SAM’S CHARGE
I
By HAROLD CARTER.
*
*
When Sam was a pickanniny on
what was left ot his old master’s es
tate in Virginia, his father told him
stories of the war, that matchless
war, fought with devotion, gallantry
and humanity on both sides, in which
the strange spectacle was seen of
a dependent and enslaved race guard
ing the womankind of its masters
while those masters went out to
fight against those who wished to set
them free.
Sam absorbed all the spirit of those
times; but when he was thirty, and
the butler of the financier Ammt, in
a large northern city, only the spirit
remained—the details were forgotten.
Sam knew about the quarrels be
tween Ammt and his pretty young
wife. Lily Ammt had been a beauty
before her marriage, but three years
of sorrow had effaced the “outward
and visible” signs that had held men’s
hearts in subjection, though they had,
if anything, added to the spirituality
of her face. Her family had been
rich once. They had had estates in
Louisiana; but the war had reduced
them to poverty, and Lily Ammt was
a stenographer before her marriage.
Sam had never seen Mr. Trent. He
only knew that his name was the
word used by Ammt to cow the spirit
of his beautiful wife. He suspected
that Lily Ammt had loved Mr. Trent
before her marriage, and he suspect
ed, too, that she had married the
wealthy man to bring some comforts
to her aged parents. But Sam only
suspected; and he was too loyal a
servant to voice his suspicions, even
to himsei*
He had noticed a shabby fellow who
haunted the street, and often stood
staring up at the windows, particularly
in the evenings.
Sam could not help seeing the mail,
and he recognized the writing of cer
tain letters very well. He was at his
wits’ end how to proceed. Once he
caught the shabby man attempting to
enter the house in the guise of a gas
inspector, just after the postman
called. The man had the mail in his
hand when Sam collared him and
pushed him into the street.
“Sam,” said his mistress, “you can
start on your vacation tomorrow.”
“Yes. ma’am, thank you,” said Sam.
“You can take your two full weeks,
and your money—”
“Oh, Lord, Mis’ Ammt, I don’t want
to go now,” said Sam imploringly.
His look might have melted a stone,
but Mrs. Ammt was seized with fury.
“I’m tired of your spying about me,”
she cried, stamping her foot. “I tell
you to go—and afterward you can re
port to Mr. Ammt for instructions.’’
‘‘Yes, ma’am,” said Sam humbly.
He went after breakfast, but was
back at his post that afternoon. He
came in at an hour when he knew his
mistress would be out, and the servants
engaged. He came in softly through
the front door, with his mistress’ spare
key, and wrent to his room. Nobody
would be likely to trouble him there,
or to suspect his presence.
It was a big house. The servants
downstairs could not hear what went
on in the drawing rooms. But Sam’s
ears heard the unmistakable but soft
click of a key in the latch. He was
down the stairs like a panther, be
fore the man who was coming up had
reached the top of the first flight. And
yet, swiftly as he moved, he had
caught a glimpse of Lily Ammt, seated
upon the lounge under the electric
light, pretending to read, and waiting
for the man whom she loved with all
her heart.
He knew, too, that the shabby
man was somewhere in the street
opposite.
Sam’s voice rose loud at the head
of the first flight of stairs.
-“Mifi.’ Ammt’s very sorry, Mr. Trent,
To express our appreci
ation and thanks for the
courtesies you have
shown us in the past,
and to extend our very
best wishes for a joyous
New Year of Happiness
and Prosperity.
Fletcher
“THE DIAMOND BRAND STORE.”
Lewis 1
Hr
*
sir,” said Sam. “She’s very sorry she
can’t see you this evening. You see,
sir, Mr. Ammt’s away on business,
sir.’’
Sam’s heart almost melted as he
looked into the despairing face of the
man in front of him. Upstairs he
heard the rustle of the pages cease,
and he knew that Lily Ammt had
heard.
“Mr. Ammt asked me to say how
sorry he was, sir,” continued Sam,
standing implacably in front of
Trent.
“He did, eh?” stammered Trent.
“Who the dickens are you?”
“Why, I’m Sam, sir,” answered Sam.
“Never had any other name, I reckon.
Don’t you remember seeing me, sir,
when you called on Mr. and Mis’
Ammt last month? It was me handed
you the cigar box, sir.”
As the man turned away and began
to descend the stairs Sam followed
him. In the hall he looked up at him
imploringly. “You see, sir, Mis’ Lily’s
rny charge, sir,” hfc said. “Asking youi
pardon, sir. Some day, sir, I hope tc
serve you both, sir.”
Trent swung round on him. “You’re
right!” he said in a broken voice. “1
shan’t forget you, Sam.”
“No sir,” said, Samt as_he _ openec
the door and saw the shabby man
lounging near. “And Mis’ Ammt’s
sorry she can’t receive you tonight,
sir, on account of Mr. Ammt being
away, sir.” j
But when the door closed he turned |
to see Lily Ammt standing behind
him.
“You dear—you dear black gentle
| man, ’ sobbed Lily Ammt. That scared
Sam more than anything that had hap
pened before.
(Copyright, 1915, by McClure Newspaper
Syndicate.)
I J. E. Barrentine of Searcy
stopped over Tuesday for a visit
! to relatives. He was enroute
home from a visit to his father,
J. H. Barrentine, pastor of the
M. E. Church at Vanndale.
Esq. L. B. Winfree returned
Tuesday from a ten days’ stay
in Hot Springs where he went
for his health. His many friends
hope for him a speedy and com
plete recovery from the severe
attack of lagrippe which has
I given him much trouble.
Profs. C. T. Willis and T. W.
Woodbury and family returned
Tuesday from their old homes at
Munford, Tenn., where they
spent the holidays.
I We Thank |
| You! j
\ : f
For Past Business and 5
£ Solicit Your Patronage
^ during 1916.
S W. D. HINSON |
J Jeweler and Optometrist |