The Savannah morning news., 1903-06-21

she, having less interest in things good
to eat and more in things that adorn,
proceeded to hang around her neck
string of the little red things. They
hlaZed against her brown neck in trop-
ical contrast, so she hung another
string around her waist. Immediately
the five other Fills followed suit, and
decorated themselves Enthusiastically.
Then they danced away up the hot
beach and passed in triumph the
porch where Felix lay listlessly in a
hammock, too warm to do anything
but fuss
Look at those little niggers," he
said to himself. There goes my
Fourth of July celebration. Wouldn't it
be fun, though, to touch a match to
those frecrackers, and see them go off
on the little thieves"
1t was a day for malicious thoughts,
and as Felix lay there ne planned re-
Venge.
wouldn't it be a joker" he MUIR
INJURED, as his small sister came out on
the porch and, curling herself up in a
big basket chair, famed languidly.
Wouldn't what be joke" de-
manded Nan.
Felix explained how the little Fills
had stolen his firecrackers.
But you wouldn't" said Nan, her
eyes wide with horror, "you wouldn't
burn those poor, dear little black ba-
bies"
Poor dear little nothing" said Fee
Xix scornfully, "and, besides, it would
only scorch them and teach them a
lesson" oil
The next day was the Fourth. how
ever, and in busy preparations for the
evening festivities, Felix forgot his
grievance
In the afternoon the few white resi-
dents of the island met at the big mer-
chants house, where patriotic songs
were sung, and lemonade and cake
and ices were passed.
Just at twilight Felix and Nan sat
on the very lowest step of the back
porch and ate pink ice cream.
1T doesn't seem a bit right not to
have firecrackers," said Felix. discon-
solately.
But we have had "a lovely time"
cooed Nan placidly.
From a clump of small bushes
twelve eyes gazed on them, as Maswa
and his small brown tribe fingered
near.
Have some Maswa?" said Felix,
! when he discovered them.
He handed the dish in which there
were several spoonfuls of the ice cream
: to the grinning savage. Maswa took
one mouthful and clapped his hand to
his face, then shiYered and shook and
! turned gray with fright
Cold" he said, hurt"
But the small girl of the tribe picked
up the spoon and stuck it in her hair
where it looked like an exceedingly mo-
dish hairpin
ITO think my firecrackers are going
to waste" said Felix disgustedly, as
/ he observed the red ragged strings OF
crackers still hanging around the brown
I necks and waists.
Maswa heard him. mo crac-ac-
kers," he said emphatically. mo good
! eat"
But an idea had struck Felix.
Run and get me a match, Nan,
! he whispered
/ Il won't" said his kind hearted sis
ter, who was looking like a fairy in
her white dress. Il won't let you hurt
! the poor things" and she put her arm
protectingly around Fe-dra.
But Fe-dra pushed her away and
grunted. Then she reached out a fat
brown hand for the tiny gold locket
that hung on Mans neck.
You can't have that. Fe-dra," said
Nan.
But. Fe-dra persisted.
At last Maswa interfered.
Give" he said to Nan, threaten
ingly.
Nan looked around for help. FELIX
! had disappeared. and all the older peo-
! pie were gathered together on the
other side of the house out of hear
| ing.
you can't have it, Fe-dra," she
repeated desperately.
Give" commanded Maswa, brutal
] ly, as his strong, young figure lowered