Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1897-04-02

proceeded to follow up rice-feld 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 a 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
a soger fer true, but who tole yer about
dem gators? 'swhatIwant to know
Dat news got clear to Virginy. Whough!
inc lobe mus be a berry portant man
in he ole age. Ispec young Miss writed
to you bout dat"
"Ncver mind, Uncle Jobe. I'm glad to
see you, just the same"
"Is yer, young marster? Is yer fer
true? Dress yer, boy, den don't keer
bout dc gators
Heaven bless u.s." said the squire,
who here came out on the piazza; ''if
here amt Tom; come up, you rascal"
and in moment more Tom was on the
piazza getting Rugged 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'
look for you until five O'clock? Jobe,
run to the barn and tell Corbett to
send a cart to the wharf for your young
masters baggage-be quick, now!"
"Yes, Use gwine, marster, but isn't
gwine to brell my neck tryin' to run,
kase if does I'll neber git dar."
"Alligators, Jobe, alligators!"
"G'long, marster, 'long!"
"W.at 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'clocl-what's
alniss, Clarence?"
81 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 it 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 We're interviewer with the
larkspur, the bougls of cedar, cypress
and pine. Green moss hung in festoons
from the corners of the picture frames
all told of preparations for the an
| ticipated event.
"Well, son, we are here; speak now
There is an air of mystery that do not
| like"
'"rhls letter, father, and the morning
paper that | have in my pocket, will
explain it all. But first, / pray you
listen to me. need not say how sac
| ii is to be the bearer of i'll news, and
news like this l have to tell, but
but"
Speak out, boy! speak out! no if
or buts-something is amiss, see"
"One marriage, trust, father, is btu
postponed for time; the other is de
ferred forever"
"What! What!" exclaimed tn.
squire.
"Tannie!" said Clarence, in alarm
"Is Fannie"
"Fannie is well, Clarence, but II
great distress, for her father is no more
He 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 ant
her voice was agitated as she said:
"BrS her, his death was very sud
den."
"a It instant" replied Tom.
"a ong and well man but two day!
ago, aid the squire, "and dead! Deat
on Il day he would have wed my daugh
ter.'
"He retired in his usual health las
night, father"
"And yet, you gay, died instantly"
"Father, he was murdered"
Murdered! Murdered!" exclaimed
each listener.
Murdered in his bed, or sitting OF