The Worthington advance., 1882-09-21
stOLDMAR RSTER,0

LDllARSTER.o
Death. An Eneny In Youth II Ola
=5sz A8o, . Friend.
Arkansaw Traveller.
g Il ID Q pity to arrest an old man" was
whispered around the courtroom when
gray-haird personage, ragged and mis-
orable. was arraigned befots the police
judge. Though bowed over and leaning
on rude cane for support, tho old man
possessed 1 refinement Of manner, IN
elegance Of mien that attracted attention.
His face wore IN expression Of deepest
sadness, and bis eyes, - they wandered
around the room, slowly from one to an
other and then gaxed 6xedly ct tho
Judge, spoke more of pathos than could
be gathered within the range ofthe most
gifted orator.
''Old gentleman" asked tho judge
kindly, "What il your manner"
"Rnfus Welton." An old colored man
at the far end ofthe room moved curious
ly in his seat
1T is q great pity that Z man 20 old
and of such venerable appearances should
be ARRANGED before police court. Mr..
Officer, what is the charge against this
Yagnncy." replied the officer. *.
Yes: yMaeraney:" M repeated The old
and again his gaze settled upon the
"Why are you = vagrant, old man?'
asked the Judge.
II have never asked mercy of any
living man" replied the vagrant, land 1
do not wish to plead my cause. If help
lessneselis violation Of your law, then
do l indeed merit punishment. I will.
tell you why am here after you pass
the sentence which my helpless viola
ton of the law deserves"
1.-THE Judge who could pass judgment
upon your head, bowed by the weight of
years, must he inhuman. Tell me your
story"
A death-like stiffness fell upon the
room. An officers dog scratched him
sell, and then, as though moved by the
spirit of hash which pervaded the place,
settled into immovable Stiffness. The
old colored man At the far end of the
room leaned forward in silent eagernesr.
Before the war was planter" the
old man said, "but during the struggle /
lost everything. My slaves deserted
me; They bad been my companions,
and to be rudely left by them, without
My sons were killed in the army and
my wife died Of grief. I had to sell INV
land, for was unable to cultivate it. /
invested my money injudiciously and
became bankrupt. Left alone, without
friends, desperate, 1 took to drink.
Amid the wild revels which followed /
scarcely realized the approach OF old
age until it's withering hand was placed
upon me. reformed, but it was too
late. At last, weak and palsied, / found
myself out of doors. No one cared for
me. There was no pity in the many
faces tthat passed me. Hearing that y
colored man who once belonged to me
an old man with whom was raised and
and with whom I used to plav-lived in
Little Rock, came here, and last night,
wearied with vain search, sank to the
ground, where was found by a police
"Hole on dar!' shouted the old color
ed man at the far end Of the room,
springing from his seat and rushing for
God an man dis is my old marster! Take
holt Oh my arm, Mars Rufe, yer's gwine
home wild me. Yersgot one frien' in dis
uncertain w0rp. Dainduced me to leave
yer once, but nothin' ken part us asin.
Mr.. Jedge, dis is my ole marstcr, my ole
marster what is de bes' man in de wor!'.
Eff he owes dis court anything ole 81
mons got de money ter pay it. Dar,
Mars Rufe, don't shed dem tears, fur de
good Lord hab flung yer into mighty
| 'preciative hams. Come on, lemmy hep
| YER" and the old man was led from the
room.
''Hush, walk light dar, ole masters
asleep" said old Simon, bending over
the bedside. Twilight was deepening
with tinge of eve" and the lamp had
just been lighted. Simon's house, situat-
ed i'll = quiet neighborhood, among vines
that climbed around its rude eyes, was
indeed heaven of rest after the toll
some journey Of life. Perfume from the
the air. and the cool breeze, coming
from af;lr out in the country where the
grass is fresh and where the partridge
flies with dew on its crest, famed the
wrinkled brow Of the sleeper.
"Vagrant," muttered Simon. "I1es
got just as good a home as any man in
Dis town; as de gublier oh Ills state" and
| he looked with an air of satisfaction
around the neatly-furnished room The
sleeper's difficult breathing attracted his
attention. "C0me heah, Riah," he calle,,
to his wife. "Fore God Mars Rufe's a
"Simon."
"Yas, marster."
ness.''
Don't talk dat way. Don't say moth
in bout kindness. Anything what dis
SELF"
II shall not need anything. My battle
is ended. Put your arm under my head.
There. l want You to preach my funer-
al. In youth death is an enemy; in old
sge friend.'
The clock began to tick loud. agitated
time, marking the approach of eternity.
"Simon!" The old man could not an
swer, but he bowed his head. "Whcre
| am going all colors are bright. There
I'D IN man Sesbsg%eon bowed: Y%1nh half Shte pe
"Yas, marster," the old man NUT
tered.
| SimoA!'
"Yas, marster."
| "You are my half brother"
A gasp was Simon's only reoly. When
| at length his old eyes could penetrate
the veil thrown over his face by the rush
OF emotion, he saw that the old man had
ceased to breathe.
In the little garden near the house 4
stone bears the inscriptions:
| '"OLD MARsTER." {
Georgia Lovers See an Odd Sight.
From the American Republican.
Magnolia Dell is quite a resort for the
young ladies and gentlemen ofthis place,
who leaye the noise of the city at the