The commercial. (Union City, Tenn.) 190?-193?, 1901-06-28
BY JONAS JUTToN.

| lug On us A1OAlt FSidh1t6ts AdPP1 IA
the thought of growing. luxuriant
crops, when he was surprised to
see Halstead ride up to the front
, gate, dismount and hitch his horse,
and stride rapidly up the graveled
walk towards the house. Upon
reaching the steps he SAID as in the
old days:
Good morning, Joel. +"
"Good morning, Walter" an
severed Frederick in the same kind
tones which had always character
lied him.
II thought, " continued Walter, as
he took the proffered hand, "that l
would come over and see if we can
not be friends again. We need say
nothing as to who was right or
wrong, though l am willing to take
the blame. l care nothing about
the old fence"
81 am glad, indeed, Walter to
again claim you as friend. Now.
sit right down and tell me how you
have been getting along?"
"Splendidly, until about two
hours ago, when l lost my fine trot-
ter, Hal, and came very near losing
my own life"
"Too bad, too bad; but am glad
that you escaped, Tell me all
about it?" interestedly,
"Some two hours ago began
Walter, II started in my cart to my
lower farm. AS you know the rains
overflowed all the low lands. When
in the middle of Bear Creek bridge,
it gave way, and horse, cart, and
myself were swept down by the
raging current, which was flowing
| like a mill race. AS | can not swim
/ fully expected to be drowned.
About that time, however, your boy,
Sam, happened up, and plunging
in caught me by the hair as l was
was going down for the last time,
and swan with me to shore. You
may rest assured that / was never
as happy in my life as l was when l
again stood on dry land-though it
took me at least ten minutes to get
the water out of my ears, eyes and
mouth"
IA narrow escape, indeed! very
narrow escaped" interrupted Joel;
"and l am truly glad that Sam hap
pened to be on hand"
| .'When / asked him." smiled Wal
ter, what could do for him to re-
pay him for saving my life, what do
you suppose he said?"
II have noidea, Walter" laughed
Joel, "what was it?'
ale said: i don't want nuthin
in Gawds wurl' Mars Walter, but
Lindy. If you'll only sell her ter
Mars Joel; I'll lub you almost as
much as / do him; an I'll do any
thing in de wurl' l kin fer yer. i
can't do that l replied, and Sans
face put up such an awful, woe-be-
/. gone look that had to laugh. But
he was the happiest darkey in the
world when / said: But you shall
have her, Sam, to be yours as long
as God is willing. ! shall give her
her freedom, l can't describe the
honest fellows Joy. Co. | said,
'and tell Melinda she is yours
I Tears were trucking down Fred
erick's cheeks, and it was minute
or more before he enthusiastically
exclaimed:
"Hurrah for you! That was a
noble reward! But, Walter, you
shall not Guido me in that manner.
Sam saved my life as well as yours,
and he shall be free man, Just as
soon as can make out the papers.
A few days later every slave on
the two plantations assembled at
Halsteads to witness the marriage
of Sam and Melinda. AS there
was not sufficient room in the "big
house for them all, the ceremony
was performed on the front veran-
da so that all could see the bride
and groom. Mrs. Halstead had
taken extra pains in dressing the
BRIDE and all the darkies declared
that Sam had won. ''de laklies gal
in de settlement and the unani-
nous opinion was that he deserved
the best.
/ After the ceremony, there was a
great dinner to which all the slaves
were invited, and as Sam led his
bride to the table, he said, with all
the fervor and gratitude of his ma
ture:
'Didn't l tell you, Indy, dat T
we'd only trus' in de Lawd, dat
twould all cum out right, bime
bye?"
Eyes, yer did, honey, but yer
lax to los yer faith in de Lawd
once.
"But I'll neber doubt Him again,
Indy"
To save mending, avoid breaking,
and to avoid suffering, prevent coughs
and colds by the timely use of Bal
ilard's Horeh3und Syrup. 1t Is a safe,