The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1900-01-04

D0SS ran at MS neelS, swapping at the
ends OF. the torn trousers as they fut-
tered in the 'wintK " i"
- os.FsA.14-t------
..-..ns CHAPTER III.
Il WAS A 4. s. STRANGER "A 81: AND YE TOOK ME
s",s Is IN" p
AS the two girls rounded the side of
the "kopje" an unusual scene present
ed itself. A large group was gathered
at the back door of the homestead.
On the doorstep stood the Boer wom-
an, hand on each hip, her face red
and fiery, her head nodding fiercely.
At her feet sat the yellow Hottentot
maid, her satellite, and around stood
the black Kaffir maids. with blankets
twisted round their half naked figures.
Two who stamped mealies in a wood
en- block, held the great stamDers in
their hands and stared stupidity at the
object of attraction. 1t certainly was
not to look at the old German over
seer, who stood in the center of the
group, that they had all gathered to-
gether. His salt and pepper suit, griz-
Fly black beard and gray eyes were as
the red gables of the homestead itself,
but beside him stood the stranger, and
on him all eyes were fixed. Ever and
anon the newcomer cast a glance over
his pendulous red nose to the spot
where the Boer woman stood and
smiled family.
I'm not a child" cried the Boer wo-
man in low Cape Dutch, land l wasn't
born yesterday. No; by the Lord, no.!
You can't take me in! Ny mother
didn't wean me on Monday. One wink
of my eye, and l see the whole thing
I'll have no tramps sleeping on my
farm cried Tant' Sannie, blowing
mo, by the devil, no, not though he
had 60 times six red nosesv'
There the German oyerseer mildly in
terposed that the man was not a
tramp, but highly respectable indi-
vidual, whose horse had died by an ac-
cident three days before.
Don't tell mel" cried the Boer wom-
an. ''The man isn't born that can take
me in. If he'd had money, wouldn't
he have bought a horse? Men who
walk are thieves, liars, murderers,
Rome's priests, seducers! l see the
devil in his nose" cried Tant' Sannie,
shaking her fist at him. "And to come
walking into the house of this Beers
child and shaking hands as though he
came on horseback-oh. no. nor
The stranger took off his hat. tall
battered chimney pot, and disclosed a
bald head, at the back of which was
little fringe Of curled white hair, and
he bowed to Tant' Sannie.
What does she remark, my friend p
he inquired. turning his crosswise look
ing eyes on the old German.
The German rubbed his hands and
hesitated.
"Ah - well - ah - the - Dutch-you
know-do not like people who walk
in this country-ahv
my dear friend" said the stranger,
laying his hand on the Germans arm,
II should have bought myself another
horse, but crossing, five days ago, a
full river, lost my purse-a purse
with $500 In It. spent FIVE days on
the bank Of the river trying to find it
couldn't; paid Kafir f9 to 60 in
and look for 1t at the risk of his life
couldn't find it."
The German would have translated
this information, but the Boer woman
gave no ear. f
mo. no! He goes tonight. See how
NE looks at me. poor. unprotected
female! II he wrongs me. who is to
do me right" cried Tant' Sannie. !.
81 think" said the German in an
undertone, IF you didn't look at her
quite SO much it might be advisable.
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. that you
liked her too well-in fact-ah"-
Certainly. my dear friend. certain
ay," said the stranger. II shall not look
at her."
Saying this. he turned his nose full
upon small Kafir 2 years of age.
That small naked son Of Ham became
instantly so terrified that he fed to his
mothers blanket for protection, howl
ing horribly.
Upon this the newcomer fixed his
eyes pensively on the stamp block.
folding his hand on the head Of his
cane. His boots were broken. but he
still had the cane Of gentleman.
you vagabonds Sc Engelschmanw
said Tant' Sannie. looking straight at
him.
This was q near approach to plain
English, but the man contemplated the
block abstractedly, wholly unconscious
that any antagonism was being dis
played toward him.
-You might not be Scotchman or
anything Of that kind. might your
suggested the German. ut Is the Eng.
lish that she hates"
my dear friend" said the stranger,
RI am Irish. every inch Of me-father
Irish, mother Irish. I've not drop Of
English blood IN my veins"