The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1882-06-20
Selert Sturv.
OUR M1LLY.
Way down upon de Suwanee Ribber,
Far, far away;
Dar's whar my heart am turnin' eber,
Dar's whar de ole folks stay.

CIeaT as OlrU-SOn8 Tue VOICE uOAleu
in through the open, v'ne-shaded win
dow where sat Edith Morgan and her
aunt, Mrs. Hay ward, who had just come
from Massachusetts to visit at this com
Portable western home
"Why, Eith p exclaimed the elder o.
the two ladies, shave you a little ne.
gress here? thought old Hannah was
all YOU took West"
Filth flushed slightly hut smiled, say.
ing: mo, auntie, your critical ears de-
ceived you this time. That was 'OuI
MiHy.'"
Indeed! A voice like ths: in white
child is. worthy of cultivation. Does
she sing any other songs with equal pa.
thos p
"1 mus. confess, ,suntie," replied Edith
s'that her usic is mostly confined to ne
gro melodies which she has learned from
Hannah, hut she sings them all Will
great fervor. Really, auntie, l hardly
know what to do with Milly. / have
hoped your coming might have helpet
me out of the quandary. Since nam
mas death she has been under no con.
troll at all Papa thinks whatever sht
does is just right, and so, of course, per
mits her to follow her own inciinaions.
Here the conversation was interrupted
bv the entrance of Miliy herself. She
did not look at all like "Tomboy," for
she was a sweet.faced demure little mai
den
"Milly," said her sister "Aunt Hay.
ward thought you were little darkey
when she heard you sing" An irresist'
ible smile broke over the pretty face, land
the red lips parted, revealing two rows ol
pesrly teeth. She held out two little
sunburned hands, saying: Not quite SO
bad as that, auntie, though I'm tanned
most black enough, Edith says, and nv
head is most woolly enough" and she
shook back her tangled curls.
How wonld you like to go back to
Boston with me and take lessons in sing
ing ?" asked Mrs Hayward. Milly open.
ed her eyes wide with establishment
"Why, auntie, / don't need to learn to
sing. always knew how. l thought
you heard me }"
"You see how she is," said Edith.
when she makes up her mind to any
thing there is no changing her. She
never storms or acts naughty, like other
children. hut she will say with the air OF
sage: No, Edith, must! ought
to-! and there she will stay. Papa lays
she is made OF the same metal as heroes
and martyrs, and / don't know but he is
right"
Mrs. Hayward remained in her broth
er's house from early June until August,
and every day Milly grew more and more
into her heart, till the childless womsn
felt that she must have the little western
flower to brighten her city home. But
Milly was firm in her refusal.
81 cannot leave papa" she would say.
"He has the first claim on me-"
One day in the summer she had gone
some distance from home to pick ber.
ries, when there arose one of those terri
BILE storms so common in some parts of
the West-lightning and rain accompa-
MED by furious wind. While the family
were in great distress over Milly's alb
scence she came galloping home on pet
COW When questioned she answered:
81 heard Brindle's bell just before the
storm came on, and | knew the cows
were all going down to the fork to drink,
and their path leads right through the
berry path So waited minute or two
till they came fling along and then jump
ed on Brindle's bsck. knew by the
clouds that we we're going to have 8
blow, and thought she was 30 big the
wind couldn't carry her off, and | meant
to hug her tight aud lie low so l would
not blow away. And you see l succeed
ed. My berries are all right though"
she added gaily. II hid them in an old
hollow cottonwood tree, and I'll GO and
get them after the storm is over"
"Were you not frightened ?" asked
Edith as she helped Milly change the
drenched clothing.
"Yes, Edie, was" she answered so
b'rly, sand I prayed little prayer; but
| didn't forget to cling tight"
At length the time came for the aunt
to GO home. 1T was arranged that Edith
should accompany her father as he drove
with bis sister the thirty miles to the
city, where she was 10 take the eastern
bound tram. Ehev were to remain day
in town for the purpose of shopping, re.
turning on the third. AS Mr.. Morgan
kissed his daughter good by he said
plsytully: snow, Pussy, you must take
good care OF things while papa is gone.
81 will, papa" wac the earnest reply.
II dislike TO 60 away" continued the
father. "Everything rs very dry and
there have been fires west of us; bu
Patrick end Hannah are fai,hfel and yor
are worth half dozen any day."
"Don't worry, papa, dear said Milly
gsily. "Just 60 and have good time
We shall be all right"
The morning of the third day was
clear and pleasant. A breeze from thu
opposite direction during the night haC
blown away the smoke and with it wen
the fear OF the poor old black woman
Pat, too, was 10 good spirits, though II
his way he had been as lugubrious Al
Hannah. So they all went to work will
a good will. Pa, was reshingling barn
Hannah was baking, for site declared sh
must do "heaps of cookin, before Mars
Morgan aud Miss Edith should come; :
and Milly was maid of all work to ID
sable cook. She washed dishes, ,huttere,
pie plates and cake tins, occasionall
leaving her work to dart into the sitting
room, 10 assure herself that everything
was in order for the homecoming Of be
loved ones.
Gwine to ride up in de chariot
Sooner in de mornin',
she sang. But bark! What was that
A cry Of terror or distress. She few t
the door followed bv Hannah. The
. saw Patrick crawling toward the hous
on his hands and knees.
"The plairie is on fire. be shoutec
adding Immediately, "HoWly mother. +
mercful, for It is helpless ] am intirely.
The prairie vas indeed on Gre, thoog
at come distance. Pat, IRON his perc