The daily intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Territory [i.e. Wash.]) 1876-1881, 1878-04-17
Uncle Pete on his Last Legs.

He sat in a musing mood on the top
rail of q worn fence and gazed wistfully
across the forty-aere field toward the
double-log cabin of a Missouri land
proprietor. He was an aged African of
most benevolent aspect. Peace and
goodwill to all were written in every
feature OF his ebon couDtenance 4 few
gray hairs were visible in his beard
ard wool. and as he got down off the
fence and started across the half-plow-
ed stubble. field toward the mansion ut
which he had been gazing, a bad limp
was noticeable in his right leg. the
knee of which bowed outward some
what.
This venerable colored man was
known as Uncle Pete As he nearei
the double cabin he halted. shaded his
eyes with his hand. and after gazing a
moment. muttered; Yes. dar is-dar is
Marsc George q settin' on de porch q
readin' bis papah. Golly. / catch um
at home
'Marse George said Uncle Pete, q
few moments later. as he hobbled into
the veranda, seated himself on bench
and decorously adjusted his old wool
hat over the glaring patches on the
knees OF his trousers-'Marsc George,
Use come to see you once mo'-once mo
bcfo' leabs you 70 ebber, Marse
George. Use gwine to de odder shoah;
Use fer on dey way to my long home
to dat home ober acrost de ribber,
whar do wicked hob no NOR trouble
and whar water millions ripen all de
yeah
'You'ns has all binn berry kline to me
heah. Marse George-berry kline to de
ole man-I'se gwine away acrost dc
dark ribber. Use gwine ober and dar
on dat odder shoah, I'll stan an pick on
do golden howy among de angels and
in dc company of dc blest. Oar I'll
fine my rest-dsr I'll stand before de
throne for ebber NOR a-singing and a
shouting susannas to de Lord
oh. no Uncle Pete said the proprie-
tor of the plantation. 'you are all right
yet-you are good for another twenty
years
Berry kline of you to say dat. Marse
George-berry kine-but it is no use.
1t almost breaks my heart to leb you.
and to leb lie Missus aud de children.
Marse George. but l got my call | is
oil gone inside
Don't talk so. Uncle Pete; you are
still quite a hale old man, said the
kind hearted planter.
No use talking. Marsa George. / is
gwlne to Hebben berry soon. Pears
like can heah dc singing on de odder
shoah. 'Peahs like can heah de voice
oh Aunt Liza and de odders dat has
gone befoah. You has bin berry kind
to me. Msrsa deorge-de Missus and
de chillun berry good-seems like all
de peoples bin berry good to ole Pete
pore creatur like me.
Sometimes | feel like is bin gittin'
credit for corn when / only brot cobs
and shucks to de market. may set
in de sun for few days more; for
little time may look on de trees and
de grass aud de sky; may harkep to
de singing of de birds little longer,
but is got the call and | feel it. | is
all gone inside, sab
Nonsense. Uncle Pete said the
planter smiling cheerfulIy and sneak
ing encouragingly; nonsense! you are
good for many years yet. You will
see the sod placed on the graves of
many younger men than you are before
they dig the hole for you! What you
want just now. Uncle Pete. is good
square meal. Go into the kitchin and
help yourself-till up inside. There is
no one at home. but think you know
the road Plenty of cold victuals of
all kinds in therel
'Bleeged TO yer. Marsa George
bleegee to yer. sab; will 60, For de
little time | has got to stay / will not
60 agin nature But i, is no use. / is
all gone inside-I is got my call.
am one of dem dat is on de way to de
golden shosh.'
Ola Pete's limp is hardly noticeable
as he departs to the depository of eat
ables. and q sanity smile illnmines his
wrinkled face
Left alone the planter is soon absorb
ell in bis paper the Missouri Bruns-
cicItr-snd he notes not the long alb
sence Of Uncle Pete. At last however
he is aroused by hearing the old mans
voice. as be merrily carols as follows;
''ysv bird, jay bird. settsn' sn limb,
lie wtnked ~ me an at him
Cooked my gun and split hisshin.
An lefs ,hc arrow a-stiekin in"
'Zoupds,' cried the planter. 'i:thst old
thief of nigger hasn't found my bot
tie of bitters. Pete Pete you black
rascal
..Snake bake hoe cake
An set the frog % mind IL,
But de frog fell asleep
An de lizard come an nna H."
Pete hears not, for he Is dancing q
gentle shuttle and singing
DE dsbble catch de groun' hog
A settin' In de sun.
An Kicked him oa lie blacklog
Jes 90 zee de fun"
You, Pete Blast the nigger!' cried
the now thoroughly aroused planter.
throwing down his paper and rushing
To the scene of all this unseemly hill
srity.
Unconscious of his approach. or OF
his presence In the world. Pete sings: