Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1879-04-19
&C. COUNTY, MARYLAND, SATURDAY,

might say-and something prompted
me to add: "Be back by g." Why, I
cannot say; but felt SIS if by 8 I
should be in some peculiar danger.
Hannah promised, and, after do
ing all required, went away, and I
heard her heavy shoes on the garden
walk outside.
Early as it was, I had dropped the
urtain and ligh ted the wax candle on
the mantle, and I sat long after my
tea, finding a certain companionship
in it, as women of all ages will.
I sat thus a long time and was
startled from my reverie by rap at
the door--a timid sort of rap, so l knew
at once that it was not member of the
house nor an intimate friend. l wait
ed, expecting Anthony to open the
door, but finding he did not, went to
it myself.
1t had grown quite dark, and the
moon rose late that night At first l
could only make out a crouching fig
ure at the bottom Of the porch; but
when l spoke it advanced, and by
the light of the hall lamp saw a
back man. l had always had sort
of fear of negro, and instinotively
shrunk away, but as l did so he SPOKE
in husky whisper: "This is Massa
Morton's, ism t it ?"
EYES," replied, "but grandfather
is out
I retreated as he advanced.
"Please, miss" he said, Judge B.
sent me here. He said massa I'D
help me on. Let me stay here a
night, miss. Is trabbled FIVE days
since I left him, hidin' like. Is aw-
full hungry. Pears like I'd drop, and
and ole massa' arter me. For de lub
OBJ heaben, Miss, let me hide some
wherse, and glib me jes' crust.
Massa Morton 'ud help me, and it's
kept me up. Missus will, l know"
I knew that grandfather had given
succor to some Of these poor wretch
es before; but I felt that I might be
doing wrong by admitting a stranger
in his absence.
Caution and pity struggled with
me. At last said, "You have note
from the judge, suppose, sir?"
"I had some writin' on a paper,
said the man, "but Is lost it de night
it rained so. All miss, Is tellin' the
truf-judge sent me shure as Is a
sinner. Is been helped along so far,
and pears like I got to Csnad7
Cant 60 back nowadays. VIE dEr,
and the young uns. Got clear a
year ago. Miss, I'll pray for you eb-
ry day of my life of you'll be so good
to me. Thank you, miss"
For somehow when he spoke of wife
and children I had stepped back and
let him in.
1t was the back hall door to which
the rap had come, and the kitchen
was close at hand. I led him thither.
When I saw how worn he was,
how wretched, how his eyes glistened
and how, under his rough blue shirt,
his heart beat so that you could
count the pulse, I forgot my eau
ton. I brought out cold meat and
bread, drew a mug Of cider, and
spread them on the table. The ne
gro ate, and I left him to find An
thony, to whom I intended to give
directions for his lodgings throughout
the night.
To my surprise, Anthony was no.
where about the house or garden.
Hannah must have taken him with
her across the lonely road to Maple
ton.
It was natural, but I was angry.
Yet I longed for Hannah's return,
and listened very anxiously until the
the clock struck 9. Then, instead Of
her footsteps, 1 heard the patter of
raindrops and the rumbling thunder,
and looking out saw that a very
heavy storm was coming on.
Now, certainly grandpa and grand
ma would not come, and Hannah,
waiting for the storm to pass, would
not be here for hours. However, my
fear of the negro was quite gone, and
I felt certain pride in conducting
myself bravely under these trying
circumstances.
Accordingly l went upstairs, found
in the attic sundry pillows and bols-
ters, and carried them kitchenward.