The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1900-04-14

| AFTER time Sar0n came up ana told
her there was a tramp downstairs who
wanted something 10 eat and who
wouldn't be driven of.
"You oughtn't to leave him min
ute alone, Sarah. Go down and watch
him, and I will come down aud send
him of"
She dressed herself quickly and
went downstairs, surprised to find
how late it had grown. When she
reached the kitchen she found also a
messenger with another telegram,
which announced another disappoint-
ment, but the next day without fail,
Harry wrote, he would be home. AS
Mamie turned into the kitchen she
heard the tramp and Sarah in evident
dispute.
YES" said the fellow, "when that
time comes your mistress will have
another ironing table, helping you,
instead of wearing her Sunday clothes
every day."
"An' spoilin' everything for me 70
do over. l think / see her. I've work
enough to do. answered honest Sarah,
not indisposed to have a chat over her
work.
Mamie found q graceless looking
fellow, unshaven and addressed, who,
with certain gentlemanly instinct,
rose up as she came in.
~ suppose my girl told you we had
nothing for you, and that it will be a
great kindness if you will leave as soon
as possible. :"
Eyes. she did just that, madam, but
took it upon myself to believe that
it wasn't SO urgent. The truth is, I'm
very hungry and dead tired. and I
didn't believe but that you would give
me something to eat; at least I've
waited to ask you in person"
Women are soft-hearted creatures.
Mamie went and got him some hing
to eat herself. The darkness that had
been increasing for some time came
down rapidly, and there burst one of
those terrific thunder storms that
gather so rapidly and with such force
in that country. After its strength
WAS spent, there fell steady sheets of
rain that brought the creek over the
bridges before morning.
Madam, it's no use talking. You
can't send q fellow out in such
storm" said the tramp, as the three
stood on the porch watching the
storm.
Tim sorry, but I've no place for
YOU
"What! in a house like this? It's q
pity there isn't Granny for a stow
away. / was walking around it, wait
ing for the girl, and it seems to me it
ought to hold three people.
"You are very impairment I tell
you have no place for you, and the
storm is already breaking away"
Even as she spoke the rain came
down in binding sheets, and light
ming streaked the heavens.
"Well," he said, carelessly, eve
don't go much on manners on the
road, but I know wouldn't send a
dog out such a night as this. I'm
not particular chap, leastwise not
nowadays, and I'll have to insist on
your giving me some sort Of shelter,
il it's only your dog kennel"
The man spoke with decision.
Mamie felt that after all they were
really in his power.
81 will keep you on one condition, F"
she said. "There is q loft to the
house, sort of garnet, which is very
comfortable. 1t is closed with trap
door, and you may sleep on the
lounge there If you will allow US to
lock the door on the outside"
"Bless my stars and gartersr' be
said, looking at her curiously, 81
don't care if You lock the door"
They took him upstairs, and he
climbed up the steep attic stairs. The
women shut the door as he politely
babe them good night, aud they fas-
tened the paddock, hearing him chuckle
to himself as he kicked off his boots.
'Td take the key, num-" said
Sarah.
Mamie took the key with her, and
the two descended to shut up the
house. After they had made every
thing secure they went back upstairs.
''You must sleep in my room to-
night, Sarah" the mistress said.
Sarah dragged in her bedding anJ
made pallet on the floor, and then,
after the custom of women, they ex-
amined the closets, looked under the
bed aud piled the chairs against the
locked door, The rain was still fall
ing heavily and the night black as ink.
The mistress and maid went to bed,
and, although worried and anxious,
went to sleep.
After midnight Mamie found herself
awake, and bright light shining in
the room. She started up aud saw
that it was the moonlight. The storm
had cleared away at last. She got mp
unable to compose herself immediate
". and went to the window. The
moon was shining brightly. As she
stood looking at the peaceful scene
before her she saw away down the
road, for it was as bright as day. sew
eral horsemen. 1t was such an un
usual sight at this hour that sine stood
watching them as they came nearer.
To her surprise they turned CD thu