Thomas County cat. [volume] (Colby, Kan.) 1885-1891, 1889-06-13

O. US to come. But it'd been Safer'n Ohio;
We hain't got az 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"
eyes; didn't 'spect when ye left US last
summer, boy, that you'd find US in SIGH a
fix when ye came back. Oh, tell We it's
awful-we don't know one hour whatn
happen next"
The new conner bowed his head for mo-
ment and a strange look of sadness swept
over his face. At last after many efforts
to clear his throat, he began:
''Mr. Neh. the distracted state Of the
country has more than any thing else de-
termined me to make this visit"
The old man sighed. pressed his hand upon
his forehead, and uttered half suppressed
groan, as if he dreaded what was coming.
Luke cast 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:
s"Mr. NefE, owe my very existence at
this moment to you. You, have been in
formed, snatched me when an infant from
the destroying food. You it was who gave
me q 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, MI. Men. 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 mo all you know
of me, and we know not in these distracted
times what an hour may bring forth. Can't
toll ol0v
Lille had carried the visitors hat in the
hall and hurried through to see that the col
ored cook was attending to her duties, that
q suitable dinner would be prepared for the
visitor. Mr.. NeR almost lost his breath, 80
sudden was the question propounded. After
a moment, however, he said:
"Wall, Luke, reckin I'll tell you now all
I know about We. Tdhoped that the time ID
come that could q cleared up the mystery,
but can't. It's been twenty-five y ars ago
this spring since was with my brother on
the Missouri river, 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 overlooked. 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'
floatin' down the river. It warnt uncom-
mon ter see things q hoatin' down the
river; but this war somethin' uncommon,
as we could see. Somehow It peared T.
me 8 orter 60 out n see what it war, an
I tole my brother t. pull out to It. We both
laid to our oars, N soon kim near nun t.
see what It war.
"'It's q CRADLE said my brother, lookin'
over his shoulder. We got nearer an suah
nu1f 'twar cradle an had bed in 4, an
baby war in tn cradle. That ar baby
war you, Luke"
:" Is that all you know Of mer'
"Yas, that's about all"
ibid you find nothing by which might
have been able to trace my parentage"
''Nuthin but a big, yaller Handkerchief
| SIGH as the niggers war. It 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, q 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 to change the subject said:
"Have ye gone into business yeti"
ayes, sir, opened an ofice, but have
done very little, owing to the distracted
| condition of the country" Lille Ne6 now
came from the house, her pretty cheeks
glowing with pleasure, and her eyes spark
ling happiness She seated herself upon q
rustic mat near her father and the visitor.
"O' c'ose ye can't do no business in
these times; decla' I never knowed the
like. Pears like every body's goin' crazy"
"Where Is Albertr" Luke asked.
| "Went after tn mail; he'll b back
soon"
HE hasn't gone in the army yetr'
! mo, but jest look fur hum T. do T."
! Aquestion trembled ON the lips Of Luke
Mason He wanted to ask In which army his
schoolmate would enlist, but for fear the
question might crate harshly on the ears Of
his friends he refrained In the border
States men were liable % take either side,
and to change their views any day, for 1851
was tho beginning Of . Transition period,
and men were - yet unsettled IN their con-
victaons. Il was quite . relief to Luke
when Lille. with one Of hee most winsome
glances from the DARKEST Of eyes, sid:
Brother i Uninn."
liam G1ad ofthAt, !" he answered. ssThouRn
tho South may have some real, or imaginary,
grievances II does not justify any man In
taking up arms against his countrv.n
'Oh. dearme / dun 'no'," gruaned Mr.
Ne6. SPEARS = mo like III The peoples
gwne cray. They Or Jest q tarin, ~
country y pieces: an IT. NO tollin' Vham
they'll mra our house an hang us.n
"Yo1 have - eunss I, 1aor unfca 81.
GieE1, Ihopo1S