Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1877-07-11
Ole family Circle.
Phut White.
BY SARA E. WILTsE.

BY SARA E. WILTSE'
IF Pbut's father and grandfather mac
been free men, Phut would never had sucu
n verv odd name. If you asked little Fhu'
in what State he lived he would answer
ouite proudly. Alabama" He wore SO
much wool on his head that his mother
used TO comb it with the wire-toothed
comb with which his father combed the
horses. One trial had Phut. lie ana mol
like his given name, and would nave
! changed it to Bob or Tom, or some sucn
common name, had not his mother always
said. 1.-The young massa called ye Phut'
and Phut Use gwine 10 call you, I'll de
anoels oib We a better name" Mention oil
Z" de angels" and n new name, always
sent Phut away to think and ifasked why
he was so uniet, he would answer, Use
wondering BE ut dem angels and my new
name. Does you ever wonder, and won
der? Please Miss, les bofe wonder
which meant clearly, Please do not DIS
turb my thinking with your talking"
Phut was such tidy little fellow and so
anxious to earn pennies for "de turin
mishuns," us he called them, that thought
would have him to wait on the table
which his mother set so we'll. You should
have seen Phut's great black eyes and lit
tie white teeth when this was proposed TO
him. "Shall war white duds like those
are table boys in the big hotelsP" said
Phut. OF course he should; so | made MIN
q white jacket and apron, and ne stood be-
hind my chair happier than cricket now
for he was happy enough to be very STILL
and that is surely happier than happy
enough to sing or chirp.
| II was after the company was gone and
Mr.. George was off to see his parents and
| was helping to put away the silver, that
learned how very much Phut disIiked
his name SO told him what fine name
it was, and that possibly he was line
young prince who should grow up to do
his people as much good as Joseph did his
people.
What was my surprise to hear Phut tell
ing his mother that night that he should
wear his white duds and striped stock
ings all the time now" Said he: "Jest
re'lize you was 'sendent of a king like
be, you'd wear fine buds too, | reckon"
Then he began singing something which
was an odd mixture of negro hymns and
his own fancies:
Swing low, sweet chariot,
Take in dis little child,
Swing low, sweet chariot,
Ise dun gwine-to de stars,
Dun gwine-dun gwine
Dun gwine to de stars.
So had to tell Phut that to be great he |
must be learned and good, not simply well
dressed, and in order to impress this upon
him, told him how poorly the Spartans
used to live, even the kings, some going
hungry and cold, in order that they might |
be strong and able to bear the hard life of
soldiers. The next morning at daybreak |
was awakened by Il great crash in the
kitchen. Phut was there, half dressed,
trying to feel cold in that sunny climate,
and looking rather obviously at the heavy
dumb bells which he had seen Mr.. George
lift, and which he had dropped, making
the noise which had wakened me. He
explained that he was "gwine to be rs
brave and strong us them ar Party boys"
He meant Spartan boys, but l did not
laugh at him. Mr.. George said | was
quite spelling Phut with notions, so
he began teaching him his spelling les
sons, and made him see the use of
wood for his mother, and being
kind to his father, who, am sorry to say,
was not always kind to him. l think Phut
really understood that these little things
would help TO make him great if he would
lse them.
One summer, not long ago that dread
ul disease, the cholera, broke out in the
South, and the poor black people died by
scores and hundreds. Phut came in one
lay very pale, saying, please come
quick, Miss, Mammy's dun got it."
inew what that dreadful "it " meant; so
told Phut to stay in the kitchen and eat
10 dinner but nice bread and milk, while
went to see his mother l had no more
han reached her door before Phut pulled
VI my dress with shaking hands, and said, 9
Please Miss, | dun forgot you tole me to
Iay away, but can't | do suffin?n Then 1
'ravely. Kings sons don't orter hide, |
eckon." So Phut went after DR.. George,
Who brought me word that the little bows a
ather was already dead with the this +
rghliuI cholera. Phut rubbed his moth '
IT. hands, and kissen her cold face, which +
Helped her quite as much as the medicine t
We gave her, for neither could save her
rom quick coming death. Then he asked ,
Or his daddy" and we could not put off l
rs eager questions with any answer but
ne whole truth. He did not cry-for he
,lt sure his mother would wake, and if
ne ana not, he had many errands for her n
, DO when she should get to the angels.
ie would not leave her, but lying with
Is lace close to hers he talked about the "
'hte duds she would always wear mn
lere. Poor Phut he always called
mite robes white buds" lie could un-
erstand his own words best.
tie told her she must find the great Pbut I
nd tel! him and the bldssed Savior that
tile Phut was almost as brave ms ode
arly boys" for he could do heaps of
lings he did not like to do, and never saw
cross word. " Nanny, tell em didn't =
ee,P them pennies found-and- NANNY I"
- but Phnt did not finish his sentence
II he was in the grasp of that awfnI
tile black prince with the great white
nl' and Just before he sank into That
eep IN which he would die, or from which
would wal Ike to life and health, he reach
up his little arms. saying" MIR. GEORGE
Guild you jest kiss little Phut, for "-then
mixing OF his prayers, he said, for
'sus sake. Amen" '0'
Hours afterwards he opened his ewes
ii looking wistfully at the place where
mother had lain, he said, Use gwine
GIT we'll but if Mr. George hadn't Kissed
couldn't live. Use so lonesome
M. my heart was aching for this dear little
tut, and taking him in my arms | said to
yseli that be should never be lonesome
am II the love of white folks could he
him as the mother love which he misc
,-Advancc. ''''''-
HE VALUE OF KNOWING How no
M.-llanging in the shrouds of n sinh