The Springdale news., 1889-05-10

uoOI, tHcuRu cNlucHIlI Feiucldnb 10 give up feasting her eyes on the fast approaching stage coach. The groan had issued from the lips of her invalid father, dyspeptic and hypochondriac, who seemed to delight only in the misery by which he surrounded himself
 But there was beauty in the landscape, as the rays of summer sun fell on the hill top, and she turned again to gaze a mo ment upon the bright picture. The old Fashioned six-horse stage coach was rum bling down the turnpike hill, and her cheek flushed just tho faintest tint of crimson as she murmured, half audibly
 "Oh-I wonder if-n but seeming to be- come suddenly aware of the fact that she was about to reveal something which to her was precious secret she closed those cherry red lips. and blushing still deeper crimson, entered the sitting room. where her father reclined on an old-fashioned black sofa
 Do you want any thing, father!" she asked,
 Look over the papah It hus my eyes 10 read-and sec if thar's any wah news. 1 ,iecla' the secesh an aboltionsts are gwine to tar the country t pieces. Pears [ me that things get wuss every day"
 Mr. Jordan Neff, as his dialect would in- dicate, was a Southern man. He was born in South Carolina, but had removed to Mis- sourl when youug At the time our story opens he was q wealthy Missouri farmer, d widower with two children and over a score Of slaves. Mir. Neff, not unlike a great many others inhabitlng the Dor der States during the dark days of 1861, found 1t difficult to espouse either cause. Like the father, his only son Albert, promising young man of tWenty-one, seemed tiuctuating between love for his sunny South and patriotism for his country. That yEbica many peaceful citizens of the border States had hoped would only prove d speck on the political horizon, was grow ing day by day into q most terrible war cloud and threatening to shut out the light of human happiness. NeighbOrs began to mistrust neighbors. and friends of life tune became suspicious of each other, while even brothers took up the sword on oppo- site sides, and no one knew at what time the land might be dcluged with blood.
 Lille drew the old fashioned arm chair to hef-> fathers side, and taking the paper glanceIRover it's columns. It was filled with war rumorss and the movements of vast armies.
 What d. ye seer Mr Neff asked.
 Price and Mccullough are moving on Lexington"
 "Ohl they're jest gwine t hey awful times.n
 He was interrupted by the opening of the door A woolly head and black face was thrust in, the body, for the most part, re- manning outside.
 De stage am gwine ter stop sald the darkey: and in confirmation of his assertion there came the soft, mellow blast of the drivers horn.
 "He's come, he's come," cried lillie, sprlnging to her feet and running to the door in a burst of joy which betrayed her anticipation and anxiety.
 "Who's a comin'. Lille! Whats tn mat ter with ve! decla' ye act like ye war but she was out of sight and hearing, and the old man did not finish the sentence. She was out on the lawn, hurrylng toward the gate before her father could shufiie to hls feet.
 The old stage-coach had stopped almost directly in front of the gate, the door was opened and a young man descending the steps. His only baggage was small hahd- sacheI. which was slung bya leathern strap over his shoulder.
 "Ohl Luke, Luke, have you comet crleu the pretty glrl, swinging coquetushiy upon the gate. The stage rolled on, ana oy the tune Luke had reached Llllle siue "