The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1898-03-23

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:ing tie scene about him with a lively.
Interest.
The middle of the street was covered
with hard, glttering snow, and Dutch
market women few over It on skates,
baskets poised On their heads or strapped
to their backs. he caught glimpses of
sedate, puckered and powdered beauties
IN sedan chairs Wealthy matrons
strushed by him IN green and gold bro
aa1e, hoop petticoats, powdered hair
and cheeks touched with French red and
pearl powder Negroes direct from
:AbEssinia or Madagascar, scme with the
Insignia branded upon cheeks and brows
shieh told they were princes In their
own land followed these ustling danes,
Carrying their shawls and packages.
Besides these there was a bewllderng,
cosmopolitan mixture OF countrymen IN
i,omespunrIndian servants. the prison
.els o war; solid, soberly attired Dutch
S :sssyroWs;; soldiers, Huguenots, Jews,
each iE characteristic costume.
AS Peter passed the new cemetery a
young man approached, dressed in a
queer, scallop hat and long cloak folded
closely about him and followed by a
taH Hindoo servant IN native dress.
Peter stood still as his eyes fell upon
him It was the stranger who had so
fascinated him at the playhouse every
night for the past fortnight. Who YVES
he this strangely attired, dark eyed
man. wearing no wig and with close
cut hair, white as the uatrodden snow
on the graves near By? BE was undoHbt
edly young, Gespite his white hair and
the unalterable sadness Of his gaze,
which was nevertheless eager as he
looked searchingly into the face CT
every man who passed.
warrant ne this nan is Of no com
mon stamp, " mused Peter, has imagins-
lion aglow His gsrb is strange, and
there seems to be a history in bis face.
Iwonld Z knew hin. could not sleep
last night for thinking CT him. It may
be hais a jesuit in hiding. And he
turned upon his heel and followed the
pair, who By this tiiSae hae passed him.
AS they nea.cd John street there was
"a sudden commotion amcng the crowd.
Women shrieked, few tainted, and a
rush was made for the houses. Not far
ahead a strange animal with foaming
jaws and glistening teeth could be seen
and behind It shouting crowd Itwas
only wildcat chased by score Of men
and boys carrying spikes, mnskets and
bricks. TWAS nothing strange in those
days for an occasional hungry bear or
wildcat to leave the forests on the up
per part of the island-tEat is, beyond
the gates at Warren street-and make
its appearance in the city, lean and raw
1eneus for food
IN the excitement Peter lost sight Of
the interesting stranger. He espied the
.Hindoo in the same plight, looking
wildly about HIM and pushing his way
among the excited people SO violently,
indeed, that he tcppled headlong against
an apoplectic English grandee, who, be-
fore stepping into his chariot, was TAX
ing pinch of snuff to quiet his nerves.
Without a seconds delay the grandee
angrily turned and laid the Hindoo on
his face ON the pavement.
tsPuh, 2oh. I'll teach you, you dog,
to knock against gentleman he
shouted, with an oath.
Peter darted to the Hindoo's side as
the chariot drove off and assisted him
to rise.
may, do not waste your curses on
him" said Peter Indignantly as he
wiped the snow from the Hindoo's
shoulders and replaced his turban. my
word, that man is a beast. Pray, let
me assist you to walk, and together we
viii search for your master.
IS You know him? Yen know my mas
ter?'' he asked curiously in excellent
English.
'sBy sight only. Ah, yonder he
standsp And Peter uncovered his head,
not because it was at all necessary to do
so, but because be could not help it
when the strangers deep, kind eyes
rested on him. Never had he seen
man who so fascinated him. What was
bis subtle charm? And his voice as he
thanked him fer assisting his servant
in what way was it so different from
any other voice he had ever heard: It
stirred his heart. He felt his cheek
flush, and when ths stranger, with
smile which lit up his face like burst
Of sunshine, held cat his hand to him
he could scarcely refrain from kissing it.
Are not you player?" asked the
stranger. "Have I not seen you these
many rights at the playhouse in Nassau
ssreet?',
am arly a player. sir. /" ssid Peter