The Dickinson press., 1897-01-02
BY
NJ Qp49g 3

in the soft soil. Even where the
stranger had stood leaning against
the door-l,Ost there wasn't a sign to
prove that lie had feet. Grandfather
was badly ratified over the affair, as
also was his wife. but it was decided
to heed the warming. The horses were
hitchcd to the wagon, the wagon load
ell with their household goods. and at
IL O'Clock at night they arrived mt a
roadside inn three miles away. When
they told their story they were laughed
Mt, hut the light of the morning told a
different story. White river had cut
- new channel for itself across a long
bend. and cabin. stables and five acres
of land had disappeared. The waters
had come down SO suddenly an with
such a rush that had the family re-
mained in their cabin there would have
been no chance of escape. Whenever
the story was told it was agreed that
there was something queer in that little
old man turning up to give a second
warning and there We're some people
who believed with my grandfather that
the stranger was not OF flesh and
blood. After couple of years the in
| cident was. however. forgotten by all
save my relatives. and they recalled 1t
| only to wonder If there would ever
come another warning. Soon after the
disaster MIR. Davis sold his land and
joined Il party cmigratinS to EdmOn-
son county. Ky. There lie purchased
land and built Il sawmill on Green
river-tlle first in the county. While
the mill was running steadily the help
was changed frequently. as none of the
white men about cared to work long
and my grandfather owned no slaves.
He at length hired Il negro who had
been set free by his master, and the
two ran the mill while a white man
was hired on the farm.
1t was about five years from the Sec
o1hl ;lppcIrailc of the little old man,
when my grandfather stood on his
doorstep one New Years eve looking
about. His wife had started the day
before for a visit to relatives in Indiana
and Il negro woman was in the house
to cook for the men. The white man
and the negro had gone to the sawmill,
situated about Il half mile away. to
file the saw for the morrow's work.
There suddenly appeared before my
grandfather. coming from he could not
say where, the same little old man, and
in Il voice perfectly familiar he said:
pleasant evening, Mr.. Davis. So
you have made another change. Things
happened up OH White river just as l
told you they would chg
"1'hey did. and we owe you our
lives" replied my grandfather.
''Tut! tut! But that is nothing! You
are in danger again, and l came to
warn you"
Let me tell that my grandfather had
| firmly resolved that II the little old
man ever appeared again he would find
out more about him. He was some.
what startled over his appearance, but
his mind was made up that he would
prove his caller Il man. OF flesh and
blood, or a spook. The little old man
did not come nearer than six feet to
the doorstep. but as he stood :ncre Mr.
Davis planned to spring upon him
should he turn away as abruptly as
on former occasions.
the old man. Made your approach
very softly. You will find two mel
seated OH Il log and talking about yo,l
Go ut once-good night.'
NJ ygrandfather made a spring anu :
/ SAaSp at AuuIs uul, " Ills lSAIot. VIZ Az
tie cid lnan vanished from sight. rs i
dissolved in air. Not the slightes
.1oise betrayed his going. One instan
he was there-thc next he was gone
10 make sure that he had not bee,
dreaming, wy granfather called to th
colored woman.
She declared that she had heard tin
voice of an Old man, but had not loOke'
out to see who the caller was. Al
though greatly upset by the circuln
stance. Mr.. Davis soon started for tn
mill to see what the men were about
Sure enough. lie found them sitting ol
a log on the carriage, and, after SOM
careful nlancuvcring. lie got clos
CROUCH to cverhcar their conversation
1t appeared that the white man wa
tired OF work. and the negro was anX
ious to run away t. the North Thei
plan was to kill and rob my grandfa
tllcr and that very night. He mad