The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1869-05-06
Selettea Sturw.
POTSY BLUE.

He was merchant, doing large business; had
accumulated great wealth, and was respected ac-
eordingly.
He always said that his word was the same as
his bond, and those who transacted business with
him said the same thing.
He once had wife. but she died, leaving him
three children. These, one by one, were stricken
down by the hand of death, and he was left in the
world without family or relations. His wifes
maiden sister offered her services to keep house
for him. The offer was accepted, and she took
charge of his key-basket
The key-basket is an institution peculiar to the
State of Virginia. To describe it would be as
great task as describing the different bonnes OF
the present day. The housekeeper always keeps
it in sight If she goes into the cellar, she takes
it with her; if she goes to the smoke-house, the
basket goes also; if she goes out In the yard to
feed the chickens, she carries it on her back.
In Virginia, the housekeeper and key-basket
are inseparable. The reason is natural All
rooms, closets or cellars, which have anything In
them, are locked, and the keys carefully placed in
the basket; and good housekeeper would be as
apt to 90 to bed without looking the doors and
seeing the keys safely in her basket, as a Wall
street banker to 60 to his home leaving his money
out, vault open, aud back-door unlocked This
locking of doors is necessary, on account OF the
little negroes or ''chaps;" who dip into the sugar
bowl, drink the cream on the table, or fill their
pockets with cakes from the store-room-hence
the necessity of the key-basket. Old Virginia
customs are fast passing away. I suppose the
key-basket will soon be thing OF the past. Our
mothers will then have lost q faithful friend and
companion and will look in vain for this object of
their tender regard. They will sigh when think
ing of the pleasant institutions and customs swept
nuay in the onward march Of events.
Mr. Wall had his counting-room md warehouse
en- Carey street, while his residence was on Frank
lin. His family consisted of himself, Miss Helen
Moon This sister-in-law,) and Turk" New
foundland dog, together with several servants.
Mr.. Wall always read the morning paper before
getting out of bed. lie liked to lie in bed and
read and The dog had been taught to carry the pa
Der to him. Turk loved his master, and always
licked the hand which was extended to greet him
in the morning.
This dog was very large-even larger than most
dogs of the same breed. His hair was silky and
black ms night. The most striking features were
his eyes, They were large, soft, intelligent, and
Mt times almost spoke 1t was impossible to look
into his eyes and not say, "Poor fellow"
Mr.. Wall, just previous TO his introduction to
the reader, had noticed that Turk had habit of
going out of the room as soon as he delivered the
paper, and would not be seen any more until
about breakfast. time. The dog had been doing so
Tor couple sf months; but, as he never got into
any mischief, and always made his appearance at
the breakfast-table, nothing was said about it.
One morning Mr.. Wall awoke very early, and,
feeling no inclination to sleep longer, put on his
dres,ing-gow and took a. seat at the front win
dow.
lie noticed Turk lying on the front steps, watch
ing very n,ently in certain direction He very
naturally turned his eyes in the same direction,
but, seeing nothing unusual, again looked at the
dog, who seemed as much interested as ever.
This anxiety of Turk excited his curiosity, and
90 he determined to watch.
After sitting some time observing the dog, he
noticed little boy coming down. the street, with
bundle of papers under his arm, leaving one
here and there at different houses. The dog also
seemed to notice this boy for he kept his eyes
steadily Upon him. AS the boy drew near to Mr..
Wall's house, he save peculiar whistle, which the
dog Immediately answered by jumping and run
ming to him. The boy opened his arms, at the
Same time dropping all his papers, and the dog
laid his large head on the little fellows shoulder.
Mr.. Wall sa* the little arms clasped around the
dogs neck, and saw, or fanced he saw, the boy
kiss Turk And this was not all The boy pulled
dry crumb out of his pocket, and Turk seemed
to relish it very much, though he would have
,urned ND his nose ht the like if offered at home
How sweet is dry crumb when given by the
hand of one whom we love- The boy picked up
the papers, got on the dogs back and rode to Mr..
Walls steps.
"Turk," said little Potsy Blue, (for such was the
boys name,) rs he jumped off the dogs back, "do
you know love you heap?" he gave the dog an
other hug. "Yes sir; old fellcr, you are the only
person know that cares two cents for ME; and if
Mr.. Wall was to lock you up, so couldn't see you,
dun no what would do-'spec I'd get sick.'
Turk looked up in his face, as much as to say
s.You need mt be afraid, my little friend"
snow, Turk" continued the boy, "Tll ring the
bell end you take the paper in, and I'll wait for
you at the corner. Stir your stumps, old teller,
or I'll leave You behind"
Petsy Blue started of, whstling cheerfully, and
the dog went into the house when servant opened
the door.
Mr.. Wall set, looking o, The spot where no Inst
saw the dog and the boy together. He didn't heap
Turk come into the room, and didn't noiipp the
dogs look of astonishment at finding his master
out Of bed. He only had al indisiRct recollection
of some large black object walking into The room,
Inn inn hic hn nd