The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1890-03-09

tho queer lookin' man. Nobody knew bis name
or who he was One q the young men go1
quito furious with the idea he wus some KIND oil
colored man. One real pious lady said that 10
wus some disease like smallpox; and that aiiiic-
tions wus sent by God, and people ough'nt
to act So And at last strange gentleman
came and sat down by me, and says he:
81 beg pardon, madam, but though don
know YOU. you probably know everybody
here and want 20 ask you about one OF them.
"Wcll," says ], 81 am willin' to tell ot /
know"
II am John Croker says he, oiferin' me a
card. "and am a reporter. came in today
10 get n fun report Of this brilliant affair for
the columns Of the Tomatodale Trumpet, and
| SEQ YOU have a tattoood gentleman here.
Could YOU tell me where he comes from or
who he isf'
81 haven't even seen him. said ]. 'Ive
been hcarin' tell Of him all the evening; but
II he Is tattoocd be is probably a savage.
There Is a missionary here orr. Irotterl, aud
he may have fetched him from somo barbar-
Gus country"
"Ouite probable" said Mr. Croker. an
interview Mr. Trotter Thanks"
Suddenly an awful fear stole into my heart.
"Does he look fiercef' ] asked
"No: very animated and smiling, and
dressed in Christian fashion, says be, and of
he goes.
But kept thinking Of Adoniram and bis
temper, and saying 70 myself'
III that there barbarous tattooed savage
should have made some remark about red
hair. and Adoniram has flowed out, how am
20 know but what he may have got himself
scalped. and be lynn bathed in his gore
somor's or other in the gardenp
The thought sus awful wus glad when
the Smiths began 20 talk Of goin' home and
when the wagon came 20 the door Il was
dark night. and real dark any way at the side
of the porch, and felt lonesome and scary
as I sat there ready 10 cry with fright about
Adoniram. But all Of a sudden somebody
jumped in at tine back Of the wagon and called
out.
'Huloo, Amanda
as 10 you, Adoniramf says /, land where
hev you beenp
"To the party" said he. Just had little
fun with you, that's all.
"Well, you spoiled my day." said !.
81 should feel real sorry 70 think that " says
he.
"Wel, you did," said l. "Dd you see the
tattooed manf
ono" says he, "no"
"Wen. there wus one there said ], "and
didn't know but he might hey mentioned the
word red, and got your temper up and
scalped you, or speared you, or suthin.
"Oh, " ser he, 81 amt touchy on that sub
iect: ! amt a red head no more. went
and got bottle Of that there electric dye OF
DR.. Magnolia's, and I'm brunette now, i
guess"
81 don't like EN-" says l.
"Wen.n saws Adoniram, and never heerd
him speak in such conceted tones before, I've
been the admiration of the hull company to-
night. Nobody knowed me- / went about
among the gals just fur fun, and they kept
whisperin' about me. I've always been a
plain and humly red head, but 1 enjoyed bein'
a heart breaker fur once. / wus afraid 20
come 10 you for fear you'd kinder take ON, and
say out loud, how harnsome you be- or faint
or suthn'."
"Ohw says l.
but no matter how harnsome I get" says
Adoniram, my hearts fust affections is my
Amanda's.'
ooh, you're quite condescending," says l.
then talked to the Smithses.
Well, we got home and lighted down in the
darkness and said good-by and went In.
sot right down where l wus on the porch, and
Adoniram went upstairs. / saw the light
shine out and his shadow throwed upon the
barn. Then suddenly he seemed TO be dane
ing, then heerd q howl brushed upstairs.
lie WIS lvin' on the bed with a pillow over
his head, yelling.
"Adoniramr says /, "what is the matterT
"Matterln says he; 'look at me"
Then up he riz, and l wouldn't hev lmowed
him Of he hadn't told mo twas him. His
hair was black and brown and yellow in
patches. and his face covered with brown
and black and yellow figures that had the
effecks Of carvings.
"What has happened 10 mel" says he.
"Hair dye has happened says J. 1T
hasn't took even on your hair and it's run
down over your face and come out bright as
it dried. If it is electric you may be struck
80, but, Adoniram,' says ], repeatin' bis
words, "h0weyer harnsome l may be, my
hearts fust affections air yours.
Then tried to wash him, but he was in
delble.
However, l rcckoned it would come of
after a while, and it did, and kept the secret
from everybody Nobody knew him at the
party, and gave out he had chills until he
wus his nat'ral color, and glad enough WIS
he to get his own red hair back again and be
as tho Lord made him. No hair dye ever
touched his head again, promise YOU
Mary Kyle Dallas in Freside Companion.