The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1892-09-14

ye 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"
"Yes; didn't 'spect when we left us last
summer, boy, that you'd find US in SIGH
fix when We came back. Oh, tell We it's
awful-we don't know one hour whatll
happen next"
The new conner bowed his head for mo
ment and 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-
termined me to make this visit"
The old man sighed, pressed his hand upon
his forehead, and utterel half suppressed
groan, as if 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 Neff, owe my very existence at
this moment to you. You, l have been in
formed, snatched me when an infant from
the destroying food. You it was who gave
me a place in the homo Of your brother,
where 1 lived until reached mans estate.
1t is to you that owe my education and the
blessings which l enjoy; but, Mr. Neff, there
is one thing you have kept from me-the
secret of my life. Only that was the waf
OF some great food 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 now9"
Lille had carried the visitors hat in the
hall and hurried through to see that the col
ored cook was attending to her duties, that
a 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:
"Wall, Luke, reckin L tell you now all
I know about We. I'd hoped that the time d
come that could a cleared up the mystery,
but can't. It's been twenty-five vars 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 overfowed. We knowed many
people were drowned out, and had our
skiff tryin' to help 'em git their goods
saved, when one day we saw somethin'
floatin' down the river. 1t warnt uncom-
mon ter see things tloatin' down the
river; but this war somethin' uncommon,
Us we could SEQ. Somehow It peared T.
me IS orter go out N see what it war, an
| tole my brother t pull cut to It We both
laid to our oars, N soon kim near huff t.
see what It war
"It's CRADLE said my brother, lookin'
over his shoulder. We got nearer an suah
huff 'twar cradle an had bed in It, an
baby war in tn cradle. That ar baby
war you, Luke"
is that all you know of me!"
"Yas, that's about ALL"
ibid you find nothing by which I might
have been able to trace my parentage"
"Nuthin but a big, yallcr handkerchief
SIGH as the niggers war. 1t had en-
broidercd on one corner Luke Mason"
An expression of agony and disappoint
ment swept over the young mans face, and
lie heaved o sigh. That for which he hat
hoped was disappointing at last, and the
mystery of his life was as far from being
solved as ever. Could he, q nameles'
waif, an unknown child of the flood, press
his claim for the hand Of the fair CIR
whose heart he had already won. The ole
farmer, who had noted his disappointment
in order to change the subject said:
Have We gone into business yet9"
ayes, Sir, opened an office, but have
done very little, owing to the distracted
condition Of the country" Lille Neff nov
came from the house, her pretty cheeks
. glowing with pleasure, and her eyes spark
| bn Oh .
rustic mat near her father and the visitor
go c'ose We can't do no business il
these times; decla' I never knowed thu
like. Pears like every bodys goin crazy.
"Where is Albertm Luke asked.
, event after tn mail; he'll be bacl
soonn
, ''He hasn't gone in the army yeti"
!, ''No, but jest look fur him t do it."
,, A question trembled on the lips Of LUX
Mason. He wanted to ask in which army hi
schoolmate would enlist, but for fear tn
' question might CRATE harshly on the ears o
,, his friends he refrained. In the borde
States men were liable to take either side
and to change their views any day, for 1856
was the beginning of transition period
, and men were as yet unsettled in their con
!, victions. 1t was quite a relief to LUX
!. When Lille, with one Of her most winsom
glances from the darkest of eyes, sad:
"Brothcr is Union.n
"Iam glad of that, . he answered. ''Thoug
the South may have some real, or imaginary
grievances it does not justify any man i
taking up arms against his country"
"Oh, dear me! ! dun mo-" groaned MI
Neff nPears t. me like ell the people
gwine crazy. They err jest er tarin' tn
country to pieces; an its 10 tellin' whe
they'll burn our house an hang us"
"You have no cause to fear Union so
diers, hope"
dun mo-: N such times as these pear
like We can't trust no m
~ think that Price will soon be drive
from the State, and then you viii be all lei
at peace"
"Wan, hope so: but dun mo-" and tn
sigh which followed this remark was indt
cislvc From Mr.. Neff's remarks one coul
not have told how his sympathies we're.
"Heah come Massa Albert now" erie
Tom, raising his woolly head from the gras
VIII Oh grew under an apple tree in the yarC
where the African had been idly lollin
about.
A young horseman, mounted on splel
!; did steed came galloping up the road frol
u around the orchard. He was fine, mani
looking fellow, with an open countenanC
y and commanding figure.
He dismounted at the gate and flung IL
!. rein to Ten, who had come to take II
N horse.
= Somebody's come" grinned the negr
o but Albert stopped not to ask any question
h for he had already recognized the friend
= his childhood sitting on the porch and hu
N ried forward to greet him.
- As Tom was leading the horse to the bar