The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-02-02
SYNOPSIS OF CHAPTER
CHAPTER II.


A LIGHT SHINING IN DARKNESS.
In the rear of Mrs. Gastons place,
there stood in the midst of an orchard a
log house of two rooms with hallway be-
tween them. There was a mud-thatched
wooden chimney at each end, and from
the back of the hallway a kitchen ex-
tension of the same material with another
mud chimney. The house stood in the
middle of a ten acre lot. and woman
was busy in the garden with little girl,
planting seed.
Hurry up, Annie, less finish this in time
to fix up a fine diner er green's and tur-
nips an 'taters an a chicken. Yer Pappy
II get home today sure. Colonel Gastons
Nelse come last night. Yer Pappy was in
the ColOnels regiment an Nelse said he
passed him on the road comm with two
ne-legged soldiers. He amt got but
one leg, he says. But, Lord, if there's a
piece of him left well praise God an
be thankful for what we've got"
Nav, how did he look? | mos forgot
IS been so long sence l seed him?" ask
ed the child.
Look! Honey, He was the hand
soonest man in Campbell county! He had
tall figure, brown curly beard. and the
sweetest mouth that was always smilin
at me. an his eyes twinklin over some
thin funny he'd seed or thought about.
When he was young ev'ry gal around here
was crazy about him. / got him all
right, an he got me too. Oh me!
can't help hut cry, to think he's been gone
so long! But he's comm today! / jes
fppl il in NV honac
Look yonder, Nav. what skeer-
crow ridin' er ole hoss!" cried the girl,
/, looking suddenly toward the road
Glory to God! It's Toni she shout
ed, snatchng her old faded sun bonnet
oft her head and fairly flying across the
field TO the gate. her checks anamc. her
blond hair tumbling over her shoulders,
her eyes wet with tears.
Tom was entering the gate of his mod
est homo in as fine style as possible.
seated proudly on a stack of bones that
had once been q horse. an old piece cf
wool on his head that once had been
hat, and a wooden peg fitted into
stump where once was a leg. His face
was pale and stained with the red dust
of the hill roads, and his beard, now iron
grey, and his ragged buttonless uniform
were covered with dirt. He was truly a
sight to scare crows, if not of interest to
buzzards. But to the woman whose swift
feet were hurrying to his side. and whose
lips were muttering half articulate cries
Of love, he was the knightliest figure that
ever rode in the lists before the assem-
bied beauty of the world.
"Oh, Tom Tom. Tom. my ole man.
'yO OF 1,n
threw her arms around his neck. drew
him from the horse and fairly smothercd
him with kisses.
Look out, ole woman you'll break my
new Leg" cried Tom when he could get
breath.
II don't care,-rll get you another
one" she laughed through her tears.
Look out there, again you're smash
ing my game shoulder. Got er minnie
ball in that one"
We'll your mouths all right see"
cried the delighted woman as she kissed
ard kissed him
sal. Annie, don't be so greedy, give
me chance at my young one Toms
eyes were Ievouring the excited girl who
had drawn nearer.
Come and kiss your Pappy and tell
him how glad you are to see HIM" said
Tom, gathering her in his arms and at
tempting to carry hcr to the house.
He stumbled and fell. In a moment
the strong arms of his wife were about
him and she was helping him into the
house.
She laid him tenderly on the bed, pcttcd
him and cried over him.
Suddenly Tom pushed her aside and
sprang up in bed
Geemimy, Annie, | forgot my pard
ners-there's two more pcg-lcgs OCT at
tho gate by this time waiting for Is TO
get through huggin and carryin onl be-
fore they come in. Run, fetch ems III
quick."