The Mena weekly star., 1909-07-22

He is already owner of this place, which Is only mite of his great wealth. He will be my husband, aud even you, Aunt Debby, shall not speak of him ia that way.''
 Yes, chile, know he's got money, nos be ain't our kim. Jes look at his big red hands, an rcd face arl he talks So Loud an stomps his feet when he comes tn de house. Honey, it 'ud be UT sfo fW you ter marry dat man. You kncVe ae good book says. dc wages uv sin is death Honey, I'd ruther put towers on your hreas, an lay you ont sondes by yer paw an nav, dan 800 yos marry him
 "God knows "a rather have yo do so but Aunt Dcbby, we can't always die when we want to, and while we live sofne way must be provided.
 CHAPTER II.
 "Reilol Snowballi Looki Look out for tho millennium What will Noah do for coat while Methuselah Is off on . hrha Docs Barnum know you re outi What's the price of wools
 A dozen or more college students re. turning to New Orleans after the va. cation, crowded to the deck-rail of a hfgc Mississippi steamer as it swung gracefully around curve, and ran into Q wayside landing. Their rude remarks we're addressed to venerable negro man waiting to get on the boat. Under one arm ho carried large flat parcel, done up in brown paper, seemingly more bulky than wcighty. Tn his other hand was Q large cedar stick with grotesque- ly carved head. With this stick the old man steadied bis tottering limbs as he stopped carefully onto the gangplank. A looh of relief crossed his dark scanned face as he reached the vessel in safety.
 Whether confused by the cries of the youths or whether thrown from his feet by sudden lurch of the vessel, no ono could tell, but from some cause, the old negro was thrown off his balance and fell 10 the floor. Renewing their cries, the students hurried below evidently in search of fun. They were followed by young man of refined appearance, who bad been watching them with very evi. dent disapproval
 "Pride must have fall Fly high and light low. How the mighty great are fallen"
 The words were followed by chorus of shouts, and misses. When the youths reached the old man, who had risen to his knees, be, with clasped hands and up lifted eyes, seemed to bo praying. His rusty beaver hat had fallen to the floor Lowing his head, with its thin fringe of white hair, bare One flashily dressed youth lifted tho hat on the toe of his boot and sent it spinning across the deck to the feet of the gentleman who had eollowed them. Pointing to the nc ero's bald head, ho began, In wild uproarious voice, to sing. His compan-- tons joined him.
 "'Thero was an old niggcr, and his
 name was Ned,
 He died long, long ago.
 He had no wool on the top of his head
 ghe place whar the wool oughte'
 grow
 "Look,s' cried another, pointing tt gne parcel which the man had carried but which now lay on the floor, par tiaIly divested of its wrapping, reveal ina picture on canvas with a large hole through tip center, having come in con fact with some sharp object in the fall.
 "Looh, Le has spoiled the picture oi Dis best girl"
 xnc young man stopped and lifted the hat, that had rolled to his feet and going over to where the negro was kneel- ing, placed 1t on his head.
 "Let mo assist you," he said kindly, holding out bis hand "You are not hurt, hope'
 "No marster, ain t hurt but I'd Ter thoasand time ruther bin dan ter seen das" nodding his head. toward the pie ture.
 "Maybe 1t 8 not 80 bad as it looks to ba Get up, and let s see just what the damage is. '
 The young man assisted the old one to his feet, and to the upper deck The riotous youths, construing his actions as a rcproof to them, subsided, only one or two of the most reckless indulging in q low hiss, or whistle. Even this was feeble, and ono by one they moved away leaving tho gentlemanly stranger and his protege together.
 When ho had found seat for the old man, the stranger took the portrait and spread it out, placing the ragged edges carefully together, and examined 1t crit ically.
 "Its ruined, 80 far as it's market val ue Is concerned. It evidently struck some sharp object in the fall.'
 "Does dat mean it won't bring no money. marsters'' the old man asked in trembling tones He gazed piteously ln- to the face of his new friend, his jaw dropped hopelcssiy.