The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1903-04-08

1t was the first time master had forgot
ten them since the surrender. and now
they needed help badly.
Now and then in his misery Neck look
ed furtiveiy and uncasily toward the box
chained to the bedpost. The guardian
ship Of that box had grown heavier year
by year, yet he felt that he must be true
to his word to old master and not give It
over to young master, who was now him
self IS years old. until he should plainly
need It most. But Neck had reasons Of
his own for being very anxious to deliver
to master that strong box. Meek recalled
with grief and fear Jo-Jim's never allay-
ed curiosity concerning the contents Of
the box. BE sighed great deal by his
fireside and kept his old pistol loaded.
Dusk was settling down when tramp
ing hoofs reused the old couple by the
fire, and then at last came the long looked
for basket from Tolstone House.
But such O small basketl
''You see," said the boy who brought
the basket, ''times Is hard wild us. Been
gettin hard long time. Us amt got Q
turkey ourselves. Sold aIl our turkeys to
git Mr.. Lewis home from de college at
Sewanee. He gotter 60 to clerking at
Mr.. Jenkins store in town at SO q
month. De ole place gwine be sold
mortgage sale next month. I'm lenvin
next week. Colonel say he amt able to
keep no servants"
Leaving the poor little present, pack
aae Of tea crackers and q robin pie. the
boy was of before the old people had
reused themselves from the shock Of bis
news.
Real want at Tolstone House! The
place was their ideal Of all that was rich,
beautiful and generous. They both sat
silent awhile, casting solicitous glances
at the robin pie and tea cakes.
There was q long pause. then Rebie
said, "A young, tender goose amt bad
eatfn."
Now, though Easter. Us they called
him, might, as the ages Of geese go. be
expected to have many q year before
him, yet he could by no means be called
young and tender, but % he seemed to
these fond old people.
Fer young masters SAKE" murmured
Neck, tenderiy stroking the gander's
white head as Easter hissed softly and
upturned questioning pink trimmed eye.
"Us can put him live in basket and
start by soon daylight"
II must carry dat box to young mas-
ter"
"You tote de box. IN tote de goslin."
Latteriy Meck's uneasiness over the
box had kept him wakeful. but that night
the knowledge that he was 30 soon to get
rid Of the great responsibility acted like
q sedative on the weary old brain.
Old Rebie, however, kept awake as
long rs the pet Of the household remain
ed restless, and It was late ere she. too,
sank into heavy siumber.
But Mt midnight both old people were
shaken roughly from their slumbers by q
loud note Of terror from Easter. Oats
dat gander! XIII him." said q muf1ed
voice In the cabin.
Instantly Neck snatched the old pistol
from his pillow and cooked 1t with loud
click.
Lord, have mercy on me-" groaned
Meek, "but II you was my own son I'd
kill you II you got dat box. II I don't see
you git empty handed out dat do to l
count three, you Is dead nigger Ter
sho."
Then Aunt Rebie screamed louder than
Easter, and the two cowardIy thieves
made dash for the door. As they leaped
out the two old people saw that one was
their scapegrace, their sorrow, JOHN.
Neck made fast the door again. Easter
hissed In exultation. The rest Of the
night they sat BY the hearth guarding
their trust. Next morning ut dawn Ssle
old couple were Of, laden with box. bas-
ket and blunderbuss. The sweet April
air was all astir with flight and auttering
of bird wings. The fence corners were
blue with wild yiolets. The golden bells
= the jasmine sweetened every swamp
and field.
At last the white pillars Of Tolstone
House came In sight. The poor old peo-
pic were admitted, and Rebie presented
her gift-Easter.
Easter behaved very handsomely. He
turned up one bright eye on the master,
the other on the mistress, who wept az
the gift Of her former slave. Master.
too, must wipe his glasses. Meek put the
box on the table before the colonel. bfom
his neck he took the key on Its leather
string. Old master had given 1t to him
long years before, when the now staid
old colonel was wild spendthrift.
After much ado 1t opened. The Id was
lifted. The glow Of gold and the sparkle
OF Jewels shone before the amazed eyes.
A yellow letter told part Of the story.
The coloneI's recollections Of his early
escapades filed up any blanks.
"And Easter save US all dat money"
cried Rebie. and she reiterated the story
Of how the sagacious gander had awak'
ened them In the night.
EASTER shall never be eaten" declared
mistress. Indeed. Casters age had al
ready given bond that he should never be
eaten with pleasure.
So IL came about that the coioneis
young SON visited q home Of rejoicing
instead Of one Of sorrow.
The two old people went but once more
to their cabin In the lonely swamp, and
then only to move oil their belongings to
q house of their own in sight of Tolstone
Place, q gift Of young master.-New
York Evening Post.
An Easter Scene.
Sunlight poured through polished panes
upon q well secured floor. The odor OF
chemicals filled the air. Down q long