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

bGTNeus the CohI8c Ciobn WniJe aS STOW
and the steel and tin cutlery we'll pol
ished The travellers ate with appetite
keen from long fasting. "You are a
mighty smart little girl to cook this nice
supper, I" said the Governor, heartily.
Mamma and papa away reckon"
Mammals dead; she died two years
ago when the baby was right little, Z"
said the little girl slowly.
"And our fathers away, but he'll
soon be back" put in the elder brother,
bravely helping his sister over some APP
parent difficulty. won't you-all have
some more biscuit?" hastily.
YES" said the girl. II lowed you
was hungry ridin' so far, an l cooked
a heap O. biscuit You-all must eat
hearty"
Indeed we will, said the Governor.
Take another, Tom. Did you ever
eat better biscuit?"
The Secretary vowed he never did;
and after this incident, the men seeing
that the children wished to avoid speak
ing of family affairs, and being gentle
men, born and bred, confined their con-
versation to the cheerful subjects of
hunting and fishing; of big fish caught
and big game killed, till the grave faces
of their entertainers lightedup with in
terest, and some look of childish pleas
ure shone from their sad young eyes.
Supper over, the men sat on the
porch, and smoked their cherished pipes
while the children washed the supper
dishes. When this task was finished
they were again invited to come into
the fire, for it was becoming chilly as
the night advanced, and there was the
feel of frost in the air. AS they enter
ed the room where the sleeping baby
lay, the unusual hustle aroused her; she
struggled from the covers and sat upin
bed, staring at the strangers The
ly he turned, and the baby caught sight
of his face. Daddy! Daddyv She
screamed, holding out her arms and
struggling violently to get from the
bed.
have said that the paternal instinct
was strongly developed in the Governor.
In moment he was at the bedside
with the child in his arms, murmuring
soothing baby talk as he pressed the
little head to his bosom.
The effect of this scene on the poor
little group was startling. The girl
poor child, she was not more than
twelve, yet her slight shoulders seemed
dropping with the weight of years-hid
her face in her hands and sobbed silent
ly; the small boy threw himself on the
floor and wept aloud, sobbing passion
ately. Il want my daddy! Oh, ! want
him SOP His brother leaned over him,
tears in his own eyes.
Don't you fret Jody," he murmur-
ed, soothingly. "Daddy'll come back
sure; the lawyer said he would"
''No, he won't!" shrieked the child in
frenzied grief. "Mr Keith said the
send daddy right back from
them mines, but l been up the road
ev'y day and looked and looked, and to-
day thought sure them strangers was
comm to tell US the Governor sent
our daddy home! He ain t never comm
And the baby'll die, cause heard Mis-
Maddox say she was pnin away for e
sight of daddy. The Governors a mean,
bad man, and | hate him" Sob5
choked the piteous voice, gradually dy
ing away into a subdued moaning, as
his brother knelt beside him, stroking
the tumbled head and whispering,
Don't cry Jody, don't cry;yOu' II wake
up little Lizzie"
For the baby was once more asleep,
her thin little arms about the Govern
or's neck, her head on his shoulder,
while he walked up and down the floor,
singing softly lullaby that was always
a sOporifc for his own baby. When she
was soundly asleep he laid her down,
covering the little form as carefully
and lightly as a mother could have
done.
The Secretary was a bachelor; he
knew nothing Of children and though
his heart ached 10 witness their grief.
he could think of nothing TO comfort
them, 80 he sat staring into the fire,
and did not attempt 70 offer cOnsola-
ton.
Not so the Governor. The baby safe
" asleep, he moved softly to the fire.
side, lifted the silently weeping boy
from the floor, and sat rocking him
softly, till long, quivering sigh came
from the chld's parted lips, his drawn
features relaxed. and he, too, slept
peacefully in the arms of the highest
official in the State
When the child was laid softly beside
the sleeping baby the Governor spoke
10 the older children, and his voice was
meek, nay, humble. Very unlike the
impressive tones in which he had deliv-
cred the encomiums on justice, before
the Board. What is your fathers
name, children, and what did he do that
he had TO go to the minds? Maybe the
Governor doesn't know the facts Of the
case promise you I'll do all in my
power 70 help you. know the Gov
ernor, and he isn't bad man though !
ne turned to the Secretary and finished