Democratic messenger., 1881-10-22
ONE OF THE SMITH FAMILY.

Mr.. Fitzwalter was the pastor of an
impoverished but genteel colored con-
gregation in Port Royal, and for Mr..
Fitzwalter / had n rooted if an ungodly
aversion. founded upon the two trifiing
facts that he grinned at the beginning
and the close of every remark he ut
tered, and that in conversing he always
picked out the showiest words in the die
tionary, with more regard to sound than
sense. However, he had a poor sick
wife, and in consequence [ frequently
visited the Fitzwalter's apartment, and
always found the family poor indeed.
"You have no relations here" I said
to Mrs. Fitzwalter one day. "It must
be lonely for you.
"I am alone in the world, as far as /
know. I was an orphan when went to
Hampton. l was born in Texas, and 1
lived there with my mother till she died.
My mother was bought by Louisiana
gentleman, somewhere in Virginia, out
of the Smith family. I've heard her say
she nursed her master through dan
gerous illness, and he set her free out of
gratitude. That was how she happened
to move up into Texas when she mar
ried. My father was free too"
Mrs. FitZwalter spoke of the Smith
family as though the fact of her mother
having once been owned by them con-
ferred a special distinction upon herself.
1t was undeniably widely known fam
lily. ''Smith ?" | repeated, penslvely.
eyes" Mrs. FitZwalter reioined !;
''Tve often heard my mother say they
were one of the very first families"
Here Mr.. Fitzwalter entered, grin
ming, aronsing the worst feelings of my
nature.
"You have very pleasant rooms," re-
marked, with forced politenoss.
eyes. [ am anxious to procure an
instrument for my wife as soon as pos
sible. That imparts an air of refinement
TO the individual should say to the
apartment. l believe [ mentioned to
one of you ladies-I believe it was your-
self-that my wife could perform on the
pyano ?"
al believe you did," with increasing
intolerance. Then, in lower voice. 81
will try TO send you the things on the
list you gave me, Mrs. FitZwalter, which
you need most, at once"
Mrs. Fitzwalter smiled her wan smile:
her lord followed me to the door and out
on the landing. SIN reference to your
kindness, miss, / would say that small
piece of beef would be truly acceptable. y
Mrs. FiiZwalter bad already informed
me that she had no fancy whatever for
meat. / did not discuss the point, how
ever.
The next day l had occasion to visit
my favorite pensioner, a very cid colored
woman-so old that her age had be-
come a mere matter of speculation. She
herself assured me, every time 1 saw
her, that she was nigh hundred. She
lived with a married daughter and this
woman's husband, whose prominent
characteristic, as far as 1 had discov-
cred, was that of being chronically out
of work. He was sitting on the porch,
smoking a reeking pipe when I arrived.
Nothing to do, Uncle Ben % queried.
To which he grunted an inarticulate as
sent.
ode wages my ole man receive depen'
upon de estimation oh de stone," ex-
planned his wife, coming to the rescue
and TO the doorway. was at loss
only for n moment, until L recollected
that Uncle Ben had been breaking
stones of late.
"How is Nanny Nelly ?" l inquired,
making my way into the house.
''She's lively, grunted her son-in-laW
again. And so, in truth, found her,