The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-06-04
PLANTATION PAGEANTS.
Nv IoEL CRANpLEn HARRIs.

Now the lucky chance which gave Bus
Ter John opportunity to see the fox hunt
was both curious and interesting. The
date was fixed upon, and the childrens
grandfather invited the hunters to spend
the night with him, so as to have an early
start the next morning. So, one Friday
sfternoon-the hunt was to take place on
Saturday-the hunters began to arrive,
some singly and some in couples, until
all had arrived except young Maxwell and
his hound Hodo. Mr.. Fitzpatrick came,
bringing Music and Whalebone and Tip,
with others. Mr.. Collingsworth brought
Fanny and Rocket, and Barlow, with
their chorus; and Mr.. Dennis brought Ro-
wan and Ruth, and Top, and Flirt. There
were other hunters with their dogs, and
one or two gentlemen who had no dogs,
but who wanted to see the sport.
But these hunters, their friends and
their dogs, We're not the ones Buster
John wanted to see. So he continued to
watch the big gate at the head of the ave-
nue. Sweetest Susan watched with him,
Drusina being busy helping their mother
Who as a good housekeeper, looked after
her dining room and was not afraid 10 go
into the kitchen. Buster John was anX-
i1us lest young Maxwell would fail TO
come, and said so many times. He had
once heard his grandfather reading some
thing that Maxwell had written in the
county paper and he had also heard the
negroes talking about the young man,
how clever and kind he was. And then
his horse, Butterfly, and his hound, Hodo!
What wonderful tales old Fountain and
Johnny Bapter had told about these ami
mails,
But when the sun was about an hour
hlgh. and just as Buster John had given
up all hope, he saw the big gate swing
open. a large dog came through, and af
tor MIN rider on a sorrel horse. Without
ahghting from his horse, the rider pulled
the gale to. and, leaning down until Buster
John could see nothing but one of his
feet pressing against the saddle, fastened
the catch. Buster John had never seen
the gate opened and shut in this fashion
before, for the latch had been purposely
fixed low so that the little negroes could
open the gate for vehicles going out and
coming in. The dog waited with much
dignity for the gate to be shut, and then
came trotting along the avenue, close al
the heels of the cantersng horse.
That's him." cried Buster John. clap
pitlS MS nduNS. I1OW OlASll Ildu JOnHny
Bapter and old Fountain described the
horse and rider! "Pale little Teller, look
like he bout twelve year OF. Rangy sorrel
horse, Wild long name, an tail dat drag
de groun" The tail was tied up, owing to
the muddy roads. but the name was
loose and save the horse a very attract
i've and picturesque appearance.
Both Buster John and Sweetest Susan
ran 10 meet young Maxwell, but Johnny
Bapter was before them.
"Howdy, Marse Joe?'' cried Johnny Bap-
Ter ioyously.
why. howdy JOHN Bapter? Then as
the children came up, Maxwell shut both
eyes tight and said: WYATT! Johnny Rap
Ter I'll bet you a twist of tobacco that
the young man over here is Buster John.
and that this beautiful young lady over
here is Sweetest Susan" While he was
speaking Johnny Bapter pushed the chill
dren around deity so that they exchanged
positions.
Then: IN take de bet!' exclaimed
Johnny Bapter
you've lost" said young Maxwell, look
at my hand" 1t was open; the forefinger
was pointing at Buster John, and the lit
tie finger al Sweetest Susan.
This sort of an introduction charmed
the children, who were shy, and put them
al their ease al once.
Here's your tobacco, Johnny Bapter.
Now don't feed my horse till I come out
tonight, and do put him in dry place
where the wind can't strike him, and II
You have time, wash his legs. The roads
are awful. Hang my saddle and blanket
on the side fence yorder. I'll go in and
tell EN- howdy and then I'll come out
and iOok after them"
He went in the house with each of the
children holding him by hand. He SEEM
Cd to be child with them. He shook
hands with the host and with the other
guests, and excused himself on the plea
t1at he wanted TO have frolic with the
children. He was II, but had none of the
characteristics OF that age He was even
more juvenile in his actions than Sweetest
susan He made the children call him
Joe. and asked them where there was a
shelter where he could put his saddle to
Keep out of the dew
Make Johnny Bapter hang it up with
me rest in the carriage house." suggested
Buster John
No" said young Maxwell This is a
peculiar saddle. 1t has a dog tied to it by
an invisible string" Sure enough! When
yney reached the side fence, there was Ho-
90 lying directly under the saddle and
p7nket, which Johnny Bapter had placed
Oh me fence. you can see the dog and
saddle remarked Maxwell, "but you
can see the string"
buster John suggested the old carpen-
Ter shop, which was a long shed room
eIe entrance to which had no door. There
was pile Of shavings in the shop, and
Jo7 maxwell said it was the very place of
al others. So he placed his saddle on the
workbench, kicked the shavings togeth-
e. and told Hodo he could go to bed and
pun the cover over his head when he
got ready.
VIII he stay?" Buster John asked. The
Vv-Her dogs were all fastened up in the
tp.4aksm.th shop to keep them from going
Young Maxwell laughed. Hell stay
mere till 1 come after the saddle, unless
caIl him out"
le was for returning to the house. bur
III then the children saw their grand
amer and bis other guests coming In
iAer direction.
Na xwen,' said Mr. Colllngsworth, i've
ra heap of loose talk about this won
''-ui dog of yours. l lay you have two
W.T. W. outioot him; Dennis has another, and
tAlIlck another Where've you hid
'ht don't mind dark horses in politics.