Saturday Evening Mail, Volume 18, Number 18, Terre Haute, Vigo County, 22 October 1887 — Page 7

A

flef

mi^htv long-sullerin'

\t

'MS

THE _MAIL.

PAPKR FOR THE PEOPLE.

The Mortgage on Jeffy

Continued from Second page.

settlement was content with a pawpaw switch he could not do enough for her. If he was too busy to go to school him«elf, he never was too busy to drive "the little tricks" over to the school-house, and, every evening, Bulah, "the least little trick of all," used to teach him what she had learned. Bulah was very fond of Jeff, in a filial way but Jeff loved •0 Iiuhih with all his heart soul and strength. He was tmch, a dry, quiet, matter-of-fact fellow that nobody ever dreamed of such a thing that is, nobody but the widow. How do women manage to discover a reticent man's 7 patHion? .Jel! had never confided in the i' widow but one day she remarked to him with the calm biuntnens of the backwoods, "Look a yere, .Jeff, ef you don* make hafte an' court Bulah, she 11 be takin* uj with that thar triliin, blggity Ham Kller that she met up with down tor Newport w'ilst sht stoppln with S'leeny's gyurl. She will so.' "l'o' Jeff!" the widow •JiwaWftng to hereelf now, "I eoine too late. He done

'ot/ er prom in us then. Joff looked like jes' gittin up by a spell er sicking them (lavs—p int blank gashly tut

never

let on. jes talked natchell

tor Bulah. an', law me what a sighter truck heguv'er. An' thar she leff that nir-e house that hp done fixed up so ladytine fur her, tfnl ho.room, '-all papered uraii's Mr*. Franois'n— roses all over the wuIN, and the ceilln' painted blew like the «ky—tergo an' live with Sam Kllar in a boat! rockon she found out rigtft fitiwk that thar warn't nuthin' tor him Vent good looks an' brags! an' ye eayn at nectlier. Wonder how long 'fore he licguii borrvin' inowy er Jeff. He wuz no force, nohow. Say he war blin' lirunk w'eti lie tumbled outon tho pilot's house, fpang on the deck, an' inashed's UL Hhin an' never gut up by it. Lived a A whole yoar nyfW. too. Bulah war W

with him, tendin'

on hi in ttifzhl'ti day, an' runnin' the boat, too an', in course, the baby mus' -mo in the thick or it! An't made me mad, serin' hirti so ill with her. I don' guess a man person kin holp arin' on ve, now, Wen ho'ssick, kase he wants out so bad r'iles'im all up but he wuz u-ciissin' an' sw'arin' tho plum, w'ile, an.' steamboiit cap'nw nutci^elly kin_ cuss wnsser anvbodv else 'olaro I doii' see how she ctid b'lir't, sidi a patient way. What wud she a done outon Jel!? Keopin' the ciip'n under, an' lendin' money an' lettin' S'leeuv go an' stay on the boat bv spoils ter liolp er an' chorkin' er up --law HIP. I never seen a man person like Jell' (Jrillin! An' now thet the Lord done took the cap'n, an' she kin have her time an' her pleasure, she won'go home longer Jeff naw, she inus' run the bout twell she kin pa.v off tho money— ies" biggit V, -shv is! How como she don inarrv Jcif? That ar'd pay him best. Ncx' thing, he mus'coax S'leeny tor go ionger Bulah an' leave him 'lone with with jes' Aunt Fanny tor 'tend for 'im. I know hrr

cookin'

ye cud build chlm-

bloys outon her light bread. An', now, this

have

ter come on 'em—Po' Bulah!'

She bit off her sigh, lest it should disturb Jeff, for Ihev had come to their Journey's end and tho horses were standing. There were the brown cotton-rows Atid the whitish-brown stalks atrewn them thore. under tlie elm trees, was

Aunt Kunn

scabin,

1 the hwi^o. long, i'»w, with its blnck roof and whitewashed walls. Tho open galI(iiv in the eon'ie had beon decorated with bum-lies of sweet herbs and strings of red pepper. Two or three saddles and a

KUU

are

expected to hang in an Arkan­

sas "gallerythey were a little brighter than common here. The now-conierssteppedsoftlythrough tho gallery into a huge room. Bulah was sitting, precisely as Jell's Imagination had pictured her, rocking her dead babv. An elderly woman had her back to them, leaning over the hearth, and thoturkey-wingin her hand, with which she was brushing the bricks, moved by jerks as though the hand were nervous.

Bulah did not look ut her hoad was nt over the waxeti face on her arm. The dead calm of her own faeo was more irhastlv and pitiliil to see than any angtiish.' All tho while she was rocking very gentlv, never ceasing or in the least varving in the motion. Her chair made the merest creak vet, all at once, tho other woman hurled the turkey-wing aside to wring her hands, sobbing: "Bulah, I cavn enjuroter hear ye! For tho lord's sake putt her down! Tain't riirlstinii-liko—Oh, dear! oh, dear! she don'hear a word."

She did not seem to hear, loherin that awful mvstery of grief, where her soul was with her dead child anil her

dead

hopes, all this out-side jar and fret •vibrated so faintlv that before she could comprehend their preseneo they had ooased. Nor did she seem to notice Jefi when he showed her the collin, begging her, eeping, to look at it.

The widow, with the child in her arms, stepped across the tloor on tiptoe. Bulah said she. solemnly, "the Ixrd taken vo' babv, an* this yere baby's mother have departed htm an' he nil

alone

on earth, t'an't ve find it in yo heart ter have pity on him?" She put the child down, close to the wtrange-looking, silent woman,and, naturally enough, ho begun to crv.

At the first himper, Bulah ©yes were lifted with an indescribably wild and agonising Inquiry, she stared at the small creature, now quite terrified, ana walling, "Mammy* mammy "Ye ain't got no mother, baby said she then, with her dreadful composure, "nur I ain't got no baby." She would have loosened one arm to touch the little fellow, but the action seemed to recall something: for, sen*uili»g* "How cud who! how cud she!" she bun,t into a pasHion of tears, and while she wopt the widow gently took the dead child out of her clasp.'

Little Bulah's grave had iMxmgrocn for months, and It was on an autumn dav that Jeff tirlfHn stood on the platform ot tho plantation store waiting Tor the "Sanmel Kller' to n«wl the lfcmd. Being Saturday afternoon, there was a .Mvttv bustle about the settlement-a hum frvm the mill where the cotton wagons were unloading, a continual ring of the hammer from the smithy, and a far-away song floating up from the cotton fields tilled with pickers. At toast thirty horsesi were fltod to the teuce rail on the left, and a score of booted legs dangled over either platform. Occasionally a nun-bonnet might appear in the doorway about it* business, bavin* possibly more business than belonged to boots AU abortt this we® hubbub of human life was the format maples and hack berry trees kept up their autuuin revelries in scarlet and gold, and their fray leave*, fluttering amid Uw w^eolor-

foliage of tlie cypress,! Hk« ourtlers AMicinK with IwltaiMi.

the rich I, the

w,Kf"

"Yon she comes!" cried Jeff, spying a corkscrew of smoke above the tree tops. He spoke to the widow from Georgia, who nad just emerged from the store, in a very clean and stiff print gown, and was prudently testing some new snufi before carrying it away. "Cap'n Bulah never misses," she answered "ain't it amazin' how well she done! Svy she done passed her examintion, an' got a license r'glar. The mate says they ain't many like 'er. Expect S'leeny stayed down ter Black Rock 'ith her son. How are you all's little trick?" "Oh, he's right peart," said Jeff, his plain face quite oeaming "gittin* on smart. Talks a heap. Follers me reou n' everywhar, laffin' an' grabbin' at my pants—sorter good them little lingers feel, don't they? Putt him on ole Nig, las' week. I wishtyou a seen 'im fust he looked mighty gubious then he begins ter laff. He'll git likened ter ridin' mighty briefly."

Yo' mos' petted on him's Bulah, ain't ye? How come ye do«' keep him an' her both with ye, alias? Actchelly, Jeff, my bones is wearin'out waitin' ter dance at yo'weddin'l" 'i'he reply to such jocularity ought to have been a sheepish grin, but Jeff looked very downcast. "Ye wunt never dance at my weddin'," said he, "an' is ter Bulah, she have laid by ter stay single.' "VVal, I didn't aim ter drag ye, Jeff, but—law me!" The caustic twitch of the widow's lips disappeared in a gurgle of dismay shewill never be nearer swallowing her snu/f^t-iejr. .OiW^e landing in front of heiW^*^ and is maiCiiyJiose wild beauty A

ed red

L-

and thoro was

a hand iny

her wretched Aot QT 1. stutl shirt,

rag/tC£e *e/Srge meejin|i

handkyfl'«eja"^Hirtted

aWry-'

mass of glossi.vv^j^jr was straggling out of its' coil per tnti jgd triangle bell ind her battered hat shaded a bold profile, cutr cleanly,. like thtf on a ItornaP ,in. The suny elays havoc

dainty W nly

i.'jy^i ncient tofo^-tifita f^^n'and o^v untamed tirt .n her eyes. KLVwas as graceful and unconscious as a panther. "Headlights!" muttered Mrs. Brand, under her breath.

Jeff had not even seen her all his eyes were for tho boat." Yes, that was Bulah on the.upper deck, and there was the doar little white hoad against her skirts. Other peoplo might see merely a slip of a woman, with plenty of freckles on her fair skin, a firm little mouth, and pathetic blue eves. What .Jeff saw—but how can I picturo tho radiant being as the lover sees lior?

Now the plank is down, and Jeff, with his one arm'and his Southern gallantry, is helping the widow across, who doesn't need helping one whit, but accepts it as the duty of a "man person." In a'minnto thoy are on the'deck, and Jeff has little .Jo'ffy on his shoulders and can look at Bulah. But why have Topi Bracelin, tho deputy sheriff, and his two men como on board, and does that shabby woman mean to take passage on the "Samuel ICller"? She pushed the underlings aside with an imperious elbow, and got close to Jeff and the little fellow. "That's him!"' she shouted, "that's my chile! Take him 'way, boss!" "Oh!' exclaimed Bulah, and flung herself upon Jeffy's small legs, the only portion of him Within reaching distance. "What ye seekin demanded Jeff, sternly. "I are seekin' my own chile thet I leff miner tho store-countfr," Headlights answered, "an' you uns taken him.'' "Yo wickod critter! do ye reckon we all will guv him up tor yo?" "I reckon ye'll havetor," said Headlights, composedly "they's a right smart er folkses kin sw'ar hit's my chile. You all ain't 'dopted of 'im, nur nuthin'!"

Look a yere, you Mis' Headlights, ur whiitsomever's* yo' name," said Mrs. Brand, "ain't yo got no natchell motherlike feelin's 'bout tho po' little trick's own intrnsts? Look at him bein' raised so good, gwino ev'ry Sunday tor school or tor preachiu', an' gittin' washed hisself ov'ry mawnin', an' good cloze, aud his knees patched beaucherful, an' look a' thoin copper toes skaking poor Jeffy's foot at. her—"an'you cavn't so much 17. guv him proper.victuals I see ye, myself, foedin' up that innercent chile on goubor peas an' hogs' melts! My word, wonder he got ony Insides leff—lie hadn't orlor have."

Headlights listened qnito unmoved to this homily, and equally unmoved slio lieard tho threats of the bo.it people and the remonstrances of Mr. Francis who had come aboard. The owner of the plantation was no more to her than the deck-hahds, Thore is a depth of poverty as ariogant as riches, and Mcial distinctions count for nothing in that grave. "Ye kin caro all ye like.' said she tossing her black mane, "I'm gwine cyar oil my boy. Yere, baby, come ter mammy, maminy got candy.'*

But Jeffv gripped Jeff's neck all the harder, whimpering Jeffy Taid! 'Way, lad v! 'way, lady!" and, with a very black frown, Headlights bockonod the officer to help hor.

Ho advanced, looking desperatoly ill at ease. "I'm right sorry, maam"'said, he. "but she's got the law on her side, and I half to do my jtity."

Jeff and the male of tho boat exchanged glances they had the simple Southern plan of dumping tho officers overboard and steaming oil down the river they were willing, however, that Mrs. Brand should try her device lirst. "Wal, Tom Bracelin." said she, as it were clearing the decks for action by throwing away her snuff-stick, "I never did'low ter see .voti draggin' off a po' harmless little chile inter perdiction—lur ye know 'taint no better 'mon'st them wtton-pickers—you with yo' own six little tricks t' home, too! How'd ye enj'y hevin* them two least ones tolled off by a gang er cotton-pickers? Cap Bulah sots much store by thet ar baby^. ia vou kin by your'n an' mo, too, kasr it\s all's sho gou N"ur wnd I of b'lieved it er yow. Layfayette Samls"—wheeling round upon one of the deputies, who tried, ineffectually, to blow his nose to hido his confusion—"them erenin's yon an Bulah Xormah wud come home from school tergether, an' be projiekin' roun* my kitchen fur Light bread an* smear. Xaw, sir, I dldn*t guess them days ye wud do Bulah meaner'n a murderer! 1*

fur

V»M,

air"—the second deputy

jumped—"I ain't got no acquaintance with ye, but yo* a pretty man, hn' I jedge ye ter be a clever man"—the see­

the lajr! Ony how, gentlemen," eond&ded the widow, in the most unexpected

ever ne*rd er pay in' board for a baby? "Board war guv that baby,** retorted the undaunted Georgian: "good board, too. An* feed! ft chile ain't like slop-

fittlestmnmicks

in'a

pig, neether. Ye cavn'tdevil them with leaving they baa ter have good viemate that coat meney. That chile b'en boarded tram last er Fteberary ter taat er October— make* eight month*. CaU it two dollars a month that p'int blank cheap twlc't eight's sixteen. Then the close Cap*t Bulah don** spent moat er nine dollars

fur

Jj.lt iJSi ^W-iit"

river l»nk seemed to convene, replied Ur. FHadt, with a •*'the Bend."

fur'that ar hile, ain't she, Mr.

I

.v.

:*Sfc

TBRRH HAUTE SATURDAY* EVENING MAIL

twinkle in his eye—he saw the widow's drift—"she must have eleven dollars charged on the petty ledger, now." "I'm blamed my skin," the cotton picker struck in, "if I ever spent dol Far haff on the chile. Quit yo' funnin', I won't pay board!" '•Reckon some folkses wud count in the boat-fares gwine back'ards and fpjP'ards on the river," continuedthe widow, "but we uns ain't graspin'. Twicet eight's sixteen, an' eleven is tweitfyseven. That ar cyphered right, ainjt it?" "1

Headlights burst into a fierce sort off laughter, crying, "I ain't got twentyseven cents!' 'Oh, we uns air content ter tako a morgige on the chile.' replied the widdvfc calmlv,'for six months an' we ll ke~* the chile twell then, an' of ye don't then we'll keep the chile forever Mr. Francis is a squire he'll draw up the papers. Do you all 'gree ter that?

Bul&h released her hold on Jeffy to look around her pallid features und entreating eyes said more than her voice: 'Oh, gentlemen, be merciful, look how he loves me he ain't nufchin* to ACT don't part us! He's always b'en puny he'll die off in the swamps, like shell take him.' »«,£-

The men whispered together. They were indeed glad of a loophole of escape and the unshot of the matter wa^tbe production by Mr. Francis (after ati interval in the cabin) of a document culy drawn up and reading as follows:''!, Sabrina Mathews, alias. Headlights, do promise to pay to Mrs. Bulah Jailer, ol Lawrence County, Arkansas, the sum of twenty-seven dollars on or before the fifteenth day of April, 18—, and if 1 do not pav the aforesaid sum of twentytseven dollars bv or before tho fifteenth day of April, 1*8—, I hereby promise to give and Dequeath and resign to the said Mrs. Bulah Eller my child, known as Jefferson Griffin Eller, to keep for her child and I do hereby promise to renounce auy aud all my claims to the aforesaid Jefferson Griffin Eller.'

It was only when Headlights was d%aj vinced that the sheriff and his men would do no more for her that she consented^ to to make her mark to this paper. She insisted upon her right to pay before the six mouths, and Mr. Francis did not venture to refuse. 'Ob, let 'er have it her way,'said the widow then, in a^n undertone to Bulah, 'git shet of 'er noiV, an' we kin gether the chile an' light out, don' ye see?'

So Headlights had her way and signed and every man, on the boat, who could write his name, witnessed, with a dim idea that he was helping Captain Bulah.

Having made her mark. Headlights strode up to Jeff who w^s still holding the boy. Bulah would have Stepped be tween them. 'I ain't aimin' ter hurt him.' said the cotton picker. 'Ye won't stop me kissin' of him onct, will ye?'

The two women glared at each other, probably with as venomous feelings as those two historic dames who nuzzled King Solomon. But Jeff had said truly that Bulah was a fair-minded woman. •Ye got the right to,' said she.

Headlights bent over the baby with tmrprising geiitleuess. She was so tall that it was easy for her to reach his hair and his little averted cheek as he clung to Jeff's neck. She whispered someting, of which Jeff only caught the words 'sorry' and 'hurt ye,' and immediately ran off the boat so swiftly and recklessly that she nearly fell into the water. •Wei, that critter.' said the sheriff, 'she come to me yesterday. She's got out with the feller she ran off with. Lum Shinault was telling me he hoard he gave 'er the hickory, an' she drawed a knife on him. Now, shre'sMfik -with the re#* erthe Missouri folks, terrible anxious to git her baby she'd arter b'en anxious a spell back, I take it.'

After that day tho 'Samuel Eller' made her regular trips around the Bend: but no one saw the little white curls dancing over the deck. A good many people believed that Jeffy was on board if so, he never came out of hiding. Headlights did not go away. She stayed on, picking cotton, until the ragged white streamers were all stripped on thebrown stalks. Two or threo times Jeff caught a glimpso of her prowling about nis own fields. Ho never attempted, to speak to her, and she gave him nothing more than a scowl. He was watching hor secrotly. He was sure that she must be saving money for she was sober on Christmas Day, when the rest of the cotton-pickers were a howling mob and, for that matter, there were very few steady legs left on the plantation. One day, visiting Bulah and S'leeny on the boat(good-by, now, to the happy times when Joff could watch Bulah with Jeffy on her knees, on the other side of his own lire-place), he observed that Bulah seemed troubled. Finally, she brought out a little package, and told hiin that while the boat was unloading at Newport, Jeffy had been allowed to walk in the street with S'leeny ("for the chile's gittin' right puny trooped up so, au' I had to see to the loadin' and a woman had spoken to him and given him the package. "S.leony don't know her by sight, but she suspicioned 'twas her, an' she called her to stop an' take the things back, but she run too quick. See, Jeft!"

Sho displayed a flimsy red-silk handkerchief and a child's harp. "Yes, hit war Head lights," said Jeff,

f'rank'Brand

ravelv "she bought 'em at the store. tole me. I 'lowed, then, she got 'em for Jefiy—Law me, Bulah, what yedoin'?"

Ho caught Bulah's hand just in time to prevont harp and handkerchief going into the Black River. ••Lemme 'lone, Jeff," Cried she, with Hashing eyes, "Jeffy's b-en talkin' of the critter over sence." "Oh, hush, honey," said Jeff, soothingly, "tis r*ilin\ but don' throw the critter's-pore little truck overboard. She got sorter feelin's, I ex peck, too." *1 hate her," said Bulah "I'd liketer kill her!"

But she dropped the bundle on the deck instead of in the water. AU this made Jeff feverishly anxious, for he was positive that if Headlights did not go away, Bulah would soil the boat and hide herself somewhefre with the child besides, he had a dread of some collision between the two women. "An' ef Bnlah mixes with Headligts •he'll shore git killed up!M Untight Jeff. Therefore it was a mighty relief to him. on© day, to see the whtie, troop of cot-

ton-pickers.

Headlights Jn their midst,

ploughing through the mud oh tho road to the railway station, six miles away. Ho rode the whole muddy way after them, to see them safely on the triin bound for Missouri. Then he rode home aignging. Possibly he was jubilant too soon, since Headlights got oat at the nex* village.

Jeff went straight to the landing. He heard the refrain of the "rofflto^onts'" aimless song. "Four o'clock done come nt las'!" and he CAuld see the cotton bales bounding along the plank down among them he ranTiight as a boy. "She's gone!" cried Bulah "I see It in yo* lace! Oh, Jeff, take us borne, Jeffy* plum' sick. Sim mons can take lifeboat to Black Roek."

Of course she went and, late as it was then, Jeff rode ten miles for the doctor. Tho t»ext morning be rode again to the railway station, to telegraph to a larger town for some medicines. He must wait lur the trmin to bring them, so that

it was after noon before he could start homeward. The road is the worst in the country-side, and just then, to use the phrase of the bottom "ttfud mire a snipe." He was crawling along, twothirds of the way borne. When his mule shied, with a great splash, and nearly reared off the roadway. "Dad gum ye!" cried Jeff, irritably, "whut—by grabs, hit's a human critter?"

The cause of the beast's fright lay athwart some logs, her skirts trailing in the mud. No sooner had Jeff lifted her head than he uttered a low cry, "My Lord, it's Headlights!"

There was no responsp .the head lay on his arm like a stone evidently sne Jiad sat down to rest and swooned. Jeff heartily wished she had been dead instead but be could not leave her thus. He glanced disconsolately about him—at mule improving the unexpected leiSure to munch cane-leaves, at the brilliant, desolate sweep of swamp—silvertcees, green moss, gray pools of water, aad the rotten corduroy raised a little out of the ooze. "Wal, the Lord's mtisiful," groaned Jeff, "they a right,smart er water 'reoun' onyhow."

He got Headlighta's head in a more comfortable position and splashed water on her face until a gasp arrested his hand and she looked dizzily up at him, murmuriug, "Then I done got thar. How are baby?" "Git whar? Yo' in the swamp, gyurl. Wake up!"

Headlights did sit up, and moaned. "I cudn't make out," she mutterred. "Leuime 'lone, Jeff Griffin how come ye done sloopped me all over? I'll shore bfrohilliii' termorrer." "Ye'll shore be chillin' ef ye don' git up outen this yere slosh." "How are my baby?—least, ye mought tell me that much." "Wal, he are plum bad, then," answered Jeff, gloomily—angrily, too, since he Haw nothing for him to but to put Headlights on his mule and walk himself it would be tjlikeL murder to leave her is the swamp, and" the mule could *ry two through such mud. Yet a twinge of pity as he saw the rolling down Headlights's cheeks bis words. "Ye mus'" git on'my ale,"said he, more kindly "ye cayn't an' ye mac' git outen tho swamp.' "She struggled to her feet and let him help her into the saddle, saying "I'll ride a spell, then I kin walk." Had she attempted to ride in the usual feminine posture, she would certainly have fallen off the mule, being nearly unconscious luckily, neither Jeff nor she thought of siujh a thing. By and by she begun to 6Mver violently. "Thar 'tis, wust sorter chill, an' we uns' heouse the nighest by two miles!" At the idea he groaned aloud, for the relentless hospitality of the bottom left him no alternative.

Mist' Griffin," spoke Headlights, feebly, "I'll git down, ef yo' tired. I kin make out. On'y wunt ye tell me more 'beont my baby, fust." "Wal, Headlights, he come down yistlddy, an' his fever ain't cooled, an doctor he skeered er pneumony but he say he area heap apter ter git up by hit fur havin'sich gooa tendance like his— like Bulah's an' S'leeny's—don ye go far ter cry, Headlights? ye shake all over, an'I cayn't hojfe ye!"

Headlights somehow ohoked her sobs. Jeff went on: "Now, Headlights, I'm goin' cyar ye home with me, kase ye ain't lit ter walk. Now, be ye goin' ter devil us, onyhow try fur ter toll Jeffy way an" 'Now, now, I ain't no short I fight fair. I wudn't do ye sicher way." "Wal," mattered Jeff to himself, "I ex^Sk S'leeny'11 be r'arin' on me, an' but Bulah's fair-nriwded. Onyhow, cayn't be holpes, an' they'll git over it some way."

With this reflection, which has eked out many a man's courage' -»n the brink of a tussel with his womankind, Jeff* waded along. A good deal of the time he had to hold Headlights on the mule or she would have slipped off through sheer weakness, and all the while she appeared to be in a kind «#stupor. Once he asked her how she happened to hear of Jeffy's illness, how she came to be at the station. She said: "I came ter git Jeffy I knowed ye'd havo him back by e, quick's ye 'lowed I done lit a shack, heerd the men ter the deppo a-talkin' 'beout ye. I walked frum Hoxie's on the track started afore sun up." He thought that her mind must be wandering.

It was a dismal journey, tedious to the last decree but at last the mule turned in »t his own gate, and S'leeny, hearing the louuds' chorus of welcome ran out tom -et him. She lifted up her hands in horror •when she recognized his companion. "My, mv, my, Jeff Griffin! are ye clean bereft?" "You bush!" whispered Jeff. "I didn't ax 'er. I run up with 'er in the woods. She war layin' on a log dead's a hammer. I cudn't leaye 'er that-away cud I?" "(Juv me the med'eines, an' you cyar er straight to Mis' Brand's." "I cayn't. Look at 'er, she chillin' this minnit."

Headlights had staggorod into the gallery now she woultf have fallen, had not both brother and sister caaght her. "Ye sec!" said Jeff.

What'll Bulah say ?"groaned S'leeney law me, ain't she got 'naff trubbels an' triberlations outen you a-pilin' more onter her!"

But this was the only the futile last stroke of a vanguished fighter the natural impulse of the woman to find the man to blame S'leeney had her own conscience, and Jeff knew thatshe would make no more objections. In fact, she helped him to get Headlights to the fire and got the quinine.aud whiskey before she went to Bulah. Headlights had revived a little and was sitting in the armchair when Bulah softly opened the door and came in. Jeff ventured one furtive glance aud began to poke the fire. 'Don' take on. Bulah,' begged be, with that artless freedom from tact which is the right of his sex 'onyhow, she are Jeffy 's mother— ,. •I wanter know 'beout my baby,'interrupted Headlights.

Bulah's chin, went up a little: 'I ox-, gock you mean my Jeffy he's mighty

"Kin I look on him—jest onct—jes' fur a minnit??' "He'd most like be scared up to see a Stranger," said Bulah, coldly. "law me," cried the help lass man between the two women, "bulah, how kin ye be so cruel?"

It was the first word of reproach that he had ever spoken to her, ^nd it must hare gone straight to her heart, tor she put both hands there quickly, with a sort of gasp, like a person stabbed a little flicker of color came into her cheeks and went out, leaving her extremely pale. Jeff was already in an agony of remorse, crying, "Naw, naw, ye aln t. It'a me thats cruel." "Yes, I am yea, I was," said Bulah. "Come, Headlights, ye cay twalk lean on me. Ye mas' Jes* look at him an come out!" "I kin walk," answered Headlights, shortly. Walk she did, though unsteadily, across the gallery into the other room, it was the pretty room, roaes on the wall paper and the skr-bme celling. sneenycouMhaveialntedwhen abe bdbeld that tall shape, «ll yet and muddy, and the wild face and burning eyes. Headlights, not venturing to ad­

vance, for fear of awakening the little sleeper, stood on the threshold, where she could see the bed, and gazed with an agony of longing at tho flaxen curls and flushed cheek on the pillow. After a moment she bent down very carefully, and began to remove her miserable shoes. I S'leeny almost screamed to see Bnlah kneel and take off those dreadful, mud-soaked shoes herself. "Though, toby shore," reflected S'leeny "thoy'd of p'intedly tracked the floor. Mabbe thats how come she done it." So little do the ones nearest us know of the strange and complex emotions which war in our motives. But Jeff understood. His wet eyes met Bulah's and afterward she remembered his look though then her own feeling were swept away by the spectacle of the overpowering feeling before her. Headlights crept up to the bed. She bent over the sleeper and the desperate misery in her face touched even S'leeny. Her breath came in pants, with the fierce pain which she would not show. At that moment, Bulah, living over again her own desolation, felt a horrible kinship with this mother, suffering a» she had suffered yet all the while her heart seemed to stand still with fear and impatience, lest Jeffy should wake and bo frightened. After all. Headlights only kissed a stray lock of hair. Then she stole out of the room, and, before they could stop her, ran out of the house, just as she was.

Jeff and Bulah found her in the cowshed, crouched on a pile of hay. Jeff tried to say something comforting, but he stopped as soon as she turned her face.

Headlights spoke: "Yes, I known he 11 git well. 'Tain't that. I seen im. 'Tain't no good me hopin' jUr ter take him 'way. I cud never have thin's fixed up so good fur 'im when he's sick. He's puny. He'd die up, shore." She drew in her breath and said, with a mighty effort, "Ye kin hev him fur good. I wunt pester ye no more." "Oh, my Lord!" said Bulah. The tears blinded her, and they were tears for Headlights she was disarmed by her adversary's surrender. "Come ye poor thing," said she, gently, "come in an'

Sim."

et rested, an' then ye can help me tend

In her turn, she had made the greatest concession in her power. Headlights rose submissively to follow her, but before she took a step she touched Bulah's arm, saying, 'they's one thing more— you uus'll be gittin' merried.' 'Me!' Bulah said, huskily aud choked.

lYe

gotyo' mind mighty sot on 'er, ain't ye?' said Headlights to Jeff. Surely it was his good angel that prompted his answer: 'It b'en sot on 'er all the days I knowed her, Headlights. They ain't nobuddy on earth like 'er, ter my mind.' 'An' ye jes' done got 'er,' said Headlights. 'Wal, I don' keer, all I want's fur ye ter prommus ter be alius good ter my boy, whatsumever 'We will,' said Bulah solemnly. 'Now come on in.'

Bulah l9d her into tho house. She was burning with fever. Bulah put her to bed, where, almost instantly, she fell asleep. But it was the widow from Georgia and S'leeny who entered pres ently, bearing each a stick, and, as it were, fished the outcast's clothes from the chair, with countenances on which were vividly painted the sensations natural to the two such notable housowives, and bore them out into the yard and hung them on the line to air. 'An' ef do come on ter rain,' remarked the widow, complacently 'it'll holp ter clean 'em all the mo'!'

Bulah had gone back to Jeffy. Jeff whispered to her that ho was surj that thiHXjyVAvas better—his breathing Was easier, ho was sleeping quietly. An look,' said Jeff, 'them little curls erhis'n is plum wet the fever's cooled he won gitpneumony ayfter all!' Bulah looked. She sank down on her knees, #nd Joff knew what she was doing his own heart swelled with gratitude^ not tho loss fervent because confused and dumb.

But Headlights was fated to keep her word. Her chill developed into pneumonia, and as Mrs. Brand (who came over to nurse her) observed, truly, 'Cotton pickers never had no ruggedness. an' she cudn't pear ter git up by it.' Sho added: "Headlights warn't a bit ill jes' iz easy, patient critter like ye ever seen didn't know nuthin' most er the

tl

Once, just before the end, she seemed conscious. Jeffy

had been brought in to

see her—polite little Jeffy, who had been well drilled in his lesson beforehand. •Po' lady, so sick,' said Jeffy 'Jeffy sorry. Make it aw well and, giving her tne only remedy his babyish mind knew he took her face between his little soft hands and kissed it.

The sleeper stirred in hor sleep. 'Yes, ves. baby,' she murmured, drowsily, mammy knows. 'Tis cole in the cotton. Mammy cvar 'im home. Have a fire. Then she opened her eyes wide and saw them all. The spark in her dim eyes

seemed

to glow again, but no longer in

anger or pain she looked at Bulah, steadily, with the strange, peaceful, solemn gaze of the dying. 'Yes I will.' said Bulah, as though she had been asked a question indeed, it seemed to Bulah that she had.

Headlights fumbled at her throat, with an old shoe-string that was around it when Bulah drew out a feather bag, she smiled. 'Fur—him,' sho murmured, and her hand groped for her child. Al­

71'

most before it touched him, she was away from him and all earthly troubles, in the merciful shadows and so gently did those waters of oblivion submerge her soul that no ripplo was left to mark where it finally sank forever. 'An' I 'claro,' avowed Mrs. Brand to S'leeny, 'I are plum surprised by myseff, I b'en'cryin' fur that ar critter like she war my own kin. But she war so sorterbidable an' decent, ayfter all! I sw'ar some folkses don git no fair show in this world! 'Bulah been cryin', too,' said S'leeny. 'Wal, I don' see 119call furgrievin'. All: I wisht are that she'd of leff some money fur the buryin.' Bulah she will have Mr. Dake make oner his fust-rate coffins, though I say his socond-bes' is plenty good nuff. Jeff done gono fur 1 now.' 'She guv a little bag tei Bulah whar's it at, Bulah?' 'It's Jeffy's,' said Bulah, showing it, "but I don't guess there's anv harm iu look in 'My word, MOM?/'cried the widow, with with her fingers inside. The contents of the bag wero a roll of bank-bills and a folded paper. The roll contained twenty seven dollars. Tho paper was a copy of the mortgage on Jefly. The widow from Georgia dropped into a chair, alternately shook her head and waved her hands, and finished by wiping her eyes without saying a word. 'My, my, my!'cried S'leeny, 'ain't it a main mussy the critter died she cud of taken Jeffy 'way!'

But Bulah, wno had grown very pale, said, 'S'leeny, ye don't know. That woman trusted in me. I'm a-goin' to tell Jeffv all 'beout 'er when I give him this. Headlights, can yo hear me? Ye paid yi&juorgige an' he b'longs to you

1001

Doilt Exrliuopeilt.

''cYou cannot aftbrd to waste time in ox-

Sanger.

erimenting when your lungs aro in Consumption always soems at first, only a cold. Do not "permit any dealer to impose upon you with some cheap imitation of l)r. King's New 1W covery for Consumption, Coughs and Colds^ but be sure you got tho genuine. Because he can make, more profit he may toll you I10 has something just as good, or just tho same. Don't be deceived, but insist upon getting Dr. King's New Discovery, which is guaranteed to give relief in all Throat, Lung and Chest affections. Trial bottles'free at Ouliok fc Co.'s wholesale at Cook, Boll it Loury Drug Store._ (6)

Savod Hit* Lifn.'

Mr. D. I. Wllcoaon, of Horse Cavo, Ky., says he was, for many years, badly afllictcd with Phthisic, also Diabetes the palng weje almost unondurablo and would sometimes almost throw him into convulsions. He tried Electric Bitters and got relief faom first bottle and after taking six bottles,\ was entirely cured and had gained in flesh eighteen pounds. Says ho positively believes ho would have died, hnd it not been for tlie relief afforded by Electric Bitters. Wold at fifty cents a bottle by Gullck A Co.'s wholesale at Cook, Bell A Lowry.

tlons, and that is Ely's Cream Balm. This safe and pleasant remedy has mastered catarrh as nothing «l«« has doi e, and both physicians and patients freely concede this fact. The more distressing symptoms quicklv yield to lt.-

English Spavin Liniment removes all Hard, Soft, or Calloused Lumps and Blemishes from horses,

Bucket Pumpr'ah^Wailr|Paritier

FOR WELLS AND ClHTJERNS.'

A Model Invention endorsed by Scientists and the Medical Profession as a Preventive against TYPHOID, SCARLET AND MALA1UA FEVER

I

vr:

1 ai

Blood

*l

r,

(8),

Bueklen's Arnica Salve.

The Best Salve In the world for Cuts, Bruise^ Sores. Ulcers, Salt Rheum, Fever Soros, Tetter, Chapped Hands, Chilblains, Corns, and all skin eruptions, and positively cures Plies, or no pay required. It Is guaranteed to glye perfect satisfaction, or money refunded. 25a. per box. For sale by Gullck Co. wholesale at Cook A Bell. (tf.) ,1

The best medical writers claim that the successful remedy for nasal catarrh must be nonirritatlng, oasy of appIication, and ono that yllljitt^y its own ao., tlon, reach all the Wennwe'sores and ulcerated surfaces. The history of the efforts to treat catarrh dm inir the tirst few years obliges us to admit that only ono remedy has coinpletiv met 'tu-so

1 1

Spavin,

Curbs, Splints, Sweeney, Stifles, Sprains, Sore and Swollen Throat, Coughs, oto. Save$AO by use of ono bottle. Warranted. Sold by W. C. Buntin, Druggist, Torre Haute, Ind. tf.

A E S E

kj WAUTBD JL To canvass for the sale of Nursery fltock. •Heartv employment guaranteed. RnJnry and Expenses Paid. Appy at once, stilting age.

Cliase Brothers' Compaoy,11001^8™1^.

(liefer to this paper)

FOR

HERNIA-RUPTURE

OCT THE BEST I

MUELPI»Tll9SSCl.'S

IMPROVED PATENT

CHAMPION TRU88

8p»eitl U»d&l nfltdt. CntMBhl. (Mi X«4il OrlMU. Prices within the reach of all. Hold bv leading druggist* and dealer*, throughout the world. Manufactory,610 I^ocnst nt. Phil.

-fr­

it la simple in construction, stronganddurablc,a»ftha* tir tubing, sucker*, or valve*. jJt diM not freex*, the buckets having a hole in the botto is ha he el

It l« easy to setup as there Is nothing to fasten below the '''frwiu'itot rant, as the chain and backets are made of the be*t galvanized Iron and steel.

Wehave the best pump for domestic use In the world. Try one tor»days and If not convinced, return It at our nense. With this pump an many esllons of air aw circulated through the water "from the bottom to the top" as gallons of water are drawn. The pure oxygen of the airth u« liberated *entil*i««, vital! *e*and purifies the water. After a few days uae all foul taste »nd smell will he removed, in* the old riatnees, and insipidity Is replaced by a sparkle like that of a mountain mprfag. it is theoniy device know* that will destroy wiggles, water bogs, I ice and worms, for soch vermin cannot exist In living water.

Every Pump Warranted for 5 years.

Call at oar place of business. No. 15 south Second street, west of New Court House, and see glass model, showing the action of the air on the w»ter.

MCFERRIN BROS.

No. 15 South Second Street, Terre Haute, Ind,