Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1893-11-30
CHAPTER Ill
NY FAIRY PRfSCE

tale, bearing 20 me bright promise Tor
the future. Now. when long years
have passed, with all the full, strange
record with which this narrative deals,
can think Of the hour and the man In
no other way. IL was my hour Of
promise-he was my fairy prince.
"Bostocltl" said my father, holding
out his hand, Little Pierce Bostock?
Why, II don't seem possible"
ayes, that reminds me, Amos, Of
how we used 10 wrcstlc, side hold. You
used TO throw me"
81 don't think could do II now"
said my father.
81 reckon OF, Amos. Well, my old
chum, I'm mighty glad TO see you. VIII
Aou believe II, Amos?-being In Bos-
ton for the very first time since | went
south, the thought struck me 10 come
up here, and hunt mp old friends and
schoolmates. There's few Of them left;
and I'm right glad I've found you.'
~ feel fattered by your remcm-
brance and your kindness, Pierce. It's
but n poor hospitality have 10 offer
you; but you're welcome TO IL. Come
20 the house. and wen aft down and
talk over old days"
"We'll have TO talk fast. Amos. I've
mortgaged my time at the north, and |
must leave Boston tomorrow. | can
give you two hours only. This Is your
boy, eh?-Ano manly fellow. What's
his nnme2-Dorr? Why, Is II posi-
bic you called him after my father"
Indeed ! did, Pierce. You rcmcm-
Der how kind he was 20 me. The boys
name Is Dorr Bostock Jewett."
"Now like that; I'll not forget II.
Come along 20 the house MS you said"
His beaming smile captivated me; as
we walked along, while he busily
talked with my father, he playfully
shouldered my hoe, and took hold OF
my hand. Arrived at the house, my
mother was introduced.
II was the first exhibition OF high
bred politeness had ever seen, and II
impressed me. In the life that had
been living, duty and labor went for
everything, courtesy was scant
enough. Mr.. Bostock removed his hat,
gently took my mothers hand and
bowed very low
Extremely glad 10 meet you,
madam. Your husband is my oldest
and dearest friend. though I've seen
nothing OF him since we were mere
lads"
"sit down, sir, and make yourself
comfortable" said my mother. "Will
you stay To tea?"
"rhank you'll shall not have time"
he replied, looking at massive-cased
gold watch. "The train leaves the
village ut seven; it's almost five now"
''lf you were raised In New lamp
shire, perhaps you haven't forgotten
how to eat mush and milk"
"Why, bless me, madam, can you
give me bowl of IL? My old Niger
cooks get up corn bread, corn cake and
all kinds of corn filings, but they can't
make mush. I'd like IL above all
things"
With napkin under his fat chin,
our jolly guest sat at the table, partals-
ing with evident relish OF the simple
entertainment that was set before him.
He was n keen observer, notwithstand-
ing his easy, careless way, and think
that nothing had escaped his notice.
Never had the house and its furnish
ings seemed as shabby 10 me as now.
beg pardon, Amos; but you know
everything Is permitted between oil
friends. You don't thrive well here"
"No," said my father, ''and fear I
never shall. You remember something
about this old place; twenty acres out
of the thirty no better than n stone
quarry. Bad luck has followed me;
I've had bad seasons, slim crops, siclS-
ness and debt. It's u hard struggle,
almost q hopeless one"
"Tm sorry for you, Amos; from the
bottom of my soul am. don't know
of a fellow who deserved good fortune
ahead Of you. II you'd struck out
when l did, you'd have succeeded any
where. New England Is good place
TO rear men, but no place at all for
them TO spread, you know. don't
brag, but I've got right 10 point with
some pride TO what I've done since |
saw these hills last"
"You are at the south, infer" said
my father.
I've one thousand acres of the best
cotton land In Mississippi below ViclSs-
burg. plant every acre of IL; and
raise sugar In Louisiana"
81 hope you're not Il stakeholder,
sir" said my mother.
70, I've few niggers-hardly a
hundred. I've had TO hire some the
last season."
At the Mortified looks OF my mother
and the painful silence of my father
Mr.. Bostocl wiped his mouth and
laughed.
I'D like to have you come down and
see how some of those lazy cattle inn
pose upon me. But, dash II all, Amos,
haven't time TO discuss the institu-
ton, and IL wouldn't do, either-we
should quarrel. OF course you're an
abolitionist. remember you In the
old days. you were cut out for one.
Let's talk about something else"
"You have family, of course,
Pierce?"
''My wife died few years ago. I've
one child, Coralie, little witch of
seven. I've great house, which is
run by the servants. / know all about
the plantation, but | haven't much
control inside. Everything is lavish,
and it's wonder TO me, sometimes,
that I'm not poor man. But come
down, and you'll find hospitality
enough"
For more than an hour he talked, In.
terrupted only by an occasional ques.
tion or exclamation. did not observe
then--long afterward | had occasion
to recall the fact-that he parted sew
erul attempts of my parents TO draw
him out about his deceased wife and