Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1890-03-29
"PONTIUS PILATE." "
WILLIAM H. s. ATKINSON.

darKy as the Hule, uOHOI0u WIFI OHO
distinguished name of the once famous
Roman Governor, made a brisk effort
to respord to the command to git up.
The speaker was typical Southern
negro, as the animal was typical
Southern mule. They seemed to under
stand each other thoroughly, and al
though the old man certainly spoke
rather harshly now and again, it was
apparently from force of habit only. At
any rate, his gait and general move
ments were fully as slow as those OF the
quadruped, and he was evidently both
surprised and displeased when Pontius
PLATE took him at his word and essayed
to quicken lis footsteps.
They were an odd pair and an
tiquated appearance-as much as could
be seen of them in the dusk and gather
ing darkness of the summer evening.
The negro, with a monstrous straw
hat through whose well-ventilated
crown the woolly locks played hide and
seek, with very long coat that had
once been broadcloth, but which was
now little more than barest on bare
thread, and with cotton pantaloons
hitched up so we'll that they were in no
danger of quarreling with the slipshod
shoes on the Hockingless feet. The
old fellow was aged too, as his benton
shoulders and grizzly gray whiskers at
tested; but it is doubtful if he was
older than, or so old as Pontius PLATE.
The mule was so venerable that, except
at the extremity of his ratty tail and
~ 7, E.
not solitary hair on him. Either he
had shed his coat by reason of his gath
ering years, or it had been worn smooth
by many decades of hard work.
Possibly it was out of consideration
for the mules antiquity that the old fell
low refrained from riding Pontius
PLATE; for the animal was saddled and
bride, and the road they were travers-
ing was fairly good. Whatever the
reason was, both man and beast "hoofed
it."
They were in the outskirts of "a South
ern town and the road was well-nigh as
deserted as if they had been in the
heart of the pine forests. Indeed. they
were close to a large grove which
formed part of the estate of wealthy
gentleman of the neighborhood.
Whoa, den, yo' contrary ole ass !!
What fer doan yo' behave yo'se'f? Amt
I done treat yo' good an kim?
Who-o-ap
As his master finished speaking Pom
titus PLATE pricked up his long, hairless
ears, planted his fore feet together and
stood stock still. But it was not the
darky's words of censure and second
injunction to who's" which produced
this result.
The mule heard voices just within
the grove, and so did the darby; and
when the old man heard what the mule
heard he was just as ready to pause
and listen.
The voices were those of man and a
girl evidently engaged in alteration.
The man was very angry, while the
girl was obstinate.
81 command you to come home, at
once" said the man.
"And, 1 repeat, 1 will not come
home" replied the girl between her
sobs.
"You are both ridiculous and unduti-
full" responded the man. you will
force me to make an exhibition of you
and to create q scandal. I shall insist
upon exercising my authority as your
father, and shall make you return home
if have to get help from the house and
carry you home"
al will save you all that trouble and
will go with you quietly if you will
promise to send for Arthur and apollo
gize to him for your behavior this after
noon"
Arthur be darned! Clara, you will
thank me some day for Kidding you of
that fellow. You are absurd and talk
like baby or a fool! Young Arthur
Cultivate is poor and his family is of
no standing whatever.
"Father, Arthur is honorable, clever
and diligent, and you know it. am not
unreasonable, and 1 am quite old
enough to Judge for myself. You have
treated both him and me outrageously,
and will not"
~Hushi 1 have given that fellow his
walking papers, and he knows better
than to show his face around here I'M
til send for him-which will never hap
pen as long as my name is John Sedge-
wick. Hello"
This last exclamation came from Col.
Sedgwick as he caught sight of the out
lines of the old darky and Pontius
PLATE only few yards away.
Hello there, uncle, come here, Will
you.
The negro hobbled over to the man
whom he quickly recognized as the
owner of the estate on which the grove
was located.
"Now, uncle, you're an old man with
lots of experience. What do you think
of stubborn girl who refuses to obey
her father and who is so obstinate as to
refuse to go to her home when it Is
growing dark.
Il 'speck missy doan member erbout
de wolves an bars an coons an chooses
an hoo-doos what come out nights an
scars gals whut doan do whut dey's tole, !"
said the old man shaking his head and
pulling long face.
1t isn't as though Twas abusing her,
uncle. Nothing of the sort. came
down here about supper time and found
my daughter and young newspaper
rooster 6Darkin0 rad-bof I had ordorad