Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-08-22

the new-laid rails up to the station house.
where it paused for few moments ere it
resumed it's wheeling way to the south
ward. The two visitors at the Big House
til all at once her former thought cross
ed the woman's mind. She turned upon
her husband.
Thar hit goes! Thar hit goes" she
cried. Right on straight to our house!
Hit KANT miss hit! And little Sim, he's
sure to be playin' out than on the track.
On. he's daid right this minute, he shore
ly is"'
Her speech exercised a certain force
upon Jim Bowles. He stepped on the
faster, tripped upon a clod and stumbled,
splitting half the milk from the pail.
"Thah. now" said he. 'Thah hit goes
agin. Done spilled the melk. Well. hits
too far back to the house now fer mo-.
But. now, mabbe Sim wasn't playin' on
the track"
"Mabbe he wasn't" said Sarah Ann
scornfully. why, o. course he was"
well, if he was said Jim Bowles.
whut l done notice about this here rail-
road train, why-it's too late now
He might perhaps have pursued this
logical line of thought further had not
tHeTe occurred an lnClOent Wnlcn brought
the conversation to a close. Looking up.
the two saw approaching them across the
lawn, evidently coming from the little
railway station, and doubtless descended
from this very train, the alert. quick
stepping figure of a man evidently a
stranger to the place. Jim and Sarah
Ann Bowles stepped to one side as he APP
preached and lifted his hat with a pleas
ant smile.
Good morning said the stranger.
IT'S fine day. isn't it? Can you tell me
whether or not Col. Blount is at home
this morning?'
well. sun" said Jim Bowles. rubbing
his chin thoughtfully, mis- is. an he
amt. He's home, o. course; that is, he
hain't gone away no whah. to cote er
gone after bah. I reckon he's likely to
be in most any day now"
Most any day."
'Yessah. You better go on up to the
house."
Thank YOU" said the stranger. "I
am very much obliged to you, indeed. l
believe I'll wait here for just a little
while Good morning, sir. Good morn
ing. madam
He turned and walked slowly up the
path toward the house. as the others pur-
sued their way to the railroad track,
down which they presently were plodding
on their homeward journey. There was
at least little milk left in the pail when
nnailv tney reached tne1r small log CdDl1,
with it's yard full of pigs and chickens.
Eagerly they scanned the sides of the
railway entertainments as they drew near.
looking for signs of what they feared to
see One need not describe the fierce joy
with which Sarah Ann BOwles fell upon
little Sim, who was presently discovered.
safe and dirty. knocking about on the
kitchen floor in abundant company of
puppies, cats and chickens.
II knowed he would be killed." said
Sarah Ann.
But he haint." said her husband. tri-
umphantIy And for one time in their
married life there seemed to be no posi-
Bile way in which she might contradict
him. which fact for her constituted a sit
uation somewhat difficult.
WELL 1t hain't yOre fault eff he
haint.' said she at length.
The newcomer at the Big House was a
we'll looking figure enough as he adj
vanced up the path toward the white-pil-
Jared galleries. In height just above
middle stature. and Of rather spare
habit of body, alert, compact and vigOr-
Gus. he carried himself with a self-re-
spect redeemed from aggressiveness by
an open candOr of face and the pleasant
fortnight gaze of a kindly blue-gray eye.
In spite of certain gravity of mien. his
eyes seemed wont to smile upon occa-
sions. as witnessed divers little wrinkles
might have guessed his age within ten
years, but might have been wrong upon
either side. and might have had an equal
difficulty In classifying his residence or
occupation. 1t was evident that he was
not Ill at ease i'm this environment: for
old colored man, who, with IA rag in one
hand and bottle In the other, seemed
intent upon some errand at the dog ken
mel beyond, he paused not In query or