Sharp County record., 1896-10-16

Bress de Lawd, If 1t amt Mars Tom"
proceeded to follow up a rice-field bank
to the house, which he approached from
the rear.
The first one he encountered was
Uncle Jobe at the back piazza.
The old man was busily engaged ad'
justing some fishing tackle to bamboo
pole, and didn't notice his approach un-
til he was right upon him.
Morning, Uncle Jobe, how do you
do? How's the 'gators?"
1t was only necessary to mention alli-
gators in order to arouse Uncle Jobe.
"G'way from me! g'way! who is
yer?"
Here Uncle Jobe looked up.
"Bress de Lawd, if dat amt Mars,
Tom-boy, Use skeered on yer-you is
soger fer true, but who tole yer about
dem gators? Da'swhat want to know.
Dat news got clear to Virginy. Whough!
inc Jobe mus be berry portant man
in he ole age. Ispec young Miss writed
to you bout dat"
"Never mind, Uncle Jobe. I'm glad to
see you, just the same
els yer, young marster? Is yer fer
true? Bress yer, boy, den l don't keer
bout de gators"
"Heaven bless us!" said the squire,
who here came out on tn, piazza; "if
here amt Tom; come up, you rascal"
and in a moment more Tom was on tho
piazza getting hugged and squeezed by
the whole family.
"Where is your baggage, boy?" asked
the squire.
''On the landing, father; no one met
me-"
"How could they, son, when we didn't
look for you until five o'clock? Jobe,
run to the barn and tell Corbett to
send cart to the wharf for your young
masters baggage-be quick, nowl"
"Yes, Use gwine, marster, but isn't
gwine to brek my neck tryin' to run,
kase if l does I'll neber git dar."
"Alligators, Jobe, alligators!"
"G'long, marster, glongl"
what boat did you come down the
river on, Tom?'
"The Sunshine, father; Capt. Har-
per's boat"
"Why, she was chartered to bring
down the bride and groom, also the
wedding guests. They were to leave
Wilmington at three o'clock-what's
amiss, Clarence?"
Il don't know, father; possibly they
have chartered some other boat.
"Let us go in, father, and will tell
you ALL"
They entered the large sitting-room;
between 1t and the parlor in front the
broad folding doors were thrown back,
and the two rooms were beautifully
decorated with ferns and flowers Of
many hues. The mrytle, the ivy and
the mistletoe were interviewer with the
larkspur, the boughs Of cedar, cypress
and pine. Green moss hung in festoons
from the corners Of the picture frames
all told Of preparations for the an
tieipated event.
well, son, we are here; speak now.
There Is an air Of mystery that I do not
like"
"rhls letter, father, and the morning
paper that ! have in my pocket, will
explain 1t oil, But first, pray you,
listen to me, / need not say how sad
II Is to be the bearer Of III news, and
news like this have to tell, but
but"
Speak out, boyl speak outl no Ifs
or buts-something is amiss, sec"
"one marriage, trust, father, Is bat
postponed for time; the other Is de-
ferred forever"
"What What" exclaimed tho
squire,
"Fannie" said Clarence, In alarm.
Ts Fannie-9"
"Fannie Is well, Clarence, but In
great distress, for her father is no more.
lie died last night"
Tom stood close by his sisters side,
as he feared that she might faint, but
she did not True, her face paled and
hor voice was Ogitated as she said,
brother, his death was very sud-
den"
almost instant" replied Tom,
"a strong and well man but two days
ngo," sNid the squire, "und dead Dead
on the day he would have wedm deugh-
ter"
"lle retired in his usual health last
night father"
And yet, you say, died instantly
Father he was murdered"
"Murderedl Murdcred!" exclaimed
each listener.
Murdered In his bed, or sitting ON
the bedside"
And is II known who committed tho