The Council Bluffs nonpareil. [volume] (Council Bluffs [Iowa]) 1857-1867, 1857-09-19
From the Knickerbocker.
OLD ABRAM-A SKETCH FROM LIFE.
BY 4. WALLACE HUNTER.

BY 4. WALLACE HUNTER. ...
Uncle Abram, otherwise Abraham, was
one of the most prominent men Of the Is
land plantation. lie filled the important
though not very lucrative Office Of planta-
ton preacher: Within few hundred yards
of the House par excellence. stands, Tor
rather stood, for it has since fallen beneath
the march of improvement, and given place
to neat and commodious chureh) an old
clubhouse, once used as receptacle for
grain, and now - but am anticipating:
The old man was in the habit Of paying
periodical visits to the church in s..
He returned one dav after an unusually
long absence, to his duties on the lsland.-
lie was evidently impressed with some i'm
portant idea; there was an ill-concealed
smile of exultation playing about the cor
ners Of his mouth the whole day; he held
his form more erect than usual, and trod
the earth beneath him with the step and air
of one determined to make his mark upon
the page of history: The negroes Looked
upon him with amazement, aud even the
stolid field hands wondered what had got
into Uncle Abram to make him look SO big.
One more daring than his fellows (for
Abram knowing full well that Familiarity
breeds contempt frowned down all idle
and impertinent curiosity ventured TO ask
'ef ennything surprisin' or extraordinary
had 'eurred in s.
'Neber you mine, Jim Allen; ten to your
cottin', and do MT AK any imperent requests
from an Exalter Of the Scrlpters! l tens
my business; you mine yourne was the
indignant response, delivered in the old
mans happiest style.
'ki! Unc' Abrum, dat Jim Allen was al
ways dambishious,' struck in Little Nancy
.Eh! wurra dat. You dar cuss afore me?
eh?'
''Twarnt no cussing, Unc' Abram;
yeard Missus tell young Massa, with my ow n
years, dat Jim Allen was dambishous.'
'Damn Bishous! Ole Missus-why look
var, gal, its onpossible. In dc fust place,
ole Missus never cuss in all her born days.
Secondly, dar aint no one on de plantation
called Bishous. Lastly and finally, ef dar
was sich pusson, ole Missus neber gwine
cusS 'imn
'But Unc' Abram-'
Dar's no use in talkin', gal; the things
onpossible!'
Talking against Abram was like talking
against time, and Nance, with a most un-
womanly weakness, held her peace.
Abram, when the ''shades Of evening be-
gan to fall sent one of his numerous pro-
geny to the house, requesting the privilege
Of IA few minutes private conversation with
his mistress, intlmating that he had some-
thing of Importance to communicate.
After tea my good aunt gave word for his
admission, as she was now prepared to hear
what he had to say. Abram entered the
dining-room in his most digniied manner,
looking as sober as Il judge is said to look.
'Well Abram, what As this important
matter you have to communicated asked
my aunt. 3d..
Abram did not reply, but looked sternly
at the house-servant, who was apparently
busily engaged in clearing the table.
q say, gal; whar you larn to tend on de
Bucchra2 Missus, dat gal Glars off de table
'mazin Slow
'ls it about Diana that you wish to see
me, Abram?' 10 r..'r . ~
mo- Missus; but you see Di is got no bu-
siness to hear it,
DIANA said my aunt snilingly, syou can
leave the room for awhile And ~ Diana
passed SILENT though 'oft looked back,
slow moving o'er the floor, she continued:
sand now, Abram2' -ags- .n as
'Why, you see, Missus de ting am ! secret
yet; and if young Massa---' .....
go into the parlor, Thorpe, and amuse
yourself with book, until Abram has re.
vealed his mighty secret"
sWhy Daddy Abram!' cried Indignantly;
'an't you ashamed Of yourself? Pm as
dumb-as dumb as-Old Dummy, when
there is a secret to be kept
Il knows all dat, Mass Thorpe; but you
see dis fur Missus to var fust. If Missus say
yes, I'll tell you all about it in the morning.
.Pse gcta new pattern for coon-trap,
am rEs- @#f
Hang your coon-trap! Pm not to be
b-ibed.' And violent sslam' of the door
leaves Abram, hat in hand, ready to 'un-
fold.' .z'az .''- a5aas
In about fifteen minutes from this, Abram
emerged from the dining room, with the
lurking smile of the morning deepened into
broad grin.
Look var, Di! Missus says you mus
GIN me a fust-rate supper. So stir round,
gal; I desp'rate hungry-an't eat nothin'
since mornin' but one tater.'
'Why, Daddy, you must be almos' perish
in' fur something to eat. While Pm gitten
things ready, just tell me what you and
Missus been talkin' bout
lit IS none o. your bisiness, gal. Like
tole Jim Allen dis mornin', when he had the
imperence to Ak me dat same request. Says
!, Jim Allen, item to your cottin' dat's your
business: tend to your soul, dat's my
But, Daddy, Iain't Jim Allen, you
Look yare, galp exclaimed Abram, burst
ing ont into very unclerical sguiiaw. =
4 s'posc | knose the difference atwixt my
own da'ter and Job Aliens son Jim. Ef
had wanted you to know, you tink I'D axed
Missus to see her BY herself to com-com-
consarn you, gal! you'se as imperent as
Jim, continued Abram rather sayagely; an
CRY because he could not recollect The word
Communicate which he had heard his