Santa Fe daily New Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1885-1897, 1894-01-10
SAVED BY A SLAVE.

There was something's forget what-to
take both grandmother and grandfather
away from home one day in October of the
year lived with them in Burns Hollow.
There were two servants in the Kitchen
heard them laughing merrily together. for,
though Hannah was an old woman, she
was full of fun, and in five minutes the door
opened, and Hannah came in with the tray.
please, miss" said she as she set it
down, may run over to Mapletown to-
nighti My sisters married daughter had
boy last night, they tell me, and I want
to see it naturally. It's the first I've ever
had of grandniece or nephew"
"You may CO." said, "but don't stay
late Grandma and grandpa may be away
all night, and I feel nervous. To be sure,
there is Anthony, but never rely on him.
Be certain not to stay late"
Early as it was dropped the curtains
and lit the wax candles on the mantel, and
sat long over my tea, finding certain
companionship In 1t, as women of all ages
will. sat thus long while and was
startled from my reverie by a rap at the
door-a timid sort Of a rap-so that knew
at once that it was neither member of the
house nor an intimate friend. WAITED. ex-
pecting Anthony to answer the door, but
finding he did not went to 1t myself.
1t had grown quite dark, and the moon
rose late that night. At first could only
make out crouching figure at the bottom
of the porch. But when spoke it adj
vanced, and by the light from the hall
lamp saw black man. had always
had sort Of fear Of negro and instinct
lively shrunk away, but as did so he spoke
in husky whisper.
'This Is Marsa Morton's isn't it, miss?"
YES" replied. But grandfather is
out" retreated. He advanced.
please, miss" he said, Judge B
sent me here. He said Marsa Morton 'ud
help me on. Let me stay here night,
miss. PIE trabeled five days since left
him. Hidin like. Tze awful hungry
pears like I'd drop, an ole marsa is arter
me. For de lub Of heaben, miss. let me
hide somewheres an glib me jes' crust.
Marsa Judge promise Marsa Morton 'ud
help me, an it's KEEP me up. Missus will,
know"
Caution and pity struggled within me.
At last said, ''You have note from the
Judge, suppose"
II had some writin on paper" said the
man, 'but lost it de night it rained so.
All, miss, Ize tellin truf-judge sent me,
sure as I'ze sinner. Fze been help along
so far, an pears like mus git to Canady.
Can't git back noways. Wife's dar an de
young uns. Got clar year ago. Miss, I'll
pray for you cherry day oh my life If you'll
jes' be so good to me. Tank ye miss. !"
For somehow when he spoke of wife and
children l had stepped back and let him in.
1t was the back hall door at which the
hand. l led him thither. When saw how
worn he was, how wretched, how his eyes
glistened and how, under hts rough blue
shirt. his heart beat SO that you could count
the pulses, I forgot my caution.
went up stairs, found in the attic sun
dry pillows and holsters and carried them
kitchenward.
Here" said, make yourself bed on
the settee yonder and be easy for the night.
No one will follow you in this storm, and
no doubt grandpa will assist you when be
returns. Good night"
Good night, and God bless you, miss"
said the negro speaking still in the same
husky whisper. And SO left him.
But not to go up stairs to my bedroom.
intended fer that night to remain dressed
and to sit up in grandpa's armchair, with
candles and book to keep me company.
Therefore locked myself in, took the most
comfortable position possible and opening
volume composed myself to read.
Reading fell asleep. How long l sum-
bered cannot tell. was awakened by
low sound, like the prying of a chisel
At first it mixed with my last dream so
thoroughly that took no heed of it, but at
work upon the lock of door.
sat perfectly motionless, the blood curd-
ling in my veins, and still chip, chip, chip
went the horrible little instrument, until
at last knew whence thesounds came.
Back of the sitting room was grandpa's
study. There, in great old fashioned
safe, were stored the family silver, grand
pas jewelry and sundry sums of money and
important papers. The safe itself stood in
a closet in a deep recess, and at the closet
the thief was at work.
The thief-ah, without doubt the negro l
had admitted. had fed and sheltered.
crept across the room out into the hall
and to the door. There, softly as could, i
unfastened bars and bolts; but alas! one
was above my reach. waited, listened.
Then moved hall chair to the spot and
climbed upon it. In doing SO struck my
shoulder against the door frame.
1t was but slight noise, but at that mo.
ment the chip of the chisel stopped. Iheard
a gliding foot, and-horror Of horrors-a
man came from the study. sprang toward
me and clutched me with both hands, hold
ing my arms as in wise while he Kissed in
my ear:
you'd tell, would yei You'd call helpg
You'd better have slept, you had; for, you
see, you've got to pay for waking. I'd
ruther hev let chit like you off, but you
know me now, and can't let We live"
stared in his face with horror, mingled
with an awful surprise, for now that It was
close to me saw not the negro, but our
own hired man, Anthony Anthony. whom