The weekly true Democrat. (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1905-1912, 1906-02-09

ScanC underBrOWtn OF ScruD-oakS and
chinquapins, stretched all around them;
the signing treetops, signing in the
evening wind, made mournful music In
their ears. This country" said the
Governor, irritably, els 50 confounded-
Pedro's Bay / came around the coast on
sponge schooner; thought sure
could find the way drought the coun-
try, though. Well, this road evidently
leads somewhere, If it doesn't to old
man Lukes'. It's going to be mighty
dark night, and If we do reach a cabin
move that we stop till morning"
agreed" said the Secretary, eff
the folks'll let u.s."
my dear boy, you are evidently UNI
acquainted with the people of your ma
tive State! To turn away a stranger
seeking shelter would be an unheard of
thing in these flat-woodS. Hello!
There's rooster Growing! Now wen
certainly and shelter, at least"
A few minutes drive brought them
in sight of cultivated fields, enclosed by
a well-built rail fence; following this
they soon reached dwelling, unusually
commodious for that region, consisting
of two large rooms, built of hewn logs,
with ample "stick- and-dirt" chimneys;
they were divided by small hallway,
with two shed-rooms in the rear, and a
front porch, draped with frost-yellowed
velvet-bean vines. The small dooryard
was crowded with brilliant autumn
f1owers-white, yellow, and rust-red
chrysanthemums, many colored zinnias
and velvety clumps of princes feathers.
The air was mild, but it was late No
vember and frost had fallen, its blight
ah 10 xHyif
and the patches of blackened potato
vines, which were on each side Of the
house.
Now that's caused by unadulterated
laziness," remarked the Governor, with
severity, as he beheld the frost-bitten
potato and cane patches. They've
put off digging potatoes and grinding
cane, till now they'll have sour syrup
and rotten potatoes, and no seed cane
saved"
"They may have reason, observed
the Secretary. Il wouldn't be sur
prised if the family were laid up with
the chills. +"
"No sir, you can count on its being
pure laziness! Yonder's a good-sized
boy digging potatoes and little fellow
picking 'em up. Wonder where the
no-account father is? Fishing, l reckon.
Hello, Bud!, raising his voice. "Step
this way, will your
The boy, lad about fourteen, dropped
his hoe and came forward quickly, fol-
lowed closely by the small boy, a look
of eager expectancy in their eyes.
1--WE are lost, Bud" said the Gov
ernor, who had already alighted, "and
want to stay all night with you. Been
trying to get to old man Dan Lukes'.
Can you tell us where he ives!"
The eager look died from the boys
eyes, leaving them inexpressibly weary
and melancholy. He climbed over the
the horses harness "Old man Lukes'
lives down on the edge o. the Bay.
You'd ouRhter took the Bay road, a
good piece from here" said he, speak
ing in the slow, monotous tone of the
backwoods. "You-all go in and make
yourselves at home. I'll put up your
creeter and Jody'll tote in your things "
The Governor glanced triumphantly
at the Secretary. told you 80" he
murmured; welcome as flowers in
May"
Jody came obediently forward and be-
gan to tug at the big valise in the back
of the buggy. He had pathetic little
face, with the same look Of care and
WEAKNESS that was on his brothers..
Hold on son." said the Governor,
that's too heavy for your little hands.
You take this gun--it isn't loaded, and
here's bunch of young squirrels we
shot on the road; they'll be good fried
for breakfast"
"Thanky, sir, " murmured the child,
shyly. He took the squirrels and gun
and preceded them along the neatly
swept path that led TO the house. AS
they approached little girl came softly
and swiftly to the door. Come in
quiet, she whispered, 1.-The baby's just
dropped off, an much noise awakes
her.
This child, like her brothers, bore
the same look Of troubled care on her
serious little face; face which had bid
den adieu to childhood before its pleas
ures were tasted. She gave her hand
in greeting to each of the strangers.
You're welcome" she said, in the
same hushed tones, and led them, both
men walking on tiptoes, into one of the
large rooms, evidently the living room
of the family Two large beds, heaped
high with feathers and covered with
gay patchwork quilts, stood in opposite
corners; on the wide hearth a cheerful
fire Of pineknots blazed and sputtered
a comfortable homemade rock
er, with broad arms and cowhide seat,
stood on each side of the hearth, with
child's tiny chair in the middle, rag
doll lying prone on the floor before 1t.