The National tribune., 1898-11-10

the warehouse door. A dray drove up, a
| few words were Exchanged, the bales rolled
out and placed on the dray, upon which
Artemisia and 'Nels" were directed to
mount and ride down to the store, where
| the cotton would be weighed and the money
| given her.
This was a contingency Artemisia had not
counted upon. She forgot the weighing and
supposed that as, soon as the cotton was
handed over the money would be paid. But
there was no helpfor it now She must see
the thing to the cpd, and there was a spice
of adventure in it that made her not alto
gether unwilling to Chamber up on the bales
and ride down town, though it seemed rs if
her very teeth would be jolted out before the
long journey of the springless dray over the
rough road ended in the dark, obscure alley
where the Jew received his purchase. Poor
I" Nels " sighed and groaned with every
stone the wheels struck and every rut they
sank into.
81 'clar to goodness" said he, "I'll hab
to hab ebbry bone in my body sot over agin
tomorrow by dat material bone-sotter from
de Cumberland Mountings, aud it'll be wus
nor layin' a job OBJ brick Placement. AM de
rheumatics will catch hold o. me agin, wusser
nor ole Satan rassels Mefodis wot hain't
bin immersed. Lordy, dar's muffin but trouble
in dis heah world"
At last the weighing was finished, the bales
were rolled into the back of the shed; the
greasy ringleted purchaser, carrying a still
greasier lantern, made brief calculation
with a stubby pencil, held in stubby fingers;
another calculation was made in the buyers
head as to the least amount he could pay to
the girl and satisfy her. He finally concluded
that.he could afford to be generous and count
ing out one-third of what she was really
entitled to, in crisp, clean greenbacks, handed
them to her with facetious chuck under her
chin and clumsy attempt at kiss. Arte-
misia had intended to be strictly on her
guard against swindle, and to make a
rigid comparison of weights, price, and
money, but this unexpected assault upset her
scheme in whirlwind of wrath. With a
sounding slap on the fellows face she sprang
out of the shop and ran swiftly up the alley,
followed stifly by the hobbling "Nels"
But as she reached the street she ran plump
into the arms of man, who caught her and
held her tightly.
Its no use to kick and struggle, you
little wench," said he. tive got We safe
and fast. I've been watchin' ye all evening
while ye've been stealing yer masters cotton.
Thought you wuz playin' mighty sharp,
didn't ye? But don't let no cotton-steal-
ing niggers get ahead o. me- even if they are
almost white I'll take We whar ye'll git
some lessons that you'll remember-fust fur
stealin' cotton, and next fur selling it to
the enemy. Come along, uncle; / want
We too, fur the same thing" he said, address
ing himself to "Nels"
"You scoundrel, let me 60" she screamed
in rage. How dare you touch me?"
Let We go. Well, now, that's pretty
good. No, We jest walk right along, now.
| Any tantrums'll only make it wus for ye"
Heavens, lettme go! Help! help"
The first sound of her voice reached and
startled two proyost-guards, who were stroll
ing leisurely along. They sprang forward,
and as she called again, a blow from Karl's
gun-barrel sent the detective into the ditch,
and kick from Bronson seemed to settle him
there permanently.
| She apparently did not notice that hel
rescuers wore the hated blue uniform. for she
clutched Karl's arm convulsively and said i:
| 80, take me home, do !"
| s. If you VII do me de honor to accept my
company" said Karl with bow that die
full credit to, his breeding.
| ITO DE eontinued.)