The Northern Pacific farmer., 1882-09-21
GOLD MARSTEN.g
Death, an Enemy in Youth in Old
Age, Il Friend.
ArkansaW 'TrayelCl

"It is pity to arrest an old man," was
whispered around the courtroom when
gray-haird parsonage, ragged and mis-
erable. was arraignod before the police
judge. Though bowed over and leaning
on rude cane for support, the old man
possessed a refinement Of manner, an
elegance Of mien that attracted attention.
His face wore all expression Of deepest
sadness, and his eyes, as they wandered
around the room, slowly from one to an
other and then gazed tixedly at the
Judge, spoke more Of pathos than could
be gathered within the range oftho most
gifted orator. : I D.
"Old gentleman" asked the judge
kindly, "What is your name?"
Rufus Wefton" An old colored man
at the far end ofthe room moved curious
ly in his seat .-
1T is great pity that man 50 old
and of such venerable appearance should
be hrrianged< before a~police court Mr..
oilicaerI, what is the charge against this
Vagrancy," replied the officer.
Yes, yagrancy," repeated the old
man, and his eyes moved slowly around
and again his gaze settled upon the
Judge.
.''Why are you vagrant, old man?"
asked the judge.
81 have never asked mercy of any
living man." replied the vagrant, "and |
do not wish to plead my cause. If help
lessne5s;|is violation Of your law, then
do | indeed merit punishment. | will
tell you why I am here after you pass
the sentence which my helpless viola
ton Of the law deserves"
'"The Judge who could pass Judgment
upon your head, bowed by the weight of
years, must be inlAlman. Tell me your
story"
A dcath-likc stiffness fell upon the
room. An officers dog scratched him
self, 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 i'll silent eagerncsc.
"Bcfore The war was planter" the
old man said, 'but during tho struggled /
lostsseverythmg. My: slaves deserted
me: .,Fhey had been my companions,
and to.be radely left by them, without
aword Of parting was: a. sad blow to me.
My sons we're killed in the army and
my wife died of grief. I had to sell my
land, for was unable to cultivate it. /
invested, my money injudicously and
became a bankrupt. Lcftulonc, without
friends, desperate, took to drink.
Amid the wild revels which followed I
scarcely realized the approach of old
age until its whitening hand was placed
upon me. reformed, but it was too
late. At last, weak and palsied, l found
myself out of doors. No one cared for
me. There was no pity in the many
faces THAT passed me. Hearing that u
colored man who once belonged to me-
all old man with whom / was raised and
and witll%whom / used to plav-lived IN
Little Rock, came here, and last night,
wearied with vain search, I sanlS.to the
ground, where was found by a police
man. II
"Hole on dar!' shouted the old color
ed man at tho far end of tho room,
springing from his seat and rushing for
ward. "Here I is, Mars Rufe. 'Forc
God an man dis is my old marster! Take
holt oh NY arm, Mars Rufe, yer's gwine
home wild me. Yersgot one frie,!' in dis
uncertain worP. Dainduced me to leave
yer once, but nothin' ken part us agin.
Mr.. Jedgc, dis is my ole marstcr, my ole
marster what is dc bes' man in de worl.
Eff he owes dis court anything ole ST
mons got de money ter pay it. Dar,
Mars Kufc, don't shed dem tears, fur dc
'preciative hans. Come on, lemmy hep
yer" and the old man was led from the
room.
flush, walk light dar, ole masters
asleep" said old Simon, bending over
the bedside. '"Twilight WAS deepcninc
with a tinge of eve" and the lamp had
just been lighted. Simon's house, situat-
ed in q quiet neighborhood, anon vines
that climbed around its rude eyes, was
indeed q heaven of rest after the toll
some journey Of life. Fortune from the
"honeysuckles lent a divine sweetness to
the air, and the cool breeze, coming
from afar out in the country whore the
grass is fresh and where the partridge
flies with dew on its crest, famed the
wriuklcd brow Of the sleeper.
''Vagrant," muttcred Simon. "Hc's
got Just as good a home as any man in
dis town; as de gubner oh dis state," and
he looked with all air Of satisfaction
around the tly-lurnished room. The
sl3cpers difficult breathing attracted his
attention. "Come heah, Riah," he called
to his wife: "Fore God Mars Rufc's a
dyin'" The old man opened his eyes
"Yas, marster."
"You'll be rewarded for your kind
ness"
Don't talk dat way. Don't say moth
in bout kindness. Anything what dis
ole mans got, Mars Rute, longs to yYer-2
SELF" $& Z:
II shall not need anything My battle
is ended. Put your arm under my head.
There. I want you to preach my fllner-
al. In youth death is an enemy; in old
9ge a 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. "\Nhcrc
| am going all colors arc bright. There
Old man bowed. "Youare half White >,
':.Yas, marster," the old man NUT
tered.
ooh, God, forgive the sins of my race.
Simoa"
f'Yas, marster."
"You are my half brother"
A gasp was Simon's only rcnly. 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.
LII LIlc little Sdfucn near the mouse
stone bears the inscri ption:
Gold MARsTER."'
Georgia Lovers See an ODD Sight.
From the American Republican,
Magnolia Dell is quite a resort for the
young ladieaand gentlemen ofthis place,
who leaye the noise, oftheScity at the
afternoon's hour and spend the time Of
sunsetin ltete-a-tetes that don't always,
S saesk of tender. passion, but Of subjects