The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1892-01-31
ON THE TURNER PLANTATION
BY JOEL CHANDLER HARRIS.


"Deserted!' exclaimed Mr.. Deometari.
"Wsll." said the other, tits a big risk
for a grown man to take. If he's caught
he'll have to pay the penalty"
"No!" exclaimed Mr.. Deometari, bring
ing his fist down on his broad knee. He'll
be caught, bat he won't pay thep penalty"
why, what do you mean, Deo?" asked
his companion.
,'Don't you know him?' exclaimed Mr..
Deometari. "Hs belongs to the relief com
mittesn'
"Phew" whistlsd the other, raising both
his hands in the air, and letting them fall
again. -59=
Don't you know hila?" Mr.. Dsometari
wont on, with inoreasing ea%rnestness. He's
the man that shot the otter"
Again Mr.. Deometari's companion gave a
long whistle of establishment. Jack
Pruitt?' he asked.
"Ihe identical man. % said Mr.. Deometari.
And do you know who this provost mar
shall here is-this Captain Johnson?"
"Oh, yes, !" said the other; ''he's the chap
that stole tho last dust of meal we had been
saving to make soup for poor Tom Hen
derson."
"And what happened then?' inquired Mr..
Dsometari, as If trying to refresh his own
memory, instead of that of his companion.
Didn't Jack Pruitt give him a whipping?"
"Why, bless my life" exclaimed the
other. What an l thinking about? Why,
of course he did!' Saying this, Mr.. Deome-
tari's companion rose to his feet, and
Instantly he laid his land on Mr.. Dsome-
tari's shoulder and remarke1:
ut is fine weather for birds and boys"
joe WINS not at ali diaconcerted. Ho was
not eavesdroppinR, though he was very
much interested in what he had heard. Tho
way to interest a boy thoroughly is to puz-
zle him, and Joe was puzzled.
II saw Mr.. Pruitt last night" he re-
marked. and then as his old friend turned
he said: Glow do you do, Mr.. Dec? You
haven't forgotten me, have your"
Joe advanced and offered his hand. As
Mr.. Deometari took it the frewn cleared
awaysfrom his face.
why, my dear boy.r' he exclaimed, pull
ing the lad toward him and giving HIM a
tremendous hugginR, II am delighted to
see you! l could count on my ten fingers
the people who are left to Gall me Dec.
And If | counted, my boy. you may bs sure
I'd call your name long before l got to my
little finger. Why, Pm proud of you, my
boy! They tell me you write the little par.
agraphs in the paper credited to The Coun-
tryman's Dsvil?' Not all of them! All
well! 1T is honor enough if you only write
some of them. Forget you, indsed!'
Mr.. DeometarIs greeting was not only
cordial but afectionats, and the sincerity
that shone in his face and echoed in hi,
words brought tears to Joe Maxwelrs eyes
"Blandford." said Mr.. Deometari, "yor
ought to know this boy. Don't you remem
Der Joe Maxwell?n5
Why, yss!' said Mr.. Blandtord, show.
ing his white teeth and fixing his big blasl
eyes on Joe. He used to fight shy OF me
but remember him very we'll. He used t,
stand at tho back of my chair and give NJ
luck when l played %draughts."
Mr.. Blandford had changed greatly sine,
Joe had seen him last. His black hair
which once fell over his shoulders in gloss,
, euris, was now gray. and the curls wor
shorn away. The shoulders that wer
cnce straight and stalwart were slight
stopped, Of the gay and gallant youn
man whom Joe Maxwell had known a
Archie Blandford nothing remained un
changed except his brilliant eyes and hi
white teeth. Mr. Blandford had, in fac,
seeI hard service. He had been dssperatal
shot in one Of the battles, and had lain fo