The times., 1897-04-25

dis fence an go In dar an see who been
kilt an who done got away"
81 speck we better not co. said Kan
dali, 'kase ef we wuz ter rush in dar an
git mangled, Marster shoiy feel mighty
bad, an fer one, don't want ter be de
'casion er maxim i'm feel bad
BY this time Mr.. Aberc Tombie had De-
come impatient and concluded to find out
the cause of the uproar for himself. Ran
dali and Turin heard him coming, and
they could see that he was accompanied
by some of the negroes, The two eau
tiously climbed the fence and went over
into the field, moving slowly and holding
themselves in readiness for instant flight
A cowbug, flying blindly, struck turin
on the head. He jumped as il he had heard
the report Of a gun, and cried out In d
tone of alarm:
who flung dat rock? You better watch
out Aiarster comm, and he got his hoss
pistol long wild i'm"
'Twau't nothing but bug" said
Randall
1T de fust bug what ever raised knot
on my head Turin declared.
"What was the trouble, Randall?' in
qured Mr. Abercrombie from the fence.
His cool, decisive voice restored the couf'
age of the negroes at once.
I'VE des tryin' fer ter fin out, sub.
whatsomever de racket wuz, it stop, sun,
time we got here, an 1t seem like we KIN
hear sunip'n er somebody runnn lords
de branch over yander," replied Randall
heartily
Some of the mules We're in the pasture
today. See il they are safe
'YaSser.' responded Randall. but his
tone was not so hearty. Nevertheless, ne
and Turin cautiously followed the line
of the fence until they found the mules
in the corner where they had taken refuge.
And the mules showed that they were very
glad to see the negroes, following them
back to the point where the path crossed
the feaCe.
DE mules all safe an SCUM, sub" ex-
planned Randall when they came to where
the master was. "Dever safe an SCUM,
but dey er swyeatin nightly, sub"
what do you suppose the trouble was!
inquired Mr. Ahercrombie.
Turin and Randall had not the least
idea, but susy's Sam declared that he
heard tdat ar boss a-squcaln'."
"Dat ar Sir Moleon hoss, sub" re-
Piled Susy's Sam.
That's what Lucy said," remarked Mr.
Abercrombic.
'.MarStcr, ef dat ar boss had er been in
dar me an Turin wouldn't er stayed in
dar long. an desc yer mules wouldn't
er been stanIn' in de fence corner up
yaader."
But Mr. Abercrombic shook his head, He
remembered that he had given Little
| CrotChelt permission to have tie horse
removed to his new quarters.
Some Of YOU boys see if lie is in his
stable" he said.
They al went running, and before Ar
| Abercrombie could get there, though he
| walked fast, he met them all coming back
! "Ue amt OAR, Master," they exclaimed In
chorus,
See IL he is in his new stable" said
| Mr.. AbercTombie.
Agai; they all went running, Mr., Aber-
| cron,lde following more leisls ely, but some
what disturbed. nevertheless. And again
they came running 30 meet him, CRYING cut
"Yasser! yasserl He in dar, an eatln
away same ike he been dar dis long time"
sSee if the key s in tie lock- said Mr.
| Abercromhc to Randall.
Randall! ran hacl; to the stable, and pres
entity called out:
.,Dey amt 40 key in ce lock, MaTster y
Mr.. Aberc! ombie paused as if to consider
| the matter, and during that pause, he and
Randall and Turin and Susy's sam heard q
voice saying
Look on the Little Masters mantei
piece"
The voice sounded faint and far away
! b,,t every word was clear and distinct
"wherc did the voice come from?'' asked
| Mr.. Ahercr ombie.
The negroes shook their heads, They
| didn't know 1t might have cone from
the air above or the earth beneath or from
| any point of the compass.
ASK where the key is said Mr.. Aher
cromMe TO Turin. His curiosity wa
aroused.
Turin cried out; "Heyo, dar! Whar rot
say de key is?" But no reply came, no
even so much as a whisper. The negroe
looked at one another and shook tier heads
When MI Abercromhie went back To th
house he put on his slippers and crept t.
Little Crotchctt's room. Shading the can
die he carried. the father saw that his son
was fast asleep.
And on the mantcl was the key OF tn
stable.
ITO be continued