Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1891-01-22
Little Prince Dusty
CHAPTER ".
ON BOARD THE ARK

- Questions, when he was reused in
the middle of the second night after
uncIe Phin's departure He realized at
once what was required of him, and the
beaviness of sleep instantly vanished,
leaving him keenly wide-awake. Step
pinc softly from bis bed, he quickly
dressed. while the old negro gathered
tocetber every thing belonging to his
iii marse," and placed the things in a
corn sack that he had brought for that
purpose.
us that yo' book, honey?" he whis-
,ered. noticing the volume of fairy tales
lying on the bed.
eyes that is my own precious book,
that the beautiful lady gave me; but
don't nut it in the bag, Uncle Phin;
want to carry it myself.
Then the thoughtful little fellow,
since he could not bid Cynthia good bye,
and feared she might feel hurt If he
went away without word, begged his
companion to wait just minute, while
he wrote her a note He wrote it by the
bright moonlight, on bit OF brown
paper, with the stump of a lead pencil, so
that it was not very elegant production.
but it answered its purpose, and was
tenderly cherished for many day by
the little girl who received it the next
morning. In it, in a big. scrawling, boy
ish hand, was written:
''Dear CYNTHIA: | have been so much
trouble here, specially to Aunt Nancy
and Dick, that | am going away with
Uncle Fin, to find another home. love
YOU dearly, and sometimesI hope shall
come back and see you. Goodbye, from
Your loving cousin, Arthur"
Although the old negro was in hur-
nv to be off, he waited patiently while
Arthur slowly wrote this note To him
writing was one Of the most mysterious
and difficult of arts; and. gazing admir-.
ingly at the young penman, he muir
INJURED to himself:
"What fine lilly genl'man him he.
to be shuah Him only ten year ole;
but settin dar an er writin' like he was
ahundred."
When the note was finished it was
pinned to the pillow OF the cot bed; and
with lingering look at the place that
had sheltered him for year, the child
stepped out and softly closed the door
Then, clasping his precious book tightly
under his arm, and trustingly following
the old negro, Arthur started on the
wonderful journey that was to change
the whole course of his life, though he
was still ignorant of their destination.
When they were safely behind the
barn, out Of sight and hearing OF the
house, Uncle Phin stopped and said:
"Deres only one ting trubblin' dis
yeah ole woolly head. Will you tell.
honey, fer shuah. what way de ribber
ober yander is runnin'?"
which, the Allegheny? Why south,
Of course" answered Arthur wondering
at the question.
Oats what lowed it donel" ex-
claimed the old man. al knowed it
didn' run yeast, kase dat ar way de sun
rise. an | knowed it didn' run wes',
kase dat ar way him a settin'; but ]
WASH rightly shuah him didn' run to de
MORT was figgerin' all de time dough
on him runnin' to de souf, an now
we'll git back to ole Virginny easy an
sartin."
TO Virginia!' cried Arthur, in dis
nav Are we going to try and 60 way
TO Virginia, Uncle Phin?"
Job cose we is, honey. We's er
gwine to Virginny, an Dalecourt an
70 gran'paw. an de iii ole cabin by de
magnole tree. We is gwine to go 'ome
shnah 'nough, honey"
But how are we ever going to travel
so far?"
You'll see, honey. You'll see d'reek-
ly." chuckled the other. Use got
great s'prise in sto' fer you Hyar's de
keridge waitin' on us now, an Mista
Bailas is gwine dribe US to de kyars-"
They were now on the road, at
some distance from the house, and
as Uncle Phin spoke, Arthur saw
drawn up to one side in the
shadow Of clump of trees Brace Bar
lows team and leaning against the
light wagon the young man himself.
oh Brscel'' he cried, springing for
ward the moment he saw who it was.
I'm so gladi didn't want to go away
without seeing you again. Are you
really going with us?"
Il wish could go with you all the way,
my boy, and see you safe to your jour
ney's end, but you know can't leave