The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-04-23

The man wagged his head up and down.
and rolled it from side to side and shift
ted his glances. and giggled in a very ex-
cited manner. The children's grandfather
tried to find some basis for the man'a
strange actions; tried to duplicate them
in his memory, but failed. Then hc
asked:
What have you IN your wagon"
"Wel, fust an last, I've got some few
bed cloze and some few ruffage for the
mules an then-weH. yes, there's a cat
l picked up a reg'ler mouser. She growls,
but there amt nOthin' the matter WI
'er"
In response to this statement the wagon
cover was lifted high enough for the child
70 put it's head out. It's little face was
distorted with fear or despair
Me ain't no tat"' she cried; my NAM
my say I'm her ltty bitsy baby; my dad
dy say I'm his big 'itty man; my nunky
tall me BIZ Bsut. o, pease lift me outer
here. Me wanter see my daddy en- NAM
N.Y. The child had cried and screamed
so much that it's voice had a harsh ana
unnatural sound. II pierced the tender
heart of the White Haired Master like "A
knife and reused him to a fury Of indig-
nation.
rs that what you coll cat you trir-
ling scoundre,?" he cried He passed
the man
That's what" answered the man with
chuckle Hell bite, an hen scratch,
an he'll groWl. He also calls himself
Billy Biscuit, but do he look like a bis
cult? You wouldn't want me to cali him
chicken, would your"
He stuck out his tongue as ne said this,
and looked about as foolish as It is posi-
bic for a grown man TO look, and the
OH to
feeling Of amazement and disgust.
rs the child yours2'' he asked.
why, whose should It be, mister?
You'd be errytated eff you wuz a young
ster an had to ride all day in kivered
waggin; now wouldn't your
The observation was a just one. con-
sidering the source; and though II lacked
feeling and sympathy, the White Haired
Master could make no reply
This is a Likely place 90 camp-in there
by the spring" the man remarked. "Ef
/ thought l mought be so bold as to Ak
you
you may" said the White-H Mas
ter Drive in the gate here and unhitch
under the trees yonder. There's fire I'M
der the washpot. You'll find plenty of
wood 10 start it up, but be careful about
1t; don't burn any of the fencing"
The man drove in as directed, turned
his wagon round. the tongue pointing to
the gate, unhitched his mules watered
them without taking the harness off, and
then gave them two bundles of fodder
apiece to MUNICH on. Then he got out his
frying pan, his skillet and his coffee pot
and finally proceeded TO kindle a fire.
Buster John and Sweetest Susan watch
ed all these proceedings with great in
terest, especially as the man paused every
now and then 20 talk to himself Eyes.
that's me-" he declared over and over
again; "Roby Ransom, corridor /, room
o."
"He paid no attention to Buster John
and Sweetest Susan, nor to Drusilla, who
Joined them as the wagon drove in the
gate. and he seemed TO nave forgotten the
child i'm the wagon. But Sweetest Susan
had not forgotten it. She stood by the
wagon and saw the little one looking at
the man with scared eyes.
The whole affair was very interesting to
the children. The big trees had been a
favorite resort for campers in old times.
and the youngsters vaguely remembered
seeing strange men sitting around the fire
frying bacon that sent forth a very savory
odor, but Of late years there had been no
campers there. The campers and wagon
ers. like most of the able-bodied men, had
been camping out under the tents of the
army or sleeping. as Johnny Bapter put
II, under the naked canopies." There
fore, this mysterious man was the first
camper who had kindled a fire in the
spring lot since Buster John, Sweetest
Susan and DrusIila had been Of an age
to appreciate the circumstances.
Consequently they watched him closely
and in comparative silence, their COM
ments being confined to low whispers.
Sweetest Susans solicitude was for the
child in the wagon, but her curiosity COM
PEELED her to keep sharp eyes on the man,
and very awkwardly. too, as even the chill
dren could see. Sweetest Susans solicit
tude was rewarded, for as she leaned
against the frame of the wagon. the child
on the inside reached its soft little hands
out and patted her gently on the arm. To
Sweetest Susan this was more than a ca
ress, and she seized the small hand and
held II against her cheek for a moment
Then she made bold to ask the man-she
called him Mr.. Ransom at "a venture-if
she might bring the little one some sup
per.
''Who told you my name?" the man ask
ed with suspicion in his eyes
Il heard you call yourself Roby RAM
SON. replied Sweetest Susan very Do
litely.
well, you heard right for once" he
said. Supper for the young-un? Toby
shore; fetch it, / didn't allow I'd take
in boarders when l started, an / amt
got any too much vittles for myself"
So Sweetest Susan and Drusilla went to
the house to arrange for bringing the