The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1890-04-09
Lost Lima,
THE BITTER AND TEE SWEET.
A Tale Of Two Continents.
BY MRS. NINA LAWSON.
CHAPTER u.-[CoNT1NuED.l


That poor, ignorant wife little sus.
pected the cause of his delay.
"Not commin' yet. Hum. Yes, l
know just what I will do. and then ]
can be more than even. He's got that
money FROM the butcher this morning,
what he owed him for the old COW, and
now he feels rich, and he's met Lima,
and they have just gone and bought a
dinner"
@Yes, I'll be even with them, for I'll
have one much better than theirs, and
I'll be all by myself, too."
And she was as good as her word, fol
she went bustling about the old airy
kitchen, making a fearful noise, among
the tin-ware and dishes.
The old puncheon floor made loud
squealing noise at every step she took.
In very short time, steaming, de-
icious dinner was placed upon the table,
~ Auntie James great satisfaction.
"There, now, them folks at the tavern
can't beat that, and know it; and you,
old man, may 60 to Guinea with your
old dinner"
She then drew her chair up to the
table end poured out a cup of very
strong, boiling coffee, and proceeded
with her dinner.
But, scarcely had she the first bite OF
hot biscuit IN her mouth, when q horse
darted up to the eide gate, and male
voice called: =
Hello, there, Mrs. Rice |" loud enough
to be heard all over the whole farm.
"Good Heavens! My God!"
But she could say no more, for in her
hurry and. fright, piece Of hot biscuit
seemed to lodge in the wrong place.
Hello! I say, come out here quick, !"
Mrs. Rice, with her apron up to her
mouth, eyes swimming in tears, and
coughing desperately, emerged from the
kitchen door.
"Laws sakes on me! Good heavens,
what ails you, Johnny Jones? Why,
your hoss is all foamin', and pantin',
and-my-boy-you areas white as
ghost!"
Madam, I am not the bearer of very
good news; as you know, farmer Rice
went to the town with my father, this
morning. and came back BIZ the path
through the thicket.
George walked to town, because father
would not allow him to ride with
him"
@Lord of mercy, Johnny, hurry and
tell me where my old man Is, and my
little Lima"
"Well, madam, as George was COM
ing home through the thicket just be-
fore he got to the creek he heard such
fearful moaning; of course, as he is but
child, he was much frightened, but
ventp-ed to look round, when he saw
your husband, bound hand and foot,
while his face was covered with blood.
He told George to run for help, and
that some one had run off with your
pretty little girl, he supposed, for he
had not seen her since the man who had
tried to kill him had carried her into
the thicket."
The poor, ill-fated woman, now pale
as death, threw up her arms, uttered a
faint moan of anguish, and fell back as
if dead.
Johnny Jones' presence of mind ia
vored him, for he lightly sprang from
the horses back and ran to the kitchen
for some cold water, which he applied
to the pale face of the poor woman.
In few moments the eyes were slowly
opened.
"Oh, Johnny, Johnny, my boy, this
will kill me! My pretty little sunny
haired Lima and my good old man,
Cristo. God of heaven, have mercy
upon Thy children!"
The poor woman was picture of de-
spair, and had forgotten all about her
dinner. AS she raised herself upon
her elbow she saw she was alone, for
Johnny, as quick as flash, had mounted
his beautiful little pony, that went fly
ing up the lane, outstripping the wind.
and appearing like vision as he passed.
a In but an instant, it seemed, he had
Nached the bank of the creek. and
leaping to the ground, he quickly threw
he reins over the saddle-horn.
kim, my brave, stay here until I
return"
And then with flying but firm step
he crossed the foot-log and was lost in
the thicket.
Johnny was brave hunter, and knew
those woods as we'll as he did his own
fathers farm, or at least he thought so.
On he went toward the spot where
little George had said farmer Rice had
been bound.
Needless of danger he dashed through
the bushes, piercing with his keen
black eyes through the haavy foliage.
Before the brave young man could
realize what had happened two men,
muscular and rough in appearance,
sprang from behind tree and stopped
him.
"Hi, my young brave, you are fine
fellow, also; come after the girl, I sup
pose? But, by the eternal, you don't
get her! Surrender!"
"Never!" rang clear and loud through
the forest. Johnny Jones was not so
easily caught.
Each of the two villains before him
was we'll armed, but neither was at that
instant prepared to use his weapons.
Johnny's quick eye saw this, and quick
as flash the little revolver that was