The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1892-06-15
CHAPTER V.
FRIENDS.


Three days later Nicholas arrived at
Thorne Hill in his usual bright spirits, APP
parently, and apparently very happy to
be at home. He brought the information
that Mrs. Furniysl had died the night be-
fore, and that Job Furnival would report
for work as soon after the funeral as pos
sible.
The colonel was quite willing that Fur
nival should take his time; the main point
was gained in having Nicholas at home to
turn Floras music. But when Aleck Gage
came an hour later, Nicholas was off with
an ancient umbrella under his arm to pay
visit to old man Gilbert.
Gilbert was seated upon the sweetgum
block that occupied one corner Of his
hearth, singing vigorous hymn, while he
worked at his round bottomed baskets
He felt in good heart; his pot of money
was safe, and there had been no sign of the
hungry SOW about the woods; his Dom
thicker" hen had Matched every one of her
fifteen eggs, and his tobacco was thriving !;
moreover, Mawse Nicholas was sum-
moned home, out of harms way, and he
had not been obliged TO betrey the young
mans secret. well. tubbe sho," he COM
mented, in pause of his singing. put off
yo' lei shoe when the squeech-owel hol-
lers, en- you'll ward off dezaster."
Something darkened the daylight and
he looked up, and behold Nicholas was
standing in the doorway. Supreme de-
light in this sudden, unexpected vision
blinded his eyes, at first, to the faded UNI
brella.
"Why, howdye, Mawse Nick Huh
you do? Huh you do?' he exclaimed.
grinning as he rose, and rubbing his hand
on his osnaburg breeches before he held
it out in hearty welcome. Use plum
glad ter zee youw
Nicholas shook hands and sat down in
the splint-bottomed chair, in the corner
opposite the sweet-gum block. Then old
Gilbert's ewes fell upon the umbrella and
grew big and round.
you is found him, Mawse Nick? Dat
rumberilla?" And he stretched forth his
hands with a chuckle OF satisfaction.
Glands off I've something to say frat. 8"
cried Nicholas, with a countenance and
voice so unwontedly stern that old Gill
bert felt his heart knock at his ribs.
Where do yo suppose this umbrella was
found?"
II amt nuver been able to recomember,
sub, whey leffum," stammered old Gill
bert, abashed but rallying his courage,
he added, "ceptin' Diet / had him in
Eden"
"In Eden it was found" said Nicholas.
still stern; beside the horse block that
stands not far from the gate in front Of a
house on the east of the cornfield."
Nicholas paused.
"Tubbe shop calculated old Gilbert,
fainf1u He did what plGa n
cay, Nicholas so held him with his gilt
tering eve"
What were you doing there?" de-
handed Nicholas, sternly.
Old Gilbert looked at him and was
silent.
you are watching mew cried Nicholas
with growing anger. And now want ia
| know what tale you carried to my
father"
II wuz a-watchin' you" said old Gil.
| bert. stoutly; "cause my min misgive me
what you needed lookin' after; but de
Lawd He knows what amt toted no tales
ter mawster. / jes' toP him what hit waz
| pow'ful lonesome ter Sunrise, en- he'd
better fotch you home"
Nicholas smiled. There's your um-
brella," he said, yielding the treasure tc
| the owners waiting hands. you've the
soul OF a gentleman, as I've remarked
| once before"
~ wuz fotch up long wild yo' gran paw,
| Mawse Nick" cid Gilbert reminded him,
with visible pride. "Al de Thornes wuz
| gemmen."
! "White and blackw said Nicholast, and
burst out laughing. "Confound your old
umbrella II l had found out that you
| had carried tales to my father | should
/ have felt tempted to break it over your
meddling old head. You leave me &c
manage my own affairs hereafter. do you
mind?"
'Tubbe sho, Mawse Mich, 'ceptin' jes
| dis-young folks thinks ole folks is fools
specially po' no count ole niger; but
l gwan say dis ter you. Use toted you
onter my back when you wuz little, Use
| roden you in de fox-cyart, en- Use trained
you ter swim wild de holp o gourds; Use
carried you a-fshin' en- a-possum huntin'
en- Use lernt yo' fust manners. All dis, y
said the old man, with solemn, upliftec
forefinger "all dis mex hit hukkom
gwan give you instruction now. Doan'
you 60 mix yo' se'f wild folks what aim
! yo' kind, Mawse Nick. l ain't savin'
nothin' beginst dem Furnivals, Mawse
| Nick; but do amt Yo' kind"
"You shut upl" said Nicholas holly, anC
strobe away.
"De Lawd SEN US help outen d.
Sanktuiry," sighed old Gilbert. "Ps,
pow'ful 'sturbed in my min bout dat boy
Chiluns is wuss EN- money. You kir
hide dat away, ur you kin tote hit in yo
pockets; but yo' chilluns you is gotte
tote in yo' heart, en- sometimes de is
heavy weight, a heavy weight"
Nicholas did not return to the parlo
until an hour or so later, when Alecl
Gage was Misunderstanding under tn,
colonel's auspices, one might say, for neve
since he possessed a house of his own had
Col Thorne been so gracious in speed
ing the parting guest.
But if Col. Thorne flattered himself tha
the young gentleman's visits must now be
come less frequent he was doomed to dis
appointment. Aleck Gage did not return
the next day. indeed, nor yet the next, a
the colonel noted with secret satisfaction
but after these two days of absence, Mis-
Flora's persistent lover Teappeared an,
soon it was manifest that Nicholas's pres
ence made not the slightest difference l.
Aleck Gage. For Nicholas had ordere,
his horse and ridden forth with hi
cousins lover upon the first opportunit,
that offered after his arrival, solely to hav
il understood that he himself was not il
love with Flora.
The young men talked of indifferen
| fhinoa fil thaxy ha1 ,o..oI al.