Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1864-12-15
Ghaits aNistellauy.
Hates Piano.

was bending over Kate as she sat at the
piano. ] thought, as | watched her fingers
rattle over the keys, that | had never seen
her look more lovely Kate was fair
beauty, with golden hair, blue eyes, and the
complexion Of an infant or sea-shell. The
evening breeze, after blowing on the pine
covered sum mmits of the Allegheny Noun
tains, fretted the frnges Of her dress l
was yielding to the influence Of the music
when heard sound as of weeping
looked towards the window, and saw a
dark, undefned form-a sort Of solid shsd-
ow-disappear among the shrubs.
what was that2" ] asked.
"Nothing. I" replied Kate, in her silvery
tone, continuing the languid waltz; "or, l
dare say, only that stupid Naomi" .'t
What is she crying for?" 't ..''2
"How can | trll2" replied the beauty.
Negroes are more like children than men
aud women; they laugh and they cry with
out cause--without knowing why them
selves.
She finished the waltz but, despite the
music and her charms the sound dispirited
me for the remainder of the evening
The next day, while waiting for the slaves
to saddle my horse, sat down on the music
stool and mechanically touched the keys OF
of the instrument, when | heard the same
Sound that had disturbed me the night be-
fore. | turned round and saw Naomi-her
dark cheeks covered with tears, her hands
casped upon her bosom.
| walked toward her and asked her what
was the matter. .. 5
Nothing, massa," said the negress.--
"Nothing. Go on, masSa make little
Gussy talk again; sometimes he laugh,
sometimes he cry /, can't always laugh, poor
little Gussy. Please go on-make him talk
"Gussy (" I said. "Who is Gussy?"
"EIe my little boy" sobbed the woman.
How do you mean ?" inquired.
"Tcn year old, massa my dear Gussy
was; big little boy, with hair like Ken
tuck lamb, and kis eyes as black as our
Youngest bulls. Handsome and straight
and everybody love him. Miss Katie love
him, for she lay at the same breast that he
did I've often carried both Of 'em, one III
each arm, as if they were sister and bruy
yer. Used to take big bunch of flowers
big as he'self, to Miss Katie every day. my
Gussy did, Massa love him too; gave hin
chickens. Oh he was SO handsome--GussJ
was; and so strong, and---'n'. -.''..
Here the poor woman burst again int
tears, and supposing that her child wa
dead endeavored to console her, wheI
she interrupted me by SAYING ~r
7" "Massa, my Gussa not dead. ~ .n
"Then why do you cry?" '-h's.
''f"Cos, when Miss Katie grow up big, fin
ady, n,assa have her teach PLAY on tn
piano like other fine young lady misses
inassa is so kind father. One day he g
away on joulney-csme back with tall, tbl
man That day tall, thin man take ava
2 my Gussy MAssa sell my Gus.y for mope
J, to buy pisns with; massa $50 kind fathel
and Miss Katie must learn the music; bu
l. every time l hear play feel force tco:ister
: / | 20 outside window and wait, and wait
and when | hear 1t, it seems to me hes
the voice of Gussy. When Miss Katie pia
\ merry am happy, for | know Gussy
| laughing and singing, and clsppine his litt
! hands but when she play sad | feel hi
tearing at my bosom, for know that he
crying.
-" And thatis the ,res.cn?" .s', -"
l3teIss, massa-why l cry when he
Miss Katie's piano, -' 'isla