The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1852-03-20
SATURDAY MORNING MARCH 20 1852

commissary general to a regiment Of kings he
could not have been more nice in the selection
or more abundant in the supplies he provided
for me. Years passed on. The field Of my ex-
crions wdened, as his contracted. The rheu-
matism often confined him TO the chimny cor
ner, and in summer no tasks were sci him, tho
he was too Industrious to be idle. He took
pride in being always tlnkering away at some
thing, III fence or gates. was now most O.!
the time at school. But it was high day to
.Old Jess, when came home. My boots were
wcll-polished-my clothes scientifically brushed
Time wore on was almost a mnn-in early
life my manhood was a constant theme for his
eoqucnce. was TO be great man. lie knew
it. And then what | was to do--"Old Jess
planned it all. My clothes would nearly fit
him-true was head taller than him, but he
managed TO make quite a respectable show in
those gave him. | used to think he liked 10
wear them, and | sometimes fancied the old
fellow had vanity enough to believe they were
not half so lastly worn by their original owner.
Yet he wasn't u fop. sOld Jess had too much
sense for that. Besides he learned something
from being so much with me. However greatly
he was Of advantage to me, yet the reader
mustn't think the benefit was all on one side.
! now had horse, and when at school the good
soul lav.hed on it the caresses he would have
showered on me. And the animal though very
spirited really seemed careful not to put 'Old
Jess to much trouble. He often declared il
wouldn't lie down in a dirty place, because it
wanted to save him as much cleaning as posi-
BILE. When came home, he had many stories
TO tell Of its saaacity. And indeed its excellent
training seemed strong evidence in favor Of 'Old
JesS's notions.
But the pool old fellow began to fail very fast.
He tried in vain TO tell with the old spirit some
OF his best tales. He was dull and prolix Per-
haps il was because could see now their incon-
sslcncies. Alas that learning should rob me OF
this, once the most exquisite enjoyment! They
wrote to me that 'Old Jess was sick, and would
not recover. ! missed all my lessons that morn
ing, with a sad heart | explained the reason
| and begged to be excused for a day or so.
l
called all his kndncsses--hs lness-hiS
admiration of me. | determined TO 90 home
and be near him when he died. They had placed
him in a comfortable place removed from the
other negroes lest they should disturb him. lie
| knew me, and with a moan he extended his
withered hand to me. thought | saw u teal
on his cheek. Perhaps not. Poor fellow, he
was dying, his eye was dull, and his pulse very
feeble. He lived by an effort. The hope Of
seeing me had kept him alive. He tried to talk
and bent down close 10 him. He SAID, .'who'I
| tell YOU tales now?" He forgot was no longc
a child. "Who'll fix your slcd-and your traps
| it's clouding overt will snow--l'm getting
| cold-it's winter.' Alas. the cloud was in hi.
mind the snow of death falling upon his hear
and chilling 1.-THE winter of which he talked
was all therein that old heart. Frightening up
he seemed To be conscious was no more child
he multcrtd Of my horse, of the wife he meant
for me. and died prophcsyng that | would be a
! great man. | looked on him for awhile and
turned away. He was dead.