Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1897-01-07

oao'S PA"PSASJ "~S o. o"-"o '~-'
gold was sure, and secret hiding places
plentiful.
Gumbo was short, wheezy and tim
orous. Why the squire kept him, the
least commercially valuable Of his
slaves, vas wondered at; but the squire
knew, reasoning shrewdly with him
self.
1T l lose Gumbo," he would say, Il
lose nothing much but a fat bag Of
nuisance. The rest Of my niggers were
worth their price,"
Nevertheless, when the squire rose
one night and hid his gold anew under a
great hearth-stone in the kitchen, he
saw sight that made him, for the mo-
ment, repent having retained Gumbo to
torment and wait upon him. That
sable worthy, barefooted and in shirt
and drawers, was staring at his old mas
ter from the doorway, while each hair
of his kinky head seemed to be slowly
Strengthening.
A devilish transformation convulsed
Squire Mugle's face. Dashing down his
candle, he sprang forward and seized
Gumbo by the throat, as he stood in the
pale moonlight streaming down from
without.
"Did you see it?" he Kissed, fairly
choking with passion.
Gumbo gasped, gurgled, and at last
managed to say: Didn't see muffin
'ceptiu' you, marse."
Squire Muele slowly loosened his grip,
frightened it again, then took his hand
away, hesitatingly.
Gumbo knew! Where else could he
hide his money? This spot was handy
right under his fingers, so to speak.
He desired no distant swamp or hollow
with tell-tale tree marks, as place to
be hunted for or forgotten, as the case
might be-. He loved his gold with a
warm, personal affection. Next to the
Joy Of handling 1t was the feeling that
1t was near by, unseen, yet felt, as by a
sort Of delicious sixth sense-dead to
most people, yet psychologically alive
to misers and lovers.
But Gumbo gazed at his old master
with something like moisture in his lit
tie eyes. He was wounded to the quick
by the nature of the squire's evident
suspicion, and he bore the latter's scru-
tinizing look unAinchingly, though with
an aspect of reproach. The squire seized
Gumbo by the chin, raised the black face
and glanced at it harder than ever.
Then he released the negro and sighed.
81 will trust you," he said, at length.
"But if you speak, or even think much
about what you have seen and heard,
you are a dead niger.
One nlghta band of bushwhackers de-
scended upon them, for the neighboring
mountains were full of these pests then.
They were a set of compound rascals,
clad Unfortunately in blue and gray,
and equally curse to both confederate
and union sympathizers. They served
Mammon wherever the aid of rope, bull
let or lash could invoke that deity from
the curious hiding-places wherein war
stricken families bestowed their valua-
bles.
The squire was routed out, but stood
protestingly on his dignity. He had but
few head of poor cattle left, too poor
even for army beef.
"Durn yer stock, old mani" said the
leader. "We want yer money, so rush
aroun' and git it up
Gumbo stood quaking behind his mas
ter. Though not above pilfering the
squire's tobacco, or rihing some hen
roost when fare was hard, he was faith
full to that one great trust concerning
what lag under the hearth-stone.
rs dey unyunners er is dey rebs,
marse?" he whispered.
at makes no difference. They are
thieves-so hush up. My all is in your
keeping, Gumbo. H-s-s-h!"
One Of the men, approaching from
behind, laid hand on Gumbo's Shout
der.
"Tll bet this niger knows where IT
Is" he remarked. "We've hearn bout
you and yer one man, squire. Yer've
got money hid away and we're jes' goin'
ter hev Itch, boys?"
An echo Of assent from the others fol-
lowed, and the man continued:
81 also hearn what yer said to this
niger jes' now. So, out with the scads
er we'll find way ter make him talk"
Boys exclaimed the leader, "it's
cold work palaverin' out here! Tote
tber squire inter the kitchen. | see
thar's fire in thar"
Once all were inside, some pine knots
were thrown on the embers, then the
leader unwound a coil of rope from his
waist
"Zeb." he commanded, you and Tom
40 and cut some hick'ries."
Two men left the room. Gumbo's
teeth chartered with fear and cold, for
he was again clad only in a shirt and
drawers.
"Fn give yer two minutes ter tell,
squire. After tibet we takes other means
tibet yer won't be apt ter like so WELL
"Meechin' Mugle" had planted HIM
self on the hearth-stsne, over his idol.
Gentlemen" said he, "you are trout-
ling your sleeves for nothing. Don'twe
look poor enough? There is meal in the