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$2.59 a year. Entered at the Post Once at New York, N. Y.. at Second Class Mall Rates. Copyrighted In 1881 by 13mm m Anna. Novedlber 15, 1881.
V 1  Sin le PUBLISHED WEEKLY BY BEADLE AND ADAMS, Price,
0 . . Nun 01'.

No. 98 WILLIAM STREET, NEW YORK. 5 Cents. NO- 

§AM CHARCOAL,'THE PREMIUM DARKY; or, How the Boy Gm Even.

BY CHARLES MORRIS,

AUTHOR or “ non noon”, THE BANK RUNNER," “non nocxnrr, mm BOY DODGER," “WILL wannn,” “DARK PAUL,” 310., me.

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TURN HIM THIS WAY, TILL I POLISH OFF THE LEFT SIDE OF HIS NOSE. HERE, AIN'T THAT A BEAUTIFTKR!”

   

  

 

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~ "Sam Charcoal,
THE EREMIUM 'DARKY;

on, -
How the Boy Got Even.

. BY CHARLES MORRIS,
AUTHOR or “non nocrmrr,” “man HAL-
YARD,” “me wrnnrrrm," “TOM
rum,” are, arc.

, CHAPTER I.
'erA'r CHARCOAL DID WITH THE PAPER.
I “ Sror, you sooty-visaged im of Satan!
8 ‘ , I so. , you essence of doubl 'stilled mid-
ngt, be ore I split an inkstand on your cast-
iron skull!” '

t“. Bress e Mgrse Hunter, isn’t I stoppin’? I
ain’t beenyd’oin nothin’ but stoppin’. And I
ain’t wine to do nothin? but stop in’.”

' “ one of your tricks, now! ell me what
on did with that paper, and quick as greased
htuing too, if you don’t want to takes. prom-
inent in a funeral.”
Of t e two arties to this dialogue one was a
, swarthy-fac gentleman, of some fort years
of age. He seemed a Southernerb his dress
and accent and his face, while han some, had
in it  that was not altogether inviting.
What it was could not have been easily to] ,
yet a good judge of physiognomy would have
distrusted hlm.

 

The other was a comical-looking negro boy,
of pure African descent, for he had the flat
nose, thick lips, and large eyes, with an extra
‘ allowance of white, of the genmne stock; while
his hair was a mass of twisted wool, through
'which only a steam carder could have pulled a
comb. He was dressed in a sort of livery which
added to the oddit of his appearance, a cream-
colored coat with acings of rod which made his
complexion seem ten times blacker than na-
ture had intended. And when he grinned, as
he was much in the habit of doing, and showed
his white teeth and rolling eyes in contrast with
hiadusky skin, he looked the picture of good-
nature and comicality—like the Premium

Dghhg' that he was.
. young ro e was standing demurer up-

, with as so emn a countenanceas if butter
would not melt in his mouth, before his angry
riihster, whose embrowned cheek showed the
red hue of choler, as be fixed his eyes fiercely
outhe innocent-lookin boy.

The latter scratch his head in a. helpless
fashioriit. and put on an expression of the utmost

y.

Fore de Laud Morse Hunter, I lef’ ’urn jiss
whar you said. his nig can’t read nor write
but he knows figgers. Den’s no mistake ’bout
it; I lef’ ’um jiss whar you said.”

“ You lie, on villain! You lie, blast our
ugly complex on! Brown swears by all t at’s
good and bad that you have not been near his
oflce. Out with it now! What did you do with
it? Or do you want me to choke the truth out
of cu?” r . '
boy’s go gle eyes rolled in apparent ter-’
ror as he gaze stupidly at his master, looking
as if all the sense had been scared out of him.

“I lef’ um at de number on said,” he ra-

ted. “Dunno if Lawyer rown’s name was

or no, ’ooz I can’t read writin’. Butde house
had a brown front.” .

'“A brown frontl” roared Mr. Hunter half

from his chair in sudden spleen. “ Hang

melt is is isn’t a new we of reading a man’s

directions, by the color 0 his front doorl Why,‘

you black catamount, Brown’s house is “all brick

‘ and white, and you’ve made another of
your rascally blunders.” ' - ‘
, “I lef’ ’um at de number,” reiterated the
young dark. .

“ At number 606?”
v “ J iss so. Dat’s de place. J iss whar you said.
I knows dar was no mistake, ’coz I ’served dem'
flggers partik’ler. One ob ’em was upside down,
jiss as it do painter stood on his head when he
drawed it,” and the boy broke into a laugh as if
he saw somethngg v93 comical in the idea.
“On its head "on Mr. Hunter, with quick
3 icion. “ What the blazes do on mean?
T that pencil, blast you! Make t slumber.
Let me see what itlwas like.” "
The boy took the lead—pencil offered him, and
with much pains, and a plentiful use of his
. tongue, he managed to trace an awkward repre-
sentation of the number 609.
* “Dar it am, jiss as 1 tole you. Only de fust
one was a'standin’ou his hand, an’ do last one
' on his tail.”

 

Mr. Hunter looked at thoboy for some see-
onds with a sort of stupefled astonishment, as if
such stupidity was be and his comprehension.
He then rose slowly in his chair and -took
him by the ear, bending him forward till his
nose touched the p331» on which he had written.

“ What do you that?" he roared.

“Datam six hun and six, only de lass

six is got a sort of tumble; for all do world ’8 if -

it’d been pla in’ circus.” - - .

“ lt is six undred and nine, you hound! Do
you hear, it is six hundred and nine! You have
taken the paper to the wrong number," you
charcoal imp! And if you’ve made any mis~
chief, shoot me if I don’t hang you up by the
two cars! Away with you now, and get the
paper where you left it, and take=it t0‘606, on
the other side of the street, mind you.”

“Bof of ’em a-standin’ on der heads?” asked
Sam as if the idea was just making its way
into his thick skull. .

“Yes. Like this,” and Mr. Hunter made the
correct number on the pa er.

Coal looked intently at It. He then burst out
into a low aw.

“An’ w at do dey call ’um, when he gits
round on his tail?” be queried.

“Nine. Remember that, now. Nine. This
way it is six. 03 with on now, like a greased
cat through a knot-ho e. Get thgogawr and
take it to Mr. Brown’s office, at ' alnut,
across the street. Do you understand?”

“ Got all dat down fine,” assured the young

soot.

“ Then slide.” .

His master made for him, as if with the in-
tention of aidin his exit With the point of his
boot. But Coal ad evidently been put through
that drill before and’ didn’t care for a new les-
son. He stooped to avoid the threatening boot,
shot in a crouching attitude to the door, and in
an instant was outside, and beyond the reach of
his an y master. He closed the door quickly
behin him, and darted hastil down-stairs.

But, once arrived in the hal at the foot of the
st ' and safely out of sight and hearing of his
irasci lo master, a change came over the aspect
of Sambo or Sam Charcoal, as he was nsuall
called. lie broke into a low lan h which shoo
his whole frame as if it was in e of 'elly. He

ut his thumb to his nose and twirled isfin rs

a most disrespectful fashion. He wink to
some imaginary spectator. He seemed com-
pletely running over with e oyment.

“ on, do marcy l” he cried, tween his bursts
of lgghter. “ 0h, de Laud! Was dar ever
an y in sich a stew Ef ole Morse Hunter
on y knowed, wouldn’t e skin dis little nig?
Him a-shqwrn’ me how to make nine ’s if I
didn’t knowl S’pose he t’inks Coal ain’t got no
eddicatienl 0h, de bressed saints, I can’t git
ober it I” . .

The young monkey stood on his head and
kicked n his heels against the wall, as if to re-
lieve his eelin in that way.

“ S’poseI di ’t know dat a nine was on’y a
six upside down?” he ejaculated. “ Didn’t have
no notion I war wine to git a ’rithmetic lesson
from Marse Hun r. Ef he on’y knowed!”

A door opened on the floor above. In an in-
stant Sam regained his perpendicular and made
for the door. It mi ht not prove healthy to be
can ht going throng his present exercises.

. eanwhilo, in the oflice of Smith and Her-
ring, alegal firm which did business at 609 Wal-
nut street, the two artners were engaged in an
affair of considerab e moment, judging by their
interest in it. , '

Smith was writing ra'pidly, but carefully.
He. seemed to be copying a legal decument
which was spread out
sat with_his chair against the office door, as if to

_ ar windfall,” exclaimed
the latter, with in nits satisfaction—“a com-

ete bonanza. Luck helps them ‘that help

hemselves, they say.” .,

“I fancy we were helped,” re lied Smith,
lookingbu from his work. “ e have to
thank a loader of the little darky, who has
made some ridiculous mistake.”

“ At BEN“ we are helpin
in bed .Herrin .ashep tedslgnificantl
to mith’s opera ens. “I tell on who ,
Smith‘, I was ill-despair of our iont’s case.
But if this is worked well it may put a Very
dileront face on the matter.”

-“ Oh, dry up! Don’t bother no.1” growled
Smith. “You made wthenput an ‘ ’fer a
‘he.’ If I an to do this job correctly you wil
have to set a lock on your jaws.”

“ I? Why I haven’t said a word for a month.
You never saw such a quiet fellow. My talk
wouldn’t disturb a dead mouse.”

. prevent intrusion.
' -» “Why, it’s a re

burselvw new,”

fore him, while Herring,

 

 “Get out, now, beforeI throw a 

Blackstone at your head,” laughed
“Histi There comes some y.” .

The door was tried at that moment. It failed
to open, and a loudvknock was given it.

“ enminutes,”whiqiered Smith. “Get me
Wish; minuteare part1 ed til d "

e n rose an o n e oor.

“ Excuge us,” he began? 26We are very busy
now with a s ial client.‘ In ten minutes—
Hello, Coal, is t you?" - l

“ It’s jiss dis ’dentical nig,” came a melodious
Eliza f,r‘-:ou11f outside, an: Coal’s blaclf: :gcedflat-

n ise againstteonino eoor.
“1’s arter datlpeper whichpI letg yore by mis-
take. An’ ef don’t get it in quicker nor no
time Marse Hunter’s wine to hang me up and
skin me. An’ I’m eard dat wouldn’t agree
wid mfidelicate constertution.” .

Mr. errin slipped out and closed the door
behind him. 0 faced Coal with a very stern
aspect of countenance.

‘Do you know, you young rascal, you’ve
been trying to get us in trouble, and that if we
served you right we could send you to the
State’s prison?

A look of terror came upon 'the Premium
Dark ’8 face.

“ ’at’s I been doin’?” he asked tremblingly.
"1 “31.9%”??? “33" °“ .2: ‘ifi
raping, .a s e rry e era ,

“You have interfered with our professional
honor.” sternly replied the lawyer. “You
have laid temptation in our we of a ldnd
which, according to the Revised tatutes—but
waéghl I’ll renal houlthgklavtv.” h“ to t

grasps e a o a c 1r su por
himself, while his rolling eyes followed. the
movements of Herring, who had taken
down a sturdy law volume, and was deliber-
ately opening it, in search of some passage.
The boy followed his every movement, as if in
mortal fear of the contents of the book.

The grave-faced lawyer had just begun to
read some involved law language which had no
more mearlin to Sam than so much Choctaw,
but which a acted him the more the less he un-
derstood it, when the door of the inner oflice
opened, and Mr. Smith appeared.

“ What does the boy want?” he asked.

“He is after a paper, which he says he left
here esterda ," answered Mr. Herring.

“ 133 so,” 3 ered Charcoal. “An’ I ain’t
done n’umn’. Hunter sent me arter dat

r. . -

ReHere it is,” returned Mr. Smith, handing
him a folded document. “Now scoot! And
be more careful to hit the right lace in future.”

Theyoung darken 1y sea ed the paper,
and shot like a blac comet out of the ofice.
He wanted to get out ofreach of that dangerous
law book, ere any more of its incomfiprehensibly
terrible contents could be fired off a him.

A few minutes afterward he broke hastily
into Mr. Brown’s emce, on the other side of the

street.

“ Yer’s de dock merit!” he ejaculated, slam-
ming it down on t e table, much to the discom-
flture of the quiet law er, who had not looked
for the advent of a b ack thunderbolt into his
ofice. “ Dat’s do per as Marse Hunter’s been
raisin’ de berr le Nick about, and a-cussin’
dis little nig all roun’ de north pole. Dat’s de
identercal dockyment.”

_ With another slam on the tablethat made

uiet Mr. Brown give another slight start,
gharcoal turned and made for the door, disap-
pearin as suddenly as he had come.

At e same moment a conversation of some
in: rtanco was taking Elaee screw the street,
in! he omce of Smith' errin§

“ By the seven saints!” cried mith suddeng,
“Iha've given the boy the wrong paper! 0
has got the copy and have kept the ‘originall”

“ he deuce you say i” answered Herring.
“Jupiter Smith," that will be awkward if they
discover it.” x,

“ But Brown knows nothing of the hand-
writing or signatures,” replied Smith, more
easily. “ And, between you and me, the cop
wasn’t bad. If it muster it will be al
for the best, We wi have the original to show.”

“And the co y?”

“Don’t troub o about that. If it don’t end in
the fire I knew’ nothing about John Hunter.
They have a neat case against us, if they only
kfnetwjt; but I’ll wager high they make a blaze
e 1 . , .

CHAPTER II.
am CHARCOAL IN manna.

“ Loon ere, white teller, ye do dat ag’in, I’ll

bu’st yer ’iler, sushi”

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The Premium Darky was surrounded by a
p of boys, who were making him the butt of
tricks. His eyes rolled comically around,
seeking some avenue of escape from his tor-

mentors.

“ Hear till the dirty nayger!” cried the rin -
leader of these, a boy with avery much tux-neg-
up nose and freckled face. “Give t till him,
boys. He oughter be in the menagerie.”

“ I’s as goo as any ob de white trash if I is
brack,” answered Sam, indignantly. “ dies you
go ’way now.”

His tor-mentor answered by matching a pitcher
of milk held by a little fellow who had stop (1
on his way from the milkman’s to see the 
This, with a quick movement, was poured on
Charcoal’s curly wool, and ran down in White
streaks over his face, givinghim a. most absurd
ap rance.

_ he outraged b0 stood moveless, the white
fluid trickling out rom his thick wool and run-
ning down in little rivulets. which were in very
strong contrast with his sable skin.

The vagabouds shouted with laughter, dancing
and capering around him, heedless of the cries
of the urchin who had lost his milk and who
was shedding tears of anger into the empty

pitcher. -

“ Look at the nig! Look at the nigl” shouted
the ragged circle. " He’s t his face in livery.
My eyes, ain’t he a jolly w its black-bird? Got
any mar? milk there? Let’s give him another

he tine.
again made ad (3de (gong to est
3 was surroun 8 larger
than himself, and was be] less inytheirymidst.
Let‘s straighten out is hair 1” cried one
of the tormeutors. “And pull out his nose!
We’ll make a white chap of him. Tell on what,
boys. s’pose we whitewash the nig. hat’ll be
the jolhest fun out.”
He had buried his fingers in Charcoal’s hair
and was pulling hard to straighten the tangled
wool, not much to the little dark ’s enmnt.
"Luf go in hair!” yelled a1.
“ Luf ’um go, fore I bu’st ye!” .
His laughing Bersecutor answered bly taking
another turn of is fingers in the tang ed woo
This was more than flesh and blood could stand.
Sam grappled fiercely with the young ruman,
and in a moment they had tumbled into the dirt,
where they rolled over and over, pummeling
each other savagel . The other'boys formed a
 laughin an screeching, and- taking sides
wit the com tents.
“Give it to him, Patsy! Pelt it into the nig.
r! Roll hisnicered coat in the mud! Give
in a jolly good ruffle!”
, “ Go it. Sambo! Go it Charcoal!” roared the
other faction. " Gouge him! Fill his mouth
with dust! Ain‘t they a pair of Kilkenny cats!”
The ht ended in the discomfltme of Sam's
assailan The indignant darky had taken the
advice Even him, and had crammed a handful
of dust to the mouth of the- other, so choking
him that all the ht was taken out of him.
Coal broke loose raised himself to his feet,
his livery so covered with dirt, and his faceso
streaked withla mixgigirgzgglmilkrgndéitiast, that
he was hard y rec e. e er oy
crawled to his hands and knees, choking and
s hitterin .
p“ Look agt Patsy. Look at Patsy i”. cried some.
“He’s eatin’ dust just as if he liked it.” .
“Give it to the nig er! The likes of him
comin’ to lick white fo ! Rattle him, boysl
Rattle him!” yelled the freckled ringleader.
“ Served him right,” roaredothers. “ Let the

“it? gm”

. young dark, who had been standing in
their midst, showing the whites of his eyes as
he rolled them around. the circle, took advan-
tage of this friendly disposition of some of his
tormentors, and made a sudden rush to esca .

The freckle-faced  who wanted to “ ra tle
him n happenedto be in the line of his retreat
and, lowering his head, Charcoal dashed agains
him with the fury of a Wild bull. The young
vagabond was struck  amldfihipso and was
doubled u like a jack- 'nife by the vigor 01' the
assault. fie tumbled and rolled on the ground,
bowling with pain, while his assailant, b8
mags afbfleach in the lines, darttegyawa at £11
spe , o owed b the ellin s w owere
not content to loseytheiry amegso J Y-

It was an open lot,-in t e southern rt 01' the
city, where this scene had -taken p ace. The
fugitive ran t0ward the nearest street, in hopes
of protection. The mischief-loving vagabonds
who had been worrying him followed, yellin
to him to step. It was a sharp chase, but end
in the recapture of the fu itive, a dozen hands
closing on his collar an dragging him back
into the midst of his oes.

this indi

 

Charcoal, Ranting from his exertionzhlliis eyes
starting wit terror, his face smeared it was
of may ceoxlarafiween white and blackmuprfi-
sen an . o nary a pearance. oo -
ed so ridiculously absurd) that the boys sur-
rounding him shouted with fun.

“Tell on what, tellers,” cried one of the
crowd “ et’s chalk him white! I’ve got a lump
of chalk here. Hold him tight, and we’ll make
a full-blooded American of him.”

Charcoal struggled to escape, but could not
break loose from the strong bands which held
him. Fettered hand and foot, there was noth-
iii but his tongue at liberty, as the youn ar-
ti. began to fresco his face. Wiping 0 the
original coating, he chalked a. great variety of
lines and figures on the black background, until
Charcoal’s face became grotesque beyond de-
scri tion.

T e prisoner threatened and implored to be
let loose but he might as well have talked to so
many ottentots.

“ Turn him this way, till I polish off the left
side of his nose—There, ain’t that a beautifier?
Now s’pose we make some circles round his right
eye. My stars, if he only knowed what a beauty
he’ll be!’ .

At this moment Sam managed to
his feet free, and be dealt a vicious kick that
took the fellow before him in the shins. With
a scream of pain the latter loosed his hold.
Kicking again to right and left, the boy made a
momentary diversion in the ranks of his foes.
Partly breaking loose, as they hastily drew
back from the well-played batte of his heavy
boots, be bent himself half doub e, and butted
his hard head into the mid re one, of the youth—
ful artist, who had been so in nt on decora
his countenance. The latter doubled himse
up, with a bowl of pain, and Charcoal had al-
most escaped again d the moment’s con-
fusion among his foes. Bu several of the older

.hands firmly held on to him an vigorous
eflorts to esca proved a. failure.
“Let’s give ' a bath in the horse- nd, over

at Jones’s stables,” ested one o the crew.
“He wants the dust washed ofl his nice .coat.
Snatch him, he s! Fetch him along!”

._Sam fou ht ercely against this new indig-
nity. His ands were pinioned, but he used his
feet with disastrous freedom. His assailants,
however, knew something of the tenderness of a
negro’s shins and returned his kicks with such
good interest that the b3 yelled with pain and
rage. He had rovok an assault upon the
weakest part of is citadel. ‘

“Don’t ye do dat now! Oh laws a mercy!
Oh, de hressed saints! Lef me go! Iain’t done
numn’ to none of cu. 0h de ws I’ll wid
ye! What on p kickin’ me fur, w on I
ain’t done nukn’l’,’

And Sam danced as ifhe had been standing
barefoot on hot pin while he broke u these
exclamations wi h ye s and us of 

Hiscrieswerenot quite un eeded.‘ young
lady, who had a minute before made her ap-
pearance ina. neighboring street now hurried
toward the group of boys from whom the cries
proceeded. Her face was full of indignation as
she per ived that they had a helpless boy in
their st whom they were tormenting.

in a minute or two more she had come up
With the group. '

“How dare you?” she cried, “ ou miserable
little cowards!’ Her voice was fu l of indigna-
tion. “Release that boy immediate! ! If
there was a policeman at hand I wo
you all arrested.” . .

Some of the vagrants drew hastily back at
ant command. But two or three of
the pol er still held on to Sam Chprcoals
shoulder, as if reluctant to ve up their prey.
But the young lad was evidently acperspn of
ener She quick y steppedforwar laid her
ban on the negro boy‘s arm, and_drew him to-
ward her as she fixed her eyes With command-
ing indignation on his foes.

‘You cruel young ruflansl”she exelaimed.
“ If you stay here a minute longer I will see if
I cannot find some means to repay you for
your barharity.” _ ‘ ' _ .

There was such an impressive dignitan her
looks and words that the street va bonds in.-
voluntarily drew back, and gradual 1y 1‘ em,
as if reluctant to abandon their prey. I

Only after they had withdrawn to some dis-
tauce did the fair rescuer turn her eyes upon
the subject of her benevolent effort.

In was gazing into her face With a look of
dee gratitude, and with some other indefi-
nab e meanin in his eyes, which was not easily
to be fathom I

It was all thrown away _on her, however.
She looked at him for a minute, face has

1

have

get one of'

 

came stra contorted, mothering sounds
were heard in or throat, flung she burst into
a merry of laughter wh ‘she hadbeen
Wingless g to repress. ‘
“ ! if you knew whatan object you are!
For ve me, my boy, but I cannot be! i ” and
she aughed again, more merrily thangie ore.

Nor was her mirth reduced 131th grin of

response winch broke out on . arooal’s be-
grimed and frescoed face and which made his
stracnfie ornamentation look ten-fold more
ridi one than before. .

" They’s been a-chalkin’ me, mlmus "he ex-
plained, as he rubbed his hand over his face,
changing its lines and circles into one
of dull white, that was certainly no addi on to
his beauty. .

“ Fer mercy’s sakle somewhere and wash
{Eur face,” she laugh “ Come with me, my

y. They won’t disturb you while in my
pmfifnce'” f ' ghs stood t male

6 grou , o youn rou . a a
distance, “Ewing with reluctance the loss of
their prey, and echoing the involuntary mirth
of the youn lady with a screech of discordant
laughter. harcoal turned toward them. .

“ Jess see of dis nigger don’t git his turn!” he
ejaculated. “ It am nice fun to yank do
dark ’3 wool and kick his shins, but I m gwiue
togl my fun outen' it ’fore de ear’s ober. Jim
you bet on dat, you miserable oafersl” ‘ " 

He turned again 'and followed ‘his- ‘
rescuer, without rther notice of the boys. 1"

There was a remarkable grace and  I

the lithe swa n form 0 the lish person
who walked ghgly onward in _ g
grateful follower. And her face was novices

eautiful than her form. The delicate, we cut
features were those of the highest of blonds
beauty, and were full of change lights and
shades, la ng under all their so ‘
something of t

, Mess,
t ener which she t so '
strongly shown.  w m '

She was youn perha not over  '
ears ofage, andi’ad all gobloom belongingto
t firstprime of womanhood when the worm

life of the girl is t shading off into the fuller

' but more. sedate 'fe of the we

Sam Charcoal gazed admirineg on his eon-
ductor and on the sheeny folds o the ht silk
dress that set so neatly on her well-she form.
There was a look of peculiar knowiugness

his face that did not seem called forth by the '

situation. . .

On gaining the shelter of the street she turned
to her sable follower, a smile of amusement
again coming into her face as she caught’sight
0 his comical countenance

“Now you are safe, my b0 ,” she said,in
kind accents. “ Go wash your ace somewhere
as soon as possible, and come out in fast colors
again; for you do not know how absurd. you
look.’ ,

“You dunno how ’bli
swered Sam, with .
have a chance to t fur you sometime, ’cos
I’d give all my wool for you. An’ 1’s wins to
gift back on dem boys, too, as s as I is

de Premium Darkey. ’

“ on had best-keep away from them. The
are too many for you. What is your name,
30‘} My ,
‘ I’s got two names, but de calls me
more dan any Oder—Little

“Little Charcoal, eh? It is more chalk than
charcoal just now, I fancy,” was the laughing
response. “ Well, go t washed, and keep
dear of such vagabonds in the future.”

She walked away, leaving Sam‘ standing and
goléovzlilng he with his eyes. She had done her

11 y

ward would forget his nce. Not so with
the youn dorky. He had deeper reasons to re. -
member ier. , ‘

“I didn‘t give her in t’other name. Didn’t"
tell her I was Sambo " e 80  “ S’poso
she’d knowed me of .hadn’t been chalked p.
Bress me, but little missy has got to be in y!

And to think that she didn’t know Samba, that ‘

she played wid when she was a iceninnyl
Don’t catch Sambo fo ettin’ her. 0, uh, or
he ain’t a Premium Dar no mo’.”

He continued it gaze r her until she was
lost to sight, and then he turned away in search
of the nearest pump.

 

CHAPTER III.
A mun YOUNG CLmN'r.

WE must return to the ofice of Smith & Her-
ring, at a date somewhat earlier than that of
our former visit to the domicile of these legal
gentlemen. They were, on thisoccasionmloseted
with. the young lady whose acquaintance we

'I

..\

Iis missy” -
e53; “ijisswisiiiiii'

Charcoal .
arcoal, for short.

\

rescuing, and probably in an hour after- v -

s

I

\
I

v

\7

    

4

Sam Charcoal, the Premium Darky.

 

 

made in the last chapter, but who now wore a
very different expression of countenance.

' In fact, she seemed perplexed and indi ant,
and one would have said at a glance tha some
great trouble had come upon her.

“ We should be lad to take up your case if
you had one,” sai Smith, leaning back in his
chair, and with his thumbs carelessly inserted
in his vest pockets. “But you see, miss, that
even a Philadelphia lawyer must have 'some-
thing to work on. Now you seem to have no
evidence.”

“Will the eJ'oung lady please repeat her
story?” queri Herring. “ did not get the
pith of it.”

“There is little use,” she replied, with' of-
fended dignity. “If I have no case that is an
end of it.

“Oh, you mustn’t mind Smith I” returned
Herring briskly. “He does the shadow busi-
ness for the firm. 1 do the sunshine. There
has got to be somebody to look on the dark side
of acase aswell as somebody for the bright
side. Why, if you’d bring Smith the full moon
he’d swear there was something very doubtful

about its ht. Let me hear the story Miss
ldon. ”“ engage that we find a soun case
or .011.

T e young lady had risen and stood as if
about to take her departure. But a new look
came into her face at this assurance, and she res
seated herself.

“It is not a very long story,” she began.

“ father died about ten rs ago leavin
me gluon] heir. But his estiet: was i’nvolvetf
and his appointed a trustee to settle up his

outstandi business, and to act as guardian for
me while oing so."
“‘Your father lived in North Carolina, and

was e in the tu ntine business?”
“ Yes, ,” she repli . “And he also owned
a plantation.”

What‘s the name of this trustee?”

"‘ John Hunter.”

“Precisely. And a slippery fellow to deal
with, too, 1 fear. I happen to know that same
John Hunter. He treated you fairly, you say,
until now? Sup lied money for your educa-
tion and your 0 er needs?”

“ 6 never refused me until last week,” she
replied, her eyes filling with tears. “Then he
rudely told me that he had no money of mine,
that the settlement of the estate proved that my
father was penniless, and that be ad been mak-
ingme advances out of his own pocket.”

Aha l” exclaimed Smith, suddenly interested.
“And did he require you to pay back those
advances?”

“Oh no sir! He said he was willing to lose
them for the res ct he bore m father.”

- “Very su iciousi Devi ish suspicious!
Excuse me 133 Eldon, but this man is too
confound generous. It looks bad. He isn’t

the kind tha brings up young ladies free of ex-

“Then you think he is seekin to rob me of
my Woperty?” she nervously as ed.

‘ by, i looks confoundedly like it. But
the evidence, you know—the evidence is the
thing. It doesn’t matter a fig' what we believe.
Judges never 0 by faith. They are queer
about proof. hat is the evidence that this
man has robbed you? That’s the point.”

“I have none,” she hesitatingly answered.
“He has all the pagers. There might be some
evidence found at alisbury, in North Carolina,
but I have none here.”

Mr Herring shook his head.

“That involves money, Miss Eldon—a great
deal of money. And I should judge from what
you say that you are not too well supplied with
that n article.”

“ He has le me penniless,” she replied, with
a flush of color in her cheeks. “ But I 'thou t
—could you not pay yourBeIVes out of he
proceeds of a suit?”

“ If there are any proceeds."

“ Oh, there must be!" she cried, with energy.
“ I know my father was wealthy. John Hunter
has robbed me, tlemen. He thinks the weak
and helpless, an that he can cheat me With im-
punit . ’

“But, dear me, Miss Eldorl, all this proves

I nothing. One good piece of evidence would go
further in our courts than an ocean of senti-
mental appeals. We la ers can’t undertake
to do business on charity.’ .

“ Were you asked to do 80, air?” she indig-
nantly questioned, rising, with a hot color in
her face. “ I am not here as a beggar, I would
have you please remember that.” ~

She w to the door with a dignified step.
Smith and Herring exchanged significant
glances. There was something very like a wink

in Herring’s right eye. Mr. Smith hastened po-
litelsgorward to oggn the door.

“ e moment, iss Eldon,” he exclaimed.
“lgou mustnk ’tfinind Hemegfil H611 _. to

nspo en. esgotar ar aer ngue,
iii fact, and lets out the truth a good deal too
easily for a lawyer. You must give us a few
days to look into this matter. Of course, if we
see anything in it, we will fight for you to the
death.’

“ If you see any money in it for yourselves?”

“I am very much afraid that is the way
Herring looks at it,” answered Smith with a
deep sigh. “ Heisso very practical. I am a
sentimental sort of fellow in self, but I can’t
do anything with Herrin . e’s a regular dol-
lar and cent laWyer. ive us a week, Miss
Eldon. We want time to hear from Salisbur .
If there is any money in it for us there will
some for you.”

“ And can I do encything in the mean time?”

“Yes. We woul like you to call on your
guardian and get a. plain refusal from him to
supply Yyour needs. Get it in writing if you
can. on are not of age yet?” A

“ I am eighteen only.”

“Dear me! that is v young for such un-
pleasant business. Good ay, Miss Eidon. We
will be ready to decide in a week.”

Aftera few words more she left the office,
very much discoura b the result of her
visit. There was like y to a long and bitter
fight before her.

Clara Eldon had been brought up as the
only child of a wealthy parent. After her fa-
ther’s death she had been freely supplied with
funds by the trustee of his estate, and had
never known want. Therefore, to be now
curtly informed that the estate was exhausbd,
and that no advances could henceforth be given
her, was a bitter and unex ted blow. She
had fallen from affluence to ggary at a mo-
ment’s notice, and was as helpless in this condi-
tion as it was
was dazed, as it were, and overwhelmed by the
sudden and undreamed-of stroke of fortune.

On leaving the office she stood for a minute
on the door-step, lookin with troubled eyes
into the street. She fail to perceive a little
chap on the pavement close beside her, whose
eyes were fixed intently upon her face. In
fact, this silent admirer was of so sable a hue
that he seemed to make darkness all around
him. It was little Charcoal, John Hunter’s
raven-hued page.

As the b0 stood thus intently azin into
the saddene face of the young‘l y a asty
step was heard in the hall, and t e full face of
Mr. Herring made its appearance, as if in great

aste.

“Oh, Miss Eldon! Excuse me, hi? * thought
you had he. B the way, if yoz. ...ould call
on John unter, 0 not say anything about en-
gaging Smith & Herring as your lawyers. It’s
always best not to spring the trap till it is
baited, you know. Never put your enemy on

“ hank you, sir. I will say nothing.”

She walked quietly away.

“ That’s sett ed, anyhow,” said Mr. Herring,

‘ bbing his hands with satisfaction. “ It’s best

see which side has the most money in it, be-

‘lfore we tie ourselves. If Hunter would bleed
freely, now?”

He turned and walked back, with a look of
peculiar rascality upon his face.

Sign pushed out from his covert by the wall,
looking ve much interested.

“ It’s htt e Missy Elm, suah,” he exclaimed.
“ And they’s a-talkin’ t Mame Hunter ’8 if he
were tryin’ to cheat her. Laws a mercy, but
things is a-lookin’ ueerl”

He drew a fold document from his pocket
and looked at it intently. It was the Ipaper re-
terred to in our first cha ter, and Coa , for some
reason, had taken the idea that it had some
reference to the young lady he had ust seen.

“I’s take this to ole Brown, at ,” be con-

tinued “.An’ ef dar’s any blunder ’bout it
Marse unter’s wine to skin me. Dat’s what
he said, and I ely do b’lieve dat man’d as have

skin a nigger as he would an eel. He’s terrible

mfimkeh'tuséli to t th th h his
econ u gazea epaper, oug

eyes took several excursions around the neigh-

borhood.
“Missy Eldon’s ’gaged lawyers yere,” be con-

tinued. “ Ef dis u could on’y ’ford to make a
mistake now and uf de p‘afer at do wrong
lace! 0h, de goodness, wo dn’t dar befun in

e lantationl"
. ' eyes at this moment became fixed on the
sign of Smith & Herrin , with the number of

 

the building near it. his number was 609.

always too .

'ble for any one to be. She‘

 

Charcoal continued to look at these figues for
some minutes, while a broad rin slowly estab-
lished itself on his face, pu g out his huge
lIins till they looked like slices in a watermelon.

6 suddenly dashed into a breakdown on the
pavement, as if filled with glee.

“ 1’s t de idee!” he declared. “ I’s got de
ide'ei s gwine to do’t an’ stan’ all de confab-
beration. But lawsee, won’t dar be a rakin’ ole
time ef Marse Hunter smells de rat. Dis nig’d
best git his life insured fust.”

Without further hesitation he plunged into
the open door of the building in search oI Smith
& Herring’s office.

We have already seen some of the re-
sults of Charcoal’s resolution in the keen
lawyers’ keeping the original this document.
and serving r. Brown, John Hunter’s lawyer
with a colpy. There were destined to be stil
later resu ts.

We must now go forward a little to record
another movement in the legal game. This was
the visit of Clara Eldon to her guardian, to de-
mand money, as advised by her counsel.

John Hunter received her in his sitting-room,
with all the polite suavitly which he could assume
when requisite. The il {repressed indignation
of his fair visitor faile to ruffle the smooth
equanimity of his demeanor.

“Iam very sor ,my dear ward, I am ex-
tremely sorry that it has turned out so badly. I
have ne everythi . You do not conceive ow
I have worked over t is mattert'.h Yet i could see

ears ago, es ears ago, a your poor
Lther’s estat‘; wag hopelessly involved. I knew
I was advancing my own money, but I could
not tblegr to see you in want in your helpless
ou .

“ Oh! and I am very helpful now, am I not?
You have brought me up to such a useful life!
I am so well able to go out and work for
my living!” her tones were full of bitter sar-
casm. "“ I certainly should feel deeply grateful
to ou.

‘ I have but done my duty,” be re lied,
suaver ignoring her sarcasm. ‘ I do no ask
ygu for gratitude. Of course it is gratifying

find that you appreciate m eflorts. As for
the money have advanced, Miss Eldon, I
will never require a return of it. I gladly lose
that much for the sake of the daughter of my
old friend.”

There was a look of sanctimonious self-satis-
faction on his face that filled her with anger.

“I would sooner starve than keep your
money,” she bitterly replied. “If I believed it
was your money, which I do not, I would beg
the means to repay you. Do you intend to

vance me the interest of my estate in future,
sir, or am I to understand that you intend to
deliberately rob me?”

“If ggu had any estate, my dear Clara, 1.
would only too happy. As it is—”

“ Then you distinctly refuse i” '

“I must decline until the orphan’s court has

upon my statement of the account.”

“Ver well, sir. Then there is nothing fur-
ther be ween us. I must look elsewhere for
justice.”

She walked with a (ailieenly dignity from the
room, leaving him wit a look of inquietude
upon his face. His soft expression disap ared
on her departure, and was replaced bya ook of
cold shrewdness.

“Han the girl, if I thought she had so much
fight in er,” he ejaculated. “ It is only a flash
in the pan, though. I haven’t brought her u
in a way to give her mental backbone. An
as to fig ting me without money and without
evidence, she does not know much about the
constitution of lawyers if she fancies that any
of them will touch such a case.”
He rubbed his hand with supreme satisfac-
tion. He had sprun his wel devised trap.
Had he really caught ' game! Any one who
had seen the ression of Clara Eldon‘s face as
she left that ouse m' ht have had doubts.
Helpless as he had song t to make her there
was a hereditary energy in her nature that was
not to he killed out by a false education. ‘

CHAPTER IV.
HOW CHARCOAL GOT EVEN.

“GLAD to see you Brown. Take a seat and
make yourself comfortable. You are looking
ridichlously well for a lawyer.”

John Hunter pointed his visitor to a chair and
continued lazily stretched out in his own. The
legal gentleman was a little man with a very
grave face, and looked as if he carried all the

ignity of the profession on his narrow shoul-
ders. He seated himself deliberately.

“ You are not looking so well yourself, Mr.
Hunter.”

 

 

 

,.  M Mm”-  «4‘-

.J
I

Sam Charcoal, the Premium Darky. » f ' 5‘

 

 

“I should think not. Why, I’ve been throu h
are arcourse of- sprouts. Here I am in t e
ban of the doctor and that is next door to
signingaman’s death-warrant. Haven’t I just
sent my boy out for three different bottles of
medicine? and each nasty enou h, I’ll wager, to
make ado sick. Thank the ord, there’s one
way out o it. I can empty the bottles out the
window and at well in spite of the doctor.”

“ No, no, on’t do that!” exclaimed Brown,
with some energy. “Professional dignity must
we considered, air. You would not insult the
doctor’s jud ent in that we 1”

“Stick on for professional  even if the
patient kicks the bucket eh? e , you law-

ers and doctors are a blamed queer set, and
it’s about as dangerous to call in one as the
other.—See here, Brown, did Charcoal bring
you the paper?”

“Did he? Yes,” exclaimed  Brown.
“ That ho is another of your  whims: Why
the coal-b k little fiend burst like a Wild bull
into my oflice, slammed the document down on
the table in a way to make me jump out of my
boots, and roared out, ‘Dar’s yer ole paperl’
Good heavens, man, why do you keep such a
fiend about you?” .

Mr. Hunter lay back in his chair and burst
into a hearty laugh.

“ Isn’t he a lump of rascality ?” he ejaculated.
“He has Werfect genius for mischief and
blunders. by, I can’t half enjoy life without
that boy. Do you know he made the most ab-

’ surd blunder in such a simple thin as the taking

the document to our oiilceJBu I’ll tell you
that some other ime.
the statement? That’s the question now.”

“ I have not examined it yet,” answered the
laquer, quietly.

“ ot examined it? Come, Brown, that’s not
business.” - . '

“ But, my dear sir, you must not imagine that
your business occupies all my attention. I have
some few other fish to fry.” v

“Ohl hang other peogllfle‘s sturgeons; I want
you to attend to my w es first. That is an
important affair, my boy.”

‘ No doubt. Everybody’s business is the
most im t in the market—So you really
think the 'rl means fl ht?”

“It loo s remarkab y like it. She comes
from an old Revolutionary stock, you know.”

But leaving the lawyer and his client to finish
their conversation, we will follow the Premium
Dark who had been sent to the dru store to

st t e medicine whidk‘the doctor he ordered
or his master.

There were three bottles of medicine in all,
and Sam listened very gravely to the drug ‘ t’s
directions, as the latter proceeded tolabel t em.
The boy’s eyes opened wide, as if he felt he was
undertakin a weighty responsibility.

“Dis big ttle’s torub on his chest,” repeated
the messenger, doubtfully. “ What do bressed
good ’11 dat do? . ’Sides, arse Hunter ain’t got
no chest. I neber see’d none ’bout de house.
S’pose he’ll hub to rub ’um on his trunk.”

“ Very well ” laughed the druggist. “‘I
fancy the trunk will answer as well. But this
is what we mean by the chest, my boy,” and he
laid a finger on his breast. .

“ Dat'! Now you is foolin’. Dat’s on’ . a.
breastpin. Can’t see no good nohow, in rub in’
medicine on a breast in. How’s dat gwine to
cure de fever-an-ager?’

The druggist continued to laugh, as he put
the bottles in Sam’s basket.

“Ver well. He can take these two bottles
interns. y, according to directions,” he re-
marked.

“Take dem two bottles infernally, ’cordin
to directions?” repeated Coal more mystifle
than ever. “See yere, Mister Doctor, you’se

kin’ fun at me now, suah. He’s to rubde big
Bgttle on de breastpin, and take de two oders
infernally, ’cordin’ to directions. Dem’s mighty
cur’us directions, I’s a notion. S’pose de doctor
oughter know, but dis nig don’t ’prove ob de
treatment, nohow.”

Shaking his head doubtfully, Charcoal left
the store, not sure but that he had his master’s
death-warrant in the shape of those three
medians-bottles. He would have been very
well satlsfied to make him good and sick, but
did not want to quite kill him.

The druggist lau hed heartil , as he followed
with his eyes the ro ling form 0 the little darky,
who was shaking his woolly head ominously as
he moved lazily on. . I

But Sam was not destined to arrive safely
home. He had a genius for adventures, and
was continually getting into one trouble 'or an-
other. This often ha pened from his taking

the longest way roun , and stopping at every

What do you think of.

 

point where he found anything to interest his
va ant fancy. a .
this occasion he followed his usual wan-
dering fashion, and strolled around to a favorite
gay-ground of the boys, in hopes to find some
terestin game of marbles, or some other
hi h-tone amusement in operation.
heplace hap ned just then to be deserted
and Coal sea himself lazily on a rounded
stone as if worn out with his exertions. He
rolled his sable countenance from side to side,
perhaps in hope of some available mischief.

The opportunity came in the shape of his two
foes of a few days before, the rin leader of the
gang which had assailed him an the boy who

ad frescoed his face with chalk. Sam’s eyes
glittered, and a broad grin carne upon his face,
on makin this discovery.

,“Boun to it even wid dem chaps, you bet
on dat,” he d to himself, as he .cogitated on
the best means of revenge. -

His eyes fell on his basket, with the medicine

bottles and an idea came to him that set his‘

black lace shining like the full moon.

“Lawsa messy! won’t dat be 151311 l” he ex-
claimed. “1 know dem fish. Dey l ite suah.”

The two boys, Tedd and Patsy, to give them
the names they usual y went by had edjust dis-
covered their late victim. They look at each
other significantly. ‘

“ There’s that haythen nalylger ag’in,” said
Teddyhin a broad bro e. “ e batted both on

us to er day Patsy.

“Sure an’ 9 did,” replied Patsy, rubbing
himself suggestive] .

“We’ve got to ggt even wid the thafe.”

Patsy’s eyes were fixed attentively on their
intended victim. He did not quite understand
the young dark’s movements. The latter had
taken a large bottle from the basket b his side,
and was extracting the cork with is teeth.
This successful] acoom lished he put the bottle
to his lips, an seem to take a long drink
from it.

He then wiped his 1i with a loud “ah!” of
satisfaction and licke his hand, as if he could
not bear to lose a drop of the precious mixture.

He turned quickly on hearing footsteps near
him, and hastily replaced the cork in the bottle,
with a look of discovered guilt. '

“~We’ve cotched you, you dirty thafel” cried
Teddy, with glee. “ So you’ve been sent to the
store, and yer uttin’ the bottle in yer black
naygur’s mouth ” I

“Won’t his boss make him skip whin we post
him ’bout this?” suggested Patsy. '

“I ain’t done nufiin’. I were on’y a-smellin’
to see if it was sp’iied,” cried Charcoal, in well-
assumed alarm. -

“Can’t put that down our throats, nig,” ex-
claimed Patsy. “ We see’dsyou drink it.’

“Drink med’cine?” cried am with a forced
lau h. “S’pose 1’s fond of med’cine?”

“ on’t $31 down, nifi. We see’d you. Got
to gi’n us a 'nk, or we I blow on you.”

‘ Go way now! Ef Marse Hunter notices it,
he’ll sw’ar it’s all me. J iss don’t you tech it, or
I’ll bu’st ye. ”

Teddy, during this talk had slipped around
Sam, and new seized the large bottle from the
basket, and held it up in triumph.”

“I’ve ot it, Patsy! I’ve got it!” he cried in
glee. “” e’ll have a. drink too, as well as the
nay r.

“ uf dat alone!” exclaimed Charcoal, in well
counterfeited an er. “ I’ll tell Marse Hunter ef
you tech dat bot le.”

“ So’ll we tell him,” retorted Pats . “We’ll
tell him that we see’d his nigger drinkin’ out of
it. Take your swig, Teddy. l’ll kape the
darky off.” ‘ '

Sam had risen to his feet, but Patsy stood
threatenineg before him, with doubled fists,
while the other oung vagrant seated himself,
pulled the cork rom the bottle, and prepared to
enjoy'the stolen sweets, as they fancied they

had seen Charcoal enjoy it.

The angry look on the latter’s face concealed
a secret glee in his heart, as he saw Teddy lift
the bottle to his lips, with a contemptuous Wink
at his foe. . ‘

_ “ Don’t on take more nur half,” cried Pats ,
in some arm. “I want in sheer. I bet 1 ’3
good the way the nigger liched his fingers.”

Ted y made no answer, for the contents of
the bottle were just then gling into his
mouth. An instant more a there was a great
change in the state of afi'airs. _

He Jerked the bottle hastily from his lips,
with a yell of- ' and dread.

“ Oh Lord! I’m p’isenedl I’m ’isened! The
nayger has p’isened me! Oh the lessed mercy!
Punch his head, Patsy.‘ He’s p’isened me.”

He sprung wildly to his feet, and flung the

/

 

bottle from him, while he clapped both hands.

.on his stomach, and ran off with wild leaps,

screaming at every jum :

“I’m pisenedl I’m p senedl”

The Premium Darky his shiny face distorted
with laughter, sprung for the bottle, which hap-
pily had ended uprigllli’t.

‘ Dar’s one’s had '8 rations,” he grinned.
“ Now fur de Oder.”

Pats stood stupidly looking after his aging
comra (3 whose yells were now growin f ter
in the istance. He failed to pe vs the
mOVements of Coal, until the latter sl ly ht
him by the collar, and with a quick erk an a
skillful trip, extended him on the broad of his
back. In an instant more he was a fast pris-
oner, Charcoal kneeling on him in such a‘way
as to confine his anns and leg.

“ You an’ Teddy Hogan p yed it on do little
nig t’other day. It am de nig’s turn now.
Teddy’s had his drink ob ’lasses an’honey, and
1’s gwine to gib on your drink.”

“Oh, don’t] h, ou’ll p’isen me, like you
did Teddy! 0h! be p, help!”

But threats and prayers and cries for
were alike thrown away on the dark. W
his black face in a broad grin of delight he de—
liberately proceeded to carry out his mis-
chievous design. " r I
Inserting a stick between Patsy’s. «0%
durin one of his {e113 for help he preven
him closing is mouth, and ‘

00011 to pour the nauseous compound down his
cap ve’s hroat. '

‘ De doctor wouldn’t send it to Marse Hunter
ef it were p’isen,”remarked Sam. “ButIguess _
it aren’t berry nice. Am dat enuf, or does do
little feller want some more?” '

Patsy could not answer. He was chafing;

luttering and groaning to such anextentas
a arm his grinning foe. Charcoal hastened to
set him free, with the remark:

“ Guess he don’t like ’lasses an’ honey! Good-
by, little ho . Come ’round ag’in when you
want somefln nice.” -

Patsy sprung to his feet, contorting his face
and body as if he had swallowed liquid fire, ‘
and uttering fierce threats of revenge on his
grinnin foe. .

“ Oh rd! water! waterl”he shouted. “I’m
bufining up! I’m all aflre inside l”

e set out at full speed in the footsteps of
Teddy; his eyes starting, and the tongue hanging
from is mouth. -

“Wonder'ef dey won’t luf de nigger-done
arter dis?” queried Coal. “ Ef dey don’t
I’ll ’b ’em some more ’lasses an’ honey. ’, ~

e turned to his medicine-bottle, at which he
looked with some alarm.

“ Lawsee, dey’s took half ob it! Marse Hunter
’11 raise a lubly row ef he misses it. Brass my
gee I’s got to do somefin’ or de Premium

arky’s gone up!”

Ahappy thought suggested itself at that
moment. The largest of the other two bottles
was filled with a liquid" of the same color as
that in the o 11 bottle. He might average the
contents of t 6 two bottles and thus conceal the
considerable loss from the r er bottle. '

Without a moment’s fur't er consideration
Charcoal proceeded to put this design into
execution.- He pulled the cork from the smaller
bottle and emptied a rtion of its contents in-
to the other. Then h ding both bottles up he
took a survey of their res tive conditions. '

“Guess I got too muc dat time,” he said,
shutting one eye to observe better. “Better
pour some back to square up de bottles. Won’t
neber do for marse to find out.”

He continued to pour back and forward until a
he had got the contents of the bottles to his
fancy. But by this time he had made a neat
mixture of the liniment and the medicine, and-
there was a strong chance of fun in the Hunter
household when the invalid came to swallow
the Premium Darky’s mixture. . \

But unconscious of any impending mischief
Coal corked up the bottles and deposited
them in his basket With immense satisfaction.

“ Dar, dat’s to de p’int. Marse Hunter ’11 neber
find out dat dere’s been any, ’sturbance.”

He took up the basket, and walked home with

I a perfectly contented conscience.

..__—-—-

CHAPTER V.
A VERY PECULIAR acornm.

CLARA ELDON, considerably downcast by the
result of her interview with John Hunter, yet
now doubly resolved to fight for the estate of
which she was sure she was being robbed, had
called again at Smith & Herring’s omce to re-
port irogress. . 9 .

" e plainly intends to set me adrift,” sla'

 

x.“ V

  

= a safe opening to rob a helpless orp

/ aseriouslookon

 
 

'6

w .
keep mum about that document.”
' ‘ Excuse

. plea-entries for earnest.

 

'~x
0

Sam 0 coal, the Premium Darky. I I

 

mused. “ It may be as he says; the estate may
beexhansted; but, I do not believe it. Yet I
am left utterly penniless. ,I must find some
means to make myself a living. He knows
this. He knows that I will be unable to pay
legal fees, and thinks that I will not have the
courage to fight He imagineshthat he has
an.

“Why, it looks like it,” admitted Smith.
“ Take a seat, Miss Eldon. You must be tired.”

“Not at all air. Besides, you entlemen
gave me to understand that you coul not take
up mycase without a fee, or without strong
evidence in my favor. Now 1 have neither to
furnish you, so I must wait for time to aid me,
and must look elsewhere for counsel.”

She walked in her stately way toward the
door. She had not forgotten or forgiven their
cool rece tion of her former advances.

Smith ooked at Herring. There was a sig-
nificant expression upon his face, as he pointed
to the poor girl, seemingly Without a friend in
th9331d' lick li htni th tr' " h

‘esuas.none1er,e

q “Bringg her iack, Hen-gig. But

me, Miss Eldon,” exclaimed Her—

advancing with a great show of concern.

“ y, you must not take our little professional

We should be ery

much put out, indeed, if you were to emiloy

other counsel after applying to us. Of course

we will take up your case, and trust to luck for
out.

pa turned fiuickl tothes aker.

“9h,sirl ut t t is as ing.too much of

you.
“Not at all. Not at all. We lawyers have
got souls, Miss Eldon. We are not quite dried-

I up law briefs inside, as some folks would make

out. Give the matter into our hands, and I war-
rant we squeeze John Hunter.”
“ And trust for your fee to the successful ter-

,~mination of the suit?” she asked, with caution.

“ Certainly, certainly l” cried Smith. “But
we romise to bleed you then; to bleed you
fine y,” be laughineg continued. “You will
find us cormorants of the worst t . You
know we are taking a. big risk, an will very
likal got nothin .”

“ n’t mind im, Miss Eldon,” continued
Herring. “ His bark is worse than his bite.”

“ I shall be willing to pay well if.you are suc-
cessful,” she returned

“ 0h, of course! But we’ll not bleed on too
badly. Dc take a seat. I have twen nes-
tiigils to astlxt y’pu before we can go into this  g
m n I
' Desugiete their odd manners Smith and Herring
were shrewd law ers and at once began to lay
the foundations or the case they had taken, by
aseries of questions bearing upon the former
life of their air clieiit, and of her recollections
of her father's alfairs. -

shehad been too young at his death to
have any useful remembrance, and was able to
give them no information of special importance.
g While this conversation was taking place, a
conference bearing on the same question, was
being held at the .omce of Mr. Brown, on the
gppoeite side of the street. John Hunter, his
ient, was Seated in a. chair facing the lawyer,
his face.

“You find the docmnents of importance,
than!” be asked.

,“ I should say so," answered Mr. Brown, with
unusual energy for him. “ If it comes into
court it will require some very awkward ex-
planations. Very awkward indeed, I fear.”

“And suppose thOSe explanations are not
forthcomingl’

“Then John Hunter, may find himself in a
tight place.”

.- ‘ Suppose it does not come into court?”

"A look of dee cunning came into Mr.
Brown’s taco. EVidently his sense of honor did
not 0 deep; .

‘f mig t prove dangerous to withhold it,”
he cantioned. “Our opponents might know of

its em'steuce.” _

Mr. Hunter took a Cigar from his pocket, and
quiegy bit 03 the end.

“ on don’t object to smoking, Brown?”

“ No. Not at all.”

“Have you that document handy?” he asked,
as be lit a match. .

“ Yes, itlis here.” He extracted a folded pa-
per from the heap before him and passed it over
“i” it?" Rm... - ed -

he a er unfold it and lanced
carelessly at t e signature. ’ g
.“Y_es, that’s it,” a said, proceeding to light

s cigar.

A ,Thisdone he, in a careless fashion, held the

 

corner of the per to the flame of the match.
In a moment t had kindled and was blazing.

“ So {on think it would be. a dangerous ar-
ticle to eep in the house, eh, Brown?” .

“ What are you doing?” exclaimed Mr.
Brown, starting from his chair. “You must
not destroy that paper in my officol It is a
penal oflense to destroy that paper!”

“Eh!” exclaimed Ida-Hunter, with a show of
surprise. “ Why, bless me! the thing has
caught fire. That’s very awkward indeed.
Have you any water handy, Brown? Wehmust
pultiit out.” h ld h ht

e sprung up, 0 ing t e paper uprig ,
with the burning end downward, so that the
flames shot up towardhis hand.

“ It will be burnt before we can find any wa-
ter,” he cried, running across the floor in such a
way as to create a wind, which helped the con-
sumption of the aper. _

By this time t e flames hadreached his hand,
and he flung down the paper in the grate that
occu ied one wall of the room.

“ t’s too confounded unlucky!” he ejacu-
lated. “But it was an accident Brown. You
must hear me out it was an accident.”

“ Cannot you save, the remain r?” asked
Brown, with a funny look in his 'ttle eyes.
“ Something might be made of it, you know.”

“You don’t want me to burn my fingers I
ho ? Of course we must make every proper
e orttosave it; but no one is required to set
himself on fire.”

He seized the tongs and made several wild ef-
fortsto take up the burning fragment of the
paper. ,But he only succeeded in placing it in
a better ition for the flames to consume it

.more rap d!

“I am agaid it is doomed,” he said, laying
down the tongs. with a. sigh. “It was the
most incomprehensible acci out. How didl
ever set it on fire, Brown? And then it was so
unaccountable that you had not a drop of wa-
ter handy.”
8tégfou ml gt flhav”e m li3t down and

out a re s rown.
“ e enough. Strange I did not think of
that. Why didn’t you ‘

“The w ole thing was too sudden,” replied
Brown, with his cunning loo

. “Very true. It has gone anyhow, and l
sadly fear the Eldon estate ma sufler. But I
id all I! could to save it. on know that,
rown. Have a cigar, eh? You’d best join
me in a. smoke.”

“ Why, I won’t mind,” answered Brown.

And be two precious villains la. back he-
hind their cigars, as it quite oblivious of the
fact that the had just committed a rascally
and unlawf act.

They might not have felt so comfortable,
however, nor the smoke have curled so neatly
upward, if they had been aware of the fact
that they had destroyed only a copy of the
document, and that the original la closely
locked in Smith &Herring’s safe. ohn Hun-
ter’s haste hmvented h s perceivin that be
held only a. docu-
ment. ,

After a smoke and a conference of some
length, in which the sub select the burned docu-
ment was not even uded to, Mr. Brown’s
client prepared to return home, his business

conc uded.

“ on see,’ I’ve been feelin confounded]
blue of late,’ he remarked. “ sort of chils
and fever. This is one of my off days, but it
shakes me like sin sometimes.’

“Have an been takin medicine?”

“No. hate the rasca 1 stuff. I’ve got two
or three messes, made up y Dr. Bolus, nasty
enough I suppose to set a dog’s teeth on edge.
I have been looking at them these two days,
trying to screw up my coura e to attack them.’

“Come, come, that won’t o ” exclaimed the
little lawyer shakin his h in violent dis-
approval. “’You wil never get well if you
no lect your medicine. Come, promise me you
wi 1 take it.” ‘ '

“ Ugh! I su so I will have to,” groaned Mr.
Hunter. “I uncork the stuff When I get
home, and if I can muster up courage, down it
goes.—Good—day, friend Brown. Pray for me.”

With a loud laugh Hunter left the office. A
half—hour afterward found him at home. Ghar-
coal answered his peal at the bell.

“ Ha! Black 'ack, you’re here, eh? It’s very
kind of you to e in at this time of day,” was
the minestic greeting, to the boy.

Nor was it misa plied, for Charcoal had a
way of his own 0 disappearing often when
most wanted. , I .

“Where did you put that medicine
brought in from the druggist’si” ,

lly made copy of e

you
i

i .

 

"1-
z.

“ De med‘cinel” answered Charcoal, his ey,es

openi . “Why, I put ’um on de floor, in do
us
basket. ’

“ The deuce you did! And what floor, you
jackanapesl" .

“ Under de table, in de omce.”

“ Go get it, then, and bring it into the sitting
room. want tosam Is it.

He walked away, w ile Charcoal went some-
what reluctantly for the bottles. The possible
effects of his manipulation of the drugs began
to trouble his oung mind. He had got the
contents of the ttles evenly averaged, but it
just struck hiin that the mixtures might not be
Just those which the doctor intended. The fate
of Teddy and Patw troubled him.

“What are you loitering about, you sable
hound?” roared his master, as Charcoal came
ingerly forward with the bottles. “Brin
t em: here—Bless my eyes, Dr. Bolus don’t
want me to swallow all that, I‘hope. I’ll be

hanged if I do, then!”
“ is is to rub on de trunk, so de ’pothecary
said ” answered Charcoal.

“ n the trunk! What does the fool mean?”
snatching the bottle. “ Ohl it’s a liniment, eh?
To rub on the chest, not on the trunk, you
donkey. Thank the stars I don’t have to swal-
low it. Let me see the others.”

Charcoal held them out at the full length of.
his arm, holdin back as if afraid they might
explode, while '8 eyes rolled in anticipation of
a comin cyclone.

But without noticing this strange behavior of
the boy, his master took the two bottles and
looked at their labels.

“A teaspoonful in a lass of water, to be
taken just before the c ill,” be read on the
smaller. “Well, that doesn’t come in to-day,
at any rate. Let us see the other.”

The directions on the other bottle were, “ A

tables nful every three hours.”
“ ri ht. I’ve got to break ground some-
where. ring me a tablespoon, .Charcoal.”

The boy obeyed, and returned with the spoon,
thou h with unusual hesitation.

“ hat ails you you little devil? Fetch it-
here, I say l” roared his master who had by this
time extracted the cork of the bottle.

He jerked the n from the reluctant hand
of the boy, who immediately retreated to the
wall, where he stood with protruded tongue and
starting e es, watching every movement of his
master wi h extraordinary interest. - '

“ I suppose it’s bad policy to sip it,” remarked
Mr. Hunter, holdin u e filled spoon. “ The
sooner it’s down t e sooner the confounded
business is over, so here cos.”

He .put the spoon to is lips. and with one
gulp swallowed its contents. . At the same in-
stant a doe groan came from I, as if
he could no ontger restrain his feelings.

The e ect o the draught was remarkable.
The inv 'd stood for a single instant as if not
quite sure whether he had swallowed honey or
gunpowder. Then a sudden contortion came
11 his face, whilea yell of agony issued from

“P8-
Clapping both hands on his stomach, he
writhed and twisted as though he had swallowed
liquid fire, while Charcoal stood looking on with

a growin grin on his mischievous face.
. ‘Ob, rd! Oh,fire and brimstone!” yelled
the writhing man. “I’ve poured a whole

blazing volcano down my throat. Water!
water Some one brin me a bucket of ice—
water. I’m all afire in dell”

These cries were followed by a volley of
curses deep enough to make the sides turn lue,
while he continued doubled up in agony.

“Hal ou grinnin villain, have you any-
thing to o with thisl" he shouted, on catching
a glimpse of Charcoal’s face, on which enjoy—
ment of the scene had taken the lace of its
original dread. “You infernal lack-jawed
im of darkness, you’ll laugh at me, Will you?
T ethat! And that! And that!”

As he spoke he caught up one bottle of the
medicine after another, and urled them witha
sure aim at Charcoal’s head._ They broke on
his thick skull, and their parti-colored contents
came streaming in rivulets over his black faca,
giving him a most grotesque appearance.

“And that l”

The spoon followed the medicine. .

Fearing that it mi ht be succeeded by a chair
the boy made a in break for the door, and
dashed headlong from the room from which
there followed im a perfect volley of
yells and curses, as though a host of demons
were holding ' h carnival there.

Charcoal m e the best of his way from the
locality, quite satisfied with his first effort at

ture. .

 

Sam Charcoal, the, Premium D

J ‘
v u

\

arky.

l

2 _

 

CHAPTER VI.
a mu! DINNER PARTY.

“II is a most extraordinary thing,” said Dr.
Bolus to another gentleman, as they stood to-
gether in the drawing-room of John Hunter’s
residence. “He swears I tried to poison him.
Wh , the medicine I ordered the man was as
mil as a May morning. The druggi'st must
have made some awkward blunder, for he vows
that he swallowed a dose of pure dynamite.”

f‘ They say he threatens to cowhide the drug~
gist,” laughed the other. “I’d like to be by
and see it. It would be royal fun to see old
Laudanum dancing amon his drugs.”

“ I wonder if he has ta en some of the lini-
ment bymistake "queried Dr. Bolus. “If he
did he might we 1 fancy there had been a fire
kindled inside him.” 4

“ Hush! here he comes.”

At that moment John Hunter entered, dressed
in party costume, and with a smile of welcome
on is face.

“ Good-day, gentlemen I am glad to see you.
I’d sooner see you socially than professionally,
friend 301 after that pleasant experience
you put no t rough. Hang it. your treatment
was rather too heroic. But I haven’t felt any
sign of a chill since. You quite burnt them out
0 me‘" .

“ Here’s some blunder,” answered Bolus.
“ The medicine I ordered would not have made
a child uirm.”

_ “ Old audanum swears he put the prescrip-
tion 11 correctly ” returned Mr. Hunter.

“ as that under compulsion?”

“Oh no! I only threatened to crack his bald
gate, and to break every bottle in his store.

at there was no compulsion.” ‘ _

“ You have queer ideas about compulsion,”
la bed the third gentleman. “ But could any-
bolgy else have made the trouble? Who else
handled the medicines?” »

“ Nobody but (:3 aid-de-camp; a rascally
little ni r we CharcoaL And by Jove,
the b0 id act queer,” he exclaimed, with a
. start 0 remembrance. “If he’s been 

a trick on me, han me if I don’t murder m.

At this moment harcoal entered, with a half.
frightened look on his face as he gazed at his
master. _

“Dar’s some gemmen down-stairs axin’ fur
you, Marse Hunter,” he announced.

“Show them up—But see here, Charcoal,

I’ve ca ht you at some of our old tricks.
What di on do to that m icine when you
brought it in the drug-store?”

The boy’s face mi ht have grown pale if it had
not been of such mi ight blackness. Hisknees
trembled, and his utterance became stemmer-

mq‘ ’Fcre de Lord, I didn’t do nuflin’ wid ’um

massal I brung ’um square home, jiss ’cordinl

to d’rectiens.”

“ You didn’t put anythin in them?”

“ Ididn’t fotc nufiln”oep what de ’pothecary

v me. a s e pe a.
gu D t dar’ d Gos l truf ”

“ Hang on you black-snouted rogutrimyou lie.
I can sme the lie all through Iyou. find .it
out yet blast you; and if I o ’11 pull out your
toe-nai one y one—OE With you now, and
show those gentlemen up.”

, Charcoal was glad to escape. But there was
3 broad grin on his face when he got outSide the
cor.

“ I didn’t ut numn’ in de bottles ” he solilo-
quised. “ ut I’m desp'rat’ af I kinder
mixed t’in up. Oh, Lawsee, isn’t it fun?” and
he doubl himself up on the stairs, while his
black face shook with sup ressed laughter.

The gentlemen who ust come were fol-
lowed b several othe an ' a party of some
size ha assembled. n fact, it was a dinner

of his gentlemen friends to which John
unter had inVited these guests, and others

whom be yet expected. ' .

He had all the Southern hospitahty, and made
than welcome with prof e demonstrations.

' “ Glad to see you, r. Jones. The same
hearty fellow as ever, eh?—Thomson, my ood
feIIOW. how wags the world with you?— ow
d’ye do, Brown? You’re here without a brief
to-day, but you’re brief enough yourself to an-
swer. You can appoint these gentlemen a jury
on the cold meats; Jackson, there, can be judge
of the champagne, and you advocate t e
claims of the roast venison. you’ll be at

,home, you sea—:Welcome, Masters. 'You’re
late, but the day is yonng yet. You can make
up for lost time.” .

At this juncture dinner was announced, and
the party filed into the dining-room, where a
most appetizing repast was repared.

.A lively conversation fo owed their discus-

sxon of the first course. During this discourse.

\

 

Charcoal, who was installed as one of the at-
,tendants, entered with a large roast of beef on
an immense dish He carried it or] before
him, his tongue protruding as he fixed is eyes
annoust on his charge, and planted one foot
after the other with the greatest caution. .

“ What is this i hear- about something in the
shape of a joke 4” called one of the guests across
the table. “How is this, Mr. Hunter? Folks
say that old’Laudanum, the druggist, has been

dos? you.’

“ ot much,” answered the host. “It was
that confounded nigger boy of mine. Hang
his black skin, I’ll pepper him well for it yet.”

At the commencement of this remark Char-
coal had taken his eyes from his charge to fix
them upon his master. As the latter went on,
the boy’s knees began to shake, and the plate
took a dangerous slant downward. Unseen by
him the smoking roast slid nearer and nearer to
the‘edge of the dish, until, just as Mr. Hunter
ceased s -' g, it came with a heavy thud to
the floor, followed by a stream of red ravy.

All eyes turned astin upon the y, who
stood trembling,~ his face a picture of terror,
while he held the dish extended before him with
his eyes fixed in utter beWilderment upon its
em ty surface.

‘ Devil take me l” cried the host furiously
rising. “ This is too much of a 3'0 e. Why,
you sable-tinted son of Satan—”

He did not get further in his speech, for at
this moment the dish slipped from Charcoal’s
unnerved fingers and dropped with a loud crash
to the floor, splintering into fifty pieces. .

“ De laws bress usl” ejaculated the boy, With
a deep groan of horror.

In a moment he turned, and made aheadlong
dash for the door, followed by his master, who
was foaming with 
. “ Hoicksl Heicksl tole away! Stole away!”
cried one of the guests an old fox-hunter.
“After them, gentlemenl After them! Let’s
be in at the death.”

Thefiveall sprung to their feet, with shouteof
laugh r, and made for the door, through which
the chase had disappeared. _

But the next room was empty, and only a. dis-
tant roar, mixed with frequent oaths, told the
direction which the pursuit had taken.

In a few minutes Mr. Hunter returned, some-
what calmed by his violent exercise.

“ Excuse me, entlemen,” he exclaimed.
“But a saint co d not have stood that in
quiet; and I’m not much of a saint.”

_ “Did gin catch him?” asked one of the laugh-
m es

5‘ atch him! no. You could catch a weasel
as easily. The rascall young Hottentot, I have
several scores to se tle with him! Pray be
seated gentlemen. I will have the ruins re-
moved, and I fancy we can make a dinner yet.”

A waiter came in and removedthe remains
of Charcoal’s unlucky venture, while a rattling
conversation, not unmingled with a ood deal
of sl lau hter Went on around the ta le.

Otherd hes were brou ht in, and dinner re-
commeneed the rattle o knives and forks re-

lacing the hum of conversation as the cats

evoted themselves to the main purposeo their
assemhlgg, leaving the lighter duty of talk until
thgyze taken 03 the first sharp edge of ups
pe .

.While this progress was being made in the
dining-room other matters of interest -wer6
taking lace in the kitchen. -

This ccality was tenanted by the cook, a fat-
faced, good-natured Virginia negress, and a
young colored fellow, who was aiding her in the
mysteries of the dinner.

Charcoal poked his woolly head in at the_crack
of the half-open door, and looked cautiously
about. ,

“Ole marse ain’t yere, eh?” he asked, in a
loud whisper. . _

“Now you git out you ugly httle rat, or I’ll
shya bone at yer head I” cried the cooks as-
“8933’; ’ h ed to h yer nose ere

‘ ’ er 8 am 5 ow ,
artir wha ye’ve done?” indignantly askei’l7 the
coo '

“ ’Fore de goodness, I couldn’t be}? ’um,” {13-
serted Charcoal, pushing into the kitchen, with
a broad grin on ,his shinin r countenance. ‘ De
laws! ye neber see’d such an. Marse Hun-
ter ’d grabbed me den, wouldn’t I cotched it!
You bet de little nig did stampede.”

“How come you to drop the meat?”

“He skeered me, dat’s wh ,” answered Char-
coal confldentlv. “He sai put sumfln’ in
de med’cine, an" de laws knows I didn’t do nuf-
fin’ .01) de kind.”‘ . ,

“ You done somethin’ to ’em, you scape-
grace,” cried the cook.

Charcoal seated himself ' on a chair. and
la hed till his sides ached. ,
li‘gDey kinder get mixed,” he admitted. “ Dar

was one med’cine dat war to be rubbed do
trunk, or de breast- in, one or t’oder. no
what do bress’d g it war to do. Toder war

to he took internally, ’cordin’ to d’rectiOns.
Dat’s what do druggist said. I tole ole.
dat but [’3 Pfeared e two bottles got mug.”

e continued to Ian h at his recollection of
the striking effects of is operation.

“ I knowed it war some of your tricks, Char-
coal,” laughed the cook, who had no objection
to -a joke that was not played on herself.
“ You oughter have your ears cropped, you lit-
tle villain. Hand me the salt there.”

The grinning boy picked up the huge salt-
cellar and started across the kitchen. .

“ Hold this a minute,” said the cook’s attend-
ant, handing him the cover of an ice-cream can.
“ I want to see if it is hard enough.”

Charcoal, confused by the number of hiscom-
missions, held the cover at arm’s len th in one
direction, while the hand that hel ,the salt-
cellar hung immediately over the open, can.
The young man was looking for his wooden
spoon, wit which to tr the cream. '

“Hurry up there, lit ie lacy-foot!” cried the
cook sharply. “Are you gomg to keep me: all
da waiting for that salt'l’ . 

it this sharp appeal Charcoal started so sud-
denly as to spill sit the contents of the salt-
ceilar in the ice—cream can. Unconscious.“
what he had done, he hastened across to the
irate mistress of the kitchen, while the_young
man proceeded to stir up the cream,.quite un-
conscwus that it had received an addition to its
ingredients. - I

-‘What have you done with the salt! I
thought that was full,” cried the cook.

Charcoal gazed into it innocently. ,

“ Bressed f I knows,” he'ejaculated. r

Meanwhile the young man had milled his
cream thoroughly, and re seed the lid of the
can saying With a satisfie air: -

“'There, that’s read an how. It’ll be?”
hard as ice by the time. t ey want it. on
don’t catch me making any blunders, like Char-
coal here.” - ' '

“Yes, it am all Charcoal,” exclaimed that
worthy, indignantly. “ Charcoal done dis, en’
Charcoal done dat, an’ Charcoal done abery-
t’in dat’s out o’ ear. I’s fittin’ ’bout tired of
it. ' ar’s nouse ayin’ all. e blame on Chiar-
coalAuI ain£thnoiwkussigor Ba(113 031013.” b
‘ ' c_ an ny, cook
nignantlx;8 “leaver mind, little one; . . ‘ _

‘I ain t done nufiin’ else, anyhow,” declared

the tbpy. “An’ I couldn’t help Ipillin’ do

mea . ‘ -
He seated himself in the blissful beli that

his skirts were clear of an further tron and

that the course of his li e was bound to flow
smoothly for the rest of that day.
But there’s many a slip between the cup and
the lip, as Charcoal was destined to find out.
The dinner continued to progress until it
reached the dessert, when Charo much
against, his will, was sent into the dininger

to help clear and reset the table. He 
askance at his master while d roe y to
dmpallandrunifhesawa ,einove-

But the host contented himself with scowling,
and Charcoal was allowed to proceed in ea.
In a few minutes the dessert, consisting pud- ‘
dings, ices, and various other tempting viands, -
was broug‘htin and arran ed. an the waiters
pre ai-ed help the expec t guests. »

‘1‘ ere were some wry faces as several of them
tasted their ice cream. In most cases it was
pushed aside without a second taste, and the
guests devoted themselves_to other viands. v

Mr. Hunter looked hospitany after the com-
fort of his ests. .

"Come, . Brown, you’re not eating any-
thing,” he exclaimad. “Try the ice cream.
It’s a warm day, and you need somethiig to
cool you.” '

Mr. Brown ventured upon another spoonful
and then pushed aside his saucer.

“I am not as fond of cream as I once was,”
he remarked. “I will try your peach pie in-
stead. That’s one of my Special weaknesses.”

“Well, you’re not so cold-blooded, Masters.
Come, on will find it 'me.” ,

Mr. asters dipped t e s on into his saucer,
and swallowed a mouthfu of the chilly mix-
ture. He said nothing, but his face expressed
anything but gratification.

“What’s wrong?” cried Mr. Hunter suspi-
ciously, glancmg around the table, until hiseyes

 

, fell upon Charcoal who stood in supreme satis-
faction that his  were clear this time.

i

 

is

:l
99* '

u ‘15 :r ‘” .5 . ; ‘3 4-.

 

   
 

\

Sam Charcoal, thePremiumDarky. .

 

But an involuntary tremor ran through him at
this threatening gaze.
“ Bring me some of that cream,” commanded

Helook up a brimming spoonful,and put it
into bismouth. The next instant he-ejected it
again, with a look of di t.

“Salt as Lot’s wife, y thunder!” he ejac-
liated. “No wonder you are all making sour
faceeover it. Ha, Charcoal! stand there, you
villain l” The boy had been slyly edging toward
the door. “80 this is another of your tricks,
eh?”

A su pressed laughter was going the round of

- the tab e.

“ Fore de bressed saints, Manse Hunter it
warn’t Charcoal dis time! Sure’s you lib I had
nuilin’ whateber to do wid de cream.”

“ How’s this, Joe?” asked the host, turning to
the young man who had charge of the cream.
“ Is this your work?”

"‘Not much,” answered Joe, a li ht of re-
membrance breaking into his eyes. “ recollect
now ‘Charcoal stood over the can with a dish of
saltzinhishand while I had my- back turned.
He must have dropped it in then.”

“ Then, by the seven blessed pipers, he shall
swallow every ounce of it, if it chokes. him!"
andthe irate master of the feast made another
dash at his mischievous servant, too furious to
think of the demands of decorum.

Charcoal, who had been edging toward the
door, now slipped out, and t e chase was
renewed, more vigorousl than before.

The guests sat laugh :5 around-the table
until Joe, who had follow the chase, returned
to the room, his face full of anxiety.

“ Won’t some of on gemmen go the kitchen?”
he asked. “ Mr. unter has cotched Charcoal,
and is ramming the ice cream down his throat.
Dar’ll be in 'der if it goes on.”

The laug ests hastened to respond and
found 'the irate 0st in the kitchen, with Char-
coal extended helplessly on his back, while he
was pressing the freezing mixture by great
spoonfuls into his mouth, the boy choking and
yelling at every op rtunity, while his furious
master was cursing e a demon. .

“ Let him o,’ cried the laughing guests.
“ You will she him to death.”

But the maddened, host would not desist till
haves ed by force from his helpless prisoner
who 1: been served with a greater feast of ice
cream than he had ever been lucky enough to
receive before. _

It was a little too much, in fact, to judge by
Charcoel’s movements, for he sprun to his feet
assoon as released, and made wil ly for the
back door of the kitchen his eyes starting out
like fury balls, and his face an ashy hue with

mgr was his

speed lessened by the furious

, oaths‘which followed his flight from the lips of

his, irate master.

CHAPTER VII.
m manner or THE LAW.
- Samar. weeks have passed since the date of
our last chapter. I These weeks have brought
little change in the Circumstances surrounding
our characters. Clara Eldon is still with the
friend whom she had been visiting at the date
of the opening of our story, but the marked
difference in er fortunes has ven her a very

feelin . Itwasperfectyinruletopay

' a 'visitw en she felt that she had the means

a

' case of their new client, “to turn that

of ing the favor; but now it began to
look like charityy'and she was er to leave
and take her chances in the battle 0 life.

But whatshe waste do she knew not. She
had been brou ht up in utter helplessness so far
as an useful owledge was concerned. Not
that e was lacking in energy; but even energy
must have some path in which to act.

Her friend was aware of the chan e in her
fortunes. But she wasa whole-souls woman,
and made her welcome all the warmer for this
knowledge. She begged Clara to stay with her
until her suit was decided, and was sure that it
must in her favor.

To is Clara strongly objected. She must do
somethin to make a living for herSelf. But
what? are was the rub. When there is a
domnlzrained rsons fightin for every opening
there is very httle chance le for the untrained.

“It is confoundedly heartless in John Hun-
ter,” said- Smith to Herrin% as those two
worthies were seated in their o co debating the

oung
girl adrift without a mement’s notice. yBless
me, if I wouldn’t like a chance to cowhide the
seoundrel. To bring her up as helpless as a
baby, keep her supplied with abundance of cash,

and then suddenly tighten the purse strings and

 

send her adrift the world without a y.
him, I beltigaleII will cowhide himlPenn
“ ‘pI cool .now, my boy,” answered Her-

ring. t is all in the way of business. For
my art, I rather admire Hunter’s game.”

‘ he deuce you do!”

“Yes. There is nothing like tactics. The

man has a scheme of robbery. We admit that.
Very well. Is he to supply her with cash to
fight him. or educate her so as to develop the
fight that is born in her? Would any lawyer
do that, Smith?” .

“ Bil: he isn’t a lawyer.”

“He is rascally enough to be one, at any
rate.” ~
“ I’d be sorry to be half as
am a lawyer,’ answered th.

“But look here, my good fellow,” returned
Herring. “ We are honest law ers, of course;
but don’t you see that'the gir hasn’t a, case
worth a farthiug? We have tried Salisbury
and the other North Carolina records, and have
not found an ounce of favorable evidence. We
are on the losing horse, Smith. We have been
fools enough to take a job that has neither
money nor reputation in it.”

“But the statement of old Eldon’s properties,
which fell so luckil into our hands? The
western lands which 6 values there at a cool
fifty' thousand?”

‘ Where are the l” interrupted Herring.
“We'have not foun a particle of evidence to
substantiate that paper. And they may be any-
where from Chicago to Hong Kong, for all that
statement tells. 4. tell you what, Smith it is
not worth the paper it is written on to us.
But-—”

“ But what?”- .

“It may be worth something to John Hun-
ter,”‘with a very sly wink. .

‘ Hillel is that ?your game? You want to sell
out to the enemy ’ -

“I want a fee for the respectable legal firm
of Smith & Herring,” was the cool answer.
“If we can’t at one from the laintiff, there’s
nothing for it ut to try the de endant. Senti-
ment is a very fine thing, my boy. But cash is
better.” '

‘_‘ Will he bite, do you think?” asked Smith,
guite forgetting his virtuous indignation'of a
ew minutes before. -

_ “ Bite? Yes. If it is worth nothing to us, it
is worth a good deal to him. He burnt our copy,
ou know, for I found a fragment of it in
rown’s grate. He can burn t 9 original, too,
if he buys it flrs ”

“It Will not do to be hasty,” answered Smith,

very anxious'for a fee, yet not quite liking this

t arascal,ifI

rascally plot. “Suppose we feel him first.
lll.l"edm,i’iy get on the rack of these mysterious
n s

“Yes, if you had a fool to deal with. But
John Hunter isn’t of that kind. '

“ Then let us investigate the West further.”

“Why bless you, Smith, we can’t give a life-
time, an beggar ourselves in ,postage-stam ,
one. wild-goose chase. We have tried all 6
most likely places now, and there’s no record of
property in the name of Eldon. It’s narrowed
down to question of fee or no fee. Now what
do dyou say? There’s cash in this document,”
an be struck his hand on the paper which
Charcoal had left there.

“I think you’d best go investigate John Hun-
ter,” acknowledged Smith, with a sigh, as if it
hurt him a little to bid good-by to his honesty.

“ I knew you’d' come to it. We can do noth-
ing for the girl. But we may do something for
Smith & Herring.”

And-the two precious villains continued to
debate their scheme to treacherously sell out
the last hope of the innocent client, who had
trusted her fortune to their perilous care.

On the other side of the street, in the office of
their opponent, Mr. Brown, his client, John
Hunter, was seated in an earnest conversation
on the same subject.

The lawyer seemed a little vexed with his
client, for some cause. and was speaking to him
very sharply: '

“I owe you no thanks, John Hunter, for
burning that paper in my ofiice. Respectable
lawyers are not expected to countenance dubi-
ous olflemtions of that sort.”

_ “ ng it all, what Was I to do? Keep it, to
use like a ghost against me?”

“ Do you not keep matches at home?” asked
the lawyer, fri idly. “I told on what I
thought of the ocument. But ‘ do not like
bonfires of that sortin my office.

“ Oh, I see!” cried Hunter, with a low whis4
tle. “You don’t object to the devil; but you
want him to hide his horns in our resence.”

It was plain, indeed, that r. Brown’s hon-

 

esty, like that of his nei hbors across the street,
was only skin deep. a holder villain, his
client felt a contempt for this weak villamgé

“ What am I to do,’ then? Shall I make a a-
fire at home? There are other papers which it
migrlit” not be agreeable to have produced in
con .

Mr. Brown looked up, with a twinkle in his
cunning little eyes. . .

“I believe, from what you told me before.
that on have latel sold some property in the
west ’he remarks .

“ ust so,” answered Hunter, 1au hing.
“ Realized very handsomely, .too. And w at is
more I gave a clear title.”

“ As trustee for the estate of Harry Eldon i”

" Don’t ask too many inconvenient uestions,
my friend,” Hunter laughingly rep ad. “I
don’t like bonfires in my office. ’ _

“ But you have some papers connected With
these sales?”

“Exactly. And the question is, what am I
to do with them.” ‘

“ Don’t burn them in my office,” answered
Mr. Brown, with his 81 est look.

“I see, I see,” cri Hunter, continuin (to
laugh. ‘Youcan kick the old bo as muc as
you please, but don’t kick him t I’ve got my
eyes shut. ' Blessed are they who know noth‘
ing, for they cannot give evidence. You‘re a
brick, Brown. Can’t you- come up and seems
some time soon? I would like to treat you to a
show of fireworks.”

“ 1 don’t like our fireworks ” answered Mr.
Brown, with a 8 aka of his little head. “ You
had better keep them private. And—and don’t
leave a-scrap to rise in testimony against you.”

Mr. Hunter laughed more heartin than ever.

“You’re a brick, Brown. A perfect brick.
Good-by, and take care not to get wet feet.
There’s rheumatism about.”

Giving the’lawyer a heart slap on the shoul-
ders, the jovial client left he emce, much to
the satisfaction of little Mr. Brown who did
not quite fancy such boisterous villains He
preferred to shut his eyes when any rascalit
lwas afloat, and kee  Iliands as  of v' -
ainy as any respec a e awyer co .

“ A sly little hound that fellow Brown,” cried
Mr. Hunter, to himse f, on regainin his omce
at home. ‘Hang the slippery litt a rogue, I
feel sometimes like catchin him between my
two hands, and squeezing m till the lies pop
out of him like so many bubbles. The rascal
would sell his mother for a shilling and see}: he
goes” around prating of honesty till he ens
one. - .

- With a loud “Ugh!” of disgust Mr. Hunter
began a searching examination of his papers,
carefully laying aside certain documents and
itufiiln the others back into the pigeon holes of

is es .

He was re arin tocarry out thesl l iven
advice of his fawye‘i', and to burn all agggrous

pers.

“There is nothin like clearing one’s ship of
all doubtful freight fore going into action,”
he muttered, as he continued this investigation.

At this moment there came a sharp knock at
the door. With a look of alarm and vexation,
Mr. Hunter snatched of! his hat, and clapped it
down on the heap of papers which he had sorted
out. As he did so one of them fell on the floor,
unnoticed b him.

“Who is here?” he called out. ‘

“ It’s on’y me,” answereda well-known voice,
and the door part] opened, revealing the sable
visa e of Charcoa .

“ me in, you crow. What are you stand-
ing there for? , What do you want?”

“ Dar’s a gemman down-stairs, wants to see

on, ssh.”

“ Did he give his name?”

“He’s a law er, ssh. Yere’s his card.”

“Silas Herrin ,” read Mr. Hunter. “ I never
saw the man. at does he want with me?
Show him up, Charcoal—But stop a moment.”

He removed his hat and gathering up the
small heap of assorted papers, he shoved them
into an empty drawer of the desk. While he
did so Charcoal stood near him, shuffling his
feet uneasily upon the floor. .

“What’s all that noise about, on dusky
vagabond’i Have you got the St. itus’ dance?
Off with you and show the gentleman up.”

Charcoal s uflled his wa to the door, with
new of his usual alacrity o movement.

But he was no sooner outside, and the door
closed behind him, than he broke into a silent
laugh that made his round face look like the
full moon.

“Cotched ’um dat time. Bet I cotched ’um
dat time!” he chuckled to himself, when out of
ear-shot of the office. “Dat’s what comes ob

 

 

 

I ‘~. \."

' Sam Charcoal, the  

It ‘ . _V ‘

,9,

 

 

havin’ a crack in de ni ger’s shoe. Dar’s some
t’in mighty handy, 3 you b’lieve.”

e adroit little rogufi in fact, had worked
the pa , which John unter had carelessly
drop on the floor, into-an open crack in the
sole of his shoe. This was the cause of the shuf-
fling movement which had so annoyed his
master. He stooped and seized the captured
document, laughing more broadly still, as he
consigned it to his pocket.

“ Dar’s somefln’ in it, I ralely does b’lieve,” he
said to himself. “ ’Coz dat lawyer ain’t come
Km for nuflin’. He’s gwine to go back on

’ y Clara, or dis nig don’t know nuflin’ ’bout
law ers.”

ving made his ca tnre, Charcoal proceeded
on his mission. and us ered the visitor upstairs,
to Mr. Hunter’s office. I

“ Take a seat, glad to see you,” said that in-
dividual, in his hearty Southern way.

“ But you do not know me, eh?”

“Why I have not that honor.”

“ I am  Herrin of the law firm of Smith
& Herring, plainti s counsel in a civil suit
brought by one Clara Eldon against one John
Hunter.”

“The deuce you are i” cried Hunter, in at

rise. “And what in the name of the
saints, do you want here?”

“ Only a littlo conference, that may prove
for the advantage of both ies.”

“ Oh, I see I” exclaimed unter, with a wink.
“ There‘s nothing like feeling your wa .”

.' “ We thought, perhaps, you would at us into
some evidence of which we are short.”

“ You did, eh?” in surprise.

' “For instance, there was a statement of Mr.
Eldon’s investments, which you unluckily set
fire to in Mr. Brown 5 oflce, and—”

“ What in the blue' blazes do
roared Hunter, sprin ing in cons
his feet. r “ Has that i iot Brown—”

“I only mean that on “made the little error
of burning a copy, wh Ie the original happens
to be yet in existence.”

The discovered villain dashed his hand against
his forehead. He looked wildl at the lawyer.

“ Where is your office?” he as ed, with a sud-
den thon ht.

“ At Walnut street.”

“ Then, by all that’s lgood, it’s that black vil-
lain Charcoal again! ll murder that boy, as
sure as you’re sitting there.”

Charcoal, who had his ear to the keyhole at
that moment, trembled down to his boots.

“A bad move may be set right by a good
move ” said the lawyer significantly.

“ , do you mean—” -

“ That every document has its price? Yes.”

CHAPTER VIII.
THE TABLES TURNED ON CHARCOAL.

“I’s bound to fine out what’s in' dat dok -
ment or bu’st,” said Charcoal to himself, as e
rolled in his peculiar walk along the' street.
“ Sure’s ye lib, Missy Clara is gwme to git in
trubbel. Ef dar eber was a bi rascal its dat
cod-fishy lawyer as calls hissel Herrin’. But
ef I don’t cotch him on a hook yit, it’ll be
queer.” ‘ _

The indignant boy walked slowly on, anxious-
ly investi ating' the numbers of the. houses. as
i in searc of some 3 ial locality.

“ Dar’s lawyer J ac son someer ’long yere,
as I used to brack boots fur,” he muttered.
“He tole me den, ef I eber had any legal ,biz-
ness to come tohis oflice.‘ I’s ot legal bizn'ess
now, sure’s you hb; and I’s gwme to habit put
squar’ through.”

He was so intent upon his object that he
failed to perceive on the other side of the street
his two sworn enemies, Teddy and Patsy, whom
he had so neatly tricked With the liniment.

“Kape shady, me boy,” cautioned Teddy.
“It’s that hayt en,nayger. Sure and I’m bum-

~in’ inside yet from that fire and brimstene he
made us swaller. Are ye contint to be put on
that way?”

“ Nary time,” answered Patsy. _ _ .

“Nor me nayther. I’ll not enJoy llfe ag’ln
till I pay him back.” .

“ Let‘s kage an eye on him ” returned Patsy.
“Look at t e imperdant the e oin’ intil that
big house beyant, as proud as if e owned it l”

‘ He’s got to come out ag’in,” said Teddy sig-
nificantly. _

Charcoal had, in fact, found the number he
wanted in a large building which had once been
a stylish private res1dence, but was now divided
up into lawyers' and conveyancers’ ofiioes.

In a few minutes he knocked at the door of
an ofiice on the second floor.

“ Come in ” cried the occupant.

This gentleman, a large, gray-whiskered,

on mean?”
tion to

 

jovial-faced personage, stared on seeing the face
of his visitor, with its midnight complexion and
its odd look of bashfulness.

“ Hillo! what queer sort of im rtation is
this?” and the startled attorney pus ed back his
chair, and gazed with wide-open eyes upon his
visitor.

“ It am on’y me, Charcoal, as used ter brack

er boots,” explained the boy. ' “ Ye ain’t fer-
got little Charcoal, Marse Jackson?”

“ Oh, it’s you is it, on black scape ace? I
recollect; you chea me out of a dime your
last job. You can give me a black-up this
morning in payment, and be stretched out a
pair of well-soiled shoes toward the boy.

with offended dignity.
since on seed me Marse Jackson. I’s gem’-
man’s y now; took to livin’ out.”

“You are, eh? B Jove yes he’s in livery.
And a neat idea of lives; th t  Such a fine
contrast of colors.—— ell, Charcoal, what’s
afoot? What can I do for you?”

“ I’s got legal bizness, Marse Jackson.”

“I‘s been promoted

heartily at the boy’s consequential tone. “ ,
on are blossoming early, in boy. Take a seat,
harcoal. Take off your at. Let me hear

your case,” and the speaker gravely took pen

and paper as if prepared to jot down notes of
his new client’s statement.

“ Dar’s a bifiit ob rascality goin’ on,” began
Charcoal. “ dar’s a lawyer in it who am de
biggest rascal ob de two. But 1’s gwine ter
countermarch on ’em, I is.”

“Come come, Charcoal, nothin against the
la ers, if you don’t want me to t row you out
of t 8 window.”

Charcoal started back at this assumed fierce-
ness of tone.

“I knows dey are berry honest folks, Marse
Jackson. But dis one’s a brack sheep. Dar
neber ,were a big flock dat didn’t hab one brack
sheep. ,

“ All right,” laug‘h
admit the one blac sheep.”

“I’s got a dok ment yere as I wants you
berry partik’lar to git" er eye on. You tole me
Marse Jackson, dat w eneber I had any legal
bizness I were to come you.”

“Did I?" queried the lawyer.
then. Let me see your document.” -

Charcoal cautiously extracted, from some
deep pocket in his clothes a closely_ folded
paper. As he did so he rolled his eyes carefully
around the room, as if in dread of some witness
to his mysterious business. But all was serene;
there were no other eyes there than the laugh-
-ing ones of the lawyer; and Charcoal han ed
him the paper with a look of deep importance.

“ Dar’s de dockyment,” he‘ejaculated. “ Dar’s
rascalit somewhar in dat paper, ‘an’ I' wants
you to nd it out.” ' .

Mr Jackson unfolded the pa r, and cast his
e es quickly over it, while arcoal watched
b in With anxious interest, his eyes starting and
his thick lips working, while a fperspiration
broke out on his black skin. e certainly
gleemed the present moment one of vast impor-

ance.

“There is nothing in this,” said the lawyer.
“It is only a conve ancer’s bill for the sale of
some property in eoria, Illinois. Where did
you et it? And what does it mean?”

“ at dar dokyment means rascality,” re-
marked Charcoal, with mysterions earnestness.
“ Who sold that property, Marse Jackson?”

‘.‘ Why, let me see. John Hunter, trustee.”

2: fin’”ain’t ole Marse Eldon’s name derel”

o. .

Charcoal shook his head doubtfully. _ ,

“ It oughter be dere. Dar’s rascality, 51131}-
Jiss you freeze 'onto dat dokyment, ’cause it
am berry ’ rtant. I’s gwine to look furder.”

Charcoa took his hat and prepared to de-

part.
\ “ Hold up

“ Very well

there, on confOundedly mysteri-
ous darky! cried t e lawyer. “Suppose you
let me a little dee r into this secret. Who’s
my client? Whats the case? What does it all
mean, anyhow? I don’t fancy buying a pig in
a 353'” Ch I t a

tthis ener tie a a1 arcoa re urne ,
“51 vs the layer glipiankling of what he was
dr" 118 at. To tell the truth, be had a very
vaSue idea of the matter himself, but he had
overheard some important parts of the conver-
sation between his master and the treacherous
lawyer. and he was very sure that there was
“135”th somewhar.” .

“ Dey is plottin’ to rob Missy Clara,” he con-
cluded. “An Ps gwine to sto ’em, efalittle
nig oh my size kin do’t. I’ll etch her yere,
Marse Jackson, ’canse I wants you to see her.

 

“‘I ain’t in dat line now,” remarked Charcoal ‘

“Legal business!” and the lawyer lau bed

ed Mr. Jackson; “we w'lllj

 

Darain’t sich a lubly little lady dis side
Georgy.” '

It was with a feeling of intense satisfaction
that Charcoal found himself in the street again.
He was sure he had done‘some ver important
work for Miss Clara, though he . a very
vague idea of what that work amounted to.
But he had overheard enough to know that the
“ dokyment ” was important. '

He failed to notice that he was followed at
no great distance, by his arch enemies, Teddy
and Patsy, eagerly looking out for some oppor-
tunity of revenge upon him. -

In fact Charcoal was not just then in the

mood for observation. He had been through a ‘
great mental excitement, and a drowsy sensa-
tion now followed it.‘

He had not no v far before hefelt sleep
overcoming him, and is pace lagged, as he
drowsily remarked:

“ Dunno what makes me so berry tired.
Guess I’ll squat down somewhar an’ take a rest.
It am a lazy sort ob day I’s suah ob dat.”

A convenient corner ohered itself nearthe en-
trance of a narrow court, and Charcoal lasily
curled himself up on the pavement, with very
little heed to the eifeet upon his livery. ‘

It was not two minutes before he was sound
asleep, and dreamin of how neatly he'was
going to trick “ old Hunter.” , .

And i was not two minutes more before
Teddy and Patsy made theizraéppearanoe. The
sleepingbo was at their in . _ v p .

They loo ed at one another With kno '
winks, while their faces were convulsed wi ‘
suppressed laughter.

‘Sure, the nayger’s asleep,” I whispered
Ted?- I

“ aith an’ he is. An’ there’s the n’atest chance
for fun yit,” returned Pa

“ Let’s initiate the dirty haythen ” remarke'd
Teddy, his mischievous eyes g. T

“Ain’ I wid ye?” answ Patsy, ola
his knee n lee. 9‘ What’s itto be me i
wish we be a bottleof hose med’cine.”

The young vagabonds formed themselves into
a committee of two to devise ways and means
to repay their sleeping foe for the trick which
he had layed ugon them. ‘

For t e next fteen or twenty minutes they'
were busy as bees about the slumberlngbtfl', ~
movih ver cautiously so as not to awaken
him. utC arcoal was notone of our
who waken at a torch. A loud up of un-
der would have been no more to him than the
noise of a fly’s win when he set himself to sleep
in earnest. 80 11 round, fat, dusky face re-
mained in midni ht unconsciousness that he
was being made t e victim of a trick, and he
did not even stir when moved into another posi-

tion.

But at the end of that time there was a and
den ending of his dreams. His mischievous
foes had blown an ounce of Scotch enufl up his
wide‘nostrils, and a sudden and irresistible de-

sire to sneeze came uponghim. ,Sneeze after

sneeze, like successsive thunder-cla , brokeon
the air, startling the passers by, effectually
rousin Charcoal out of his snooze. ‘ '

But is awakenin was hastened by another
cause. _For sudden y behind him came the
sharp, ripping sound of fire-crackers, rapidly
increasmg, as a whole pack of these noisy in-
ventions took fire. ' ’ ' ' -

_Not knowing what it was, and thoro hly
frightened, Charcoal sprung wildl to his set,
while the crackers, attached to is coat-tail,
iizzed, sputtered, and cracked worse than ever,
in a regular fanfaronade of u roar.

“ 0h, de laws! Ob, de ressed goodness!”
filled the terror-stricken boy. “ 0!), de maroyl
hat‘s datl”

He started to run, but he had not taken two
steps before he was brought up all of“ a sudden.
Both feet and hands were tied by short cords to
a fastenin in the wall behind him, just leaving
him pla or a few steps. I

But C arcoal was quite oblivious of the cause
of the difliculty, and continued his vigorous ef-
forts to run, while the rattling naise kept up
behind him.

The spectators, whom th'n sudden u roar had
athered, were beside themselves With aughter.
t was ver funn , indeed, to see the little

darky, Wit his ace almost blanched white
with terror, his thick lips protruding, his eyes
starting from his head, and snorts and oils of
fear issuing from his month, while he Kept up '
the most ridiculous dance imaginable, He was _.

trying to run. and perhaps fancied he Was run-

ning, but every movement of hand and foot
was 'erked back by the r that held it, so.
that ' run was converted into a sort of horn-
pipe that would have made an anchorite laugh.

'I

‘ x

 

 

 

I

'10

7. v ‘- .' “Hz-m

'  the Premium Darky.

 

 

Such acomical picture of terror hasnotaften
been seen, and it was added to by the fact that
Charcoal’s attire was very oddly tricked out; a
circle of. feathers in his hat, and streamers of
colored rags depending from every part of his

clofliing. .
The authors of this mischief rolled on the
vement in laughter, while the crackers con-
fined to explode and Charcoal to dance, snort

“ de mighty marcyl It’s de debil! It’s
do debilsuah, da ’s

arter do little nig! 0h, de
'breae’d saints! Catch ’um! Cotch um, some-
I
B; this time the crackers had sputtered their
last, but the b0 ’s terror continued, and on a
benevolent b
cutting the cords, he started 03
digit, still elling as if he thought that old
Sa n was a ter him indeed.

E11319 laughter of the lockers-on continued,

w e the two authors of the mischief, together
with all the other boys present, started 03 in
.full pursuit of the flying fugitive, bent to get
some more fun yet out of him.

'But Charcoal was winged by fright; his pur-
suers were checked by laughter; the conse-
aixmce was that the were soon distanced in

, Charcoal saving them quite out of
t as he darted around corner after corner.
the had run a full mile are he came to a
game through sheer exhaustion,and not sure {ct
' at that his Satanic Majesty was close upon is

 

CHAPTER IX.
CHARCOAL MAKES A CALL.

CLARA Encou’s friend lived in a very pretty
mansion on West Spruce street, Philadel hia.
It was neatly and tastefully furnished an the
. sitting-room, which the family usually occu-

pied, was a charming apartment. -

Clara and her friend, Miss Jennie Mason,
with two or three other lady friends, were as-
sembled in this room, at about the same time
that Charcoal was running away from his tor-
mentors, as told in the last chapter.

“It was sucha leasant home,” said Clara, in
answer to a quest on from one of the visitors.
“We lived near Salisbury but our house was
so delightfully-sums and was so Charmin in
a ,\ respect, that it no wonder my oh ld-
’ h r was a v leasant one.” .

1' -" Was your at er in business in Salish i”

“ Yes. But he also had other importa in-
tea-eats. There was a plantation attached to our
house. And he was interested in the turpentine
business in the North Carolina woods. I only
remember him as being full of business, for he

“ Kim I waI quibetyl‘imng.,has passed

your p easan ome away
from thalamin ?” ; .
' ' “ Yes,” answered Clara briefly, as if not wish-
ing to pursue the subject,

“The truth is,” remarked Jennie, “ that her

. father’s will left all his props-ta in trust with a.

supposed friend, named Jo
turned out to be
’ poor Clara out of her whole estate. ’

“Now do not say that,”' answered Clara
quick! . “We onlysuspeot that. We are not
sure a it.”

“ I would be, then,” said Jennie, with much
e ergy. “I would make him prove his case
“.6 0 hi -” .

“Se gall,” replied Clara. “But I fear that
his'tricke‘ry has been t’oo deep. We can find no

evidhnce against him.

‘ “Thatistoo bad,” re oined the young lady
visitor. “To be rob of such a delightful
home, andof all your wealth by the devices of
Va rascal. ou think of nothing in your
' earl life that Will serve to show the character

of s man?”

“Oh no! I hard! knew him then. I was
sca y ten years ad when m dear father
died and left me alone in the wor d. There was
nobod an the plantation except my aunt, who
me live with me, and the negroes.”

“ Were there many of them?”

“Yes quite a number. Some of them I was
much attached to, for they were very kind old
souls. And there was one comical little fellow
whowasalmost my only playmate. He was
several years younger than me, and served me,
p I fare? in place of a doll.”

r u ell, _i hardly think I should have lik
that. A hviiig black doll!” I ‘

“He was certainly black enough. A pure,
unadulterated, midnight complexion. Paar-lit-
tle Samba, I have often, wondered whatever
became of him. ‘
~ . “ I suppose he is a tulle-grown and ffightfnlly
ugly negro now,” laugh Jennie. ' ,,

unter, who has
a great rascal, and is trying to

A /

 

“ No no I hardly can brin
that. He  not more than 11 teen
would" give much to see poor

myself to think
ears old. I
ttle Sambo

“ Yere he am, Missy Clara! Yere he am!
Dis is de identercal' nigl”

The eyes of the young ladies turned quick]
to the door, and the sprung to their feet wit
cries of alarm at sig t of the object which they
saw there. '

In fact, it, was a most extraordinary vision,
and uite enou h to frighten the average youn
lad alf out 0 her wits. For there stood Char—
co —-or Samba, to ive him his ori inal name-—
but it was Charcoai in a very odd isguise. The
additions to his costume which Teddy and Patsy
had made were still there. Above the to of
his low—crowned hat waved a circle of on
feathers, as though he were an Indian chie .
Attached to his clothes were long streamers of
colored rags, dirty enough to have been fished
out of an ash barrel. To his coat tail still hung
the remnant of the pack of fire-crackers. An
the terror through which he had lately passed
still left its mark upon his face, in bulging lips
andstarting 0 es.

Altogether e was an astonishing spectacle to
burst suddenly upon a party of nervous young
ladies, and it is no wonder that they sprung to
their feet with cries of dismay.

“ Oh, what is it? Oh, take the thing away!”
came in a startling chorus.

“ Who is he i” asked Jennie, who had preserved
her senses better. “ 0 you know this miracu-
lous scarecrow, Clara's” . .

“I?” exclaimed Clara. “ I know him? Why,
he must be an esca ed lunatic.”

“ Why, Missy lara, suah i? ain’t fergot?”
cried the boy in a deeply hurt us. “Why, Ps
dat Samba. I’s little Charcoal, as de white
folks calls me now. I’s do little nig as you used
toplay wid when I were a little pickaninny on
de lantation.”

lara continued to gm at him, recollection
slowly returning to her. The other young
ladies, who had got over their fright, burst into
a chorus of laughter at his ludicrous appearance.

“ Mercylon Clara; you don’t mean to say
that this gunny- coking creature was your old
p ay to

A sh came into Clara’s eyes. She made no
as 1y to this remark, but continued to observe

Are you not the boy that I rescued from some
young vagabonds a few weeks ago?” '

“ I 8 dat dar boy,” answered Charcoal, solemn-
ly. “I knowed you den, Missy Clara; but you

dn’t know me, so I kept mum.”

“ Well, I declare!” she exclaimed, taking him
by the arm, and lookin close into his face.-
do believe it is Samba, ly. But what do you
mean by this masquerade? Why have you be-
dizened yourself with feathers and colored rags?
Is that our idea of a costume in which to visit
your 01 mistress?”

Charcoal looked down upon himself and gave

a start of surprise.
“. goodness cious, Missy Clara, I neber
knowed all dem ’ings was on mel An’ de

mercy knows how day eber come darl” ex-
claimed Cbarcoal, as he tugged vigorously
own at his strange ornaments. “ e neber
see’ sich a conflammation as Fe been frew; .but
I was suah it were all a dream.”

As he spoke he continued to tear ofl the
streaming ra that ave him so odd an ap-

ce, an with w 'ch his tormentors had
plentifull ornamented him.

“ Isot own on de pavement, and I s’pose I
must ’a’ got aslee ,” continued the b0 . “I
don’t s’pect no y neber had sich a cam.
Dar was fire all around me; and cannon balls-
and bomb-shells. And it were t’underin’ a
light’nin’ like mad. An’ do more I tried to run
awagofrom it do more I couldn’t. I ralely do
b’lie de Ole Nick were in it, for you neber did
hear do like.” . ‘

By the time he had got through with his ex-
planation Charcoal had divested himself .of
most of his ornaments, and began to look like
himself a in.

“And is that part of your dream?” asked
Jennie, laughingly.

“ I ’fess dat I dunno whar dey come from,” ac-
knowledged Charcoal. “Maybe I war—what
dey call ’um?——a. somnambuler, or sumfin’ ob
dat sort. Anyhow, when I waked up, yere I
was, right out in de street ’fore dis house. 80’s
I wanted to see Missy Clara I took de ’spons'-
bilit ob comin’ in.” '

“ verily believe it is Samba,” said ‘Clara,
who had continued to curiously observe him.
“And I am very glad to see him again. But I
never thought there could be such a change

/

u I.

from the tumblin littleblack baby I used to
play with. But w ere have on been all these
yea%hSambol And where c on live now?”

“ ar‘s I been, an' whar ass I lib now?”
repeated Charcoal. his face beaming th de-
l ht at being recognised by his old playmate.
“ uah I’s been libin’ most ob de time since wid
Marse Hunter and 1’s libin’ dai- yet.”

Clara started violently on receiving this in-
formation. But Jennie sprung forward with a
quick thought kindlin her face.

“ You live with . Hunter? With Miss
Clara’s guardian ?”

“Date de identercal trufe,” repeated Char.
coal solemnly.

“ Then you may know all about him. He is
trying to rob your old friend of herrfortune.
Can you not help her? Can you not find out
something?”

“Dat’s what I’m yere fur to-day,” answered
Charcoal importantly. “ I’s found out lots.
Jiss lots, now I tells ye. Marse Hunter’s a big
rascal. An’ dat codfishiv)‘ lawyer as calls his-
self Herrin’, he’sanoder ig rascal.” _ .

“Herrin l” exclaimed Clara, quickly, “of
Smith & erring?”

“Dat’s ’um, Missy Clara. Jiss you leab de
nig to smell a rat. He’s sellin’ you out toMarse
Hunter. He‘s foun’ a paper which Marse Hun-
ter’s gwine to gib him five hundred dollars fur,
squar’ on de nail. ” _

“Good heavens!” cried the r g] wring-
ing her hands in dismay. “ van t aw are
I have engaged have turned against me, t en!
What shall I do? I must charge them with
this treachery.” - .

“Not too fast,” broke in Jennie. “The boy
has something yet to say.”

“Don’t you neber do it, Miss
claimed Charcoal earnestly. “ iss luf ’em 0
on. Neber let on as you know. Ch ’s
gwine to work for you, an’ I’s got sumfln’ now
ob’ rtance; ob gra ’ rtance suah.”

“ at is it?” ask are, anxiously.

“Marse Hunter’s a big rascal, dat’s what,”
returned Charcoal, his black face beaming with
delight and im rtance. “He gin mea paper
to tote to Mr. rown, butl tote it to Smith 8;
Herrin’, cos I knowed dey was our law are.
Well, dat rascal Herrin’, what oes dat eller
do but tote de aper back an’ sell it to ole Marse
Hunter? De 'ttle dark heered ’um, Missy
Clara. He heered ’um rig t frew. It war sum-
fln’ ’bout property ’way out West, dat nobody
knowed ’bout ’cept Marse Hunter. But may-be
g: littil’e nig don’t know? Maybe Charcoal don’t

ow

The boy was so fiill of delight at his discover-
ies that he was uite unable to go on, but burst
into a regular p tation hoedown on the floor,
to the renewed alarm of the young lady visitors,
who had not quite got over their first fright at
Charcoal’s appearance.

“ Jiss on come wid me, Missy Clara,” cried
Charco , as he continued his excited capers.
“I’s got a lawyer ’gaged. Fast cho , too.
Noneob yer codfish rascals like dat errin’.
You come wid me. I’s took him a berry ’ r-
tant dokyment' bery ’portant indeed! e’s
, gwine to work fur you, can he tale me he’d do
all my legal bizness; and'dis am (19 very fust
bizness I eber took him. Come straight away,
Miss Clara, ’coz de time’s goin’.”

A r some further debate Clara consented to
accompan Charcoal, though she was not quite
sure yet or what purpose, for the ha ’3 ex la-
nations were not very satisfactory. uti he
really lived with John Hunter and had found
something in her favor, it would not do to let
the chance go unimproved.

It was with a feeling of great pride that
Charcoal escorted his former mistress through
the streets, and finally introduced her into t e
office of Samuel Jackson, Attorne at Law.

This gentleman was seated at 's desk, and
looked up with surprise on seeing his late vis-
itor so quickly returned, and With much m-
terest as he caught sight of the pretty face of
the youn lady. .

He has nod to provide her With a seat, and
politely asked the purpose of her went.

“The boy here can best explain it,” she quiet-
ly answered. “I have come here to please him,
though I hardly know for what purpose. He '
said something about an important pa r.”

“Yes,” answered Mr. Jae son, “he it me a
gaper. It may be of value though I do not un—

erstand in what way. t is only a convey~
ancer’s bill, for the sale of some property in
Peoria, Illinois, sold b John Hunter, trustee.”
. “ Trustee for whom ’ she quickly asked.
“ The paper does not say.”
“Trustee for Missy Clara Eldon!” cried Char-

Clara,” ex-

 

coal. his face‘ working with excitement.

\

 

I
t

“Didn’t I tell a it was’portant, be ’portant?
Datole rascalgdarse Hunter is a We to rob
you, lissy Clara. But he’s got to keep shy ob
do little nig.”

Mr.’Jaokson opened his eyes at this exclama-
tion from the boy. Clara, too, began to see the
possibility of some importance in Charcoal’s
discovery, though the boy himself had nothing
more than a vague idea that the paper was
“ berry ’portant. ’ a ,

' The attorney asked‘a number of questions, in
order to gain some knowledge of the character
of the case of his fair client. He finally re-
quested her to give him a statement of the whole
business, and explain the grounds on which she
Wished to bring suit against John Hunter.

. This she did, briefly but clearly, gutting him
in possession of the main details of t a case.

‘ It looks bad,” he said, shaking his head
doubtfully. “I fancy this man is trying to
victimire you as on suspect. Have you ap—
plied to no counse before?”

“Yes, sir. To the legal firm of Smith &
Herrin .”

Mr. ackson whistled. ‘

“Excuse me,” he said. “But the are not of
the best odor. Smith, I think, is onestly in-
clined; but I would not advise you to trust
Herring.”

“ Da one am a big rascal 1” exclaimed Char-
coal,I unable to keep silent any longer. “I
cote ed ’um. De little nig am sleepy sometimes,
but he cotched ’um.”

A.t Mr. Jackson’s questioning, Charcoal ex-
plained what he meant, and the conference
ended by the attorney consenting to act as
grivate counsel for her and to look up the evi-

ence in her case; ‘while he advised her not to
let, Smith 8; Herring perceive that she sus-
pected them.

 

CHAPTER X.
CHARCOAL mums DINAH.

" Wm’s you been all dis time? Dat’s what
I wants to know,” asked the cook of Mr. Hun-
ter’s establishment. “ You’s got no bizness to
be off caterwaulin’ ’bout de city, ’thout nobody
knowin’ whar.” -

Charcoal, to whom this question was ad—
dressed, sat demurely shelling pens, with a broad
tin basin beside him a plate in his leg, and a.
basket on the other side in which to t row the

ty pods. Dinah the cock, was a very or-
derly person, and did not believe in making any
unnecessary litter.

“I ain’t been nowhar,” answered Charcoal,
indignantly. “De little nig’s got to bah some
exumcise. Ain’t gwine to stay in de house all
de time.”

“It won’t hurt you,” growled Di . “ Are-
n’tI in de house all do time? An’ reckon I
ain’t none do worse for ’t. Yer a deal too
grumtious, boy’, and it’d serve on figl‘itto gib
you a slatherin ’bout de ears. ere’s r. Hun-
ter raisin’ de roof ofl ’bout you. An’ it’s all
Dinah. Dinah oughtn’ttolet ye gone out. Good
Laws! I’d as lieve try to hold a weasel.”

“Wish ye’d luf me ’lone,” grumbled Char~

coal. “How’s I eber ine togit dese peas
done if you kee ar- got'lin’ like datl Guess
Marse Hunter ’d t he me to his coat-tail, an’

den he’d allers hab me. Don’t t no good oh
my life, nohow, ’bout yere. It s allers, ‘You
Mynifi r,’ and ‘you brack debil Charcoal,’
_ do 6. Wonder if eberybody t’inks little
mas ain’t t no feelin’s, like grown folks?” ,
harco shelled the as faster than ever, as
he gew indignant at his badtreatment.

“ 6" 8: laZYSoung rascal. You know you
are.” persisted iua as she took up a stirrin
stick to test her coo ing. “It’s been a good
six hours since a soul ’3 see’d ye ’bouu do house,
You’s been wid them low-down Irish boys, as
you on ht to be ’shamed of erselfto ’sociate
wid. ’pose I don’t know? er a disgrace to
de fdm’ly as brung ye up, to keep sich com-

n .

“Dat’s not so, Mom Dinah,” replied Char-
coal. “ Idon’thab nufiin’ to do Wid ’em. But I
~ain’t a bit ’shamed ob ’em. I reckon an Irisher’s
as food as a nigger any day, if he ’haves liis-
sel .”

This was a little too much for Dinah’s tem-
per. Hadn’t the Irish come over' here and in-
vaded the kitchens of the Americans, and PUSh'
ed out the black help head and shoulders? The
idea of anybody who had been under her train-
ing going over to the enemy in that way! She
stepped impulswely forward with the stirring
stick which she yet held and brought it down
guilwhack on Charcoal’s s oulders, crying spite-

‘ Take dat, you little ra callion vagabond,
as ’d‘gu back on yer own co or dat way: ’

. Sam Charcoal, the Premium D

 

' V: .'1

Her blow was more effective than she in-
tended. Charcoal had been. half doubled up,
with his feet on the chair-round, intent over his
peas. He made a very natural start forward at
this unlooked-for reminder, and his feet being an-
tangled, he quite overbalanced himself. A quick
eflort with both hands to save himself over-
turned the pan of pods and the basket of shells,
and the next instant he toplpled over face-fore-
most on the floor, while a and crash and the
rollin of minute reen balls in all directions,
told t e fate of is plateful of shelled peas.
Dina’s blew had certainly produced an astonish-
ing effect.

‘ De debil take de pickaninny l” cried Dinah,
holding up her hands in dismay. “ Dar oes
one ob de bestest ching plates, as I tole im
neber to touch. An’ sic a redic’lous scatters-
tion ob peas! E! I wara saint—which I isn’t
—I b’lieve it’d make me swear.”

She fell on Charcoal who was struggling in a
bewildered fashion to his feet and repeated the
dose with interest. The boy finally broke away
and ran tothe kitchen door.

“Wish you’d luf nie ’lonel” he cried angrily.
“’Sposo you t’ink de nig’s made ob cast iron.
VVeren’t m fault ef de peas was spilt. You’d
’a’ broke arcoal’s nose, suah, ef it stuck out
like white folks’. Why, you- most made me

jump outen my boots.
He felt his nose gin ly to see if it was ' still
there. But fortunate y for him it was too flat

to hit the ground first, and the shock of his full
had come upon his thick skull bone, that Ms
strong enough to stand a much harder blow.

“It s ebery bit ver own fault, a-talkin’ so
ridick’lousl” cried Dinah. “You neber had no
sense nohow. Come yere now, and pick u
dese S’pose I’s got nothin’ to do but w
arter our heels.”

“ ou’ll-luf me ’lone if I docs?” queried Char-
coal doubtfully. .

“ Sartin I will. If I tetched ye ag’in, ye’dbe
runnin’ yer woolly head in de chiny closet, or
butting a hole through de flour barrel. Y:er do
most onsartin ni r I eber see’d, Charcoal.”

The boy laughe till he showed all the teeth
in his head. his double row of white ivories
finding out in startling contrast to his black

n

“Ye ou htn’t to neber hit de nigger behind
his back.” a remarked, as he began picking up
the spilled as. " He’s ticklish dar, I tells you
dat. ’Taint fair, anyway, when a feller’s ot
hisself tangled up, and a plate ob peas in

la%’

e was quickly thering the peas into a pan
as he spoke the  bein broken into a mul-
titude of iragments. T see he gathered up,
with a. doleful expressio when‘ Dinah was
looking at him, but a broa grin when her face
was turned away.

“ Dar’s more ob ’em to‘be shelled,” remarked
Charcoal, on his return after disposing of the
ire merits. “ Is I to finish ’eml”

‘ on’t ye tech ’eml” cried Dinah “any.
“ Dar’s no trustin’ sich a ho . You’ll a.-
bu’stin’ somethin’ else. I’d as l eva trust an egg
in yer coat pocket as gib you anoder plate.
Git out, now, l’ll finish ’em in self.”

Charcoal was very well satisfied with the ar-
rangement, and was making his way with a
gun to the kitchen ,door, when he ,was checked

y Dmah’s commanding voice:

“ Come yere,” she demanded. “ Dere’s some-
thin’ 9 can do. Mr. Hunter’s been burnin’
some n’ in de stove in his room. De saints
knows what fur. Guess he don’t want a fire to
warm his shins dis time o’ ear. Burnin’ some
019 Papers; I 8’ 58. Any ow, I can’t stan’ to
hab de stoves c oked u wid ashes. Jiss ou
take de ash-pan an’ brus , and g; up an’ C can
out do stove. An’ don’t you ma no dust, boy,
’cause if you does I’ll wallop yo sure. éway
wid you now, ’fore Mr. Hunter g is back, cause
he don’t like to hab nobody nieddlm’ ’round
his room when he’s at home.’ . _

Charcoal hastened to obey, and mfldfl his
way, with pan and brush, toward Mr. Hunter’s
office, on the second floor of the house. The boy
could not help thinking that there was some-
thing suspicious about this fire after the dis-
coveries he had already made. he muttered to
himself as he slowly ascended the stairs.

“Didn’t I see Marse Hunter, w1d my own
eyes, a-sortin’ out papers; an’ cotched one oh
’em, too, wid de toe on my slice? What’s dat
fur, I’d like to know? He’s been 'a-bui-nin’ do
dock’ments ’bout'Missy Clara’s property. De
big rascal! I wish I‘d stole dem all, ’stead ob
one. lvgfinfium law eerachkgonHmadev hint;
squea ,i ed otall at unc 00 I! e’
best b’lieve itl’fi’; pee y

By this time Charcoal had reached the room J

 

: y
I.

and was ready to investigte the contents of
the stove. He hoped find some unburnt
paper there, bu his disappointed eyes saw only
white" ashes.

He thrust in his arm and raked the ashes
carefully from the top of the heap. To his sur-

\

prise and de ht a show of brownish white
paper was visi is below. Still ml: of! the
ashes he revealed a little bunch of f—burned

apers whose edges were charred and scorched,

ut “ ose central portions seemed to have
escaped the fire. ' ‘

Evidently the papers had been crammedr-into
the stove, and set fire to from above, the
stove door being then shut and the left to
burn. But a fire burning downw ‘ is vary
a t to 0 out. The ashes from above choke
t e fire low; and in- the resent casethis '
ticular clum of papers ad been so ti fly
massed twist or that the flames had failed to
consume t em. The fact that they had not
burnt did not appear from above, where only
white ashes were visible. o ,

But Charcoal did not trouble himself with all
these reasonings.‘ Here wasa‘prize which in ht
be valuable, and he did not care much how
careless master had come to leave it there, so
lon as he had done so. ' r i

‘ ’s ralel a notion dar’s luck forde ni after
all,” cried t a boy, so excited that he bro e into
a breakdown, making his heavy shoes rattle on.
the uncarpeted floor. “T’ou’t Marse Hunter

was a”sharp ’un, but he shet him eyes dat time,

suah.

“What you doin’ u dere, eh!” came in the
sharp voice of Dinah mm below. “Want me
to tote de stick up dere ag’in’l‘ Dar’s some mis~
chief afloat. I knows it.’

' “Dar’s nufiin’,” cried Charcoal. “ I ou’y
drapped my shoes on de floor.
Marse Hunter won’t hab no carpet in de oflce.
I’s a~cleanin’ out do stove.” . - - ‘

“Hurry up, den. Don’t be all day ’bout it,”
and the angry lady of the kitchen strode back
to hbr domain. ‘ .

“ Foggotto say dat my feet was in demshoes.”
chuck] the boy as he returned to his task.

“Guess I’d best git dis. job done, ’cause 'Marse

Hunter mought rep in yere next.” - .
His first movement was to extract the bane
of scorched papers from the stove and rub 08

their burnt edges into the. ash pan. Whatto do '

with them was the next question. After. a
minute’s reflection he left the room and ran‘

nimbly up-stairs to his own apartment in the ‘ ‘

sky-parlor, where be carefully concealed his
rise '

p The boy was whistling a lively mel when
he returned. He felt that he had a ten-,
strike upon his villainous master. a began the
task of cleaning out the remaining ashes from
the stove, still whistling glibly.

He was so intent, indeed, that he failed to
hear a step behind him, and was only aware ,ot

the presence of company when the toe of a boot
n

ave him a cutie rem der from behind, and
e voice of is master angrily exclaimed:

“What are you doing here,” you imp of the ‘

egg bdy‘l Who told you to meddle about flat
3 ve r

A quick same of dread shot through Charcoal.
But it was followed b confidence when he re-
membered that his prwe was safely hidden.

“1’s on’ a-cleanin’ out de stove,” he replied,
with grea innocence. I

“And who, in the blue blazes. asked you to
bother ourself with the stove?” There was a
rin o suspicion in the voice of the speaker.

“ ou’re not generally so oonfoundedly eager' I

for work.” , o
“It were Mom Dinah, in de kitchen,” returned
Charcoal indignantly.
ashes in your slow, and she neber could b’ar
ashes. An’ she tole me to fotch de ash-pan an’
brush, and come right up yere, an’ clean it out.
’Tain’t no fun to git kic ed for ’beyin’ orders,
Marse Hunter. I weren’t wantin’ to do it.”

“I’ll wager high. on that,” cried his master,
with an oath. “Anyhow, you get kicked often
enough for not obeyin orders, so this Wi_ll helg
to strike a balance. ome, get out of this Wit

our ashes now.”

Charcoal obeyed, only too glad to escape
without excitin further_suspicion.

At a rather ater period of that same day
there was another scene, in another art of the
city, which we may briefly descri , as it, is
necessary to keep ug the thread of our story.

This was in the o

’torney at ‘Law. This
leanin easily back in his office-chair convers~
ing wiéh Miss Eldon, who had just called upon

in. .
“I saw you in the Orphans‘ Court 'to-day,"
.\ I .

rtly personage was

In

11‘

It’s all ’cause '

“She said dar were '

cc of Samuel Jackson, At-

 

g:
5
O
}.

 
    

' my cue to appear

_..- . 1...- .4 ., .

,1-2

.. --....  .-  ...'-_..‘ din... ..

' ‘ . . 3 .

'Sam Charcoal, the“ Premium Darky.

 

 

shesaid. “But I was afraid you did not take
any interest in what was ing on; you seemed
so occupied with other ma tars.”

“ Yes,” was the laughing 331$ “ It was not

interes in our affairs.

But you need'not fear but that I took it all in.
Have you called on Smith & Herring since?”

“ I have just come from their office.”

“ Ah! And what have/they to say?”

“ That everything is gomg on very well.

V They did not intend to show their case to-da

\

they say. They wanted to find the st ngth (if
the other side. But they are doing eir best
to burnt up evidence in my favor.”

“gm his explanation you found very satis-

ry

“ Not entirely,” answered Clara. “ It seemed
to me as if they were making no eflort. What
did you think of it, Mr. Jackson?"
' “ have a fanc they intend to sell you out,"
was his cool y. “Hunter’s statement of
his account was a very neatly t up document.
It impressed the judge, I coul see that. An
your counsel simply did nothing, except to help

t all they could.

» “ was afraid so, myself,” she anxiously an-
swered! “Of course, I do not understand the
way?I dog“ 1%,, but I certainly felt very

moo

“ Did you tell them so?” quickly.

“ No. did not think it advisable.”

“ That was right. To never show our hand
until you are forced to, is good legal 'c.”

“ But have you done anything Ivet, r. J ack-
son?" she earnestly inquired. ‘ was in hopes
that you might have found some trace, some
claw that would be of importance. ”

“ othiug,” he rejoin shaking his head. “I
have a co ndent a work in Salisbury,
but he has e no favorable re rt as et.”

“And about the paper which t e boy rought

you?”

“There has not been time to do anything
about that. It is only a few days, you wil
remember. I have written to Peoria, but it is
too soon for a  You must have more
time, Kiss Eldon. our lawyers must dela
the case I wish you to insist on that. But 0
not let them know that I advised it.” ‘

“ nly no ” answered Clara.

‘.‘ We must be wise asset ate and innocent
as doves, you know,” he continued. I

At hitse‘point their conference was suddenly
interrup The door was thrown widely
open, and the face of Charcoal made its appear-
ance, beaming with importance and self-satisfac-
tion. But his usually natty appearance was
remarkablychan . His livery.was gone, and
beware a suit 0 ragged clothes which looked
asif they had been picked out of some coal
hole. On his shoulder he carried. a bundle at
theendof-a‘ stick, and he might readily have

for a tramp or a footpad of the first
uality, but for the shining eagerness of his

“.I’s got ’um! I’s got ’uml” he cried joyfully.
“has you b’lieve it, Marse Jackson an Missy
Clara. I’s got ’um! Ole rascal Hunter’s sold
hisself dis time. De little nig’s too wide awake
for him!”

- . CHAPTER XI.
ounce“. cars are wmma parses.

WI last saw our young friend Charcoaljust makin
his way out of Mr. Hunter‘s room, with a dust-bras 1
and a of ashes. An ordinary person would
have that those ashes were in a air way to be

'deposited in the ash barrel. But no one who knew
Charcoal would have been sure of that. He had too
great a genius for mischief for anybody to count
upon his mavements. '

“ Hey. 9118mm” called Mr. Hunter from his
room. “ Just tell Dinah to hurry up 'with that
lunch. I haven’thad a bite of dinner, and am as

h as a wolf. ‘

“gursel- Will. 8311 " answered the boy who had
justreacheg the has. of the stairs. “Ill send her
up '0 .’ .

_" dinner’s all read . I’s got it yere," cried
Dinah, from the foot of t e stairs,

She had just left the kitchen, and bore a waiter
contaiuin aplate of cold roast chicken. some bis-
cuits an butter, and other Viands. Her shining
black face was turned up to the boy as she made
this announcemen .

 

the cook. “Stir your stumps, or by
Jupiter lithe lunch don‘t come soon, I may com-
mence l) eating you, by way of a snack."

“ The ma hress us!" ejaculated the boy, in a tone

headat

took a hasty
step forward. A natural result followed. Charcoal s
foot came down, but there was nothing for it to
come down on, so followed his foot.

» Over he toppled head-foremost onto the stairs,

t
“ Stir up then," exclaimed Mr. Hunter, who had.

 

the ash-pan and brush dgeng out of his hands and
precedin him down the s p flight of ste s.

The fa s of ill-luck seemed the day, for
that pan managed tcde t its contents over
every po on of the lunch w ch Dinah was so care

on  The brush, on the other hand, took
8. her t, and struck the cook on her woolly,
poll, causing her to start hastily back with an ex-
clamation'of dismay. Her feet trip and she fell
on the broad of her back the lunch waiter tumbling
with a ringing sound, and spreadingits ash-sprinkl
contents promiscuously over the door.

But this was not the complete result of Charcoal's
unlucky nusstep. He followed the pan and brush.
Down the stairs he came, with a thum amd a groan
at every step, makin wild eflorts w m hands and
feet to recover himse , ut all in vain.

Mr. Hunter .ran quickly from his room on hearing
the unusual uproar, and the cries of Dinah and the
boy. He arrived just in time to see Charcoal finish
his wild career at the bottom of the stairs. One
last plunge, and one final groan, and he struck head
foremost amid the scattered remains of the lunch,
the to of his head strikin in the pot of butter while
a hot iled potato was attened out over Mahmud
countenance. v

“ What in the flcnd’s name is going on here?"
yelled Mr. Hunter in an an tone. “ hoot me if
this isn't enough to provo e an angel! What are
you up to, on donkey-cared son of a raven?"

“0h, de oly mercy!” screamed Dinah, trying to
scramble to her feet. “Did eber anybody see do
like? Dar's de lunch clean aged, an’ all covered
wid ashes. An‘ maybe do pic inny killed hisself,
for all an body knows!"

“ He k l himself!” exclaimed the irate master.
“ There‘s no such good luck. But hang me if I don‘t
feel hke finishing the job! Here's my dinner gone
to the dogs, and hungry enough to eat slate pencils.
I could murder that bound with a clear conscience.
Get up, you villain, and don’t lie shamming there, or
I’ll dro the water pitcher on your thick skull."

At th s fierce threat Charcoal gathered himself to-
gether and crawled to his feet, turning his face up-
ward toward the angry gentleman, who continued
to heap interjections upon his devoted head.

Yet furious as he was, he could not help givin a
grim laugh as he caught sight of the boy’s face. or
the remnants of a flattened out potato spread in a
broad zone across his countenance, while a yellow
mass of butter was slowly melting into his thick
wool and trickling in greasy drops down along his
c eeks and forehead.

e presented a most ludicrous and woe-begone as-

pect at which Dinah, as well as her master, could
not help laughth angry as they both were. '
“Twasn’t my ault," “ My

agglogized Charcoal.

foot slipped, an’ I coul ’t cotch myself. You

skeered me, Marse Hunter, dat’s de fack. I don‘t

b’liebe dar eber Was a nigger yit dat tumbled down-

stairs a-purfose. ” *
Ashe spo 'e be was diligently digtg‘i’ng the potato

{Irom his eyes and scooping the me g butter from
[8 hair.

“.I scared you, eh? You lie, on rascally lump of
lamp-black] You flung the shes down-stairs on
purpose, to spoil m dinner, and tumbled down our-
self to hide your t ck. Iknow you, blast your idel
There’s not a do. but you‘re up to some mischief,
and hang me if put u with it any longer. You can

at out of this establis ment as ulck as your two
egs will c you, for I‘ve enough of you.
0 I’m a so t-hearted fool, I’d have kicked you out
of core a year ago.” '

“Yer ain't gwine te discharg
queried the boy, 0 ing his eyes to their full width.

- “ Well, it looks e that, doesn‘t it?"
“ Arter all I’s done for ye '2”
“ Done for me, you vagabond! You’,ve done noth-

e me, Marse Hunter?"

iii-fiexcept to keep me in a peck of trouble with your.

t ks,

“Arter libin’ wid you eber since I war so high?"
persisted Charcoal.

“You‘ve lived with me long enough then. You
can have a chance to show somebod else a sample
of your quality.” . l

‘ Yer ain‘t in airnest, are ye?“ asked Dinah.
“Why, (16 boy didn’t tumble down-stairs a purpose.
He ain’t fool 'nuif fur dat, nohow. Let debo ofl,
dis time, Mr. Hunter. Dar’s more chicken de
kitchen. I‘ll soon git ye u anoder lunch.”

“ Burn me, if I let him 0 , then! I‘ve had enough

of him. Come, pack ourself up, you jackanapes!
Get out of this before set my ers pn you, for I’ll
flatten you up like a pancake, if do. '
4 It was evident that Mr. Hunter was too angry to
be readil acifled. Something must have gone‘
wrong ou e, of which Charcoal was reaping the
full benefit, for his master was not usua 1y so un-
reasonable. _

“ Don’t you neber mind, Mom Dinah,“ said Char-
coal, with more dignity. “ I don‘t like to be turned
outen doors for nufiln’ at all, but I ess I ll git
’long. Dar’s more nor one gemman as seen 111
style, and wanted to ‘gage me ’fore now. But
wasn’t wine to leab ere. I warn’t goin’ back on
Marse unter, ’cause knowed he couldn‘t git ’long
widout me.”

I“ The blazes you, did!” exclaimed Mr. Hunter
With a laugh. We‘ll see, my chap. And l
don‘tcare a button how many lplaces! you get. I
hope they’ll enjoy you, that’s a . thy, any sensi-
ble man-would o to the State rison be ore he’d put
up with what 1 ave stood.— amose now! Iamnot
go to stand here all day, blatherlng with you.“

“_ 3 tie git my t'ings fust," reJomed Charcoal.
“ I 1811’ goin’ widcut my t‘ings." - ,

f‘ Your things!” in a tone of contegipt. “What

things have on get? I don‘t believe you own is
wort the value of a sixpence."

up, and guess I won’t go frew at ob ag‘in.“

,80 used

 

“Mebbe dey aren’t to you," grumbled Charcoal.
“ But I sets some store by ‘em."

“ Very well. Go get your treasures, then. It will
save me the trouble of havi them thrown in the
ash barrel. And oh with that very. You shallnot
take, that awa with you. Let me see~you hefbre
you go out. don‘t Want you to carry anything
awagebut what belo s to gen."

“ bo neber stoe not in’ yit,” cried the cook,

indi a .
“gm shut up, Dinah. Nobody asked your 0 in-
ionin the matter. Do you take care to leavet at

liveil'y boy." .

“ don‘t want do ole livery," exclaimed Charcoal,
contem tuously. “I neber did ‘ rove ob it, away;
how. ar‘s too much red in it. don‘t agree

my ’ lexion.,’

‘ ith your complexion!" laughed Mr. Hunter,
with a return of good humor. ‘ Off with you. you
rascal, or I‘ll sh a bootjack at your head." ,

Charcoal m 6 his way grumblingLv to his room,
to acku his effects.

was an hour or more ere the boy ag‘agig
made his appearance. During this time Dinah
dished up another lunch for her master, which he
had eaten with arelish, and was censequently, in a
better frame of mind. He felt, indeed, some com-
punctions of conscience in regard to Charcoal, to
whom 'he had been so long accustomed, that ‘he
hardly saw how he was to get along without him.
He began to think, in his after-dinner mood, that he
had been too hasty. . '

“ What keeps that boy?" he asked. “ Hurry him
up, Dinah. lwant to seehim before he goes.”

Charcoal had been engaged about a variety of
things of importance to h 'm. not least of which was
his careful preservation of the bunch of half-burnt
pa ers, upon which he had based such lively ho es.

ut he now came down-stairs, and presented im~
self before his master, a very different looking ob-
ject from what he had been before going to his

room.

His smart livery was taken 08 and was replaced
by a most dilapidated suit of clothes, more venti-
lated than a sieve, for some arts of it would hardl
have held a baker‘s loaf. n his head was a f
hat, with half the rim tern loose and flapping about
his ears. Over his shoulder he held a short stick,
with a small bundle at the end of it. Altogether it
was an extraordinary metamorphosis from the
smart youth in livery of a short time before.

' “ Yere‘s yer ole livery,” said Charcoal, somewhat
insolentlv, as he laid a bundle on the omce desk.
“ You‘d best see if it's all'dar. ‘Cause I don‘t want
nufiln’ ’ce t my own.” -

“ And w are the thunder did you get that suit?"
asked Mr. Hunter, eyingahiim curiously. “Why,

ou're a r lar rambu ng rag-bag.
y “ Deansegsgmepgb m ole workin‘ clothes," ex-
lned Charcoal. “ uess you don’t keer ’bout

em. I ain’t got numn‘ else to put on ’cept dem."

“ And .eu‘ve t next to nothing- on now,”
laughed is me. 1“ If that suit had any more
ventilation I am afraid you would hardly be a safe
object to trut in the streets—Here, boy,”he_ con-
tinued laughingly, “ oi! with those dirt. , and

ut on your live again. I was more i an in

un jus now, an will give you another trial. You've
been about here too long to be set adrift for a spoiled
chicken-bone."

Charcoal listened with some surprise. Here was a
decided change in the wind. Some quick thoughts
passed through his mind. It was a comfortable
Blace, and no hard work, which Just suited him.

ut, then, there were events soon to take lace that
would bring his term of service with Mr. unter to
a sudden termination and he might as well finish
it now, as he was ready to do so.

“ Much ’bliged Marse Hunter, but I guess I‘ll go,"
he answered. "lii gersis 01: some feelin‘s as well
as white folks. Di n't you to me Jisp now so 3
a fly wouldn‘t crawl on me? An‘ as soon 3 you say,
‘ stay yere ’ you s'poses I’s ine to jump outen my
skin todo it! Nary time. a 01: my duds packed

Mr. Hunter looked curiously at t e be . This was
an unex ected reception of his offer. e had been
ling the lad hard names that he never
dreamed that the “nigger” had an feeling about
it. He continued to look at him,sowly w istling,
while Charcoal stood straight upri ht, with his bun-
dle obver his shoulder, waiting for t e and of this in-
spec ion.

“ Put down that bundle and open it ‘_‘ Mr. Hunter
hars , commanded, evident] concluding not to re
peat 5 request to the boy. ‘ Let me see if you are
not carrying of! Some of my property." '

“Dar’s on‘y a pair ob ole shoes, an some Oder
little t‘ings,’ explained Charcoal. ‘f Dar's some '
marbles, and a top, an’ a piece ob twme, and—and
some chawin’ gum. But 3 'bout all. Don‘t want
none ob your pro rtfv. ot ’nufi ch in own.” ,

“Open the bun e say," commands his master.

“Ain‘t got no sort ob ’jcctions,” answered Char-
coal, as he took the bundle from his shoulder and
laid it on the des.s. “Dar’s nufiin‘ 1‘s ‘shnme-d of."

He untied thevknots of the large handkerchief of
which the bundle was composed, and spread it out,
revealing a miscellaneous collection of articles such
as Charcoal had just named. _

“ Dar deyis " explained the boy. “Jiss as I felt:

ou. On’y c awin‘ gum an‘ marbles and arch.
n‘t s‘pose you wants none ob ’em."

“ What's that stuffed in your shoe?“ _ , ‘

“Dat? Why dat’s on’y a pair ob steelmi s. I s

{up barefoot w-day to sabe my shoes an stock-

s.
h“A'l"ld that bunch in the other shoe. What is
t at?

“Why, dat‘s on‘y ’lasses candy. I bought some

 

s.

 

Sam Charcoal, the Premium Darky.

13

 

 

yisterday, and stuck de balance ob it in de shoe, so's
wouldn t forgit it. Don‘t s‘pose you wants none
ob dat neder."

“No, hang me if I do, after it‘s been thro h
your hands. Tie up your bundle and be of! w h
you, since you are bent on going."

.There was a certain degree of anxiety in Char-
coal‘s face while this inspection went on. He now,
with a concealed grin of satisfaction, hastily re-
formed his bundle. and slung it over his shoulder.

“Good-by Marse Hunter." said the boy, turning
toward the cor.

“ Away with you. you ungrateful rogue,” was the
harsh response. With a sarcastic grin Charcoal dis-

appeared.

 

CHAPTER XII.
m NEXT nova IN run our.

IT was shortly after the hour in which Charcoal
had made his exit from his old residence, that he
made his entrance into Mr. Jackson‘s ofiice, rather
startling that gentleman and his fair client.

Charcoal was, as we have slid, an' object. Bare-
footed and dressed in a suit of clothes that would
have ed a chronic tramp with the torn rim
of his hat flappirlilgsover his rig tear, with the foot-
pad‘s bundle on shoulder, and a mixture of per-
spiration and melted butter runnin down his sooty
face, he was certainl a figure to e laughed at or
screamed at, acco to the mood the person was
in.

His advent was met in both wa now. Clara

ve a nervous little scream, while . Jackson lay
hisck in his chair. and laughed till the tears stood in

eyes.
The excited eagerness of the boy added to his
ridiculous a pearanoe, as he continued to exclaim:

“I’ve cotc ed ’uml l‘ve'cotched ‘uml Sold dat
ole rascal, Marse Hunter, dis time suahi“

"You‘ve caught what, you disre utable little
reprobate?" asked the law er, still ughing. “I
hope it isn‘t the ague, or he yellow fever. at
have you ca ti"

“I‘s cotched some more ob dem berry ’portant

apers sich as I brung you afore," answered the
y, w th more dignity. “Dar‘s no mistake 'bout
’em. Marse Hunter he crams ’em in de stove, and
tries to burn ‘em'up. But do little nig was too
wide awake. Dey weren’t all burnt, an I's t a
bunch ob ‘em dat‘s mebbe worth dar weig t in

old.”
3 At this revelation there was a marked chan in
the demeanor of his listeners. Mr. Jackson sat it
11 right in his chair, with his eyes fixed close] on
tg’e espeaking face of the boy; while Miss Edon
lean forward, with cla hands, her face suf-
fused with the rosy glow 0 hope.

“Let us see what you have got," exclaimed the
lawyer. “I shouldn‘t wonder if it was something of
value if that man was trying to burn it."

” I hope indeed it may prove so," broke in Clara,
in eager tones. “I hope it may prove the turn in
the tide of my fortunes.“

While they 3 oke Charcoal had taken the bundle
from his shou der, and deposited it u on the table,
and was busily endeavorlng to uni e the knots,
which he only fastened the tighter by his nervous
haste. Mr Jackson looked at him curiously.

“ In what ditch or itter did you pick up that as-
tonishing suit, boy? by, when you were here the
other day you was as neat as a new pin, with your
fancy livery. And now you look like an embassador
from land."

“I‘s ‘sc 9. ed," answered Charcoal, with a comi-
cal grin. "ll arse Hunter ‘scharged me. An' fur
nufiln‘ at all, on’y tumblin‘ down stairs an' upsettin‘
a pan ob ashes on his lunch. An' any nigger mout
do dat, ef his foot sli ed. He‘s do most onreason-
able man you eber see. I wouldn’t lib wid sich
a man—‘s ially arter I was ‘scharged."

By this me charcoal had succeeded in untying
the hard knots, and he threwtthe bundle open, dis-

la i its miscellaneous con en s.

p This: was a renewed laugh as their 6 es fell upon
the boy's collection of treasures, o ' which the
marbles set off on their own hook, roihng in all di-
rections. He had much ado to catch them and re-
store them to their places

“ Dem‘s mg t‘ings," he explained. f‘ I’s moved
from Marse unter s, and dat s my movm‘.“
“ And a ve valuable collection of ersonai ro-

rty, I shoul say " the la
‘But where are t e impo
of ?"
It was Charcoal‘s turn to laugh.
“ Didn‘t I shot de old boss‘s eyes up on dem pa-
rs?" he exclaimed. “ He made me open de bun-
le, but nar time did he see ’em."
“ Nor do ," answered the lawyer.

or grave y respon ed.
nt papers you spoke

“ Where are
they 1’”

“ Yere do are," ed Charcoal, as he proceed-
ed to extragt a ti hi fitting package from one of his
shoes. “I tole arse Hunter dat were a paper ob
’lasses candy. as he said he didn‘t want none of m
’lasses candy, If he’d on‘y kno.wed what kind 0
’lasses candy dat were! Oh my 1'

And Charcoal expressed his feelin s with a gay
whistle while he unfolded the care 11y wrapped
piece of brown aper. He threw it open with a ges-
ture 0f tflump and displayed its contents, in the
shape of a hard mass of scorched papers, burnt half
into a cinder.

Mr. Jaclggn 1flaked fit them min dismayiii Hgfimd
not expec q 8110 a ' agt, g. [-3,
whose eyes were fixed 3y upon his face,
dro pod back in her chair, quite discouraged by his
dub ous expression. '

“ Bless us. Charcoal, is this all?" he exclaimed.
“Why, I doubt if even a Philadelphia lawyer can
make anything out of them." I

 

“ Dar‘s writin' on ’em," exclaimed Charcoal eager-
ly. “I‘s ‘zamined 'em. '

“ Wait a moment, then. . Let me take alook,” said
the disappointed lawyer,

The bunch of papers was onefthat had been close-
ly laid together, forming a dense mass, into which
t no fire had failed to penetrate, though it had been
considerabl burnt around its ed es, and was badly
scorched t ro hont. Mr. Jac son carefully in-
serted a sharp b ads of his penknife between two of
the layers and lifted the up from the lower
portion The face of paper w rich now showed it-
self had not the scorched and blackened appear-
ance of the upper, but was only slightly embrowned,
while the writing upon it was as lainly visible as
ever. The lines of writing were nogcomplete, how-
ever, as they had been burnt oif all around.

Mr. Jackson bent over and fixed his eyes on the.
broken lines of writing. A low whistle came from
his 1i 5 as he read them.

“ y Jove, Charcoal," he exclaimed, “I should
not wonder if you have really found a prize. This
looks mighty suspicious—There may be somethin
of great value here, Miss Eldon “ he continued. “ t
refers to some operations of John Hunter, as true
tee, which were not mentioned in his statement to
the court. Do you know if he is trustee for any
other estate?“

“I do not think it ver probable,“ she replied.
“ People would not genera y choose such a man as

“ It will not do to trust to that. People do very
stran 6 things. He deceived your father and may
have eceived others. I must look into this matter
more dee ."

“ Dat's al gammoni“ exclaimed Charcoal, excited-
ly fearing that his discove might o for nothin .
"He isn’t a trustee for no y. An‘t I livede
him? He weren‘t a trustee eben for me."

“ The roof of the pudding is in $he eating, friend
Char-co ,” smiled the lawyer. “ 6 shall see. But
I think very likely you are right; and. if so, we have

Mr. John Hunter in a v tight lace."
“Whar I hope ou'l hm a mighity ti ht
squeeze' ‘cause he sarves t," answered arcoa
Clara had been caning the scorched apers dubi-
ously. She began doubt that anyt could be
done with them, and expressed herself that of-

feet.

“ I don’t know about that ” returned the lawyer.
“I must get them in shape first."

“ How will on do that? I should think they
would fall to p eces if touched.“
“ I shall lift them of! one by one," he explained,
“ and eats thorn fiat on the leaves of a book. Then
I will ve them safe, and can examine them at my
leisure."

“ Dear me! I should never have thought of that,“
she exclaimed, with a hopeful flash of her eyes.

Ten minutes afterward Charcoal found himself
once more in the street. He and Miss Eldon had
left the lawyer to his task Charcoal first requesting
the privile e of leaving his bundle in Mr. Jackson‘s

office, unti called for.

“And what are you goin to do, Sambo?" asked
Clara, calling him y his 0 name. “ You have no
home, no place.“

“ Don’t worry yerself 'bout Sambo, Missy Clara,"
was the reply. “I’s got some mone . An‘ I'd
sooner sleep on a board ile dan on a , dese warm
nights. Jiss you see if don‘t soon gift a place."

I hope so," she responded. “ I succeed in
my suit ou shall never need a place again. Just
now u ortunately, I am as oras you. '

“fisher you mind, Missy ra," cried Charcoal,
with much feeling. ‘ You s gwine to git yer rights,
suah. Marse Hunter can‘t git ober dem papers, now

ou see."

y Charcoal was not sorry to get away from his
you mistress deep as was his love and admira-
tion or her. It was getting late in the da , and he
had another pro ect in his mind to be pu through
that afternoon, all things proved favorable.

The fact is that Charcoal had his eyes opened to a.
late event. His sup sed dream of thunder and
lightning and bomb- ells did not seem so sure when
he came to think of the colored s pinned to his
clothes. He shrewdly argued to self that no
dream yet ever had such an eflect as that, and that
pins, rags and feathers are not manufactured in

sleep.

But if not a dream, what was it? His ideas turned
involuntarily to his sworn enemies—Teddy and
Patsy. In fact these young entlemen had not
been silent abou their part in t- e aflair, and it did
not take much questioning among his cronies for
Charcoal to arrive at the whole truth of the busi-

ness.

He had been victimized, that was the long and
short of it. He had been taken at a base disadvan-
tage in his sleep. But he was wide awake now, and
revenge is swee . How to get even with them was
the one thought in Charcoal's mind. In short, he
had invented a scheme, which he longed to put in
execution.

It was no difficult matter to find the two boys,
The)’ were easily discovered, with some of their
cronies, on their customer-5 playgrounds in the
southern part of the city. harcoal walked up to
them with a ver innocent expression.

“ Hi! look a: the hi r1" exclaimed Patsy.
“ What‘s ne wid all his smart clothes?"

“I ain' nobody‘s nigger now." explained Char.
008-1- “1‘8 been 'scharged an‘ I’s my own boss_
Dar‘s nobody to say now, ‘ Compsypre, you lazy mg-

gerl' I‘s goin'blackbe '1

u u k p," or, vfeddy with a sneer.
m, ther ain't no black as inside 0’ ten
m

“ Mebbe dar ain’t, fur you, but dar is for me," was

 

 

the confident reply. “ An‘ ‘tain‘t two miles, neder-
Guess I knows.'

Charcoal walked on with his head in the air. He
had notu’fione far before he was joined by the boys,
as he h shrewdly cted.

“ See here Charcoa ," exclaimed Tedd . “ We
ain‘t got not lin‘ ag‘in’ you. Ye‘s ain‘t go 11’ to eat-
them all."

“ Don‘t s‘pose I kin," answered Charcoal. “ But I.
didn't find em for on. Dar’s plenty ob ‘em, but I
guess I'll keep ‘em or oder in like myself."

“Oh, now, Charcoal!” (Tie the boys in concert...
“ We ain‘t got nothin‘ ag’in‘ you. It‘s only all fun-
You might show us where they are."

“ Na time," returned Charcoal, resolutely, as he
walked rastily on.

But he was not going to et rid of his customers
so easily as that. They fo owed him closely, bound
that he should not e oy his feast of fruit that day
without help. After oy had walked considerably
more than a mile in a south-westerl direction, the
banks of the Schuylkill became le at no great
distance ahead. harcoal here turned, with a sar-
castic laugh.

“ I hope you’suenjoyed yer walk, young gemmen ”

he remarked. Guess I won‘t for black-
berries to-day.“ go any
“ Oh, now, Charcoal! Come, Charcoal! You

know we‘re all on our side.“

“ What‘ll you gi me den?“

“ I ain‘t t nothin‘ 'cept some marbles," an-
swered Ted y. “I'll give you them if you show us
where the berries is."

“ Dat's a bargain. Hand ober dem marbles."

It was with a chuckle of satisfaction that Charcoal
cons ned this rise to his pocket, and started to
run a full sp calling out:

“ We‘re gwine right straight fur ‘em all do time.
De fust feller up 'gits de fust pick. Hi1 white tellers,
le‘s see you run.

The were not slow to obe and there was a rapid
race or the banks of the n ghboring river. 'r dy
and Patsy were the two best runners of the party.
and were soon up to. and a little ahead of Charcoal.

" Don‘t ye see de bushes derei" cried the latter.
" Right .ober de ditch, on de riber bank. Dere‘s
more ob ’em furder down. An' jissfull ob berries."

“How are we in' to git over the ditch?" asked
Tedd , who was advance, and saw that there was
a wi e ditch between them and the bank where the
blackberry bushes grew.

“ Dar's no water n it,“ answered Charcoal. “ It's
dbrz. and as hard as a stone. We‘s got to Jump right
0 r.

He put on some extra speed, as if anxious to be
first a the bushes. But Teddy and Patsy followed
his example, and reached the borders of the d
ditch side by side, Charcoal being a little behin ,
and the other boys further in the rear. Full con-
iiding in his representations the leaped side {y side
from the bank. The ditch was 00 wide for them to
spring across, and they lit just beyond its center.
At the same moment Charcoal checked
with a scream of laugihter. and held out hlshan for
the other boys to do kewise.

And with reason. .For the ditch, instead of being
filled with hard earth held a smooth, treacherous,
sticky mud, into which the two confiding boys sunk
half-way to their necks, while Charcoal rolled on
the and, screaming and id his heels with

. And the other he s, too, faithless allies,
joined in the merriment of t eir treacherous tide.

“Oh de laws 0' mercy l“ yelled Charcoal in ( elight
as Teddy and Patsy strugf ed in their muddy bath.
“Oh, war der eber sech uni How‘s e like black-
berries, hey? Any fool‘d know dar ne er weren't 9.
her on dem bushes. Got an more fire-crackers,
hey Got any more snuff? 8 so you gib de nig-
ger some, de nex‘ time you co him aslee f"

b “ Catchh him and fling him in too," yellogthe two

0 , w 0 were now tn
thé'sm‘gl‘lw a“:  dragging emselves through

ut moa- . t spar-tin eer, setofras ra
as he could for laughter, theg jrem boys 
soon distanced by t e fleet-footed little arky.

But what ob sets the two tricked lads were when
the reached s ore! Covered to their waists with a
sti yellow clay, that had anything but a sweet
smel while their shoes had been sucked from their
feet in the bottom of the ditch, it was evident from

their Woe-be ne looks that they fancied that Char-
coal had the of the innings at present.
CHAPTER XIII.

A sass: rs connr.

AT Clara‘s earnest uest her legal advisers had
obtained several weeks‘ clay of the law-suit, so that
no opportunity of obtaining evidence in her favor

ht be lost. She did not confide to them that her
1) cipal object was to give Mr. Jackson time to
work up his side of the case. and trace out that hid-
den mystery of the western lands.

It was a month after the date of our lastchapter
when the parties to the suit were again thered in
the rooms of the Orphans' Court, on outh Sixth
street, Philadelphia.

Clara was present with her two worthy lawyers;
and John Hunter, with his equally worthy advocate,
But there were others, who ke t a little in the back-

round, yet who were not thout an interest in
3 case. Samuel new" was there, ap-
parently engaged in some on different business,
And from a bench in the rear of the room, shone
the black face of Charcoalhwho was a parently
only intereStOd in Ree ins t e flies off hgdevoted
nose, and smilin at e recollection of how neatly
he had d 011' h enemies in their own coin.
" We V6 nothing further to ofler, your Honor.

beyond our statement of the settlement of the
estate," began Mr. Brown. addressing the judge

 

 
   

:4

“My client, Mr. Hunter, has done his duty as
trustee tothe best of his abillt ,. But, unfortunate-
ly, be hand Mr. Eldon‘s at! in such a hopeless
anarlthathehasbeenalltheseyears win
at hte them out with the result of ing
that 9 died testate. The debts of the estate have
been all paid and all available assets collected,
with the result as shown in the statement in your
Honor’s hands. There is nothing left for the heiress.
In fact, the advances made her by my client have
been from his own rivate fortune. But for that he
asks no remunerat on."

“The judge looked quietly at him as he spoke,
with his spectacles pushed back on his fore end.
He then turned over the pages of the statement be-
fore him, and asked a few questions about its sev-
eral items.

These helgg smoothly answered, he looked up

, with _ eyes fixed upon the 'plaintifl’s coun-

.But Messrs. Smith a: Herring, though for de-
cency's sake objecting to certain points in the state-
ment, had no new evidence to offer. They had
made ev effort they acknowledged, to discover
if any proo could be found of the trustee’s unfaith-
ful rformance of his duty; but in vain.

. He made quite an effective little speech.
about the duties of guardians. the hel lessness of
wards and all that sort of thing, but hav no more
to do with the case in hand than with an earth-

ke at HotrfisKong. He looked frequently at

during neat little address, and was satis—

fied b her smile that he had made quite a hit with
her not with the court.

9 sat down at length, quite satisfied with his
mgth e’l’oggiecgc‘ie'th j d looking lth his

‘ ~ 8 u go, up w
0001 agile, “that is very neat; but—is there any
evidence? I have here the carefully prepare
statement of the defendant. I am sorry for the
y lady; but'I have heard nothing-to callit in
q

on. .
It was now Mr. Smith‘s turn to make an effort,
’ 3’3"“ ‘hfii‘h‘nt tgii‘g’fiafimdm" and less
t a o ner.

The digs. listtfinettiavtgth gfeat patience. He then
again u e 3 men . -

“ Hearing goth in rebuttal—" he began.

There w at this point, an unexpected interrup-
tions Mr. ackson, who had been busily. jotting
down something in Incil in another part of the
room,,and apparent y paying no attention to the
caseYbeforés the omit-t, nciw rose.

“ our onor " esai .

The judge turned quickly toward him.

“ my interruption,” he continued. “You
were about deciding u n a case in which I have
sogcgtifggtemt. I ope you will give me a few
m u . I

These wordsyrere heard with considerable surprise.
Mr. Hunter grew red in the face as he looked around
atthe speaker. Nor were Messrs. Smith & Hen-in
lesslastonished. As for Clara, the presistent sm 9
upontgcelr face" deepened. The judge threw back his
s cc es. ‘

p“Mr. Jackson," he answered. “Why certainly
we will hear what you have to say."

“ Mr. Hunter has produced a considerable number
of Papers to the court," began Mr. Jackson. “ And
ye there are some papers of importance which it
would be well for your Honor to see. There is one
wr, for instance, which fell by mistake into the

s of Messrs. Smith & Herring, when it was in-
tended to be delivered to Mr. Brown. Will the gen-
tlemen please produce that pa’ r in court?"
 ese words fell like a thun erbolt upon the con-

spirators They looked guiltin from one to in
281162;: that: faces slightly paling. The judge looks

wa m.

“*Whg’fl gii'tJ hag1 andbearing on the case," he said,
9 c y s 0 See it.

.Smith & Herring whispered together. They were
evidently disturbed. It would not do to de it, for
they iéattlliseen the dark aspect of Charco at the
rear 0 6 room.

“Your Honor,” began Mr. Herring, after this short
conference, "there was such a 1:130); Iadmit de—
livered by mistake into our han&. But it ha no
bear-ingupon this case, and we returned it to the

or who had brought it, to be delivered to
Mr. Brown, its proper destination."

Mal, dufingilthesc words had been radually
e 3 man .
an; jggge, his black face glowing with heat and in-

n on.

"Who‘s e to b’lieve all dat?” he ejaculated.
“ It war On y aco y as you gib me to tote to Manse
Brown, an‘ you £00k do ’rxginai yerself to Marse
Hunter; an’ sold it to him too, dat's more."

“ Hal lexclaxmed the judge angrily.‘ , “What does
. mas)? H313 13:10:; téongue, btzy! How dare you

9 c0 a manner ’

“ ’Scuse me," answered Charcoal humbly. “ I
dian 0 fur to do it. It come uar’ out itself,
when Iieered (lat Herrin’ a liein’ in at fashion.”

“Are we to submit to this, our Honor?" ex-
claimed Herring indlgnantly. ‘ I repeat that the
Riper had no bearing on this case. And I should

a to know on what grounds or authority Mr. Jack-
son dares to interfere in a matter with which he has

nothing to d .

“ Miss Eldon there is my authority,” Mr. Jackson
quietly answered pointing to the yo lady. “ As
to the grounds 0 my interference, e are these,"
he continued, his voice owmg ion and stern,
, while his keen egos were u n theiast speaker.
.“ I affirm that Eldon is ri t, and that she has

been robbed of her estate by J o :1 Hunter. Iamrm
moreover, that the counsel whom she d
~ have traitorously sold her out to her enemy. mi

N ' I  ' 

loam. thirdly;that John Hunter
which would show his villainy
was a sudden uproar in the court at these

arks
Smith. Herring and Hunter,
erly addressing the j

were all on their feet
udge, full of am

rel" exclaimed the judge.
cons in the broth at once,
r must be settled quietly
Mr. Jackson is_ a

and re mination.
“ There. there, the
“ There are too many sp

and calmly. Please
reputable attorn
kes severe char es, but they are
g not decide the
ough this aflair quietly and

this time settled back upon his
th a am e of defiance. The papers were
‘No one could prove what they were. Let

statement, Mr. Jack-
What have you to sub-

re lied Mr. Jack-

not sustained as yet.
matter. We must go thr

them do their worst.
" ou have made a stron
son," continued the judge.

“ I have a witness, your honor,"
son, looking around for C

There was a deep scowl on John Hunter
eaglfrly forward, and
dos .

began to question him. Charcoal”
way, the whole story, of
to take a paper to 606
it to 609mstead. HEW

oal
oath at the c erk's

J
told, in his roundabout
how he had been directed
Walnut street, and had taken
he had been sent for it. and received a
Mr. Smith, which he had left at
quently Mr. Herring
told him that the pa

(ito sell him forfive h
There was somet

as this evidence came on

I “ How do you know

with a very red face.

fur away when you an Nurse Hunter

bsquatulatin’ togeder.”

“ Where were you?"

wish.” smiled Mr. Jackson, “1 have

for you to take the examination out of

Mr. Hunter, and
given Mr. Brown was only
held the o ' nal, which he

hing otf acommotion in the court
this?" exclaim

m n .
x I were on de wron side oh do door," answered
’t (16 fust time I‘s heered

ed black villain?“
mer master, on hearing
“ Have you any further questions!"
Jackson, politelyé' '
, onor can judge of the character of
the evidence which is obtained it that manner. 1 deny
that I did return a paper to
into my hands b '
ite snot er aflair."
his. sea again, with a very

gowled his for-
n.

The r sent Mr. Bro
Andpngerring took

" Proceed, Mr. Jackson," said the judge
the question of that
ed the lawyer, “

0 not know just what it was.
paper concerned.

ashes in his stove.”

" Very sorry I did;” replied
a sarcastic smile.
bath to burn u

There were a number of 0th
waswise enough to reduce to

I shall caler.Jackson in firstto
ut as all this valuable matter is ac-
edto beturnedw ashes I
"e cannot build up much of a

‘: answered Mr. Jackson, with a
a the last speaker did not quite
What did you get out of those ashes,

taut dockyments," answered
“De fire didn’t burn up all
’tauconflagrated,

ns.
villain i" broke out Mr. Hunter,
“You lie, hang

case out of the ash

he asked the witness.

Charcoal. with a grin.

dc evidence, for dem papers weren

y no manner ob me
" You treacherous

in furious disregard of the court.
on! You got nothing from that stove. And you
ook nothing out of my house.” V

asses candy dat were stuffed in one

” Charcoal answered, with a sly

lau h.
N5: Hunter did not need the judge’s stern rebuke.
quite floored him. The boy

. Jackson?” asked

ob de nigger‘s shoes,

s new stood bolt uprig t before -
Charcoal‘s re ly had
rp for him, after
“To what is all this leading, Mr
in a tone of great interest.

The statement offered by
the trustee of Mr. Eldon’s estate fails to cover the
whole of the property committed
There was also considerable landed prope
of which no account is rendered, and w ose
existence there is not a scrap of paper oflered to
show Some scraps of paper re-

“ Perhaps you can
d Western lands," remarked

to these- fancie
a sarcastic tone. -
“ Exactly. I can show some scra
plied Mr. Jackso
gration,unluckily o

s of paper,” re-

oomplete. Some
You will find the

ge a scrap book, which

e handed the jud
‘ on whose leaves were

borne under his arm, and
neatly pasted the bits of burned paper which Char~

t them with evident interest.
on John Hunter,

to pale. .
sin this?” asked the judge

coal had brought him

eyes were fixed 5
whose face had turned
“ How are we to expl

 

 

the sum of about one hundred thousand dollars, the
porooeeds of the sale of the western lands belonging
her father‘s estate."
“ Didn‘t I know it?“ screamed Charcoal. “ Dar‘s
nousetalkin‘. De nigger was too smart ferde white
folk dat time.”

 

CHAPTER XIV.
ammo m. .

Tun murder was out, as the old sayln is. 811de
as the rascal had been, he had been 11 uclq in hav-
ing a frleliid gt {he otherflskllle in his hogseantgyhesr-
co rty y isnaur s ness,an p

03} Walt, had upset all the c culations of hisvi -

one master, and preserved to his young mistress
the ropert of which the precious rogue had
so t to re her.

“ n’t want to b3 as I‘s de smartest 'feller
goin‘, Miss Clara,” (1 Charcoal, his black face
radiant wi satisfaction “ but I‘s got my eyes open
when some oder folks is got- dere‘s shet. Ma

rse
, Hunter t‘ou’t he were eber so sharp, but Charcoal

fooled him right under his nose. Dat ’lasses y
did do bizness, Missy Clara. He didn’t want nonepf
my ’lasses candy. Yaw, yawi Guess he‘d better
took a bite.”

“You are a genius. Samba,” replied the young
111135  “ I owe all I am worth to you, an
s i never orget it. -Your kind recollection of
your old playmate is worth all our services to me."

“Why bress e, MissClara enigd cut .his cars
08 any time you jiss said so. ‘pose I’s eber

to him do days down in ole North Caroliny?
n’t ye 'bou do white folks up yere.
Ah‘t gwine to git dis m; to go back on de Carolin
hoe-cake, nary time. elk bout or cities an’
datl "Dey ain’t nudin‘ ’longside 0 do ole planta-

on.

But though there was so much satisfaction on this
side of the question, on John Hunter‘s side all was
not quite agreeable. Despite all his well-laid plans.
his bribin of the lawyers. and his eflort to render
his ward elpless, one unthought-of hole in his net

had let all his fish escape.

And Charcoal was the mouse who had nibbled that
hole. Naturally, then, the discovered villain was
furious alnst the ho who had exposed his
tricks . fact, his ch of anger was concentrated
upon 0 arcoal, and his one idea was to reveiaifiehiim-
self uPon him. For this purpose he rem in
P elphia longer than was safe for one who was
liable, at any moment, to have a criminal prosecu~
tion laid against him, seeking some means of get-
ting the ha in his power.

e foun out some of Charcoal’s habits‘and as-
sociates, and heard of the trick which he had lately
layed on the two young Irish vagabonds, Teddy and
dy. They were furious against Charcoal for the
mu bath to which he had treated them, and vowed
s“ “WW “5- massages. “{-

un r e em 0 e . r n
any manner hie. and b their captive to his
house, when e would see the. they were both re-
venged and rewarded.

It was late in the afternoon of a da about a week
after the court scene that John unter was im-
patiently ng the door of his office, waiting for
an expec ed event. The boys had laid ascheme to
entrap Charcoal that afternoon, and the house had

' been cleared of Dinah and all other persons, so as

to avoid an interference with his intended revenge.

“ I hope hey‘ll nab the black hound," he impa-
tiently ejaculated. “ Things are getting hot for me,
and I ll have to make tracks very soon. And ldon’t
intend to go em ty-handed,” he continued with a
grim smile. “ e court has not yet made me hand
over. They think the property‘his all in real estate
which I cannot make use of. ey are a little mis-
taken there. 1 have some ready cash which wxll con.
siderahly diminish Miss Eldon’s ctations. Let
me once get my will out of that con ounded nigger;
and then, hey, for parts unknown."

He was interrupted b a noise in the hall below; a
sort of dragging soun Hastily leaving the room
he looked down the stairs. There were his two con-
federates, with two others of their cronies; and
Charcoal a prisoner in their midst. They had suc-
ceeded in entrap the boy by swell-laid scheme.
and had di‘ . g into the open door of Mr.
Hunter‘s resi ence, as directed.

“ Good for you " cried that gentleman heartily.
“ Be careful to s ut the door, and bring the. nigger
up-stairs. I’ve ot a little score to settle with him."

i. Charcoal resis d lustily, but his captors were too

strong for him, and ed him up step after step,
despite his struggles. e would have yelled for
help, but they had provided for that by a thick
luster elfJ wax which was pressed tightly down upon
mout .
John Hunter stood with a grim smile of satisfac-
tion as the unwilling captive was dragged into his

presence.

“Glad to see yon, Charcoa ,” he satirical] eeted ‘
him. “ It does one’s eyes good to see his d rieuds
again. Come to look after some more burnt papers.
6 ? 'Just take a look into the stove. Maybe you
magnd some." .

made some sputtering sounds behind his
mask. meaning. probably, that he was not in searCh
of an burnt .pers just then.

f‘ O , yes! insist on it,” answered his late master,
With cruel pleasant . ‘,‘ Poke his head in. boys-

Let him take a look or papers. ’

“j burs an’ we‘ll do that same," cried Teddy with a
vicious laugh. “ He got our legs inthe mud. Faith,

 

 

I
I

T‘—

’. *‘

 

Tgr-r-“

*\

’.

 
 

Sam Charcoal, the Premium Darky.

15

 

if we won‘t pay him up by puttin' his head in the
ashes."

The stove door was thrown open and Charcoal
pulled up to it, though he struggled vigorously. But
our to one are great odds, and all his struggles
were in vain. His head was forced up to the neck
11 door of the stove. Finally, under the
villain's irections. Charcoal's arms were drawn
around the stove and his hands tied together, so
that he was a prisoner without hope of escape. His
hands were so ti htly bound that he could not get
his head out, w c any active movement threatened
to cut his neck against the sharp sides of the stove
door.

The merciless villain laughed as hh surveyed his
helpless prisoner, with his end thus thrust into the
open door of the upright round stove, and his back
8 icking out at a curve just suitable for a flogging.

"Auiuburnt pagers there?" he' asked,wi sar-
castic mor. ‘ up so we burn some paper for
him, bo s. He won‘ be satisfied unless he finds
some. nd it will be fun to see him dance when he
smells the smoke.

Charcoal was dancing already at this heartless

sugge‘istion.
at‘s the ticket 1" yelled Teddy. “ Let’s scorch
the nigger‘s nose.“

“NO, no,” answered Patsy eautiousl . “It
mought smother him. It won' he no fun i we get
hauled up for murder."

Mr. Hunter cruelly lau hed. .

“ It‘s no crime to’mur er a nigger " he remarked.
“ But we‘ll let him off this time. e’ll just score
him, so as to know him when we want him again.
Stri of! his acket."

e boys asteued to obey, while their heartless
confederate drew forth a short, thick-lashed whip,
which he drew knowingly through his hands.

“I'm Off on a long journey, Charcoal," he an-
nounced. “ For fear you should forget me before
I return I will leave you something to remember me
by. Just a little keepsake."

Achoking sort of groan came from Charcoal's
lips. His back was now bare, and curved for the
lash of his cruel master, who laughed with erlsh
ferocity as he drew the whip again throng his
hand, and stood on, measuring the distance for an
effective blow. _

The grinning box: stood with their hands on their
knees, watching t_ expected flogging of their old

oe.
The lash fell lightly on the bare back, but Char-
coal‘s nerves were so wrought up that he made a
start at this more touch tha almost overthrew the

stove.

"Some of you hold the stove." commanded Mr.
Hunter. “I ll tickle him a little more next time."

He  oi! and raised the lash to the full
stretch O muscular arm. Heintended that the
blood should follow that blow.

Butit never fell. For at that moment the house
door below was thrown ages. and there was the
sound of quick etc on the oor. .

Mr. Hunter sto listening with the whip still up.
raised. Theste came quickly up the stairs, the
oflice door was hrown open, and two men entered
the room.

“ What have we here?" cried one of these stem-
looki new-corners. “ By Heaven, we came in
time, i seems! There's some devil‘s work on hand
here. Is not your name John Hunter?“

“ That is my name." .

“Then drop that whip, and yield yourself EU
prisoner. We have a warrant against you, on a
criminal charge."

“ What charge?“ he haughtily asked. .

“That of fraud, and attemp ed robbery of your
ward, Miss Eldon.“

Mr. Hunter grew can he drfipped the whi .
He looked about h in like a we at bay.‘ T re
window of the office was raised, and with a quick
leap he sprung toward it, darting through the open.

in v and '23s  below.

The man “gho ha ken followed him, with an
exclamation of surp . The roof of a shed lay
just below the window. From that the ground was
readily reached. .

The officers sprung through the open Window in

pr .

But before (i so one of them had cut Char-
coal‘s bands, and t t worthy quickl I withdrew his
head from its confinement, and tore t e mask from
his mouth. His eyes glared around. There, on the
iioor, near him. 183' t 6 Whip which had been in.
tended for his own back. It was but the work of a
moment to seize it. and turn On his shrinking foes.

“ Yen‘s had yer fun." he ejMUIated. “Guess it‘s
Charcoal’s turn now. Git, you white trash! Gitl“

He was amo them, dealing blows to right and

test with'the Whip. with little I rd as to whether
it fell on their backs or faces. ith howls of pain
and dread they broke from the door, Charcoal fol-
lowing, rising the whi viciously, and yelling with
d ' at every cry w ich he brought from his fly-
n oes.
‘ Didn’t beat de much dat time." he ejaculat-
ed, as he gave 9. art g blow to the front door, while
his foes ran how down the street. “ Guess Char-
coal‘s boss yere new; and 1’s gwine to hold dis ‘stab-
fishneut fer , 'coz Marse Hunter has
clare a atulated."

And be id hold it. Mr. Hunter escaped pursuit.
but his desire f" reunite roved a dear one for him.
since he had to leave beh (1 him the funds he had
carefully prepared to take with him.

These were found in the house and as they proved
necessary to make_u the sum of Miss Eldon's claim
they were appl‘opn 9d ‘0 that purpose.

As soon as the Proper legal preliminaries were
gone through With she was put in possession of the

 

estate, Charcoal and Dinah holding the fort as gar—
rison until she was ready to step in as mistress.
And here our story may end. The villainous
ardian had disappeared u terb'. The ward, whom
e had attempte to victimize, was in full posses-
sion of her pro erty, and, as may be surmised,
Charcoal was no the least important of the house-
hold which his young mistress thered around her.
He could never cease chuc Over the way in
which he had outwitted “ole rse Hunter," and
had turned the tables on “dem low white trash,"
and only one unsatisfied wish remained to him
which was “to git back on de ole plantation, and
hub a taste once ‘more Oh North Caroliny hoecake."
THE END.

The Fireside Library.

I WAS; SHE His WIDE? Bfiifi‘fl. Mary Reed Crowell.

 

2 FLEEING FROM LOVE. Harriet Irving:
3 DID llE LOVE HER? B ar'tle'yaT. Campbell.
4 A STRANGE WOMAN. y Rett nwood.
6 Two GIRLs‘ LIVES. By Mrs. Mary Reed Crowell.
9 TIIE WAR or HEARTs. B Corinne Cushman.
11 THE FALSE WIDow. By . Jennie D. Burton.
12—13 LosT FOR LOW. By Miss M. E. Braddon.
14-15 TorLEIrs on THE SEA. By Victor Hugo.
16 THE QUADROON. By Catharine A. Warileld.
17-18 UNCLE SILAs. By J. S. Le Fanu.
19-20 DEAD-SEA FRUIT. By Miss M. E. Braddon.
21-22 LITTLE KATE KIRDY. By F. W. Robinson.
23 $0me TIIE WIND. By Mrs. Mary Reed Crowell.
24—25 BrRDs or PREY. By Mrs. M. E. Braddon.
26 THAT BOY or N onoo'r'r‘s. By Charles Lever.

27-38 CWE'S INEERITANCE. By Braddon.
29 A GIRL’s HEART. B Rett Winwood.

3031 RED As A Boss Is as. Rhoda Broughton.
33 THE LILY or ST. ERNE. By . Crow. ,

38 STRANGE“ WED. B Mrs. Jenn Davis Burton.
34 THE GXPSY BRIDE. 0 al

IéM. E. . en.
85 ANNIE TEMPLE. By v. J. H. 
86 WITHOUT MERCY. By Bartle T. pbell.
87 BLACK EYES AND BLUE. By rinne Cushman.
38 BRAVE BARBARA. By Corinne Cushman.
39 A DANGERoUs WOMAN. By Margaret Blount.
40 OUIDA’s B Henrietta E. De Condo
41 Loan A In. Corinne Cushman.
42 WINNING WAYS. By M aret Blount.
43 A WOMAN‘s HEART. By rs. M. V. Victor.
44 THE DEAD . By Seeley Rengester.
45 LORD LrsLE's DAUGHTER. By C . Braeme.
46 A WonAN‘s HAND. By Author of “ Dead Letter."
47 VIALs or WRATH. By Mrs. Ma Reed Crowell.
48 A WILD GIRL. By Corinne Cu an.
49 TEE MADDEST MARRIAGE EVER WAs. By Burton
to LOVE IN A MAZE. By Mrs. E. F. Ellet.
61 CA OLINA; or, WALLED Ur ALIvE. By Robinson.
62 A MANCE or A POOR YOUNG GmL. By Mrs. Ellet.
53 Turn Loam HEART. By Corinne Cushman.
54 THE PRIDE or THE DOWNEs. B Margaret Blount.
55 A STRANGE Gnu. By Albert . Aiken.
56 THE PRETTY PURITAN. B Parson’s Dan hter.
57 DID SEE SIN? By Mrs. ary Reed Crow .
58 DOUBLY DIvOIwED. B Mrs; Jennie Davis Burton.
59 A WICKED WOMAN. e Devereux Umsted Blake.
60 BLIND BAREARA's SECRET. By Mary G. Halplne.
61 AN AMERICAN By Grace Mortimer.
62 MAROOUN, TEE RANGE. B Wm. M. Turner.
63 WIFE OR WIDow. By Rett inwood.
64 THE CREOLE Couers. B£Philip S. Warne..
65 PURSUED To THE ALTAR. Corinne Cushman.
66 THE TERRIBLE TRUTH. B ennie Davis Burton.
67 ELEGANT EosERT. By 1’ ilip S. Warns.
68 LADY HELEN‘s Vow. By Mrs. E. F. Ellet.
69 Boer,TnEKNIOIrT or CHIVALRY. B P. 8.Warne.
70 DRnrrnvaTo RUIN. By Mary Reed ‘rowell.
71 THE PARsON’s DAUGHTER. BygA Parson's Daughter
72 THE MrsTEnmUs GUARDIAN. Corinne Cushman.
78 WAs SEE A WIFE? By Rett inwood.
74 ADRIA. THE ADOPTED. B Mrs. JenniO'D. Burton.
75 PRETTY AND PROUD. By orinne Cushman.
76 THE BITTER FEUD. By Mrs. Jennie D. Burton.
77 A WOMAN‘S WORK. B Mrs. E. F. Ellet.
78 THE BLACK RIDDLE. y Corinne Cushman.
79 CORAL AND RUBY. By Mrs. Jennie Davis Burton.
80 DIVORCE» BUT NOT DIVIDED. A Parson’s Daughter.
81 AurosT MARRIED. B]; A Parson‘s Daughter.
8:! Two FAIR WOMEN. Wm. Mason Turner. MD-
88 THE INEERITANCE or I ATE. By Mrs. Burton.
84 PEARL or PEARLS. By A. P. Morris Jr.
85 FOR HONOR’s SARE. By Mrs. Mary Heed Crowell.
86 LANCE URQUHART‘S Lovss. B Annie Thomas.
87 SAFELY MARRIED. By the ant or of “Caste.
88 FL'onETTE, CHILD or THE STREET. B
89 THREE TIMES DEAD. By Miss M. E. rad Oil
90 FOR A WOMAN‘S SAEE. B Watts l’hillip‘lgix
91 “‘HE COEETII Nor.‘SnE AID.“ Annie omas.
92 THE NEW MAGDALEN. By Wilkie Collins.
93 AN OrEN VERDICT. By Miss M. E. Braddon.
94 SWORD AND (lows. By George A. Lawrence.
95 A BEOOAR ON HORSEBAO'K. By James PQYIL
96 HER FACE WAS Him FORTUNE. F. W. ROoinson.
97 JANE Ems. By Charlotte Bronte.
98 WnEchn IN PORT. B Edmund Mates.
99 THE COLLEEN BAWN. Gerald Grim.
100 AN Ann-mug GIRL. y A Celebrated Actress.
101 Four. PLAY. B Chas. Beads and Dion Boucicault,,
102 CARITA. B rs. Oliphant. -
108 A WOMAN fiAm. Charles Reade.
:04 AFTER DARK. By W' kie Collins.

05 HARD 'i‘mns. Bv Charles Dickens.
106 Gm. By B. L. Farjeon.
A new lame every W627:-
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4. Comic Speaker. 16. Youth‘sS eaker.

5. Elocutionist. 17. E10 uent geaker.

6. Humorous Speaker. 18. Hui Colum laSpealt—
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8. Stump S aker. 19. Serio-Comic Speaken
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Deadwood Dick, THE PRINCE or THE ROAD.
By Edward L. Wheeler.

ellowstone Jack. By Jos. E. Badger, Jr.
Kansas King; or, THE RED RIGHT HAND.
B Bufl’alo Bill (Hon. Wm. F. Cody).
' he \Vild-Horse Hunters. By Captain
Mayne Reid and Captain Frederick Whittaker.
Vagabond Joc,THE YOUNG WANDERING JEw;
or G FOR. A LEGACY. By 011 Coomes.
Bin Biddon Trapper . By E. s. Ellis.
The Flying Tankee; or, THE OCEAN OUT-
CAST. By Col. Prentiss Ingraham.
Seth Jones . By Edward S. Ellis.
Adventures oi Baron Munchausen.
hat Todd. By E. S. Ellis.
The Two Detectives. By AW. Aiken.
Gu lliver’s TraveIS. B Dean Swift.
The Dumb S y. By 01 Coomes.
Aladdin; or, HE WONDERFUL LAMP.
The Sea-Cat, By Captain Fred. Whittaker.
Robinson Crusoe. (27 Illustrations.)
Ralph Roy, THE BOY BUCCANEER; or, THE
FUGITIVE YACHT. B Col. Prentiss In aham.
Sindbad the Sai or. His Seven oyages.
9 fie Phantom Spy. By Buflalo Bill.
20 ’ 6 Double Daggers. By E. L. Wheeler.
21 The Frontier Angel. By Edward S. Ellis.
22 The Sea Serpent; or, THE BOY ROBINSON

CRUSOE. By Juan Lewis.

23 Nick 0’ the Night; or, THE BOY SPY or ’76.

1:; T. C. Harbaugh.

24 iamond Dirk. By Colonel P. Ingraham.zj

25 The Bo Captain. ByBO erStarbuck.

26 Cloven 001', THE BUTT ENON; or. THE
BORDER VUI/rURES. By L. Wh

27 Antelope Abe,THE BOY GUIDE. 011 Coomes

28 Bufl‘alo Ben, THE PRINCE or THE PISTOL;

, DEADwoon DICE IN DISGUISE. E L. Wheeler.

29 he Dumb Page. B Capt. F. Whittaker.

30 Roaring Ralph Roe wood, THE RECE-
LESS RANGER. By Barry St. Geo e.

31 Keen-Knife, PRINCE ON THE  By
011 Ooomes.

32 Bob Woolf, THE BORDER RUFFIAN' or, THE
GIRL DEAD-SHOT. By Edward L. Wheeler.

33 The Ocean Bloodhound. S.W. Pierce.

34 Oregon 801' or NIcR WW' BOY SPY

t. J. r. d. A s.

35 ii Ivan, THE BOY CLAUDE DUVAL' or, THE
BROTHERHOOD or DEATH. B Ed. L. Wheeler.

36 ThevBo ' Clown . By kS. Finn.

37 The Hi den Lodge. By T. C. Harbaugh.

38 Ned W lde, THE BOY SCOUT. By T Ens Jack.

39 Death- 2100, THE DETECTIVE B Wheeler.

40 Roving Ben. A STORY or A YOUNG AMERI-
CAN WHO WANTED To SEE THE WORLD. Marshall.

41 Lasso Jack. By 011 Coomes.

42 The Phantom Miner; or DEADWOOD
DICII‘S BONANZA. By Edward L. Wheeler.

43 Dick Darling, THE PONY EXPRESS RIDER.
1:; Ca t. Frederick Whittaker.

44 an ing Rube . By Barry St. George.

45 Old Avalanche THE GREAT ANNIHILATOR:
or, WILD EDNA, THE (fun. BRICAND. E. L.Wheeler.

46 Glass Eye, THE GREAT SHOT or THE WEST.
By Capt. J. F. C. Adams.

47 Nightingale Nat. By T. C. Barbe h.

48 Black JFOhn, THE ROAD-AGENT. By dger.

49 Omaha 01] THE MASEED TERROR: or DEAD-
woon DICE IN DANGER. By Edward L. heeler.

50 Burt Bunker, THE TRAPPER. C. E. Lasalle.

51 The Bo Rifles. By Archie C. Irons.

52 The Wh to Buffalo. By C. E. Lasalle.

53 Jim Bludsoe, Jr., THE BOY PHENIx; or,
THROUGH To DEATH. By Edward L. Wheeler.

54 Ned Hazel, THE BOY TRAPPER; or, THE PHAN-
TOH PRINCESS. By Capt. J. F. C. Adams.

55 Deadly- Eye, THE UNKNOWN SCOUT; or, THE
BRANDED BROTHERHOOD. B Buffalo BilL

56 Nick Whiflies’ Pet. 8. t. J. F. C. Adams.

57 Deadwood Dick’s Eng es' or, THE PARDS
or FLOOD BAR Edward L. Wheeler.

58 The Border ing. By 011 Coomes.

59 Old Hickory. By Hal-a St. Geo e.

60 The “White ndian. pt. J. Era Adams.

61 Buckhorn Bill' or, THE RED RIFLE TEAH.
ByEdward L. Whee er. v

62 The Shadow' Ship . B Col. P. Ingraham.

63 The Red Brotherhoo . w, J. Hamilton

64 Dand Jack. By T. C. Barbaugh.

65 Hurr cane Bill. 1%; J08. E. Badger, Jr

66 Single Hand. By -J- Hamilton.

67 Patent-leather Joe. By Phili S. Warne.

68 Border Robin Hood. By uiialo Bill.

69 Gold Rifle, THE SEARPSHOOTER; or THE BOY
DETECTIVE or THE BLACK RANCH. By Wheeler.

70 Old Zip’s Cabin; or. THE GREENHORN IN
THE WOODS. By J. F. C. Adams.

71 Delaware Dick.
THE TEXAN RANGER;
ten.

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
0
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2
3
4
5
6
7
8

hull-l HHHHHP'V‘H

72 Mad Tom estern,
or. THE QUEEN OF THE PRAIRIE. By Hamil

73 Deadwood Dick on Deck; or, CALAMITY
JANE, THE HEROINE or WEooP-UJ’. By Wheeler.

74 Hawk-eye Harry. By 011 Coomes.

75 The Boy Duelist. By 001. P. In ham.

7 3 Abe Colt, THE CROW-KILLER. By A. . Aiken.

77 Corduro Charlie, THE BOY BaAvo; or,
DEADWOOD CK‘S ACT. By E. L. Wheeler.

78 Blue Dick. By Ca tain Mayne Reid.

79 Sol Ginger GIANT PER. ByA.W. Aiken.

80 Rosebud R’ob; or, NUGGET NED, THE KNIGHT
or THE GULcH. By Edward L. Wheeler.

81 Lightning Jo. By Captain J. F. C. Adams.

82 Kit Hareioot THE D-Hwa; or,
POWDER-FACE AND ,HIS DEMONS. By Harbaugh.

83 R0110, the Boy Ranger. By 011 Coomes.

84 Idyl, the Girl Miner. By E. L. Wheeler.

85 Buck Bnckram; or, Bass, m 15W
TRAPPER. By Captain J. F. C. Adams.

H HHHH H HH H H HH HHH H H HH HHH H H HH HH HHH HHH HH HH HH H H HH HHH

 

86 Band Rock. By G. Waldo Browne.

87 The and Pirates. By Capt. Mayne Reid.

88 Photoxrrnph Phil, THE BOY SLEUTH; or.
ROSEDUD H‘s REAPPEARANCE. By E. L.Wheeler.

89 Island J iIn. By Bracebridae Hemyng.

90 The Dread Rider. By G. aldo Browne.

91 The Captain of the Club; or, THE YOUNG
RIVAI. ATHLETES. By Bracebridge Hemyng.

92 Canada Chet; or, OLD ANACONDA IN SITTING
BULL‘S CAMP. By Edward L. Wheeler.

93 The Boy Miners. By Edward S. Ellis.
94 Midnight Jack, THE ROAMGENT;
THE BOY l‘RAPpER. By T. C. Harbaugh.

95 The Rival Rovers. Lieut. Col. Hazeltlne.
96 ‘Vatch-Eye, THE SHADOW. By E. L. Wheeler.
97 The Outlaw Brothers. By J. J. Marshall.
98 Robin Hood, THE OUTLAWED EARL; or. THE

MERRY MEN OF GREENWOOD. Prof. Gildersleeve.
99 The Tiger oi' Taos; or, WILD KATE, DANDY
ROCE’S ANGEL. B ' Geor Waldo Browne.
100 Deadwood Dick n Lea-.lville; or, A
STRANGE STROKE FOR. LIBERTY. B 'Wlieeler.
101 Jack Harkaway in New ork. By
Bracebridg-ig Hemi‘ .
102 Dick ead- .ye, THE BOY SMUGGLER; or,
THE CRUISE OF THE VIXEN. By Col. In raham.
103 The Lion of the Sea. By Col. De le Sara.
104 Deadwood Dick’s Device" or. THE
SIGN ON THE DOUBLE CROSS. B E. . Wheeler.
105 Old Rube, THE HUNTER. ‘apt. H. Holmes.
106 Old Frosty, THE GUIDE. By T. C. Harbaugh.
107 One-Eyed Sim. By James L. Bowen.
108 During DavyS By Harry St. George.
109 Deadwood ick as Detective. By
Edward L. Wheeler.
110 The Black Steed of the Prairies. A
 of Texan Adventure. By Bowen.
1 The ea- evil. By Col. P. Ingraham.
2 The Mad Hunter. By rton Saxe.
3 Jack Hoyle, THE YOUNG
4
5

or,

1 PECULA'I‘OR; or,
THE ROAD TO FORTUNE. By Ed. L. Wheeler.
The Black Schooner. R0 er Starbuck.

l The Mad Miner; or, DANDY E'SDOOM.
B George Waldo Browne.

16 he Hussar Ca tain; or, THE HERIHT
or HELL-GATE. By 01. Prentissln ham.
l7 Gilt-Edged Dick, THE SPORT arms;

or. ROAD-AGENT S DAUGHTER Wheeler.

1 8 “Mil Somers, THE 30le. Morris.

19 Mustan Sam, THE KING or THE PLAINS.

2y Jns. E. adger Jr.
he Branded Band. B FrankDumont.

Cinnamon Chi , THE IRL SPORT; or,

THE GOLDEN IDOL or T. ROSA. Ed. L.Wheeler.

Phil Hardy, THE Boss BOY. B C. Morris.

Kiowa Charley, THE WHITE USTANGER.

By T. C. Harbaugh.
ippy, THE TEXAN. By George Gleason.

Bonanza Bill, MINER. ByEd. L. Wheeler.

Picayune Pete; or, NICODEMUS, THE DOG

DETECTIVE. B Charles Morris.

Wild-Fire, 033 or THE ROAD. B Dumont

2 The Younér Privateer. By H. avendish.

l
1
l
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2

t

)

t

Deadtvoo Dick’s Double ' or. THE
GHOST or GORDON‘S GULCH. Ed. L. Wheeler.
Detective Dick. B Charles Morris.

The Golden Han ;
THE RESCUE.

“0 @w“ amt- WNB H0

or DANDY ROCK To

George W. rowne.

2 The Hunte Hunter. By Ed. 3. Ellis.

3 Boss Bob, THE KING or THE BOO'I'ELAcxsz
or, THE PAWNBROIIER‘S PLOT. Ed. L. Wheeler.

4'Sure Shot Seth, THE BOY RIFLEMAN; or THE
YOUNG PATRIOTS OF THE NORTH. By 011 Coomes.

5 Ca tain Paul, THE KENTUCKY MOONSHINER;
or HE BOY SPY or THE MOUNTAINS. B Clark.

6 Night-Hawk Kit. ByJos._E.B ger, Jr.

7 The Hel less Hand. Capt. Mayne Reid.

8 Blonde ill; or, DEADWOOD DICR’S HOME

9

0

l

.

3

BASE. By Edward L. Wheeler.

By T. C. Harbaugh.
REAR 0‘ DAY BOYS

rank Dumont.
Solid Sam, THE BOY ROAD-AGENT; or, THE
BRANDED BRows. By Edward L. Wheeler.

2 Handsome Harr ', THE BOOTBLACK DE-
TECTIVE. By Charles . orris.

3 Scar-Face Saul. B Oll Coomes.

4 Daint Lance, THE Y SPORT. By Badger.

3

3

3

3

3

3

3 Judge Lynch, Jr.
4
i
45 Capta n Ferret, THE NEW YORK DETEC-
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4 Blue Blazes; or THE
or ROCKY BAR. By

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TIVE; or, Boss BOD‘S Boss JOB. B Wheeler.

6 Silver Star, THE BOY KNIGHT. y Coomes.

7 Willeiidflre, THE THOROUGHBRED; or,

THE WINNING BAND. By Charles Morris.
8 Sharp Sam; or, THE ADVENTURES or A
FRIENDLESS BOY. By J. AlexanderPatten.
9 A Game of Gold; or, DEADWOOD DICE’S
BIG STRIKE. B Edward L. Wheeler.

0 Lance and asso. By Capt. F.Whittaker.

1 Panther Paul, THE PRAIRIE PIRATE- or,

DAINTY LANCE To THE RESCUE. J. E. Badger.

2 Black Beam, WILL WILDEIRE‘S RACER; or,

WINNING AGAINST ODDS. By Charles Morris.

3 Eagle Kit, THE BOY DEMON. B 011 mes.

'4 The StVord Hunters. B'Iy .Whittaker.

5 Gold Trigger, THE SPORT. . C. Harbaugh.

’6 Deadwood Dick of Deadtvood' or,

THE PICIIED PARTY. B Edward L. Whee er,

7 Mike Merry, THE ARBOR POLICE BOY;or,

THE NIGHT-HAWKS or PHILADELPHIA. Morris

Fancy Fralik of Colorado; or. THE
TRAPPER‘S TRUST. By Buffalo Bill.

159 The Lost Captain ;. or. THE OrEN POLAR
5“ By Captain Frederick Whittaker.

160 The Black Giant; or, DAINTY LANCE IN

J EOPARDY. By JOSOph E. Badger, Jr.

New York Nell THE BOY-GIRL DETECTIVE;

or, OLD BLARESLY'S MONEY. By E. L. Wheelei.

“’ill Wildfire in the Woods.

158

161

1 62 Morrb.

 

163 Little Texas, THE YOUNG MUSTANGER. A
Tale of Texan Prairiw. By 011 Coomes.
1 64 Dandy Rock’s Pledge. By G.W. Browne.
1 65 Billy Baggage, THE RAILROAD BOY; or.
RUN TO EARTH. By Charles Morris.
166 Hickory Harry. By Hasry St. Geor .
1 67 Asa Scott, THE STEAHDOAT BOY. By W‘ lett.
16% Deadly Dash. By Jos. E. Badger, Jr.
16 Tornado Tom; or, INJUN JACK FROM RED
CORE. T. C. Harbaugh.
l 70 A Trump Card; or, WILL WILDFIRE WINS
AND LOSES. By Charles Morris.
1 71 Ebony Dan. By Frank Dumont.
1 72 Th underbolt Tom; or, THE WOLF-HERDEB
OF THE ROCKIES. By H St. Geo e.
3 Dandy Rock’s Riva . By G. .Browne.
4 Bob Rockett, THE BOY DODGER. B Morris.
5 Captain Arizona. By Philip S. arne.
6 The Boy Runaway' or, THE BUCCANEER
or THE BAY. Lieut. H. D. Perry, USN.
7 Nobby Nick of Nevada' or. THE SCAM?
on THE SIERRAS. By Edward, L. Wheeler.
8 Old Solitary. By 011 Coomes.
179 Bob Rockett, THE BAND: RUNNER. Morris.
180 The Sea Trailer; or A Vow WELL KEPT.
By Lieut. H. D. Perry, U s. N.
181 Wild Frank, THE BUCKSHIN BRAVO; or,
LADY LILY'S Lo By Edward L. Wheeler.
182 Little Hurr cane, THE BOY CAPTAIN.
y 011 Coomes.
183 he Hidden Hand; or, WILL WILDEIRE’S
REVENGE. Chas. Morris.
184 The Bo ailers; or DAINTY LANCE ON
THE  ATH. By Joe. E er, Jr.
185 Evil Eye, KING or CATTLE THIEVES' or, THE
VULTURES on THE RIO GRANDE. By F. burnout.
1 86 Cool Dosmonfll; or, THE GAEDLER‘S BIG
G 0 Sara.

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187 Fred alyard, THE LH'E BOAT BOY: or,
T SHUGGLERS 01-- THE INLET. By C. Morris.

HE

188 Ned Temfile, THE BORDER BOY. Harbaugh.

189 Bob Roc ett, THE CRACRSHAN. By Morris.

190 Dand Darke' or, THE TIGERS or Bron
PINE. Wm. R. hyster.

191 Buii‘alo Bill , THE BOY BULLWBACKEIL

B Capt. A. B. aglor. U. S. A.
192 Captain Kit. Lieut. H. D. Perry.U.S.N.
93 Captain Mas THE

1 LADY ROAD-AGENT; or,

PATENT-LEATHER JOE‘S DEFEAT. By Warne.

194 Buil‘aJo Bill’s Bet. By Captain Taylor.

195 Deadwood Dick’s Dream. Wheeler.

196 Shadowed; or, Boa ROCEE'IT‘S GHT FOR
LIFE. Hg Charles Morris.

197 Little rit, THE WILD RIDER. By Ingraham.

198 Arkansaw, THE MAN WITH THE KNIFE.
By T. C. Harbau h.

199 Featherweig ; or, THE BOY CHAMPION
or THE MUSHINGUII. By Edward Willett.

200 The Boy Bedouins. By Capt. Frederick

Whittaker.
201 The Black Hills Jezebel' or DEAD-
WOOD DICE'S WARD. By Edward  Wheeler.

202 Prospect Pete, OF THE BOY BRIGADE; or.

THE YOUNG OUTLAW HUNTERS. Oll Coomes.
203 The Boy Pards. By JOE. .fiadger, Jr.
204 Gold Plume, THE BOY BANDIT. ‘Ingraham.

205 Deadwood Dick’s Doom. ATale Of
Death Notch. By Edward L. Wheeler.

206 Dark Paul, THE TIGER KING. B C. Morris.

207 Nava 0 Nick, THE BOY GOLD UNTER. A
Tale 0 Arizona. By T. C. Kai-banal;6

208 The Boy Hercules. By 011 mes.

209 Fritz, THE BOUND-BOY DETECTIVE Wheeler.

210 Faro Frank of High Pine; or, DANDY
DAREE'S Go-DOWN PARDS. By W. R. Eyster.

211 Crooked Cale, THE CALIHAN or CELESTIAL
CITY. By JOS. E. Badger, Jr.

212 Dashing Dave, THE DANDY DETEGIIVE.
By Charles Morris.

213 Fritz to the Front. ByE. L. Wheeler.

214 \Voli‘gang THE ROBBER or THE RHINE.
BY Captain F’rederick Whittaker.

215 C (ptain Bullet, THE RAIDER KING. By
T. . Harbaugh.

216 Bison Bill, THE PRINCE or THE REINS.
By COL Prentiss Ingraham.

217 Ca tain Crack-Shot, THE Gnu. BRIGAND;
or, IPSY JACK FROM JIMTOWN. By Edward
L. Wheeler.

218 Tiger Tom. THE TEXAN TERROR. By 011
Coo es

In .

219 Despard, the Duelist; or, THE MOUN-
TAIN VAMI’IRES. B Philip S. Warne.

220 Tom Tanner, ALAon AND SCAPEGRACE.
By Charles Morris.

221 Sugar Coated Sam; or. THE BLACK GOW‘NS
or GRIN GULCH. By E. L. Wheeler.

222 Gri the Bravo Sport. By Col. Prentiss

ngra am.

223 Ozark Alf KING or THE MOUNTAIN. By
Edward Will t. ‘

224 Dashing Dick; or, TRAPPER TOM s CAsTLE.
By 011 Coomes.

225 Sam Charcoal, the Premium Dar-

y. By Charles Morris.
226 Snoozer, THE BOY SKARP. By Edward L.

W eeler.

227 Dusky Darrell TRAPPER; or, THE GREEN
RANGER or THE  By Edwin
Emerson. Ready November 29th.,

228 Little Wildfire. By OllOoomes. Ready
December 6th.

229Crimson Kate, THE GIRL TRAILK'B- By
001. Prentiss Ingraham. Ready Dec. 13th-

A new ism every week.

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