The midland journal., 1899-03-17


an went down to see um, an I'm
totin' updis yer young NAUSEA S trunk. :"
He put down the burden, and not
waiting for the silver piece that
wished to give him he made a quick
movement in the direction of the fields
The overseer abruptly withdrew.
The man who was seated had his
back to me, but by the looks of the
overseer he must have known that
there was somebody beside the truant
negro behind him. He rose and turned
round. 1t was thin, bent figure, in
lowered dressinggown and slippers.
His hair presented that singular ap-
pearance caused by turning white in
patches and streaks. Ills face was
hollow and wrinklcd; his eyes were
lnsterless.
With the most apathe:ic expression
he looked at me, and seemed to think
that my appearance did not call for
question or remark. At least he made
none.
II beg your pardon, SIR" said. "Is
Mr.. Pierce Bostock at home? Can | see
him?"
1.-THE overscer attends to all bust
ness" he said, peevishly. go to him;
there he goes"
81 have no business that he can at
tend to. must see Mr.. Bostock per-
sonally."
Must you, indeed?" He began to
rouse little at the word, and show
irritation. "Where do you come from,
anyway, young maa, that you think
La Fourche planter can be made to at
tend in person at the beck and call of
every interloper who fancies he has
business with him? What"
His own talk, delivered in Il feeble,
broken voice, excited him and brought
on fit of coughing, lie stamped with
veXation, and sat down on a bamboo
settee through sheer weakness.
81 am Pierce Bostock," he said, when
he could find voice again. What the
devil do you waut?"
| ought to have expected this an
nouncement, and to have been prepared
for it; but felt very much at that in
stant as though had been following
a chimera. To be exact, felt cold and
sick, and the hopes of long years van
ished as puff of smoke. And yet it
seemed Incredible. This Mr.. Bostock
this the hearty, ruddy, happy planter
who had crossed our stony New Hamp-
shire fields ten years before, and
pushed out my horizon everywhere
this feeble, testy, dropping invalid?
My hopes were all turned to ashes on
the spot; yet resolved to speak out,
nd n,,1 l.Nf fn,,o 1 l., n
nize me, or would bid me begone if he
should, No NATTER would see which
he would do, and then tear this cruel
leaf out of the book of my life, and
turn to other scenes.
"Well-are you dumb? What do you
say for yourself?"
Mr. Bostock, am Dorr Jewett. Do
you not know me9"
A very faint appearance of interest
came to his face
"Jewett?" he repeated II believe
used to hear that name Why, yes;
Amos Jewett was my schoolfeilow
when was boy Dorr-Dorrp That
was my fathers name"
saw that his mind was cropping for
memory, and waited
lie motioned me to sit down with
him lie looked at me, but was silent.
Amos Jewett was my father"
ventured. Don't you remember com
ing TO our poor New Hampshire home
ten years ago, sir? Don't you remem-
Der how kind you were to us? | was
the boy you took SO much notice Of"
He heard me, and the mists seemed
dispelled from his brain as by magic
A look of surprised intelligence came
to his face.
s You Dorr Jewett? - little Dorr?
Bless me, how you have grown! I'm
not often glad TO see anyone but my
child, in these days; but ! am glad to
see you. Is your father well?"
why, he died sir, more than year
ago. wrote to you about it,"
Il never read letters now-nor pa
pers-nor books. Not now Yet / do
remember a nice letter you wrote me
once, years ago, before"
The change that came over that woe
full face terrified me. II was literally
black with rage, with fury, called up
by his own speech.
"Yes, SIR" | fastened to say, "and
you answered it so kindly"
did |? That is well; | am glad to
hear it. So you've come to look up a