Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1874-11-06

wait anoder week to git married, an del
wouldn't run no resk o. desc but
amt gwine to tell her, cos j know sh
couldn't help tellin' Mas Tom, an
want to s'prise him. Mas Tom is mad
me feel good many time; / want B,
make him feel good wunst. He don
nuvvur come dis way, an amt seed da
pin or he would ha' had it fore now"
Then Little Joe ,bestirred himself an(
obtaining the assistance of friend
took his dry goods box up TO Capitd
Square. There he turned 1t upside down
spread a newspaper over the top anC
proceeded to display his wares.
A pyramid of three apples stood in-dnC
corner; small stack of peppermint
candy was its Dis-d-Uis. tiny glass oi
peanuts graced the third, and was con
fronted by lemon that had seen life
and was more sere than yellow. But the
crowning glory was the center-piece-an
unhappy looking pie of visage pale and
thin physique, yet how beautiful to Joe
He stepped back on his crutches, turning
his head from side to side as he surveyed
the effect, took up locust branch he
had brought with him to brush away the
flies, and, leaning against the iron rail
ing, with calm dignity awaiting coming
events.
His glance presently fell on the lgure
of a negro boy, who stood gazing with
longing eyes on the delicacies of his
table, and it was with strange feeling
of kinship that Little Joe continued to
regard the new conner for he too had
been branded by misfortune. He ap-
peared about Joe's age and should have
been taller, but his legs had been ampu-
tated nearly up to the knee, and as he
stood on the pitiful stumps, supported by
a short cane in one hand, his head was
hardly as high as the iron-railing. He
had none of Joe's brightness, but looked
ragged and dirty and hungry, and evil
IDENTIFY had no Mas Tom to help the good
Lord and the birds of the air to take care
of him. His skin was of dull ashen
hue, and the short wool which clung
close to his scalp was sunburnt till it was
red and crisp, and formed a curious con-
trast to his black face. One arm was
bare, only the ragged remains of a sleeve
hanging over the shoulder, and 1t seemed
no great misfortune that his legs had
been shortened, for he had hardly panta-
looms enough TO cover what he had left
He looked at the pie, and Joe looked
at him. Presently the latter inquired
seriously, "Whar yo' legs?"
Cut off," was the answer.
How cum dey cut off,"
Feet was fros' bit Like ter kill me"
"What yo' name?" asked Joe.
"Kiah."
What were yo' ole mas name?"
Didn't have no ole mas"
u" Was you natchul free nigger?n
Dunno what you mean," said Kiah
Fore we was all set free" explained
Little Joe. "Wos you born wild ole
mas an ole mis-, or wos you born free?
--jes natchully free"
Free" said Kiah, thus placing him
self, as every Southerner knows, under
the ban of Joc's contempt. lymph!
my Lor'! Dat pie sholy do smell goodm
You look hungry" said Joe gravely.
is" said Kiah, hungry as a dogl"
Negroes are generous creatures, and
Joe's mind was fully made up to give
Kiah piece of pie; but before he signi-
fed this benevolent intention he rested
his crutches under his shoulders and
swung his misshapen feet almost in
kiah's face. He lecred at him; he
grinned at him. he stuck his chin in his
face, and made dash at him with the
crown of his head; finallg md swihelhSs
his neeis 'tv iuv 'IotroWrng edluon OF
"Juba," repeated with incredible rapid
ity and indescribable emphasis;