Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1918-05-11

Wnelmed with years, but Raphael
knew by instinct that il was some 9TH
OF burden weighing heavily upon Aunt
Nancy's broad shoulders.
For the space OF ten minutes she sat
there breathing heavily, rolling her
shining eyes until the whites showed
in their corners. Then she gasped out
"Marse RATE. does yer member when
yer digsed so foreverlastin'ly for the
star DUST"
Raphael thought. II was very. very
long ago Yes. after while he re-
membered the time. So he nodded
back to her.
What wud yer say ef yu'd find II to-
day."
Raphael looked at his old nurse pity.
ingly SO her reason had gone, poor
soul; perhaps she was living over the
past. and considered him child in
krickerbockers,
"Look we're, honey doan't YOU 'spect
me of ben' loony, Pse as SCUM in
min as you is. Now, would you like
to fin some of dat star dest?'
Il would have no objection. Aunt
Nancy laughed Raphael, glancins
down al his torn shoes and ragged
jacket
Oats right, Marse RATE; laf1, lafi,
lan BE yer ole self again, Lord knows
my ill marster was alus too serus-
like. Now jes' come erlong with Aunt
Nancy; she'll show dat she nebber
fooled YOU erhout de dust. no chile.
Hit all come true--true as Gospel
Raphael followed the poor soul out
OF the cabin and across The corn field.
Then they went over the cane field.
along the big road, until they reached
he drainage machine.
Does yer member de day when dat
ole water moccasm skeered ye. q
floppin' inter de water here?' Aunt
Nancy paused to point out the very
spot where il had occurred. "Now
look. Marse Rafe, here Is de berry
stones Yer kyarted from de big house
in yer III wagon
Sure enough, there were four big,
flat stones, imbodded in the earth and
oyerGroMn with chiendent and crab
grass.
wait, honey TIL gil stick"
Aunt Nancy hunted about in the tall
weeds and presently appeared with a
stout stick, Shalpened at one end. She
busted herself prodding up the soil
about the stones; then, handing the
stick TO her wondering observer, said:
Now, honey, jes' yer git de star
dust Hits your1"
she thrust the stick into his hand,
and as there was no alternative but
that OF offending the Kind old woman.
Raphael took it and lifted one. tWo.
three Of The stones at her bidding.
Under u thin layer of gravel laf a
big iron box. The gravel and the
stones Raphael remembered having
carted there in his little red waeon.
but The box looked mysterious
"Lif it. honey whispered Nancy.
giving a mrtive look about to make
sure that no one observed their occll-
patton.
Raphael lifted the box with some
trouble, for beside being heavy in il.
self, IL great deal OF the damp. heavy
clay adhered to its sides. Nance
whipped off her checked apron and
wrapped il about the mysterious box.
Now put hit on my back, honey.
I'll tote hit to de cabin
1T is too heavy for you, Aunt
Nancy responded the young man.
suppose we call one of the boys"
"Sh-h-h! Dwant none O. those peert
rascals heah, Grab hole de handle.
We can git along oursels."
Thus they trudged back to the cabin,
and were very glad to drop the bur.
den to the floor Aunt Nancy brought
an AK and the lock was soon broken.
Now dig. honey. dig" she cried.
and she drew back while Raphael
thrust his hands into the Golfer, bring.
ing up glstening coins of gold, which
fell from between his slim fingers
tinkline back into the box again. He
was thinking Of Aurore
why, Aunt Nancy, where did all
this come FROM he asked in amaze.
ment.
"Humph' When yer poor nanny
died and we heered how the marstcr
had been shot in battle, Luke on me
toted dis heah. Twas all wuz lef IF.
ter de Yanks passed fru. En- hit war
under the back doah.s,eps case a
fire. Specs ! let dem new folks get
yer pas money? No, sah," VI
But The slaves, hid they not know
about it,
"Humph' Guess not, Dey has all
dey wan But young Marse. why yer
needs ter keep up de style yoh was
raised in. sah En- now yer know.
certain sure, dat Aunt Nancy amt
l0oney, chile. De stardust come true"