The Orangeburg news. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1867-1875, 1870-03-26

rivet his attention. In an instant his
face grew violently red-in another as
excessively pale. For some minutes he
continued to scrutinize the drawing
minutcly where he sat. At length he
arose, took candle from the table, and
proceeded to seat himself upon sea-
chest in the farthest corner of the room.
Here again he made an anxious examina-
tion of the paper; turning it in all direc-
tions. He said nothing, however, and
his conduct greatly aatonished me; yet l
thought it prudent not to exacerbate the
growing moodiness of his temper by any
comment. Presently he took from his
coat pocket a wallet, placed the paper
carefully in it, and deposited both IN
writing-desk, which he locked He now
grew more composed in his demeanor !;
but his original air of enthusiasm had
quite disappeared. Yet he seemed not
so much sulky as distracted. AS the
evening wore away he became more and
more absorbed in reverie, from which no
sallies of :. inc could arouse him. 1t
had been my intention to pass the night
at the hut, as | had frequently done be-
fore, seeing my host in this mood, l
deemed it proper to take leave. He did
not press me to remain, but, as depar-
ted, he shook my hand with even more
than his usual cordiality.
1t was about amonth after this (and
during the interval | had seen nothing
of Legrand) when received visit, at
Charleston, from his man, Jupiter. l
had never seen the good old negro look
ST. dispirlted, and feared that some
serious disaster had befallen my friend
well, Jup," said l. 4" What is the
matter now how is your master %
"Why, to speak dc troof, massa, him
not so berry well as mousht be-"
"Not well? am truly sorry to hear
it. What does he complain of 2"
Oar? dat's it him neber plain
of notin-but him berry sick for all
dat"
Very sick, Jupiter why didn't
you say at once? Is he confined to
bed 2"
mo, dat he aint ?-hc amt find no.
whar-dat's just whar de shoe pinch
my mind is got to be berry hobby bout
poor Massa Will"
Jupiter, | should like to understand
what it is you are talking about You
say your master is sick. Hasn't he told
you what ails him?"
why, massa, taint WORT while for to
git mad about de matter-Massa Will
say nofiin at all aint de matter wild him
but den what make him go about looking
dis hear way, wid he head down and he
soldiers up, and as white as q gose r"
And den he keepa syphon all de time"
Keeps what, Jupiter?'
Keeps syphcn wild the fggurs on
de slate-de Queerest fggurs | ebber did
see. Isc gittin to be skeercd, tell you
Hap for to keep mighty tight eye pom
him mowers. | had big stick ready
cut for to glib him deuced good beating
when he did comc-but Ise sich fool
dat L hadn't dc heart arter all--he look
so berry poorly"
Eh what ?-ah yes ?-upon the
whole | think you had better not be too
severe with the poor fcllow-don't fog
him, Jupter-he can't very well stand
it-but can you form no idea of what
has occasioned this illness, or rather this
change Of conduct? Has anything un-
pleasant happened since | Saw you 2"
" No. massa, dey uint bin noffn on
pleasant since dcn-'twas Iore den I'm
feared-'twas de berry day you wat
dare"
How? What do you mean 2"
why, massa mean de bug-dare
now"
I" The what 2"
De bug-Pm berry sartain dat
Alassa Will bin bit somewhere bout the
head by dat goole-bug."
e" And what cause have you, Jupiter,
for such supposltion Z"
Claws euutf, massa, and mouff too.
nebber did see sich dcuced bug-he
kick and he bite ebery ting what cum
near him. Massa Will cotch him fuss,
but had for to let him so gin mighty
quick, | tell yoa-den was de time he
must have got the bite. l didn't like de
] look oh de hug mnnff mvself no how