The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-04-18
AARON IN THE Wild WOODS.
The Story Of a Southern
Swamp.
nv JOEL CHANDLER HARRIS.
Copyright. 1897. Dy Joel Chandler Harrt'.
XII.

TIE pRoBLEM THAT TIMoLEoN ~PREsENTEp.
When Mr.. ASercrombie heard of the carers
a, tho Black Stallion he determined TO place the
hor,e in uuarters that were moro recure. But
vbere, There was but ono building on the
n,,ce that could be regarded as perfectly So
cure-tho crib in tho fve-acre lot. This crib
was built Of logs hewn square and inortised
,og,,ner at the ends. II had been built to hold
cor and other grain. and logs wero used instead
NJ planks because the nearest sawmm was some
distance away. and tho logs were cheaper and
handler. Moreover. rs ther wore hown from
the hearts of the pines they would last longer
than ga Sn lumber.
This building was. therefore. selected as the
p,ock stalllon's stable. and It was made ready.
A trough was fitted up, aud the edges trimmed
9TH hoop iron to prevent the horse from
,,.n ing IL to pieces. The floor was taken
.uay and a new door made. q thick. heavy az
fair. To guard against all accidents q hole.
vbisb could be opened or closed from the out
aide. was cut THROUGH the logs over the trough
M that when the Black Stallion was in oac Of
his taptrum, he could be fed and watered with
out risk TO life or limo.
Wien everything was ready the question
arose. how was the horse to DO removed to his
nsE o~uarters2 Mr.. Abercromoie considered
the matter an entire afternoon and then decid-
I'd 10 pOSIpOhC ~ ~ tho hO~t oef' Ae e~fo
something about It ut supper. and this caused
MIRA. Abercrombi, to remark that she hoped he
would get rid Of such a savage creature. She
..,d she would never feel safe while the horse
remained on the place. But MIR. Abercrom-
be laughed at this excess Of fear, and 90 did
Little Crotchett. who made bold to say that IL
bs father would permit him. he would have
Timoleon put in his stable that very night, and
It would be done so quietly that nobody on the
place would know how or when it happened.
Mr.. Abercrombie regarded his son with ten
der and smiling eyes.
and what wonderful person will do this for
you. my bow"
"A friend Of mine" said Little Crotchett
seriously.
We'll. you have 60 many friends that I'll
nsyer guess the name.' remarked his father.
"Oh, but this Is one Of. the most particular,
nrticularest Of my friends" the lad explained.
II suppose you know he is getting up q great
reputation among the servants" said Mrs.
Abercrombie to her husband. half In jest and
half In earnest
II know they are all very fond Of him. my
dear"
'ot course. they are-how can they help
themselves?" the lads mother cried. "3ut
this Is q most particular. particularest' repu.
taton." She arizzically quoted Little Croft
chstt's phrase and he lauRhed when he heard
It fall from her lips. 1T Is something quite
wonderful. Since the time that he issGed
orders for no one to bother hin, after 0 o'clock
atnirht. the servants say he talks with 'ha'nls.'
They say he has become so familiar with boGies
and such things that no can DO heard talking
With them at all hours of the night"
Your mother has been counting the candles
On you. my boy" remarked Mr.. Aberorom-
bic. jokingly.
why. father. how can you put spnh an idea
in the child's mindT' protested Mra Aber-
crombie.
Hes only teasing. mamma" said Little
Crotchett.
II heard him talking to o boRie the other
night" remarked Mr.. Hudspoth. the Teacher.
"Oh. Idon't think you're q boRie. cried Little
Crotchett. You would have been one. though.
hyou had kept me in those awful books"
this hint about Aaron to see what effect It
would have: He was amazed at the iad,s SELF,
Ed SSsie turned A the I hint aside i Al III 10
"oh. have You Seen admitted to the sane
tuml" inquired the lads mother. Laughing.
IL paused ut The door to say good night and
forget" said Mr.. Hudspeth.
"Ah. you're finding our boy out. chi" eX-
claimed Mr.. AbercrombIe with . show of
pride
tie n MIND RHs q %an hit sapsbl enc or. n's M1. H9 SSiSefS
declared. His tone was so solemn and his
manner so earnest that. Little Crotchett
That is apart from scholarship.' he explained.
but without 4 all knowledge is cold and dark
" know he is very humane" sagpested Mr..
Abarcrombie.
20. IL /, moro than that" said Mr.. Huds.
peth. far more than that. All sensitive peo-
pie, are tender hearted. One may read q book
nd y:s not catch the message Il conveys. But
the subject. He said he could have limo
leon carried to the new stable. and you are In.
cllned 10 be doubtful. Bot he can do moro
than that. He can have the hor-e removed
without Birdie or halter"
Then YOU know our boy better than we" Mrs.
Aoercrombles tone was almost reproaLhful.
i found him out quite BY accident" replied
tsntion to the fact th" IL he was biushinr again.
you've made me blush twice." he said. and
Ieant stay after that"
a sign Jsmlmy. the house girl. who was
ss,sr%a e. had a daughter named prIsilla,,
b!mselt on his %crutches. and. without touching
as feet to tae floor. walked across the room TO
inc inc nal; ana 90 up the stairway. On the land
o shall ! have Ttmoleon put in the new stable
iTi' e. w. Vs. S ! Ssss - !ses."1 f =, sSu' ff' saoe: ed
anod TO say something. but ne !er to cay
soou,nighL After q while his mother. would
O. kissing him goodnight. and, later. his
tShsr would make the same little journey for
NE same purpose.
Ont this particular night. those whom Little
SIoycnett had lett at the table remained con-
ssss.nE longer Z, an usual. Mr.. Hudspeth had
"A s@e'nlng more to say about humanity cul-
nj MnsI. sa although he employed the Concord
/ SrseI- a. Mr.: Abercrombie called 1t. his dis
Il ,,Sss Va both Interesting and stimulating.
bro Sae midst OF It Jemimy dropped q plate and
tIamren: The crash of the piece Of china put a
siIans"naiy eud TO tho conversation. and the
Jsn I,e tnat ensued had it's humorous side.
va..my. hsr eyes big as saucers and as white.
N: ,surned toward a door that ied.to the sit
y. ioom. The door softly opened and n port
VI IaSs mo the dining room. This wal Nanny
y el ~ ue housekeeper. She never once
s%WSsnd toward her master and mistress.
N "p,nnans. er b.uef' she inquired In q low voice.
.bnse' REPLIED Jemimy.
n.,IAs commits for two.' Nanny Lucy re-
en vnu,;, You've done broke i've. One mo-.
am null 20 wnar you b'lone: l done say mo-
b. h JnSe You amt got no business in dis house.
Jis whaT you p'long at"
hair ainy couldn't help that. She couldn't
Tar vsnythihR, She knew how tho Little Mas
ons "va,d have the Black Stpllion moved from
nsys staoie TO the other. She knew and she
! 1eiSS, would tell: They might send her to the
y miSbt ey might drown her.or stranRle her. they
thsv gut on her ears or LouRe her eyes out.
t6sy miisht send Ler to town 10 the ralaboose.