Middletown transcript., 1892-08-25
THE BELKNAp AFFAIR.

I'm North Carolina, circled BY higl
and beautifully wooded hills, lie
Cold Spring Valley. 1t is on privat
property, and the farm house situated
on hillside just out of sight Of tn
spring has been the home Of one fam
lily for several generations.
The spring itself gurgles out from
beneath one ofthe huge rocks form
ing the base of the chain of hills, ant
the hc'd brook made by its water
goes speeding along in its rocky course
under tall trees all through the valley
and away to the river.
This valley forms at all times q
picturesque scene, but at aundown on
a certain day in the summer of 1870
a lonely and detected foot traveller
standing by the spring and gazing
eagerly around, thought it the most
beautiful view he had ever beheld.
He drank of the water, bathed bis
heated face. and sat down to rest, fan.
ming himself meanwhile with his hat.
He was young man, large and
strong looking, with blue eyes that
were piercing in their gaze, but with
the kindliest expression imaginable ;
fair saxon hair and complexion. But
his clothing, though of fine texture
and fashionably made, was frayed and
soiled. His shoes were in the same
condition, and even the straw hat was
none too clean
He was still drinking in the beauty
of the little valley when footsteps at
tracted his attention. He turned bis
head and saw an old negro woman
coming down well worn path, swing.
ing two buckets in her hands.
She returned bis greeting without
any seeming surprise, and putting
down the. buckets, proceeded to un-
lock the spring house door.
Jack Dietrich glanced hungrily into
the cool looking place, and his eyes
shone with honest admiration and
desire. There were pans of yellow
cream, piles Of the same hued butter,
and glass stand of large crimson
strawberries sugared for the supper
table.
Jack began to try to bargain for
something to eat. He told the old
negress he had tasted nothing since
the night before, which was true. She
listened with her back to him, as she
moved several Of the pans. Then she
suddenly wheeled about and asked,-
Honey, you amt been and done
muffin wrong, now, is you ?"
"Tndeed I have not" answered
Jack, rising. "What makes you ask
me that?"
" Cause, honey, you puts me in mind
Of o pussin feein' from justice. But
be dat as it may, old Judy's not de
one to harm ye. is never yit forgot
de time de hounds was after my old
man down here in de swamp come dis
Jaly twelye years ago. Sc be's you
runnin' or not, you is safe. l can't
sell you moufful widout l fust ask
Miss Calline; but la chile, you'll git
it-never fear! Miss Calline's hearts
as tender as de white leaf of a day
lily, and she'd glib you all you could
eat even if was to up an tell her you
is de image Of dat picter in de Raleigh
newspaper"
She looked keenly at him as she
made this thrust, and Jack felt his
face getting warm. The old woman
seemed satisfied, and filled her buck
cts as he said somewhat impatiently,-
"I know nothing about the picture,
but I'm confoundedly hungry, and
you'd better go along and see your
Miss Calline. Til pay you WE'LL"
call right, sab, Is gwine. But
sence l come to think on it, Is afeard
Marse Abrams wild Miss CalliAe by
dis tims-yes, dat is fact. How
somever, I'll jest leave de spring
house door open, and if you gifts too
hungry before I comes back-well'
you needn't jest zactly travel on an
empty stummick, you know. ! amt
done forgot my old man yit."
She went up the hill with her two
buckets, muttering as she walked.
Jack was bewildered. What did
this curious old darkey means She
had taken the key back to the house,
but left the door open.
She had spoken of a picture in q
Raleigh paper. Jack had come from
palo;r.l CLo eoo5 af.o;d ~ bava