The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1892-01-31
ON THE PLANTATION.
A Story Of Georgia Boys Adven.
lures During the War.
CHAPTER X.
THE RELIEF COMMITTEE.
ny JOEL CHANDLER HARRIS.
Cbpyrigh. 1892. BY Jpl Chandler Harris.
r,ryA pTID v


the runawaye. but he was not too tired to ac-
cept ioyfuly an invitation to visit Hillsborough
with the editor Of the C0unhUpon For months
the town had been practically in n state OF
siege. As the war progressed 1t had been
made hospital station. The old temperance
hall and many OF tho other buildings in the
town had been fitted Zip for the &C.
commodation OF the sick and wounded.
There were also many refugees in Hills
borough from Tennessee and North Georgia
While the town was crowded the small. pox
broke out and for month or moro the country
people were prevented from going there
Guardswere placed on all the roads leading into
the town. but this was not necessary. for the
country people were not anxious to visit the
place when they learned OF the smallpox. Hills
borough was placed under martial law and
Provost Martial put In charge OF affairs. This
was necessary not only to control the small
poS but to control the convalcscing soldiers.
among whom were some very rough char
acters.
Joe had stayed AWAY so long that the town
seemed to be new to him. The playground in
front of the old scboolhouse was full OF dincy
hospital huts; the stores with which he had
boon familiar had been nut to new and strange
uses: and there were strange faces every.
where. Little squads OF soldiers we're march.
at their sides. or bandages on their heads. or
with their arms in sings were summing them
selves on every corner Everything was
strange. Even the old China trees under
which Joe had played hundreds OF times had
an unfamiliar look. Dazed and confused.
tho lad sat down on one Of the long
benches that were placed along the wall
in front OF some OF the stores. The bench
was tilted back against the wall and one
end Of it was occupied by two men who
were engaged in earnest conversation. Joe
paid little attention to them at first hut
word or two that he heard caused him to OBJ
serve them moro closely. One OF them was
Mr. Deonletari. the Greek exile and lawyer. the
other was man whom Joe did not know. He
noticed that, although Mr. Deometari wore
faded and shabby uniform his linen was
spotless. His cuffs and his shirt bosom shone
In the sun. aud the setting Of heavy ring on
his chubby finger sparkled like a star. He
has forgotten me-" Joe thought and he sat
there determined not to make himself known.
although he and Mr.. Deometari had been
great friends before the lad left Hilsborough.
There's another thing I'm troubled aoout."
Joe heard MI. Deometari say to his compan-
ion. "Pruitt has come home"
whats the matter with him." asked the
Deserted exclaimed Mr. DeometarI.
Well" 81 id the other. 81 it's Il big risk for a
grown man to take; II he's caught he'll have
to nny the penalty.
n;s N :; so sSS'aieH Mr. ,d DSomear bringing
caught. but ho won't pay the penalty.
WHY: what do You moan. Deo:' asked his
Don't You know him ~ exclaimed Mr.. Dec.
metari. He belongs to the Relief Commit.
:Phew!" whistled the other. raising both
his hands in the air and letting them fall
, you know him NJ, peometss went ss
man that shot the otter"
Again NJ. Deometari's companion gave q
long whistle OF astonlshment. Jack Pruitt?"
The identical man." said Mr.. Deemetari;
.:Sh; YES: sS S other: hes the chan that
s ast "s %fS om n essn
Deometar as irving t" tore reiresT lis own 1i
%%Why. bIsss my lits:: exs!ai%ed ths other.
he did,, lid saying tits. Mr. Deometaris com.
paninn rose to his feet. and caught sight Of
Zoe Maxwell ~, ns 10 did so: Instantly he laid
1T is fine weather for birds and boys"
eavesdropDins. though lie was very much in
ter.sted IN what be lad heard The way. to
interest int, 1a boy Thoroughly is to puzzle him.
saw Mr.. Truitt last night" he remarked.
and then as his old friend turned. he said:
how do you DO. Mr. Deo' You haven't for
Joe advanced, and offered his hand. As Mr..
Deomeiar took it the frown cleared away
WHY. my dear boy he exclaime ed. pulling
Es Lad lin and Syns hin in
sHs s fl to call bs" il TnS
Before got cot: to my lille nser. Why. I'm proud
Of you. my boy! They tell mo you write the
s i al ire % tG
some Of them. Forget you. indeed!"
dial. but nii+ctionate. and the sincerity that
shone in his 1ane and echoed in his words
"Blandierd.' said Mr.. bsometari. you ought
tn t. kn noT; !, this boy Don't you remember Joe
"Whv. yes!' said Mr.. Blandford. showing
S 'ss'% s% sly by efsk
r. $sSE = and give luck When
NJ @ had p sa S sine noe
iell over bis shonlde in glossy curls.w was now
gray. and the cnrs We're shorn away; The
wart were slightly stopped. Of the gay and
man whom joe had
Teeth. 'i H. B!sndiord had. in fact. seen hard
service. he had been desperately shot in one
OF the battles. and had lain for months In a
Richmond hospital. no was now. as he said.
lust beginning to feel his oats again.
Come |" said Mr.. Deometari I'VE must go
to my room. 1t is the same old room. in the
same old tavern" he remarked placing his
% @ 9c to Tie ts in
marble to which You used to talk whom you
thought was asleep"
Wien tho two men and Joe Maxwell reached
the room. which was one OF a series opening
on the long veranda Of the old tavern. Mr. Deo-
metari carefully. closed tho door. although tho
Westh.sri , " WaS pleasant enouch-it was the
"Now then" said he. drawing, his chair, in
front Of Joe. and placing, his hands on his
knees. -" heaTd YOU mention name y99nad1er
Precisely So" said Mr. Deometari. smiling
did you say about John PruittY"
Late Of said country. deceased" dryly re-
marked Mr.. Blandford. quoting from the form
of n legal advertisement.
~ said saw him last night" said joe and
then he went on to explain the circumstances.
Very good" said Mr.. Deometari. still smil-
ing. i" and now what did you hear me say
"You said that he would be caught and not
punished because he belonged to the Relief
Hear that!., exclaimed Mr. Deometari, III