Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 97 — page 6: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

6 ne ee ee ee eee OEE The Outlaw Brothers. ‘‘T have brought her to you,” Caleb conclu- | toward the house, and came back again, until his ded, ‘‘ because you are my friends—the best I have in this part of the country, and I know Mrs. Claiborne’s goodness of heart. I believe owll take my little girl, here, into your fami- nh and do all you can to keep her from those ends, until my business is finished in Kentucky. We are now two hundred miles from the place where she forsook the Harpes; then, too, you live so near the village, that they will hardly come about your place, and if Bella”—witha smile at the girl—‘‘changes name and dress, and is very cautious about going out, wear- ing a vail when she does go, and you will re- present her as a young friend or relative staying with you, I believe she will be tolerably safe here. I expect to be four or five months in the State; when I am ready to return to the East, I think I will take her with me, for I can- not feel as if she would ever. be perfectly sate in this vicinity. I can turn her over to my mother, or some other good lady, who wiil see that she is put in the way of taking care of her- self. She can learn shirt-making, or bonnet- trimming, or any other feminine art she pleases.” So said the young man, but it is doubtful if those four days with a beautiful girl, who look- ed up to him as her savior and protector, had not already put thoughts in his head of a differ- ent destiny for Bella than that of millinery. Perhaps he did not know himself; for, graceful and handsome as she was, with a spirit of haughty independence mingling with feminine timidity, she was, of course, deficient in all es accomplishments which would fit her to ‘ome tbe wife or adopted sister of a man like himself. Still—she was so picturesque, so in- perc Be Co her very singularity! He was con- vinced, too, that she was of good blood. Not only did every clearly-cut feature proclaim it, the delicacy of her feet and hands, and the fine- ness of her hair, but there was that in her bear- ing which no degradation could humiliate—a spirit which had doubtless evoked, on her un- happy head, many hard words, if not blows, from the virago who desecrated to her the name of mother. ‘*Pears to me, it wouldn’t be exactly proper for you to be her only escort, on such a long journey,” said the matron, with a smile. a Well, I never thought of that—I was only thinking of the weed child’s safety,” and the oung man looked perplexed at this dilemma— ‘indeed, ma’am, since the night-and-day jour- ney we have just taken together, it seems ae if she belonged to me, as much as my own sister. But we'll not trouble our beads about that, now. It may be that you, Mrs. Claiborne, will con- | sent to take that trip to your old home at the East, which you was telling me you was so anxious about. In that case, I might have the rivilege of escorting you both. Now, my trou- le is, to keep her from falling again into those terrible hands.” ‘* She shall be guarded every hour, like gold,” said the squire, heartily. “Thank you—I knew you would say so. Our first. step must be to get rid of that horse which she rode. was seen by them, it would, of course, lead them directly to their prey.” ‘* But how to get rid of it! Shall we kill it, and bury it?” ‘‘What would you say to Brutus’s taking him, post-haste, across the Olioriver, and selling him to some Ohio traveler? It’s a pity to kill so fine an animal.” “ He might do that. He’s brave, and wouldn’t be afeard if we told him all about what’s up.” ‘*T think he had better be told the whole af- fair, squire. Brutus is a sharp fellow; we could not set any better guard over Miss Bella than him. If you should charge him to keep an eye on prowlers, and to make her ee J his special business, I don’t believe even the Harpes could get too close to her. None of the other servants need know anything about her history—the fewer who are trusted with it the better. But Brutus must be appointed her body-guard.” ¢ Jes’ so,” said the squire. ‘* Ye’re right.” “And now let's give the poor dear a chance to rest herself,” said the matron, rising; and soon the houschold was at rest. The next morning Caleb King called Brutus into the front yard, away from all listeners, and gave him a brief sketch of Miss Bella, and of the post of protector assigned to him. The negro was absorbed in the story from the first; but as the young man proceeded down to the point of gi or two little things which she remembered, a | advantage, and returned with the It belongs to the Harpes, and if it | | agitation became so funny and so apparent, that ing stopped and asked him what was the matter ‘*Oh, sah! ’scuso me, sah, My head is done turned upside down. I didn’t rest berry well last night; and I’s sorto’ giddy-like. Poor little babby! I ’spects her folks was murdered, sure nuff. Trus’ ole Brutus for to take care o’ her. Vil sleep wid one eye open, Massa King; won’t cotch dis weasel asleep, no sah! You can trus’ dat young lacy to me with perfeck compunity.” ‘You won’t regret any trouble that you may take on her account,” continued Caleb, drawing forth a half-eagle from his pocket; but Brutus made a gesture of disdain, and would not touch the Siaedge bribe. ‘* Don’ want no pay for waitin’ on her, massa, But wouldn’t yer jis’ let me go and take a good look at her? So’s | know her when I come to see her, yer see!” he explained, and without wait- ing for an answer, he dashed frantically up to the house and disappeared within. The young man followed, surprised and amused at the half- They sha’n’t hurt a ha’r of her head. crazy manner of the negro, and reached the keeping-room a little behind Brutus, where Bel- Ja (as by her request they now began to call her) was holding some yarn for Mrs. Claiborne to wind. The servant dashed into the room with a want of ceremony quite different from his usual studied politeness, stopped short, gazed on the girl a moment, with open mouth, and sud- denly fell on his knees, with outstretched hands. Then he jumped up and began rubbing his nees, as if the kneeling position had been in- jurious to him. Hismistress regarded him with astonishment, while her young companion, struck with the ludicrous movements of the old fellow, burst out laughing. ** Dar, dar; I sed so!” cried Brutus, stopping and gazing straight at her again. ‘“‘Ised so, and now I’s proved it!” ‘What did you say, and what have you proved;” asked King. ‘The question seemed to partially recall him to the figure he was mak- ing. eretreated toward the door, put on his usual deferential manner in Mrs. Claiborne’s presence, pulled his wool, and with a sort of quick slyness, answered: ‘* Didn’ no’ what I was a-sayin’, massa. I’s had de headache bad dis mornin; ’scuse me, missus, but I was so upsot hearin’ sich an incredulous story dat I mos’ forget te behabe myself—dat’s afac’, Laugh away, Missa Bella, at ole nigger —he lub to heer young folks laugh—soun’s like ole times—w’en [ use to lib in ole Virginny. On dis one t?ing vou may reckon, for a dead sure, and dat is—dar sha’n’t nobody burt you w’ile Brutus is around!” And with this comforting assurance he backed out of the room which he had so unceremoniously entered. ‘What an odd person,” cried the young girl. ‘He'll be a good friend of yours, I feel cer- tain,” replied Mrs. Claiborne. ‘‘ We've had him now nearly eight years, and we realize, every day, how wer rede his services are tous. He ean do any thing he is asked to—And his judg- The squire trusts the whole farm to him when he is away. He’s a great hunter, too—almost equal to Old Hickory. His great holiday is when he has permission to put on his hunting-suit—a queer rig which he has— and go off into the woods to get a supply of ven- ison and wild-fowls, for family use. What’sthe matter with him this morning I can’t guess. Maybe he was out to meeting last night, and got soexcited that he hasn’t settled down yet. I as- sure you, Bella, if he takes you under his wing, ou’ll be well cared for.” ‘** Oh, I like him!” said she, laughing again at the memory of bis ridiculous actions: ‘* Pve taken a great fancy to him. I feel as if he and I were old friends, a’ready. I b’lieve I’ve seen him somewhere before to-day, but 1 don’t call to mind where.” ‘*That’s only a notion of yours,” said the ma- tron. ‘*‘He hasn’t been over twenty mile from here since we brought him from old Virginny; and, of course, you’ve never been in this part of the country before.” ‘‘[?’m sure I’ve seen him,” persisted Bella—and then her dark eyes, meeting those of Caleb, soft- ened and drooped, and she dropped the chain of memory which linked her to the sable servant, the broken links of which she had been trying to put together. That day Brutus started off with the horse which had belonged to the Harpes, conveyed ment is excellent. giving Peggy’s real first name, and one | him safely across the Ohio, sold him to good roceeds, A — After his return, Caleb went to another part of the State, where business called him. In those days, a journey to the seabord was a long and arduous undertaking; and no plan could be formed for sending Mrs. Claiborne and Bella forward, until King was able to act as their es- cort. All that could be dene was to use the ut- most vigilance to prevent the Harpes from get- ting possession of the fugitive; and in this, Ca- leb trusted much to Brutus, who expressed the utmost interest, and a determination to guard the young missus as he would the apple of his eye. So she was left in the kind home of the Clai- bornes, while the young man went about his af- fairs. The summer sped swiftly on; Caleb paid several brief visits to the squire’s, and those good people whispered and smiled to each other upon the turn matters were taking with the young couple, © During those many weeks Bella and Brutus had become warm friends. There was some- thing peculiar in the interest he took in her, and in return for his faithful zeal in her behalf, she felt for him the affection of a childish, impul- sive nature for one who is very kind. She felt almost safe under his eye; though he, and oth- ers, knew that a dread like a hateful nightmare hung over her young life; her cheek would blanch, and she would start and tremble at an unexpected sound. Bella had many long talks with her colored servitor—she liked to hear his gossip about the ood times past in “ole Virginny;”? and often Se asked her questions about her own child- hood, before her parents were murdered, put- ting them in such a way as greatly to assist her memory—so that, before the summer was over, she was quite certain that she should know her old home, it ever she saw it, and even began to tell him incidents of her infancy. If any one more experienced than this wild girl bad over- heard their conversation, they would have known that Brutus had some special object in leading her mind back to those days; and it would not be difficult for them to conjecture that he knew more about ber and her past his- tory than she did herself. but he was caieful not to kc tray this before otlhcis. He tried hard to make her remember her iamily nane, but she could not recall it, though she mused upon it many a time, until her bead and heart ached. Finally, one day she came to him, her cliceks red and her face lighted up with exultation. ‘Brutus, | know, now, what my name used to be.” ‘How do you know, missa?’ He looked at her eagerly. ‘‘ It came to me, last night, in my sleep.” “What do you t’ink it is, honey i ‘‘T don’t think—I know! It’s Moultrie. My father’s name was Jefferson Moultrie; and ’m going to tell Mr. King so, next time I see him.” “T wouldn’t tell him jist yit,” said Brutus, earnestly, ‘Don’t tell him till I tell yer to, hiissa Bella, con't! Vs got good reasons for it. Put T’s mighty glad ye recollected it—oh, Lordy, yis! foultrie’s quite a respeciable nome, honey—and well hev’ it looked to. But, mind ole Brutus, now—yer wait a little while.” She was rather reluctant to promise, but did so, finally. | And now, it will not be hard for the reader to puess who were the characters introduced in the first chapter, although Caleb therein was masquerading a little, as he was fond of doing, when he got in a company of inquisitive strangers—nor will it be difficult to conjecture that the ever-feared, carefully-guarded-against calamity had at last token place. CHAITER V. HOLED. Cates Kina, (alias Smith,) Brutus, and the hunter, running down the road in the rain and darkness, paused simultaneously. It was the swift clatter of borses’ hoofs, receding in the distance, which thus brought them to a stand- still. ‘“Oh, Lord, we shall nebber cotch ’em now,” aned tle negro. ‘* No, they have mounted and ridden off with her;” and Caleb gave a groan of despair. ‘‘ Oh, Brutus, did you not promise me to watch her?’ ‘““T hab watch her, Massa King—you know dat—night and day. She nebber sot foot out- side dat door, ’cept when I was clust arter her heels. Don’t go for to blame me!” ‘Well, well! don’t stop, even to tell me how it happened. Run to the stable of the tavern, and bring me my horse—run, boy, do you _ strange excitement seized upon the sable attend- | which were devoted to fitting up sucha ward- | hear?” oe ‘ ant. The whites of his eyes began to roll, he | robe for the fugitive girl as was suitable to her | The negro was off before the command was stood on one foot, then the other, started to run | present position. finished. Geom (S] 900) (E(0)