The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1916-02-05
SANS CHARGE
BY HAROLD CARTER.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

When Sam was a pickanniny on
what was left of his old masters es-
tate in Virginia, his father told him
stories of the war, that matchless
war, fought with devotion, gallantry
and humanity on both sides, in which
the strange spectacle was seen of
a dependent and enslaved race guard
ing the womankind of its masters
while those masters went out to
fight against those who wished to set
them free.
Sam absorbed all the spirit of those
times; but when he was thirty, and
the butler of the financier Ammt, in
a large northern city, only the spirit
remained-the details were forgotten.
Sam knew about the quarrels be-
tween Ammt and his pretty young
wife. Lily Ammt had been a beauty
before her marriage. but three years
Of sorrow had effaced the outward
and visible" signs that had held mems
hearts in subsection, though they had,
if anything, added to the spirituality
of her face. Her family had been
rich once They had had estates in
Louisiana; but the war had reduced
lASn " pOfSlIy, anu Lily ahAl NdS
a stenographer before her marriage.
Sam had never seen Mr.. Trent. He
only knew that his name was the
word used by Ammt to cow the spirit
of his beautiful wife He suspected
that Lily Ammt had loved Mr.. Trent
before her marriage, and he suspect
ed, too, that she had married the
| wealthy man to bring some comforts
| to her aged parents. But Sam only
| suspected; and he was too loyal a
| servant to voice his suspicious, even
| to himself
He had noticed a shabby fellow who
haunted the street, and often stood
staring up at the windows, particularly
/ in the evenings.
| Sam could not help seeing the mail,
and he recognized the writing of GER
tain letters very well. He was at his
wits end how to proceed. Once he
caught the shabby man attempting to
enter the house in the guise of a gas
inspector, just after the postman
called The man had the mail in his
hand when Sam collared him and
pushed him into the street.
SAM" said his mistress, you can
start on your vacation tomorrow"
Yes, ma'am, thank YOU" said Sam
You can take your two full weeks,
and your money"
| 'Oh, Lord, Mis- Ammt, don't want
to go now" said Sam imploringly
His look might have melted a stone.
but Mrs. Ammt was seized with fury.
I'm tired of your spying about me-
she cried, stamping her foot. 4 tell
you to go-and afterward you can re-
port to Mr. Ammt for instructions"
Yes, ma'am,'' said Sam humbly
He went after breakfast, but was
back at his post that afternoon. He
came in at an hour when he knew his
mistress would be out, and the servants
engaged. He came in softly through
the front door, with his mistress spare
key, and went to his room. Nobody
would be likely to trouble him there,
or to suspect his presence.
It was a big house. The servants
downstairs could not hear what went
e on in the drawing rooms. But Sans
e ears heard the unmistakable but soft
D click of key in the latch. He was
. down the stairs like a panther, be-
|
= reached the top of the first flight And
t yet, swiftly as he moved, he had
e caught a glimpse of Lily Ammt, seated
q upon the lounge under the electric
/ | light, pretending to read, and waiting
4 for the man whom she loved with all
r her heart.
If He knew. too, that the shabby
y man was somewhere in the street
l. opposite.
ii Sans voice rose loud at the head
e of the first flight of stairs.
a Mis- Ammts very sorry, Mr.. Trent,
Ie SIR said Sam. She's very sorry she
A can't see you this evening. You see,
IL sir, Mr.. Ammt's away on business
II sir
Sans heart almost melted as he
IS looked into the despairing face of the
f man in front of him. Upstairs he
ID heard the rustic of the pages cease
70 and he knew that Lily Ammt had
II heard
ID Mr.. Ammt asked me to say how
X sorry he was, SIR continued Sam
Ye standing implacably in front of
Trent.
$ He did eh?" stammered Trent
D Who the dickens are your"
Is why, I'm Sam, sir" answered Sam
in Never had any other name, 1 reckon
q Don't you remember seeing me, sir
II when you called on Mr. and Mis-
ID Ammt last month? 1t was me handed
h you the cigar box, sir"
o As the man turned away and began
le to descend the stairs Sam followed
e him. In the hall he looked I'D at him
in imploringly You see, sir, Mis- Lily's
la my charge, sir" he said. Asking your
il pardon, sir. Some day, sir, 1 hope tc
OF serve you both, sir
IL Trent swung round on him. You're