The Press., 1894-03-22

been TemEOTarlly pTOppou up ny 1OSS as long as I could remember. There were the old residences, with their beau tiful, soft gray tints of unpainted wood, set off by the rich foliage of the old trees, the front doors all wide open; there were the glimpses of gay skirts floating from slow swaying hammocks, of turbaned negresses spreading clothes to dry upon the bushes, of little black gnomelike darkies devouring stolen red watermelons, with rolling eyes watching out'' as they did so; there were the trains of little curly tailed white pigs following each other with many squeals along the lines of fences and of old sows taking mud baths wherever there was a puddle. The smell of the pine forests came to me upon the wind, and nearer the odor o1 roses and magnolias. All was wild and sweet. Nothing was orderly-every- thing. to my eyes at least, was beauti- full, exceedingly. And there was my dear old home-oh, my dear old home Oh, the sadly passionate memories that rushed into my heart!
 Father, I whispered. 70 my dar, ling father! Shall I never see you again?" The tears poured down my cheeks. but I checked them quickly. I had come home to make poor Victor. inc happy, not to sadden her. Pool Victorine! She had pinched and saved so long, but that was all over now. Al last she should find everything easy and comfortable. It was for her sake that had banished myself.
 There was the house. It was always the prettiest in the neighborhood. There were the dear white roses, nodding vel come at the garden gate.
 But now I saw something rather new. From the central window of the second floor, that of Victorine's bedroom, was thrust long staff, from which foated the Confederate flag, and as 'Blacb Dan" opened the stage door and "ighted down. heard the tones of the somewhat cracked piano, on which Vic torine-I knew her touch-was playing 'The Bonnie Blue Flag" with great ex- pression.
 The noise of the wheels brought Aunt Emily to the door-Aunt Emily just as I left her, kerchiefed in crimson, at. tired in check, smiling, rotund, black as ebony.
 ''Bress de chile, she ain't altered none. She am only growed up, cried the soft, sweet negro voice. ''Bress de chile. I'd knowed her anywhere. , | Then I was clasped to her bosom, sob ping in spite of myself. And still Vic torine banged away at the Bonnie Blue Flag" With an energy that assured me of her strength and vigor.
 "Why doesn't she come to meet me?' whispered to Aunt Emily.
 "Don't yo' mine, honey" replied my old nurse. Her heart come, only she got one of her crankums on. Mighty high strung, Miss Victorine is. Don yo' mine. G'long in, g'long in an gel it over." With this she gave me pusl that sent me across the sill of the par | Tor door, and the music ceased. My half sister started to her feet, but in stead of advancing retreated into the | corner, her arms outstretched, her palms toward me.
 Halt" she said in solemn tones "Not step nearer until you reply to my questions. Have you come home with northern principles or southern l principles? Answer, Persis Carlton answer truly.'
 I looked at her, tall and dark, witt her eyes flashing and her brows bent and began to cry, and then began t( | laugh, then grew hysterical, and be tween sobs and giggles managed to ex claim:
 "Oh, Vicky, darling, don't. Ihaven'r come home with any principles what ever. I am utterly destitute of prin ciples of any sort. I've just plain come home. Oh, sister Vicky, don't stare d me so! Come and kiss me-" "Come kiss yo' sister. Stop actin jess 1 like yo' got no feelin, Miss Victorine, , said Aunt Emily. ''I's clar ashamed of yo', I is, and dat's de trutf.'' AnG then Victorine gave gasp and rushed toward me, and we clasped and kissed and kissed and clasped again, and Aunt Emily glided out of the room, shutting the door behind her. And of the two I think my half sister wept the longer Then we talked and talked as though we would never have done, about ole times and what we had thought anG hoped and suffered.
 At last the door opened, and what { fragrance of good things rushed through it! Odors of coffee and broiled chick en and corn cake and wheat biscuit ant roasted sweet potatoes and persimmo1 preserves, sliced oranges, and I know not what else.
 "Chillun, come to supper" sait Aunt Emily, and hand in hand wt came to the feast prepared in my honor
 Aunt Emily waited on us, joining il our talk. The day closed in while we were still at table, and the level SUI sent it's red ray across the cloth. Aunt Emily went to the window to close th' blinds and paused there with low cry of, "For de land, dem norf folks pig is in de gardin agin!''
 "The second time this week" sai( Victorine. She sprang to her feet seized the tongs and thrust feathe, duster into my hands.
 Come. ' she cried. A moment nor, and we were in the garden, re-enforcet by Aunt Emily, armed with broom.
 CHAPTER II.
 Did you ever chase pigs out of a gar