"
 "Wall, hope so; but dun mo-" and the sigh which followed this remark was inde- cislve. From Mir. Neffs remarks one could not have told how his sympathies were.
 "Heah come Massa Albert now" cried Tom raising his wooly head from the grass wh ch grew under an apple tree in the yard where the African had been idly lolling about.
 A young horseman, mounted on splen- did steed, came galloplng up the road from around the orchard. He was fine manly looking fellow, with an open countenance and commanding figure.
 He dismounted at the gate and flung the rein to Tom, who had come to take the horse
 Somebody's come" grinned the negro, but Albert stopped not to skany questions, for he had already recognized the friend of his childhood sitting on the porch and hur- ried forward to greet him.
 As Tom was leading the horse to the barn he met a tall, sullen field hand who, for some reason, had been plck-named Black hawk. This sobriquet, given him at some time in the dim past, had usurped any other legitimate name he might have had. Black hawk, as sullen as his Indian namesake, was a slave whom Mr. Neff had purchased years before He was not liked by any of the other field hands, and it was reported that he had killed a former master, and was known to be the hero of half a dozen runa- ways.
 q Who am dat at the house!" Blackhawk asked
 Massa Luke Mason, Tom answered
 Blackhawk gave utterance to grunt and went sullenly away to his quarters
 The greeting between Albert Netf and Luke was very cordial.
 Whats tn news from town, Albert.' asked MT Neff. q Any thing mo about the wahN'
 .The country is in an uproar, and We are poin' to be overwhelmed with trouble,'' Albert answered.
 ..I am glad to know that you arc for the Union,n Luke took occasion to remark.
 Who said I wasl' and for the first time acloud gathered on Albert's handsome brow.
 "Why, certainly understood that you were.n Luke answered, little puzzled at the change in his friends manner. Fl thought you loyal to the flag of Washing ton. Jefferson and Jackson
 Albert's face grew dark and his eyes flashed with a strange fire that hls friend had never seen there before. Lille noted the change with alarm, and started 10 her feet, trembling at the dread Of something