The morning times., 1897-02-28

suspected that the two Gossetts and Mr..
Simmons were intent on capturing Aaron;
but this was far from their purpose. They
had no such idea. While Aaron stood
listening, watching, he saw a tail shadow
steal along the path. He heard the swish
of a dress and knew it was woman.
The shadow stole along the path until
1t came to the three men on the fence
and then it stopped.
"wen?" said Mr.. Gossett, sharply
What did you see? Where did the nigger
90? Don't stand there like you are deaf
and dumb. Talk outl'
Il seed him come fun de spring, Marster,
an go up by de nigger cabins. But after
dat ! amt lay eyes on i'm
Ibid he go into the cabins?''
IL lis n at eve'y one, Marster, an L amt
hear 10 talkin' in but one.''
WAS he in that one?''
''Ef he wuz, Marster, he wa mt sayin'
nothin' Big Sal was talkin' wild Ran
dali, sUh.'
what were they talking about?''
An de words / hear um say wuZ bout
der Little Marster-how good he is an'
how he al de time thinkin' mo- bout
yuther folks Ia u he do bout his own se'f -
"Humph!" snorted Mr.. Gossett Mr.
Simmons moved about uneasily.
"Whyn't you go in an see whether
Aaron was in thfre?' aske d George
GosSett.
"BeGase, Marse George, dey'd "a knOw'd
right pine-blank what L come fur. Sides
dat, Big Sal is a mighty bad niger oman
when she git mad"
hi uI,a fS aH tfr
Gossett.
Yes, sir: but / amt got de ambition
what Big Sal got,'' replied the woman
humbly.
II tell you, Simmons, that runaway
nigger is the imp of Satan" remarked Mr.
GosSett.
But, Colonel, If he's that. what do you
want him ca ught for?'' inquired Mr..
Simmons, humorouSly.
why, so much the more need for catch
ing him. 1 want to get my hands on him.
If 1 don't convert him, why, then, you
may go about among your friends and say
that Gossett is a poor missionary. You
may say that and welcome
Il believe you!'' echoed George.
You may go home, now said Mr..
Gossett to the woman.
"Thanky, Marster.' She paused mo-
ment to wipe her face with her apron and
then climbed over the fence and went to-
ward the Gossett plantation.
Aaron slipped away from the nighbor-
hood OF the three men, crossed the fence
near where Chunky Riley had been stand
ing, went swiftly through the pasture for
half a mile, struck into the plantation path
a hundred yards ahead of the woman, and
then came back along the path to meet
her When he saw her coming he stopped,
turned his back to her, and stood notion
less in the path. The woman was talking
TO herself when she came up. but when
she saw Aaron she hesitated. advanced
step, and then stood still, breathing hard.
All her superstitious fears were aroused.
who is YOU? Who is dat? Name er de
Lord. Cant you talk? Don't be foolin'
wild mel Man, who is yol?''
"One.' replied Aaron. The sound Of n
human voice reassured her somewhat, but
her knees shook 50 she could hardly stand.
''Wfat your name?" she added.
"Too long a name to tell you.'
'What you doin'?'
watching a child-looking hard at it,
"Wuz you, sho nuff?'' She came a step
nearer. How come any Chill out dis time
er night?"
"a black child,' Aaron went on. ats
dress was aflre. 1t went up and down the
| path here. 1t went across the hill. Crying
and calling-cal.ing and crying: aaron!
Aaronl Nanny hunting for you'll Aaron!
Aaron, Mammy's telling on YOU"
my Lord from heaven" moaned the
woman; dat wuz my chill one what
got burnt up kase l wuz off in de fiel'.'
She threw her apron over her head, fell
on her knees and moaned and shuddered.
"well, I'm Aaron. You hunted for me
in the niger cabins; you slipped to the
fence yonder; you told three men you
couldn't find me-
"Oh, Lord, l wuz bleeged ter do it, lt
wuz dat er take ter de woods, an dey amt