The National tribune., 1901-10-31

his own suffering, and watched the fire.
breathing monster Of the water as it
swept gracefully out into the current and
started off at the speed of race-horse.
He watched il until it became speck
on the water and disappeared around a
bend of the river; then he returned to the
town.
A group of men were gathered about
a huge pile of lumber, talking in sad,
earnest tones. They were laborers, not
men calculated to move in the affairs OF
the world, but men with thoughts and
opinions as dear to them as an aspirant
for the highest political honors.
1T was murder, anyway" he heard one
say as he came upon the group.
George halted in position near enough
to catch a part of their conversation, and
still not be seen.
Yes. it was murder. l know that he
taunted and tormented the poor young
lawyer until he drove him to fight
He might ha' been content with almost
KILN him the fust time" said another.
Yes; any other man would; but, you
see, Lucas was too smart fur the Colonel
in court. He alters beat him in law, an
he wanted to kill him to git rid o him"
wall, boys, III bet" said another, tax
ing fresh chew from his plug OF tobacco,
that old land-pirate, La Boone, had
suthin' TO do with it."
'Why?"
Lucas was a-stoppin' some o his land
stealin'"
"Was hep"
"Sartin' sure. Don't ye rickolect that
he saved that man Crickboom's thousand
acres that La Boone c.aimed?
Yes, l do now."
We'll, he's been a-meddlin' in this same
way"
That don't excuse the man that did
it-in my mind"
mo, nor me. neither"
"WhatH they do with him?"
"Nothn'. Benton's got friends, and
lots o. 'em. too. They're high up in tn
world, an they won't let him be touched,
ye kin bet on that
George went again to the tavern, and
finding his father absent, started to look
him up. 1t was the middle of the after
noon, and he was perfectly oblivious of
the fact that he had not tasted food all
day. But he was not hungry. He could
not have partaken of a feast prepared by
the gods had it been spread before him.
lis brain was in a whirl. He wanted
some one with whom he could talk. from
whom he could gain some sympathy.
Where was his father, on whose judg-
ment he had all his life dependedF
Then he thought that perhaps he was at
the home of Madame Choteau, where
they had left Eunice, the girl taken from
the Fanatical Pilgrims. He bent his steps
IN that direction, and the kind-hearted
Madame Choteau met him at the door
and asked him in.
rs father here?" he asked
NO, monsieur. The madamoiselle still
remains with me. Would you see herg'
Though he felt rather awkward, he said
he would, and was directed into a small!
parlor which was fitted up with more than
ordinary elegance for the period, and told
IN w1it nptil tho Jorp
George had to wait but few moments
when the petite form of Eunice appeared
attired in behtting garments which made
her beauty remarkable, despite her recent
suffering. George was taken with aston
isbment at the pretty little apparition
which entered the room, and for a mo-
ment was covered with embarrassment.
At last he stammered:
Il was looking for father, but the mad
anne says he is not here"
He has not been here today" she -e-
turned.
You saw him yesterday"
Yes, sir. be came to see the good
lady about my board, and she refused to
take any pay. She even offered to adopt
me as one of her family, if 1 would live
with her."
In moment the youths heart seemed
to stand still.
Did you so decide?" he asked.
No; not yet. wanted to talk with
your father first"
"EI-that is, was in the hope you
would go home with Us. But, after all,
you might be happier here. You would
surely haze prettier home"
Mice houses don't make people happy.
l have heard my poor mother say. We
had good home once. 1t was beautiful, |
and we were happy. Then father died. !
Poor mother; her life had always been
sad. never knew her to be happy, even |
when we had a good home.
She was grieved, no doubt"
Yes; her heart was broken when he
died, and she talked of the great South
west. Why she wanted to come to this
wilderness | never knew, but when the
pilgrims organized for their journey she
came with them. / told her they were
crazy, but she declared they were called
Of God, and | would not stay behind, SO
] came with them until she died and was
buried; then | tried to leave them, but
they would not let me-"
Were they good peopleY'
The child hesitated a moment and an
swered:
They thought they were good, but
they were crazy. They did so many queer
things and dressed in such fearful rags.
They starved women and children, and
treated them with awful cruelty, making
them take long Journeys on foot and some
times to carry heavy loads"
Then she suddenly broke off with
What is that awful thing we hear of |
a man being killed today?"
Its true" he almost sobbed. MY
fathers lawyer, and one of his best |
friends, was killed in a duel.''
The child shuddered.
Il remember mother telling Of a duel !
long ago, when she was young lady. 1t |
was at Weehawken, ON the Hudson, and |
a great and good man was killed by one |
who hated him. The man who was killed |