The new enterprise. (Madison, Fla.) 1901-1908, 1908-04-02

the nay the WHITES Vi ht0 ~
ali we could see at first in the dark
ness afterward the light Of our lamp
showed a dusky face framed by a
duskier mass of woolly hair.
what are you doing here, sirT'
asked mother.
Its a good place to sleep, missis'
and | hadn't no better so | thought
I'd turn I'M"
This was our first introduction to
Nat.
Emma Lawrence, our next door
neighbor, was sitting on the front
steps with me- on this particular eve
ming, when we were Joined by Mr.
Perkins, the young gentleman oppo-
site. Our conversation was suddenly
interrupted by Nora, our maid-of-all-
work. her eyes distended, her face
like marble.
Sure. maam, wen be robbed and
murdered in our beds, for there's
man out in the loft-a live man! ]
saw him with my own eyes!"
"a man in the loft? And what were
you doing there, to find himT' ]
asked, incredulously.
Il was after givin Mollie a bit Of
hay, ma'am, and pail of water; for
the pretty creature hadn't wisp of
the one nor a drop of the other in her
stall But the soul was night fright
ened out of me, for what should
see, when / planted my two feet up
on the loft, but mana live man
hiding in the hay;l And he's there
this blessed minute, ma'am, for ]
locked him in myself"
What shall we do?" l asked, in
dismay. Father and Brother John
are out of town, and there is not a
man about the house but yourself, Mr.,
Perkins, would you dare to face the
enemy with only a force of women to
help you?"
'Dare?" he repeated, assuming an
air Of high tragedy:
Come Roderick Dhu
And Of his clan the boldest two,
III write the falsehood on his crestl
What shall I do to prove my cour-
ageP'
Take the lamp and go ahead; EN-
ma and will follow with Nora"
Selling umbrellas and canes as we
passed the hat rack, we hurried across
the yard to the barn, which we found
securely locked, as Nora had said.
Our couraeS held out till we
climbed the loft; then Emma and
began to tremble, and even our va
liant leader seemed to hesitate a lit
tie.
rAre you afraid?' l asked, in
stage whisper.
An emphatic shake of the head was
his only answer, for we were quite at
the top OF the stairs now. He raised
the lamp high, and we looked about
us The pickering light at first
showed only great rafters festooned
With cobwebs; but at length we caught
sight Of the dusky face of Nat, who
lay nearly hidden from sight on a
great pile Of hay, and covered with
the fragments Of an old rug. How
the whites OF his eyes did shine in the
gloom, No wonder Mr.. Perkins nearly
dropped the lamp.
why. bless mel" said mother, Just
appearing on the scene. Il do believe
II IS the very hoy hired this morn
ing to tend Noble and keep the yard
in order He was to begin work To-
How came you here, sir?y
she asked. turning to Nat. who by
this time was Sitting upright. rubbing
his sleepy eyes.
cts a good place TO sleep, missis,
and hadn't no better 80 I thought
ia turn IN"
Really, mother was IN a quandary.
she could not turn the POOR fellow in
% the street az o'clock at night. but
No-as words. robbed and murdered
IL our BEDS would come into her
mind as the young woman had not
allied 10 suggest that possibility to fer
as well as TO us. AZ ieuEih. e was
decided that be might finish his nap
b. ne hay y De would consent TO be
octed in
Ana 80 rat became a member of
inr family. hever Of wood and a
lran 0i w4Icf 1ioIiios eaarl|ar
'r o'lcf1 ncn-ul a'.-NQlt Iii-