New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1874-11-22


| who done forgive bis enemies. Eff he kiI
do it, whas to hole on to anger an jice in
his miseryl l jess put away all dat ar ole
trubble. Massa Cunn'l; fo' it's clean done an
gone. Dis yere por creature q dyin' an
nobody nigh to give um drink O. water
kin be p0oty mad. an huff sight 'venge
! full, Massa Cunn'l; but it won hole GU,
afore such Elections. Mebby he'll member
bout my Jack an my Marceline, when he'e
! gwine; an wan'ter stan alongside to tell
him forgive UNI freely, an specs he don
know what he do, like my Lord he say"
! She looked so humble, standing there, a.
she taltered out her explanation with many
long-drawn signs, and 20 earnest in hel
wish to go. that no one had the heart ia
deny her.
'.De Lord bress yo', honey" she said
gratefully; and Sylvie burst into tears,
Disey dropped her courtesy reverently
| and quietly went out. No one saw hel
pause outside the window. and look long
! and wistfully at her good friends, as if she
| would carry their images away with her
| in her self-sought exile.
She sat out bravelv on her long, lonely
walk over the drifted roads, up the bleak.
toilsome hills, and through moaning woods,
| where the wind hOwled dismally among the
| leaf1ess branches. On and upward climbed
hertsturdy little figure. without once falter.
| ing toward its goal.
1t was half way to midnight when she
crawled through the fence that barred the
road; and the doctors voice warned her
| away.
THAT means danger; can't you sect" he
| said testify.
Use come TO- 20 nuss de sick man, Massa
Doc" she responded in her pleasant re-
speetful way.
Under Providence" the doctor was wont
to remark same weeks later, under prOvi-
dence, that blessed old soul saved the cap
tain's life. In case like that. il is nursing
that brings the patient through, if anything
does. and she watched with HIM night and
day. Money won't buy care like that; moth.
ing will, SO far as my experience goes, e1-
Said she knew him down South, in tho old
times. suppose he befriended her in
some of her misfortunes, when che was
nothing but chattel. and she was glad of
chance 20 chow her gratitude. Couldn't
get much out of her; don't appear TO be over
bright. Well. whatever the captain may
have done for her or hers. reckon the
score il even now"
No one opposed her assuming control in
Law. deserted and deli1ious, babbling strange
and awful nonsense by the hour.
No human being yentured to approach the
epo, to offer aid or sympathy, with the ex-
ception Of the doctor: and there. for three
weary weaks, in that awful solitude, Disey
watched on one side Of the pillow, and death
on the other.
At first she vas scared by the Stiffness
which was unbroken. save by the rawlings of
the sick man. and she lived dumbly through
the days. But a. che grew accustomed to
the change. she fell into her old ways Of
singing to herself. and Of praying aloud in
the teryid. impassiOned manner Of her race:
and the sound of her voice seemed to sOOthe
her charge. who ceased 70 toss yestlessly.
and for pace forgot his lurid visions.
She saved her patient, who one day open.
ed sane eyes. and shuddeged At the sight Of
her.
He, showed fear Of her in his wary watch.
fulness. and would take no food Of her un.
less he had seen her prepare it: until one
day, when he had tricked her with feigning
sleep. he saw her kneel. and heard her
pray-pray for him. Most likely he would
have sneered over the burden of her sup
plication. that he might be saved and for.
given. that his heart might be touched, that
he might be made as q little child, and
washed white in the blood of the Lamb.
and scoffed at it as cant. had he been we'll
and strong. But he was weak: he had lain
at deaths door: he had been deserted in
dire extremity: and in all the world no one
but this poor creature. whom he had
wronged, had been found to care for him;
and somehow he was touched.
There was never much talk between
them: but as che crooned her soft, low
songs, or ministered to him as tenderly as
a mother to her little child. his sunken eyes
| followed her; and while he listened he
thought of what his life had been.
and Of what would have awaited him
had it gone out while he lay there helpless
and unconscious.
Sometimes when she sat silent he asked
her to sing. sometimes he counterfeited
sleep that he might hear her lift up her
voice for him. Once only did he speak Of
| the past to her.
'Disey." he said. turning his wan face
from her, 'you thought 1 shot that boy OF
yours who ran away. Yes, know And ]
! let it 60 SO, TO scare the hands from cutting
| off, But. az I'm q sinner that don't deserve
, pardon. it ain's SO. As for the girl-wen.
done that! Twarn't my fault. though.
The boss had to have money, and I'd got TO
raise it. But never set eyes on your Jack,
SO help me, after he quit. He was oil to
Canada. most likely, before the dogs even
| got scent Of his TRAIL
"Bress de Lord Almighty TO- all His mer.
| cies!" exclaimed Disey, and "Amen" fer
| vently responded the captain.
As he slowly recovered his faithful nurse
| eickened, and, enfeebled as he was, he took
| his turn and did 'he best he knew to repay
| her care. He who had once ordered her
| YEARLY down to the spring many times in
| each day to bring the cup Of cold water for
! which she longed and smoothed her pillow
| with awkward gentleness.
The March winds had ceased their bOis-
! ferrous rummage through the leafless woods.
and April showers had auickened their
! crimson buds, before Disey was brought
home to the bright little room Miss Silyie
had dressed for her. Not long was che 60
that knowledge in no way Swallowed her
serenity: she "knew what home was now"
Almost daily Captain Woods came 20
bring her such trif1es Of fruit and flowers
az should please her, and show his remem-
brapce: and Disey, bolstered up in her
cushioned chair. would sing in weak and
auavering voice one Of the songs which he
.aid had done him more good than bis med
icine.
At last he found her unable 20 leave her
bed. but cheerful among her pillows, and
quite childishly delighted with the bunch
Of wild flowers he had gathered for her on
his way. Seeing her 80 feeble, he opposed
be muslin: ask her TO sing tor him."
Il dunno's I kin, Masss Capt'n. lse
mighty weak dis mornin': but kin try"
And she sang in . tremul0us voice .
quaint song ne nau never O01OF0 008FU, t00
burden Of which was, a. he sfteHward re-
called
"Oh: is gwine to de new bright world. world.
world.
Idon want yo' to grieve after me.'
"IIl come again soon," he promised, when
he took leave Of her, land bring you some
more pOsies. Now, take care of yourself v
She gave him q shadowy smile; but her
only answer was, ''Go0d by, AAssa
Cart'n."