Year: 1878

hap, he thought the tables might
be turned.


"Come, come! Dance, or | fire."


The guest arose aud stood in the
middle of the room, and there began
10 dance to the negro's music but
the music was wretched--so
wretched that the major more than
once threatened to shoot the negro
il he did not play better.


The poor wayfarer danced until he
was fairly tired, and then stopped.
The host was upon the point of
urging him on, when horses tramp
was heard at the landing, and pres
entity servant put his head into
the room aud called the master ont.
Whether he forgot what he was
doing, or he cared not to be seen
outside with his pistol, we cannot
say. But he left it on the table
when he went out. As soon as the
door WAS closed, the guest went to
the table and took the pistol in his
haud, AS he had half suspected, it
was not loaded; it was as innocent
as Il horse shoe. But the traveller
had his pistol ammunition in his
pocket, and he quickly loaded the
weapon with powder and ball, call
ing upon the darkey to witness.


Shortly the major returned, and
his first movement was TO look for
his pistol, which he found missing.


My dear sir" said the guest,
with low bow, and one of the
hlandest of smiles-a smile, how
ever, quickly followed by look
that might have made a hero quail,
~ found your pistol sadly deficient;
but | have rectified all that. You
see have my powder-fask and
ball-pouch. The pistol is loaded,
sir, secundum artem. We will con.
time che amusement by dance
executed by the master of the house;
and let me assure you that can
use a pistol mach better than | can
dance reel. Dance, sir, or, by the
Eternal, III put bullet through
yourlegs, if not through your headw "


The major was startled. There
was something in the mans words
that always lifted him from his feet
and took almost his breath, and if
the look was a command he could
no more have disObeyed than he
could have hushed the throbbing OF
his own heart.


He danced. The negro played
now with unction-played in man
ner to reflect credit upon his New
Orleans teaching. More than once
the dancer begged TO be allowed to
stop, but that pistol, held by an iron
hand, kept him moving. Had the
weapon been aimed at his head or
heart he might have run risk of
the mans firing, but he really be-
lieved the irate traveller would as
soon break his legs as not.


At length the visitor went to the
fireplace and discharged the pistol
up the chimney, and the major was
suffered to sit down. AS old Pom
pey passed him he stopped and bent
over and whispered into his masters
ear.


"For the Lor' a massy's sake,
mas'r, don't we go for to cut up no
more. | tell We, l knows de man
Whough who'd ebber forget him
He's Gen'r'l Jackson--der rale Ole
Hickory, an no mistake !"


Maj. Hanley opened his eyes wide.
There is no knowing what he might
have done, but, as he was starting
up, pale and affrighted, his visitor,
who heard Pompey's revelation, put
out his hand and said, with smile:


"Hold on, major. Not a word.
If you can be satisfied, | can. Let |
us have a bit of repose--a bit of
punch with it."


The punch was brought, aud as
soon as the host could regain his
spirits jollity ruled the hour.


OF course the major had to tell the
story of the coming of his illustriOus
visitor, and through the weakness
of old POmupy the rest of the scene |