The morning call., 1891-05-08

began to sing, playing an accompaniment
with the few chords he knew on the guitar
with much briskness:
Ole massa bought bran new coat
An hung it on de wall.
Dis niggah's gwne 70 take dat coat
An war Ii TO de ball.
Then with much pathos:
hear ma true Iub weep,
hear ma true lub sigh.
Way down III Kiro
Dis 'ggah'S gwne to die
Briskly, dancing lively Jig at the same
time:
Ole massa bought bran new coat
An hung it on de wall.
Dis niggah's gwine ter take dat coat
An war 1t TO de ball
"Hurrah, boy!" exclaimed Ben. That
Is worth riding five miles to see"
1.-The incorrigibe boyr" laughed his
mother. "What will he be MP to next?"
There, Roy, that is worth dollar" said
Uncle Bob, as he threw a silver coin to the
merry boy, which he dexterously caught.
Roy, you had better start out en- d
travel" remarked Mr.. Hilton.
might not find other people so gener-
Gus as Uncle Bob is, answered Roy, as be
handed the guitar to Fannie, who took
it aud played several pretty airs, that
sounded very sweet In the soft evening
air. Ben descended the steps and leaned
against pillar Of the porch near Nan. He
asked her softly if she felt like taking
stroll in the grounds. -
"Ohl yes" answered Nan quietly, Il
think l would feel the better for it.
Accepting his proffered arm they wan
dered along the grayeled walks.
Mamie, dear, do you feel much the
worse for your fall?" asked Ben.
"0hl somewhat tired and sore, but nothing
to make me realize what ! went through, d"
answered Nan. q must not complain, for
brought it, on myself. 1t would never
have happened had | been In my saddle on
Beauty's back" she added humbly.
Ben pressed her hand with his arm as he
directed their steps toward the summer
house, that Observation-Disclosures spot
where they had not been since their recent
| disagreement.
"0h! say" called out the voice of teas
ing Roy, through the twilight. "bewar' OBJ
de atmisfeeT Oh de summer-hOuSe."
That's all right, my boy" called back
Ben.
strated his mother.
"Why, mother. Ben knows me, and as
for Nan she doesn't care snap of her
finger for what | say.
"6he considers the source of your re-
MARKS" said Lizzie.
There that makes me out gabbler, sc
Pll hide my diminished head" And Roy
retired within the folds of the hammock.
In the meantime Ben and Naunie had en-
tered tile summer-hOUse and seated them
selves by rustic table. Taking her hand
in his, as lie rested one arm on the table,
Ben said:
Mamie, nv darling, will you come TO
me for good aud all on the 21st of OctUber?"
Yes Ben" she answered in Subdued
tones land be glad to come if you consider
me worthy Of such great love as yours. I gu
are very kind and generous not to feel con-
tempt for me, after my foolish conduct of
. a Tor dow Inf ( faal : hot
l am completely changed by to-day'S hap
peningS. | am no longer the thoughtless,
will I'll child. | viii hencefOTth try TO be-
come the womanly wife that you desire"
q have always considered your youth
and ineXperience, my dear one, said Ben,
"aDd have felt sure that both would be
overcome in time by your n turat w0manli-
ness and tIueness Of heart, and want you
to believe, Mamie, that l do not intend to
cur:ail your youthful pleasures In making
you my wife. Far from ii, my dear girl
to see you happy and enjoying yourself as
much as possible is my aim and object in
life, and TO share your happiness and enjoy
ment my great desire"
81 would not care for either, dear Ben,
without YOU" interrupted Mamie, impetu-
ously.
There are two things that I have been
very anxious 70 have ready for your pleas
ure and convenience, and am glad to say
| Ben, looking at her with loving smile.
Ana those are
fine-toned upright piano for your own
sitting-To0m, and phaeUon for going and
coming when you please. Tom VIII not
have to work on the farm any more, after
we get the colt well-brOkea; so he will be at
your service, and / know of no other morse
that [ would trust my darling with so will
inely," lie added, drawing Mamie to his
side and kissing her.
81 Oh, Ben, what pleasant suTpriSeSi How
can I eyeRthank you for your thoughtful
Kindness exclaimed Nan, delightedy.
II shall be fully repaid by seeing you
thoroughly enjoy them, my dearest" be
answered. MY dear mother will be pleased
to have her expected daughter come to her
on the 21st of October, for that is her we'd
ding anniversary and my birthday. Twen-
ty-fVe years Old l Will be on our wedding
day, Mamie dear; not so very old, am 2''
don't see any gray hairs, Ben, said
/ Mamie, Daiyely, running her white fingers
through bis soft dark hair.
"And now, dear little girl, l must return
home" said Ben after a pause, giving Der
HE goodnight kiss. mo doubt this has been
long day to neither, though she expected
to be busy in initiating Aunt Chloe in the
mysteries OF making Spanish pickle or
some other toOthsome compound"
Drawing Nannis's hand through his arm.
they slowly retraced their steps. They
heard John Hilton's voice, singing "Twi-
light Dews," and the sweet old song float
ing out on the evening air, went straight to
their hearts.
How beautifulp murmured Mamie.
II is, indeed"
AS they neared the porch the song was
ended.
" Hilton" said Ben, "that is a sweet
song that never grows old"
That is even so, Ben,' said Mr.. Martin
heartily.
- 1t IS great favorite with every one, !
| believe" remarked Mrs. Martin.
Mamie resumed her accustomed seat,
and as Ben was still standing on the gravel
walk at the foot of the steps, Roy sprang
ont Of the hammock and down the steps,
exclaiming: Now comes the monkey show
Come OF, Ben, lets have a boxing match. F"
80 First, Roy, tell me what you represent
bantam weights?
Now, see here. Mr.. Ben, if you are five
feet ten inches and broad accordin', you
needn't be pokiug fun at my size. I've a
great mind to pitch into you" And Roy
squared off in true pugllistic style. But,
before he realized what was coming Ben
caught him and swung him up on his
shoulder, from whence he looked with
| c0mical chagrin al the others laughing.
Hang me, if | don't feel like bantam m.
or some other small fry" he said, when the
merriment had died away. say, Ben, /
think you spent your college days making
] muscle for heavyweight pugilst."
So that / could knock out a bantam
| the most of my muscle has been acquired
behind the plow and welding hoe"
To be Continued.
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