Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1898-06-16

| to an army OF Jailers. They are 1ncor-
ruptible guardians. and not to be
bribed. coXed or frightened from their
trust! So look out for yourself, my
| girl, for if you so much as attempt to
escape they will be ut your throat!
And if should not happen to be on
hand to call them off. they may do you
| 4 serious mischief! So take care how
you even walk upon the lawn. When
you are tanned, my wild deer, and L
can place confidence in you, then will
teach the dogs different lesson and
give you 4 larger liberty"
II have no intention to escape in the
way you think, Mr.. Rumford! My fate
is in the hands of God, who will deliv-
or me from the spoilerw said Astrea.
With grave dignity, as she retreated
into the house.
She returned to her own room and
sat down again at the window. Every
thing in the background was going ON
as before; the kitchen chimney still
smoking furiously: old Cybele moving
about among her pots and pans; Sat
urn delving in the garden: the laundry
maids busy on the bleaching green,
and Venus coming out of the poultry
yard with Il basketful of new-laid eggs
in one hand and bunch Of killed
chickens in the other. These she car
ricd to the kitchen door. and having
given them into the hands Of old >Cy-
belle, she turned about and went into
the garden. where she began gathering
loads of flowers. Having filled her
large apron as full as it could hold.
she returned and entered the house by
the back door. She paused at the door
of Astrea's chamber and, looking in,
said:
what you think. honey?"
"What"' demanded Astrea.
"Ole marse gwine hab roun' dozen
oh gemmen to dine long O. him to-day!
a roun' dozen! An he nebber tell no.
body muffin bout it till arter break
fas' dis mornin. an deed, arter he
come out from talkin' to you! Ole
Aunt Cybele is mos druv to her wits
to do it in! But dat is jes' ole marse!
body's feelin's 'cept his own! An ole
Aunt Cybele she say how he's eberlast-
in gwine on jes' so! allus a dinin'
out or havin' gemmen to dine long O.
him. an eatin' an drinkin', an a
s1uftin'. an boozin' all de blessed
night! But know what gwine be de
end OBJ it all! He get an applepleXy
fit. an dat will be de end oh he. I
see it all right afore me"'
What are you going to do with all
those roses, Venus? They are very
sweet" said Astrea. who dearly loved
flowers.
Hi, honey. ornamentate de dinin'
room an parlor wild 'em-which 1
must go an do it immediate, cause
arter done dat. got de china an cut
glass an silver to see to, an de table
to set! De lors! hurryin' body up so,
till dey don't know whedder dey STAINS
ON dere heads or dere heels! said We
nus, gathering up the corners of her
fower-laden apron and preparing to
go.
LET me help you, Venus. 1t will be
a relief to me to do something to while
away this tedious day, and, used to
take great pleasure in arranging flow
ers. l will arrange them all for you,
if you please, and then you can go at
something else" said Astrea, kindly.
"Well. honey, if you like to do it,
sure I'm berry thankful to you; an
'haps it may muse your mind, too,"
replied Venus, gratefully.
Astrea Immediately arose and &C.
companied Venus to the dining room,
where the load Of flowers was emptied
out upon the table, and where pair
OF scissors. pitcher of water. and a
dozen or so of vases We're placed.
Astrea was soon congenially engaged
in clipping and dressing the flowers
and filling the vases. And in arrang-
ing tremendously tea roses, helotrnpes,
cape jasmines, geraniums and other
beautiful and fragrant flowers. AS
trea almost forgot her miseries. Two
hours passed in this way. and when
she had placed the floral vases upon
the chimney pieces and the tables of
the dining room and parlor, poor, SIM
pie VeunS was lost in admiration,
which she vented as follows:
"Well, chile. l has heerd tell OBJ de
flower angels, an you mus be one O.
dem!' =
Astrea was betrayed into smile at
this enthusiastic compliment.
"And now, Venus. as l find strength
in being employed, will assist you in
arranging the dinner table, she said.
(Which l 'cepts your help, grateful.
honey, count O your extent taste!
For dough hates ole marse worse dan
do rank p'ison. still l wants to hab
cherry ting done in s'perior STYLE for
de credit O us colored people, long O.
de strange gem'n."
Astrea with a cheerfulness that sur
prised herself. went to work, and soon
the dinner table was splendidily set
forth, with it's Sevres china service, it's
Bohemian glass tumblers, goblets and
decantcrs. and it's silver-gilt cutlery
and spoons. A large and tasteful bou-
q'let of fragrant flowers occupied the
center of the table.
The admiration of Venus arose to
ecstacy. She fairly clapped her hands
and crowcd, saying.
well, I neber see muffin more ele-
ganter dan dat in all my born days,
neber. An it's all in de way you've
range it, honey! Won't ole marse be
'stonish: OATS all!.'
ooh, Venus. don't name that evil
man to me, when I would so gladly
! forget his existence" said Astrea,
wildly.
well, no more won't, honey! Lors
knows, l amt no more fond o. talkin'
O him nor you are O. hearin' O. him;
so huff said"