The Lamar register., 1920-09-15
Of damp leaves.

Of damp leaves.
Suddenly, upon rounding the up
turned stump of fallen tree. | almost
ran upon negro convict hiding behind
The roots. his leg impeded by ball
and chain.
with closed eyes he tnelt 10 an ar.
titude OF prayer. his hands upraised
10 heaven unconscinu-ly and impul.
sively as my horse passed along, with
ont the S'i-hTsSt sIark.n!ng of speed
ami wittouI ii word heing spoken.
Jnt5I..,.hed hands ana passed out OF
sight between the Trees.
The entire ucTiau was unconscious
impulse. / have oTtsn wondered what
tie thought ani wha, became " him"
A. Tie dust evening shadows Oiled
the ror--I with gloom. Il negro convict
was silently limping along, hastily
dodgih. from one Tree TO another. The
tall and chain were missing. but right
ly clasped in one hand he held a green
file box, unt every few moments he
would stop and gaze intenIly al IL his
face tilled with wonder that was
akin 10 reverence. Slowly and eau
liously he treaded his way through
the timber, headed for the little cave
by the river where he had spent SO
many lazy hours Ia his childhood
Big Ben was exhausted. and much
nssded rest was to be found Ia that
cave.
Ii was nearly midnight when he
reached II, and hastily feeling his way
ro Its inner recess. he stretched him
self upon the damp moor and was
soon lost IN tie deep slumber Of com
plete ~eariDess.
When he awakened the morning sun
was high H. first thought was of
that lirtle green 6le-hOx; his next OF
his convict clothes. Tightly he clasped
the 1.-THE green box TO his breast and
murmured u silent prayer; then. stag
gefng 10 the entrance of the cave. saw
spread upon the ground before him q
pile Of clothing.
II was another miracle No Doubt
remained. This clothing had been
'ant TO HIN by tie same power which
had freed him from the hail and chain.
1t was u sorrowful aud fearful group
thai greeted him as he entered the old
home. The Joy al his appearance
was marred by shadow which his re-
turn could not di-pel The mortgage
"n the Old home and It's few acres
was to be roreciosed today. and the
lirtle place was 10 pass 10 strangers.
Big Ben listened in silence to the
woes OF the family. and suddenly lift
Ing his head with an air Of new born
confidence. he laid before them the 1T.
tie green fle-box and said:
NANNY, don't you worry. De same
power what gave me desc. will lake
care Of de morgige. De Lswd doan'
punish his innercent chlllun widoui
cause. How much am dat morgigeF'
at am mos q hundred dollars" re
piled his mother.
Big Ben confidently replied:
NANNY. II de Lawd gave me dose
nies and desc close. he ssrtin suah
ain't er goin' to let dis home be sold
for no hundred dollars. hain't looked
tru de pockets Of desc close yet. Mebbe
he's already sended US de money"
suitins the wsrd with action. be has
tily commenced d search OF his new
clothes and brought TO light a pile or
pencils. letters and small change. and.
at last, q black leather wallet. II
contained $40
Il knowed IL, nanny; here. is
money for de morEige man. Go pay
on de morsise and glib $50 to De par
soD. and wild de small change get sump
On TO eat. I'm starvin'"
And today. over the fireplace Of that
little cabin are suspended a small
green nle-boI and an empty leather
wallet. which no money could purchase
from that family.
Panama was sultry.