Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1890-10-04

shadow Of the tree had shifted with the
higher rise of the moon, leaving VIII
Brown out in the light; but he no long
er took care to screen his rapt regard of
his guest, and this may have been be-
caused he perceived that he was not
consequential factor in producing her
placid contentment.
"You nor me haint held as pretty
pair ez them, whispered Jugg, hisexult-
alton over the game asserting itself in
his language.
"They'd be winners, sir; winners"
Jack asserted, vivaciously.
"My sons a prince" and Jugg's pa
ternal vanity easily ikened his grace
fully posed son to some va uely remem.
bered hero of lime lit theatricals.
And my daughters a princes"
retoIted Jack, adopting the others spell
ing out whim of speech rather mock
ingly and with immense emphasis on
that syllable which made the word ex-
elusive to fe1nininity.
The two men were not likely to be
harmonious i'll eulogium of their Off
spring. They were siienced, however,
by the youngsters themselves, who be-
gan to sing together. 1t was ditty
with n0nSensical words but captivat-
ing melody, and the night air received
it with all acoustic kindness; with dis
elimination, too, for it carried the tune
full notes far beyond the reach of the
doggerel rhymes. At the end of the
verse what sounded for an instant like
an echo, but which developed into re-
frain by third singer, came from the
distance. The voice WAS high and
strong. with a strenuous JUNCTION seldom
heard elsewhere than at a religious camp
meeting, and with the unmistakable
twang of an Afro-American. VIII and
Deuce sang another verse and again the
approaching voice repeated the chorus
with ariose vim. The campers emerged
from their tents and wagons, the senti-
mental lounSers at the tree stood up,
their fathers joined the increasing
group and all watched the persons who
were coming into view on mustang
ponies.
One of these was the assertive vocalist,
and she looked more like witch than
siren as she rode into the throng. She
was negres5, with the sooty biackness
Of a native African, but without the
usual accompanying ugliness of face.
Half century had not bent her stall
wart form, and as she alighted from the
horse she stood a physically commanding
figure, even in q gathering Of men. A
bright handkerchief turbane1 her head
and a gauay shawl wrapped her shout
ders.
Use glad TO see yo'aols, an Is hopin'
my singin' hasn't 'sturbed yo," she said
oratoricaliy. when l heahs music
CANT try to hold my gawp-deed CANT.
Dough sinSin' haint my perfes'nble
'ploy1uent. Use houloo fortin' teller"
Her companion was man of 80, with
shaven yellow face, but with none Of the
facial characteristics of lnulatto. His
garb was that of cowboy. He still sat
astride his horse, in silent scrutiny Of the
company, and this singular eying of the
campers would not have passed unno-
ticed if the negress had not been en-
crossing the general attention.
Whats your night riding for?" Boss
Donald roughly demanded to know.
care you sure you haven't stolen these
horses? l guess you'd better stay with
US till morning, to see if somebody
doesn't come chasing YOU u
Chasing u.s." and the yellow mans
first utterance was quizzical. eve amt
chased-we chase" He checked him
self abruptly, and added in docile
tone: 'Oh, we'll stop the night with
you if you want u.s."
"He's my son, d" the negress volubly re-
su1ned. Deed, folks, he's my son. Yves
trabblin' towa'd Oklahoma.
Fortune seolzing'" VIII Brown sug-
gested.
can fortin' telling, boy" and she
chuck.ed over her own wit who wants
Queen Sheeb t prophecy? En- does yo'
ruther buy houdoo cha'm?"
The superStitious instinct of gambler
spoke out in Jack High. "What you
got, auntie:" he asked.
''Genuwin houdoo luck chains, sab.
Nebber fail, sah," and she brought out a
handful of small bags made O RATHER
skin, sab, an filed wild seben luckies-
hahd to get, sab, an cheap at dollah"
"All aike?" and he examined the
charm bags with his eyes, seemingly
averse to touching the uncanny things.
"Jes' alike, sah-fr'm crows tongue t.
dead chile's toe nail, dey's cherry one got ;
de right seben inSred' nts into 'em. An
dey was put t'gedder wifi de true houdoo
cer'mony at de tu'n OBJ de moon"
Jack chose one of them, put it into his
pocket, and handed a paper dollar to
Queen Sheeb. Old Jugg Brown bought |
one, too, and also paid for it with one of
the dollars won from Aleck Wiams. The
yellow man slid out of his saddle and
eyed the money as it was received by
the negress. His eagerness was very
demonstrative. He took the two notes
from her hand and held them up for a
close inspection, searching for some pc
culiarity Of their print. Then he became
suddenly dolnineering in manner and
dictatorial in tone.
Il want you, and you," he cried, indi- F,
eating the two men who had bought the /
charms. This is counterfeit money,
and I've got a warrant for your arrest"
For my arrest!' gasped Jack
Old Jugg was dumb with amazement.
Heres the document" the stranger
said, producing a crumpled but stilllegal
looking paper. at calls for John Doe |
and Richard Roe, and the names will do /.
for you, 1 guess. I'm deputy sheriff
and government detective, and you'll let /.
me search you, if you please"
He went at the searching in such a
pronpt. professional WaY that the as