Los Angeles herald., 1892-01-05

dancers who passed before the open
doors and windows. But he knew this
was Gros Leon's ball. which he had
heard the boys talking about all the
week.
Suppose he should stand in the door
way an instant and exchange a word
with the dancers? It would not take a
moment.
Chouchoute dismounted, fastened his
horse to the fencepost and proceeded to-
ward the house.
The room. crowded with people young
and old, was long and low, with rough
beams across the ceiling, blackened by
smoke and time Upon the high man
telpiece a single coal oil lamp burned
and none too brightly.
In far corner, upon platform Of
boards laid across two -four barrels, sat
Uncle Ben, playing upon squeaky fd-
die and shouting the Figures"
"Ahl via Chouchoutet' some one
called
"Ehi Chouchoute"
"Jus' in time, Chouchoute; yere's Miss
Leontine waitin fer partna."
"Slute yo' partnasl" Uncle Ben was
laundering forth; and Chouchout, with
one hand gracefully behind him, made a
profound bow to Miss Leontine, as he
offered her the other.
Now Chouchoute was noted far and
| wide for his skill as dancer. The mo-
ment he stood upon the floor fresh
spirit seemed to enter into all present.
It was with renewed vigor that Uncle
Ben intoned his "Balancy ALL Fus fo'
fo'ard an backp
The spectators drew close about the
couples to watch Chouchoute's wonder
full dancing.
'Tt takes Chouchoute to show 'em de
step, var proclaimed Gros Leon, with
fat satisfaction, to the audience at large.
"Look 'iml look i'm yondal Ole Ben
got to work hard an dat if he want to
keep up wild Chouchoute, val"
So it was; encouragement and adula-
tion on all sides, till, from the praise
that was showered on him, Chouchoute's
head was as light as his feet.
At the windows appeared the dusky
faces Of the negroes, their bright eyes
cleaning as they viewed the scene
within and mingled their loud outlaws
with the medley of sound that was al
ready deafening.
The time was speeding. The air was
heavy in the room, but no one seemed
to mind this. Uncle Ben was calling
tho figures now with rhythmic sing
song:
Right an lef' all 'rouni Swing
co'nasi"
Chouchoute turned with smile to
Miss Felicie on his left. his hand ex-
tended, when, what should break upon
his ear but the long, narrowing wall OF
locomotive.
Then he vanished from the room.
Miss Felicie stood as he left her, with
hand uplifted. rooted to the spot with
astonishInent.
1t was the train whistling for his sta
ton, and he mile and more awayi He
knew he was too late, and that he could
not make the distance; but the sound
had been a rude reminder that he was
not at his post of duty.
However, he would do what he could
now. He ran swiftly to the outer road,
and to the spot where he had left his
pony.
The horse was gone, and with it the
United States mail bagl
4 Fer an instant Chouchcutc steod half
stunned with terror. Then, In ono
quick flash, came to his mind vision Of
possibilities that sickened him. Dis
grace overtaking him in this position Of
trust; poverty his portion again; and his
dear mother forced to share both with
him.
| He turned desperately to some negroes
who had followed him, seeing his wild
rush from the house:
"Who saw my hoss? Wat you all did
with my hoss, say2"
"Who you reckon tech yo' hoss, beyf''
grumbled Gustave, a sullen looking
mulatto. "You didn' have no can to
lef i'm in de road, fus' place.
"'Pear to me like heahed boss
a-lopin down de road jis' now; didn' you,
Uncle Jake" ventured second.
"Neva heahed nuttin--nutdn 7 all
'cep' dat big mouf Ben in yonda maxim
mo fuss AN a t'unda sto'm."
"Boysr cried Chouchoute excitediy.
'bring me hoss, quick, one Of you.
I'm boun to have onel I'm boun to;
I'll give two dolla to the frs man brings
me hoss."
Near at hand, in the slot" that ad-
joined Uncle Jake's cabin, was his little
creole pony, nibbling the cool, wet grass
that he found along the edges and In the
corners of the fence.
The negro led the pony forth. With
no further word and with one bound
Chouchoute was upon the animals back,
He wanted neither saddle nor bride, for
there were few horses in the neighbor-
hood that had not been trained to b
guided by the simple motions Of the
riders body.
Once mounted, he threw himself for
ward with certain violent impulse
leaning till his cheek touched tho ami.
mails name.
He uttered sharp Heir and al
once, as if possessed by sudden frenzy,
the horse dashed forward, leaving the
bewildered black man in cloud ol
dust.
What mad ride it vast On one side
was the river bank, steep in places and
crumbling away; on the other an un
| broken line of fencing now in STRAIGHT