Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1903-04-30

and mules coming and going, or
backed up against the platform with
loads of oranges and truck; idle ne
groes slouching contentedly about,
bantering talk with any one who
would notice them, and ieering such
of their number as had accepted a job
and were hurrying Through it with an
exaggerated show of zeal and activ.
ity; granting razorbacks and NANCY
ours disputing favored positions I'M
der the platform, or moving listlessly
across the hot open sand between
the station and the isolated outlying
stores; negro children everywhere,
and of all sizes, and here and there,
relieving the m%onotony of the sand,
great black stumps that the inhabi-
tants had not found time to remove.
On the platform itself were long
lines of neatly packed crates and
orange boxes, and among them the
owners with stencils and paintpots,
making sure that their markings
were all right, and waiting for the
railroad official in the iaunty cap to
make their entries and give them
receipts.
Presently there was a perceptible
Fastening of movements and the
%loungers in front of the store came
l%eisurely across the open space and
ranged themselves comfortably about
the platform. Several men left their
work among the crates, and went to
the heads of their horses or mules,
and began 30 stroke the animals
%soothingly. A sharp, quivering
whistle was heard in the distance,
then a line of pale blue smoke began
to rise above the sea of palmettos
to the east. The loungers became
less apathetic as they watched the
line rush TREMENDOUSLY across the dull
green, and finally curve indirectly
toward them. There was a roar and
culver, and the great, gasping en-
CINE rushed by and came to a slow
stop as the passenger cars glided OPP
posite the platform.
Among those to alight was a young
girl of II or IS, plainly but expensive
ly dressed, and with a bright, eager
air of expectation. A quick glance
about the platform brought a shade
of disappointment to her face. Aft
err a moments hesitation she APP
preached "a man with a broad, low
tapping hat, who was leaning against
some orange boxes he had lust fin
ished marking.
Can you direct me to Mr.. John
Austin's placer" she asked.
"Mr.-John-Austin," he repeated
reflectively; "why, no, 1 don't-oh,
yes, of course; Booty John" He
stopped abruptly, as he noticed the
inquiring look on her face. "Yes, l
reckon I know. Are you some O. his
kim"
81 am his daughter" she replied,
wondering a little at the startled
whistle which came to his lips, and
which she noticed he choked back
alphabetically. 81 have been at a
boarding school ever since I was a
little girl. This is my first visit to
Florida"
"An' does your paw, Mr.-John-
Austin, know you're COMM" He
spoke in evident perplexity, and with
a look of consideration on his good
natured face.
"No; but I haven't heard from him
in almost a year. Father doesn't
like to write, but he never allowed
my letters to go unanswered so long
before. l feared something might
be the matter with him or the boys,
and he would not write. 1 just had
to come. L am glad you know him."
She hesitated, and then asked in a
lower voice, as though she feared
her question would be answered in
the negative, els he-well?"
"Yes, fur as sickness goes. Your
paw is one o. the ruggedes' and heal
thies' men I know. I low he and the
boys never had a sickness in all their
born days. They're puffectly well,
7 all on 'em. L know, for their place
jines mine" He spoke rapidly, as
though glad to be able to say that
much, but his eyes roved uneasily
about the platform, and never by any
chance met hers.
"Why, really" Her face grew
radiant. ""Iheir nearest neighbor!
And you know the boys and all about
them? Dear little fellows! 1t seems
strange that l should never have
seen them. You see, when we left
town, father sent me to the board
ing school and then came south.
That was ~ years ago, and I have
been at the school ever since. Little
Tommy is almost nine, and Predict
me see-Fred is seven. Is the place
far?" eagerly.
"About half a mile"
"And are you going out soon?"
"Arter the train leaves"
"Well,of course, I can go with you.
I'll go and see about my baggage
and be back directly. Won't they be
surprised" And, leaving him star
ing at a knothole in the platform,
she hurried away to look after her
trunk and valise.
Half a minute passed, then the man
raised his head with a dismal, ex-
pressive whistle. 1t was echoed by
another, equally expressive, from the
other side of the orange boxes.
"Wall, you're in for it now, for a
fac" said the owner of the second
whistle sarcastically. "What are you
goin' to do bout it?"
Goodness only knows" groaned
the man in reply. "Reckon mebbe
Ill have to tell her."
"Reckon mebbe you will" dryly.
"You better have told her plumb
straight in the fust place."
"How could II" Indignantly; IAN
cha almost tho Sauna nua no INV