The Hazel Green herald. [volume] (Hazel Green, Wolfe County, Ky.) 1885-19??, 1891-05-15


opened and young man descending the
steps. His only baggage was a small hand
sachel, which was slung by a leathern strap
over his shoulder
"Ohl Luke, Luke, have you come" cried
the pretty girl, swinging coquettishly upon
the gate. The stage rolled on, and by
the time Luke had reached Lilies side 1t
was disappearing around bend in the road.
Eyes, Lille, did not write you l would
be here this weekp'
eyes; but lawl the country Is 80 torn 20
pieces that didn't think you would dare
travel"
ats growing little dubious, but IL
would require extraordinary danger TO keep
me away"
His low, tender voice, earnest look, gentle
pre- ssure of the hand, and warm kiss which
Drought the flush of crimson to Lilies
cheek told that they were more than
friends. II was but a short distance from
the gate to the house, yet IL is wonderful the
amount OF words they managed TO exchange
as they walked to the front door. No notice
was taken of Tom, who fingered IN the rear,
an Ethiopian grin on his features.
"Why, goodness sakes, Luke, is that
you," asked Mr. Neff, who had reached the
door as they came TO the porch. "W'y, no
un was lookln' fur ye here. Why didn't
ye stay back n Ohio. whar We wouldn't q
been right in tn freq
~ got through all safe, Mr.. Neff, and
think will be in no danger It's been al
most year since was here, and / prom
ised TO come"
"Come in, and set down on the porch.
Here, Lille, take Luke's hat" When she
had taken tho hat of the visitor and gone into
the house, and Mr.. Neff and the new conner
were seated, the farmer resumed: Eyes,
Luke, it's been quite leetle spell since ye
war here, and I'm glad ye thought enough
o. us to come. But it'd a been safer'n Ohio;
We hain't got as much trouble thar ez we've
got here"
"No, sir, think not. Though they are
raising armies all the time in Ohio, it's all
for one side; while here you seem divided"
Eyes; didn't 'spect when ye left US last
summer, boy, that you'd find US in SIGH
fix when ye came back. Oh, I tell We it's
awful-we don't know one hour whatll
happen next"
The new conner bowed his head for a mo-
ment and q strange look Of sadness swept
over his face. At last, after many efforts
TO clear his throat, he began:
"Mr. Neff, the distracted state Of the
country has more than any thing else de-
terfnlneu me 10 make JnlS VlSlJ'
The old man sighed, pressed his hand upon
his forehead, and uttered half suppressed
groan, as IL he dreaded what was coming.
Luke cast glance about them. They were
alone on the porch, as Lille had not re-
turned, and only the negro boy rolling
upon the lawn was in sight. Luke con-
tinued
"Mr. Nef, / owe my very existence at
this moment to you. You, have been in
formed, snatched me when an infant from
the destroying food. You it was who gave
me q place in the home of your brother,
where 1 lived until l reached mans estate.
II Is to you that owe my education and the
blessings which enjoy; but, Mr.. Neff, there
is one thing you have kept from me-the
secret of my life Only that was the waif
OF some great flood do l know Of myself.
You have promised to tell me all you know
Of me, and we know not in these distracted
times what an hour may bring forth. Can't
you. won't you tell me all now"
Lille had carried the visitors hat in the
hall and hurried through to see that the col
ored cook 'yas attending to her duties, that
suitable dinner would be prepared for the
visitor. Mr.. Neff almost lost his breath, so
sudden was the question propounded. After
q moment, however, he said:
avail, Luke, reclSin l. II tell you now all
know about ye. Pdhoped that the time ID
come that could a cleared up the mystery,
but can't. It's been twenty-five y ars ago
this spring since was with my brother on
the Missouri river, few miles below Lex
ington. We had farms thar then an was
both younger than now. The river war
very high that spring, an lots o. the bottom
lands war overfiowed. We knowed many
people were drowned out, and had our
slxiff tryin' TO help 'em git their goods
saved, when one day we saw somethn'
floatin' down the river. 1t warnt uncom-
mon ter see things a tioatin' down the
river; but this war somethin' uncommon,
as we could see Somehow Z peared Z
me 3 orter go out N see what 1t war, an
tole my brother T. pull out tot We both
laid TO our oars, N soon kim near nun T.
see what It war;
"'It's a CRADLE said my brother, lookin'
over his shoulder. We got nearer an suah
huff 'twar cradle an had a bed in 4, an
a baby war in tn cradle. That ar baby
war you, Luke"
as that all you know Of mel"
"Yas, that's about all"
"Did you find nothing by which I might
have been able to trace my parentagel"
"Nuthin but q big, yaller handkerchief
SIGH as the niggers war. II had en-
broidered on one corner Luke Mason"
An expression Of agony and disappoint-
ment swept over the young mans face, and
he heaved sigh. That for which he had
hoped was disappointing az last, and the
mystery OF his life was as far fI0m being
solved as ever. Could he, a nameless
waif, an unknown child of the flood, press
his claim for the hand of the fair girl
whose heart he had already won. The old
farmer, who had noted his disappointment,
in order TO change the subject said;
Have we gone into business yet"
ayes, sir, opened an office, but have