The times., 1897-04-04

Gossett out. He fell on the soft earth and
lay there limp, stunned, and frightened.
Aaron, holding to the horse. ran 10y its
| side a little way, and soon bad the animal
under control. H g soothcd II a moment,
talked TO it until II wbinnied. fastened the
| lines to n fence corner, ana then went
| back to see about the man Yho had fallen
from the buggy, little dreaming that It
| was hlS owner. Mr.. GoSsett But just as
! be leaned over the man Rambler told the
! news The keen nose OF the dog had dis
! covered IL though he stood some distance
away.
| This caused Aaron to Straighten himself
| again and a be did so he saw something
! CLEAN minthesUaTlight. II was Mr.. GosSett'S S
| pistol. which had fallen frCm his pocket
as he fen. Aaron picked 9ip the weapon,
handling it very gingerIy, for he WAS TN
| used TO firearms, and placed II under the
! buggy seat Then he returned with an
easier mind and gave his attention TO MIR.
Gossett.
Hurt mucb2" he cd, curtly, shaking
the prcstrate man by the shoulder
More scared than hurt, | reckon re
piled MI Gossett. What was tnat dog
barking at Just now?'
He amt used TO seeing white folks in
the dirt, Aaron explained.
who are you?' Mir Gossett inquired.
one" answered Aaron.
Well. if I'd seen YOU a half hour ago
Ia swCrn you were Two Mr.. Gossett
made this joke at his own expense but
Aaron did not un derstaud it, and therefore
could not appreciate it. 50 he said moth
ing.
Put your hand under my shoulder here
and help me to sit up. | want to see If
any bones are broken"
Aided by Aaron, Mr.. Gossett assumed
sitting posture. While he was feeling of
himself. searching for wounds and broken
bones, he heard his horse snort. This re-
minded him, for he was still some what
dazed that he had started out with Il horse
and buggy.
That's your horse, l reckon. Mines at
home by this time with two buggy shafts
swinging to him Lord what a fool man
can bei'
That's your horse" said Aaron
Mine! Who stopped him."
Me" answered Aaron.
You! WHY. as near as l can remember
| he was coming down this hill like the dogs
were after him. Who are you, anyhow
"One"
We'll, you are worth dozen common
men. Give me your hand"
Mr. Gossett slowly raised himself to
his feet, shook first one leg and then the
other, and appeared to he much relieved
to find that his body and all of its members
were intact He walked about a little, and
then went close to Aaron and peered in
his face
Blamed if 1 don't believe you are
my runaway nigger!" Mr. Gossett ex
claimed.
Il smell whisky" said Aaron.
"Confound the stuff 1 never will get
rid of it
Mr.. Gossett put his hands in his pockets
and walked around again.
Your name is Aaron" he suggested.
Receiving no reply, he said: "If your
name is Aaron you belong to me: if you
belong to me get in the buggy and let's go
home You've been in the woods long
enough"
TOO long" replied Aaron
That's q fact Mr.. Gossett aSsented.
Come on and go home with me. If you're
afeared of me you can put that idea out of
your mind. l swear you shan't he hit a
lick You are the only niger l ever had
anv respect for, and I'll he blamed if l
know how 1 came to have any for you
after the way you've treated me- But if
you'll promise n ot to run off any more I'll
treat YOU right. You're a good hand and
good man"
Mr. Gossett paused and feltin his pocket,
evidently searching for something. "Haye
you seen pistol lying loose anywhere
around here?'' he asked.
"It's all safe,' replied Aaron.
you've got it. Very well, was just
going to pull it out and hand it to you.
Come on; it's getting late' Seeing that
Aaron made no movement, Mr.. Gossett
tried another scheme well, if you won't
go home,' he said, land 1 think I can
promise that you'll be sory if you don't,
get in the buggy and drive part Of the
way for me. I'm afraid Of that horse after
his caper tonight
"Well, I'll do that" remarked Aaron.
He helped Mr.. Gossett in the buggy, un-
tied the lines. took his seat by his owner,
and the two were soon on their way home.
{To be continued.l