Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1893-12-16
HAT.
CHAPTER TX.

AFLOAT ON THE MiSSlSSlPPi.
1t was with deep regret that parted
that evening from good Mrs. Dorion
and her amiable daughters. In the
brief time that had been under this
roof had enjoyed sample OF home
life at the south that was to me as
novel as it was agreeable. When these
kind ladies learned that had de-
termined to prosecute my journey to
Louisiana. they Joined their husband
and father in urging me to delay.
I'VE are hardly acquainted with you
vet" said the matron. I'D have you
know. sir. it's not at all the Mississippi
way for visitor to come one day. and
go the next"
"My curiosity isn't half satisfied"
laughed Miss Celeste. II supposed.
from what had heard. that your New
England people were n kind of
kangaroo. We see SO little company
here that an interesting young man
like you is positive godsend.
And then" added q mischievous
Younger sister. "Simon Basnet doesn't
come over more than once week."
perhaps can furnish You with q
good reason for stopping with us
awhile. You want to see slave life
down here; you can't half see it unless
you witness the cotton picking We
shall begin in less than month. and
the sight will be well worth seeing.
I'm southerner born and reared: yet
this is something that is always new
to me and always grand The section
Of Louisiana where you are going is AL
sugar; you'll see no cotton there. only
what is piled up in bales at New Or
leans. Don't tempt you now?" Thus
Mr.. Dorion talked.
He assuredly did: so greatly that
realized that my only safety was to
firmly decline. TO remain here even
week would attach me SO to these peo-
pie and to this home that the thought
of Mr.. Bostock would cease to trouble
me. II ! would go to him. must go at
once. There is nothing of the fatalist
In me; notwithstanding the strange
events of my early life which have
been and are to be recorded. ] am
plain. matter-of-fact kind of person:
had at twenty-onc no more than the nv
erage sentiment that belongs to young
people. When. therefore. | say that
felt urged. impelled to travel on. it
will probably appear to others as it
does to me. that had destiny to ac-
complish.
tried to say all this to my kind
friends in way that would not seem
ungracious.
"Well. my lad. SO be it." said Mr..
Dorion. II have forebodings about
you, and you must promise to write to
me all about Bostock. | have heard
something of northern pluck and obsti-
macy; reckon you've got both. II you
will go, wait till the cool of the day,
and I'll drive over with you to Barre's.
It's only four miles across, and it will
be much handler than to go up to
Vicksburg. The Cotton Queen stops
there to wood up on her way down the
river"
Very little passed between us as we
rode over to the river that evening.
Mr.. Dorion was serious and thought
full; and, while | anticipated new
scenes and adventures, could not but
be sad with the parting.
81 hope we shall meet again, Dorr."
he said, as glimpse of the river ap-
peared through the trees.
'Iknor we shall, was my answer, de-
livered with fervor that startled my
self.
1t was like the voice OF prophecy.
We did meet again, in a situation and
under circumstances which romance
would vainly attempt to rival.