The Jasper news., 1921-10-27

CHAPTER XIV.

.
and 10 Engaged to Ann, and Three
interesting Slaves Arrive at the
Home Of Samson Traylor, Who,
With Harry Needles, Has an "a.
venture Of Much Importance on the
Underground Road.
Abe came back from the legislature
to resume his duties as postmaster.
The evening of his arrival he went to
see Ann. The girl was in poor health.
She had had no news Of McNamar
since January. Her spirit seemed TO
be broken. They walked together up
and down the deserted street Of the
little village that evening. Abe told
her OF his life In vandalIa and OF his
hopes and plans.
MY greatest hope is that you VIII
feel that you can put up with me-" he
said. II would try to learn how to
make you happy. Think II you would
help me a little could do IT,"
"If you want me to, will marry
you, Abe" said She II cannot say
that love you. but my mother and
father say that would learn to love
you, and sometimes think II is true
/ really want to love you"
They were on the blum that over
looked the river and the deserted mill.
They were quite alone looking down
at the moonlit plains. A broken sigh
came from the lips of the tall young
man. He wiped his eyes with his
handkerchief. He took her hand In
both of his and pressed It against his
breast and looked down Into her face
and said:
II wish / could tell you what Is In
my heart. There are things this
tongue of mine could say, but not
that. | shall show you, but ! shall not
try to tell you. Words are good
enough for politics and even for the
religion of most men, hut not for this
love- ] feel. Only In my life shall
try to express II"
He held her hand as they walked on
In silence for a moment.
about a year from now we can be
married." he said. ~ shall be able
to take care of you then. think
Meanwhile we will all help you to take
care of yourself. You don't look weIl.'
She kissed his cheek and he kissed
hers when they parted at the door so
the tavern.
'T am sure ! shall love you." sh'
whispered.
"Those are the best words that eve
came to my ears" he answered, ant
left her with a solemn sense OF hi
commitment.
Soon after that Abe went to tn
north line of the county to do som
surveying, and on his return, In tn
last week of May. came out for tall
with the Traylors.
That was the 26th OF May. 1885,
date OF much Importance In the cal
endnr of the Traylors. II had been
clear. warm day. followed by cloud
less, starry night, with chilly breez
blowing. Between eleven and twelv
o'clock Sarah and Samson wer
awakened by the boot of an owl I
the dooryard. In a moment they hear
three taps on q window pane. The
knew what It meant. Both got OF
OF bed and into their clothes as quicl
ly as possible. Samson lighted cai
die and put some wood on the dr.
Then he opened the door with II
candle in his hand. A staIwart goo,
hooking mulatto man, with a snootl
shayen face, stood In the doorway.
ais the coast clearr' he whispers
sAu clear" Samson answered.
q low tone.
"rll be back In minute" said Il
negro as he disappeared In the dar
ness, returning presently with tw
women, both very black, They 5,
down in the dim light Of the cabin.
Harry. who had been awakened
the arrival Of the strangers, came dow
the ladder.
'srhese are Fugitive slaves on the
way north" said Samson. take the
out 10 the stack. I'll bring some fo'
IN a few minutes"
HARRY conducted them 10 the
hiding place, and when they had 9
tered Il, he brought a ladder al
opened the top OF the stack. A hoop
shaft In the middle OF II led TO
poInt near its top and provided ve
tilation. Then he crawled In at t
entrance, through which Sans
passed a pail Of food. a Jug OF wat
and some buffalo hides Harry s
with them foy few moments In I
black darkness Of the stack room
learn whence they had come a
whittier they wished 20 60.
rWe are IRON st. Louis sub"