The times., 1891-01-02

The thoughts OF all hearts ut Inorne
Hill were revolving around Nicholas
Thorne at this time. On account of some
Irregularities at college he had been BAN
ished TO Sunrise" his fathers most dis
tant plantation, partly by way of pun
ishment, partly by way of keeping him
out of temptation. The friends of the
family did not think this the wisest
course to pursue with young man of
Nicholas Thorne's temperament, but the
colonel was not a man to be advised,
and Nicholas had been at Sunrise planta-
tion since early in January. No hint of
the quarrel with Marcus White had
reached Thorne Hill as yet, but the col
onel was secretly, ,fretted that his son, in
all this time, had never once sued to be
recalled, and Miss Elvira's deepest anx-
iety had been aroused by q note received
few days before, which had been mail
ed at Eden, the nearest postoffice to Sun
rise, and was worded rs follows:
miss Thorne.
RESPECTED MADAM: am God fear.
in woman, and feel it on my konscunce
10 warn the family of Mr. Nick Thorne
that Sunrise Plantation is a lonesome
place for young man of sperrits and lift
he are not speedily removed out of harms
way great trouble is in waitin and so no
more from yours respectful
"RoXANNA WHITE"
Miss Elvira, not daring to show this
note to her brother, lest it might widen
the breach between him and his son, had
gone up to town to consult her cousin.
mrs. 11erry, In whose Judgment size
placed unbounded faith, though she had
not always the courage to follow her ad-
vice. But Mrs. Herry was on a visit to
her plantation in Jefferson, and Miss Ell
vira had returned still burdened with the
affecting note, which she was always
poring over whenever her brother was
out of the way. She began reading it
furtively at the tea table as soon as the
colonel retired to his musings on the
front piazza. Missy, why had come in
late to her supper, was eating waff1es
and honey with leisurely gusto that had
driven Griffin Jim to a stool i'm the
kitchen, with the remark, $50 legs is
hetter'n two legs ter wait on Miss Wini-
fred's delays" and thus Miss Elvira and
her little niece were alone together.
Winifred improved the occasion.
"Aunt Elvira," said she, "don't you
think it's time Brer Nicholas was let to
come home? He's been gone ever since
befo' corn droppin." Missy's calendar
was of the plantation.
"Oh, Winifred, I'm afraid Nicholas
isn't always well conducted" Miss
Elvira stammered, not knowing what to
reply.
1T amt no difference to me if he is
bad or good" said Missy sturdily; she is
Brer Nicholas. Only 1 don't believe he
amt just as good as can be-
"But lie ought not to disappoint his
father as he does," sighed Miss Elvira.
well, l reckon father disappoints
him some," Missy replied, with preco-
cious shrewdness.
You don't understand, DEAR" said
Miss Elvira, wondering a little at her.
self that she should speak SO freely to
this child. II fear Nicholas is-wild."
And Miss Elvira sighed deeply. In her
vocabulary "wild" was word of the
strongest condemnation.
"Let him come home, then, and get
tamed," said Missy, promptly.
This was Mrs. Herry's advice also
Mrs. Herry, who reasoned from sound
judgment, and her own deep experience
in a like case. But to advocate Cousin
Myrtilla's opinion openly was more than
this student of Bishop Ken could venture
upon. Her strongest hope was that Nicho-
las might be tanned by marriage with
his pretty cousin Flora Thorne, who had
the merit of pleasing the colonel. That the
colonel should be pleased was the all i'm
portant point, in view of which Miss
Elvira ignored the fact that she herself
had not found Flora fawless. But this
was not a subject to be discussed with
Missy, and she felt relieved when Glory
Ann interrupted with the announcement:
"Missle-virey, here's ole man Gilbert.
Dunno IN what he want. He mex gret
parade O. secrecy bout what he got
wrapped in piece O. cloth; but nose kin
smell sassyfac anywheres."
"Fumme!' shouted Missy. and darted
from the room.
"Jes' hear dat!' grumbled Glory-Ann,
in jealous resentment, as she followed
her to the back piazza. "Hukkom she
goes after ole man Gilbert, stidder re-
min'in' me bout sassyfac."
"Howd'ye, Missel-virey; huh you do?"
said old Gilbert, rising to bow and scrape,
as she came out on the piazza.
'Thank you; pretty well, Gilbert. How
do you do?"
"Tm ter say tollable, bless Gawd;
Missle-virey, lowed ter bring dozen
aiggs fur 'membrance, but de amt all
laid yit; an knowed Missy wuz gwan
be glad o some sassyfac, SO I jes come
long So"
"Tve plenty Of eggs just now, I'm
much obliged, Gilbert"
"Tubbe shor' said the old man, and
paused and scratched his head. Then,
with desperate abruptness, "Missel-
virey," said he, ''when you hear fun
Mawse Nicholas"
''About--a week ago, said Miss Elvira,
hesitatingly.
"She amt beerd bout dat cuttin' scrape;
'bleedged ter let ON eff she had" old Gil
bert argued to. himself:- than aloud" ."Hit