The state republican. (Jefferson City, Mo.) 1871-1896, 1896-01-30
begged. "I do not like to have any
thing to do with them"

Margaret had failed to capture her
sons heart. But in the midst OF all
this desolation IL was out of place to
think OF that. She had Q all the
Ia or of years destroyed in an hour.
Her property, the slaves inherited
from her ancestors, had walked
away to freedom while she In her
old age and helples ness had to begin
the battle of life anew with her own
labor. Her son the pride Of her
heart was reduced to poverty.
Stricken to the heart she felt that
lie was a burden too uncomfortable
for her to bear. Rage AMI hate for
her enemies surged within her, and
almost deprived her OF reason.
Elhs could not help feeling the
deepest pity for the poor disap-
pointed woman whose affections had
been placed on the material things
which in so short a space Of time
and with so much ease had been
wrested from her.
OF all the coveted things she had
held dearer aud more sacred than
love and duty and God, all tlat was
left was this naked, desolate house
I'D those dreary acres with no one
to til them. She was bowed down
-".H~a
III anguish OF spirit too d66P TOT
words, and John and Ellie seated
near her shuddered to catch glimpses
of her countenance so deathly and
agoni4ed.
"Mother" John whispered in a
tender tone ''don't take it so hard
we have the farm, we can rent 1t out
and make a good living. 1t is not
81 bad" She looked up with those
cold hard eyes, still the same. The
love of money was not yet de-
throned and there was no room
there for much of anything else.
How deeply those roots were seated,
that they bore so ahundantly such
stony wretched evil fruit.
John feared for her reason
Would she spend her life in broodiHg
over her losses and tho she had q
nice little sum deposited in the bank,
yet would she go hungry and in rags
rather than draw on 1t?
As they sat sad and silent a step
sounded on the porch and Mr.. CLAY
ton came in wthout ceremony.
did the federals do much dam
age" he asked, looking at Ellie.
ooh Mr.. Clayton" she exclaimed
9Th did not leave us anything.
Every horse on the place and every
negro--John's fine horse too they
took"
"Did they go to your houseP'
asked Mrs. Dabney raising her heat
aud looking at him with that dread
full look in her eyes.
"Only a few" he answered "anC
they did no damage. If you neet
anything he said turning to John
'you are welcome to anything a
my house. l a let you have
horse to ride or anything else yol
may need"
"Thank you" said John stifiy, "
:, will buy me a horse. | will go t.
town tomorrow and get what W
need.n
Mr.. Clayton did not insist Blu
walked to where Mrs. Dabney sa
ami took a seat beside her. E fl
and John went out, for they though
i anything could arouse Mrs. Dab
ney from the shock of her reverses
: it would be a calm talk with he
friend whom she cons dered tn
. shrewdest and wisest of bushes
men.
/ John and Ellie looking out froi
the porch door. saw in the moon
: light a couple ride up to the b us
and dismount. One of them was
y lady Ellie saw with great p'easur'
. at is Mary Norton" she said hat
tening TO meet her.
u Her younger brother Alfred wi
. with her and before they came up
~ Elfe and John they commence
about the raiders.
o "Oh Elf" Mary said 81 never Wi
q 80 frightened in my life but stranl
Il to say they did not take our horse
o and we did not lose a single negr
q they only asked for something Il
u their horses, but papa gave the
supper too"
III ''Well you are uniou'' said Jol
''they stripped US OF everything =
Ii think there is n chicken on Il
u place, the last of our possession"
. ~ know why they did you
III bad" said Mary excitedly.
"Some one sent them here al
~ told them you were rabid southerne
" and not to spare you"
y, "Why who could have been
III cruel as that" Life said, 81 did
er know we had such enemies rs
'But you have said Mary lea
4" ing over to her and whispering.
don't know who it is but the nc
ds told Alfred that a man in the neig
lorhood had sent him to the wild
Dabneys telling him they We
I'll rebels"
"He said too" said Alfred ''tl
'ts the man said the Dabney's were r