St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1903-06-06
Johns Daughter.
BY Frank II. Sweet.

ahd HoluS. VI
packed up against the platform with
'oads OF oranges and truck; idle ne.
sroes slonching contentedly about
oantering talk with any one who
would notice them, and ieering such
OF their number as had accepted job
ana were hurrying through it with an
exaggerated show of zeal and activ.
1fy; grunting razorbacks and NANCY
ours dlsputing 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,
ana OF all sizes, and here and there,
reviewing the monotony of the sand,
great black stumps that the inhabi-
1ants had not found time to remove.
On the platform itself were long
INES 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 perceptible
hastening of movements and the
loungers in front of the store came
Ielsurely across the open space and
ranged themselves comfortably about
the platform. Several men left their
work among the crates, and went to
tho hoods nf <hnsr.
and began to stroke the animals
soothingly. A sharp. quivering
whistle was heard in the distance,
then 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 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 young
girl of II or IS. plainly but expensive
ly dressed, and with Il 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 man with broad, low
tapping hat, who was leaning against
some orange boxes he had just fin
ished marking.
Can you direct me to Mr.. John
Austin's place?'' she asked.
Mr.-John--Austin,' he repeated
'why, no, | donft-oh,
yes, of course: Booty John" He
stopped abruptly, as he noticed the
inquiring look Oh her face. Eyes, I
reckon l know. Are you some O his
kim"
II am his daughter" she replied,
little at the startled
whistle which came to his lips, and
which she noticed he choked back
alphabetically. Il have been at
boarding school ever since I was a
little girl. This is my first visit to
Florida
can does your paw, Mr.-John-
Austin, know you're comin'?" He
spoke in evident perplexity, and with
a look of consideration on his good
face.
"No; but / haven't heard from him
in almost year. Father doesn't
like to write, but he never allowed
my letters to go unanswered so long
before. I feared something might
be the matter with him or the boys,
and he would not write. / just had
to come. I am glad you know him."
She hesitated, and then. asked i'll a
lower voice, as though she feared
her question would be answered in
the negative, els he-well?'
Eyes, fur as sickness goes. Your
paw is one O. the ruggedes' and heal
thies' men know. low he and the
Bows never had a sickness in all their
born days. They're puffectly well,
Ill on 'em. I know, for their place
ines 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. Their nearest neighbor!
And you know the boys and all about
hem? Dear little fellows! 1t seems
strange that L should never have
seen them. You see, when We left
own, father sent me to the board
ne school and then came south.
That, was - years ago, and ! have
,een at the school ever since. Little
Tommy is almost nine, and Predict
ne see--Fred is seven. Is the place
ar?" eagerly.
.sAbout half a mile"
"And arc you going out soon?"
"Arter the train leaves"
Swell, of course, can go with you.
I'll 90 and see about my baggage
md be back directly. Won't they be
And, leaving him star
NO at a knothole in the platform,
he hurried away to look after her
runk and valise.
Half a minute passed, then the man
.a;sed his head with a dismal, eX-
whistle. 1t was echoed by
mother, equally expressive, from the
,ther side of the orange boxes.
"Wan, you're in for it now, for a
ac'." said the owner of the second !
whistle sarcastically. 'What are you
,oin' to do bout it?''
Goodness only knows" groaned
he man in reply. Reckon mebbe |
IL have to tell herr
.Reckon mebbe you WILL dryly.
You better have told her plumb
traight in the fust place.
SLOW could I?'' Indignantly: IAN