The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-04-23
PLANTATION PAGEANTS.
BY JOEL CHANDLER HARRIS.
Copyright, 1899 by Joel Chandler Harris.)
CHAPTER III.

Mai. Perdue lived IN the direction Of the
village. few miles away and when Buster
John and Sweetest Susan clambered on
Aunt Mlnervy AIMS OK cart, they shout
ed to their grandfather, the White Haired
Master that they were going 10 town and
didn't know when they would return. But
as il happened, they Were 10 return very
soon, for they hadn't gone far before they
met covered wagon, drawn by two large
fat mules The driver was a white man
with very red face and eyes as small
and as restless as mink's. He had sandy
hair. mixed with gray and he wore fad
ed gray uniform. When he saw Aunt
NinerVy Ann and the children he began
to sing, but in spite of the singing Which
grew louder as he came nearer, Buster
John and Sweetest Susan thought they
heard child crying and sobbing when the
two vehicles passed each other. Aunt
Minervy Ann was sure she heard IT, ana
she declared that there was something
wrong about the man; she coula 'ell Wy
his peculiar appearance
80 she advised the children TO jump down
and follow the wagon as far as their gate
If no farther They might find Out some
thing and be able TO do somebody a soou
turn. Sweetest Susan didn't see the heces-
s;tv of this, but Buster John was Keen LOT
ANYTHING that seemed 10 promise an au,
venture. He jumped from me cart ano
ran back after the wagon, WINE o"ee,eS'
susan followed more leisurely. ohe loi-
lowed fast enough, however. 10 eaten up
with the covered wagon, which was not
.,oi,g very RAPIDLY The wagon was the
i,tr,] used bv the North Carolina tobacco
,adlers. The cover was higher al thS silus
man IN the middle. The pole STUCK out pe-
rid ana a water bucket was fastened 10
a 4 through for feeding the mules Was
swinging across the rear, and TINS WIN tne
Inttin9 pole enabled Buster John 10 cl'i,lp
no and peer into the wagon. - ,,,,ad
- -, nothtng but lot of bad ctothes pleu
~ come bundles of fodder; but pres
op,,v he heard sobbing again. ana loohiuE
~tossr no saw a little child lying Oh ITO
face In an attitude of despair. .,,.,,.
at p,,ster John thought OF craving
- tha wagon and asking the chlid What
atIea a hut the man who was drlVihb We
an Main view, and, though bus'eL 'uA ,I
u,as hold enough for smah poy' ne We"
cautious. too. The child SCENE" 10 pS ~
,,ao,a than three or four years old' anu
~ ~ ia on a frock Buster John couldh
I'll whether It was boy or girl. WhlN
ba was considering what to do, the emu
,.o,sad its head, saw him and walleo' "
,,ease tate me out er here! buster JOIN
foII rather than jumped down, for ne was
afraid the man would see him. Presently
the face OF the child appeared at the pack
mart of the wagon. At hrst II seeiieu
that che little creature was preparing "
i,mn out but either fear .overcame H.
~ he driver reached back and cut u
Win his whip. for It fell back with loud
-.,t1 - AGONY, "a wall that sounded ike the
cry of some wild animal.
Sweetest Susan was ready 80 cry ner
svnpathies were so keen, but Buster Jonh
was angry. He ran to the front OF the
wagon and yelled at the man;
whats the matter with your baby
"Hey?" responded the man. want
ride? OF course, you can rloe' chhlo up
j amt got time to stop
Il said what's the matter with tne
baby. the baby in the wagon?" cried Bus
ter John az the top of his voice
I'm the Vaughn? o. yes! Well. get I'M
"Don't YOU do 1t. brother" said Sweet
est Susan. HE heard what you said"
The man looked az them with twinkling
eyes 80, both want to ride. Wen, get
in-thats all I've got to say"
Buster John was not to be put down
that way; he was very close to home now
lin fact. he could see the tall form OF his
grandfather standing on the knoll above
the spring, watching the covered wagon
with curious eyes, for Il had been long
IiaySStnce one had come along that road
going in that direction. SO Buster John
grew very bold indeed. He went close
10 the front wheel of the wagon close TO
the heels of the off mule.
you know what l said. 1 asked you
what was the matter with the baby in the
wagon"
The man seemed to rouse himself.
"Baby in the Vaughn! Why, they amt
no baby in there; it's a cat / picked up
on the way. She's mouser. We need
mousers where I'm goin'."
Buster John more indignant than ever,
ran ahead, called his grandfather, and
asked him to go and see about the baby
an the wagon, telling him hurriedly how
queerly the man had acted.
But the White-Haired Master shook his
head. He's only playing with YOU" he
said.
The children were in despair at this. for
they were sure something was wrong.
Even Aunt Minervy Ann had said so.
Buster John began to pout and Sweetest
Susan was ready to cry, She looked ap-
pealingly at her grandfather. her eyes
swimming in tears.
What Is IL, Sweetest" the White-Hair-
ed Master inquired.
THAT poor little baby" she said. con-
trolling herself the best she could; I'm
dream about it all night"
"Wen, don't cry; well see about it,
remarked the grandfather soothngly.
BY this time the wagon had come up.
The driver bowed politely and would have
gone on, but the White Haired Master mo-
toned him to stop. This he did, but
with no good grace He pulled up his
mules, and sat on the seat expectantly.
with grin in his face that was half a
scoWl.
You come from Mnledgevine way?n
the children's grandfather inquired.
Who told you?' the man asked quick
~; them children there2"
NO said the White-Haired Master.
frowning a little. Il was simply inquir-
ing"
The man laughed. "won, l come from
that-a-way."
What news?" asked tho whte-Halr-
cd Master.
Lots an lots; 1 couldn't tel YOU IN n
week The wide world is turned END up'-
ards. Murderin', riot. bloodshod burnin'
Ilppln rarin'' roarin, snortln'. You
The man rluaaa a.. .....f.