Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1884-04-24
THE STAR OF HOPE.
Thomas r. Stark in The Current,1

around in time. AS approached the stable
heard Uncle Jim and his oldest boy singin.
together as thoy watered the horses. paused
to listen:
"Wid hehenly rajance from afar,
Through dc iltAl clouds
Shines a silver star.
o slnMn' soul, it shines wild love,
It's lie star oh hope
In de home above"
"Don't glib dat hay hoss hut one bucket,
jimmy" ordered Uncle Jim; Ibis nlouf likoa
fish,
And they continued:
70 sill-nah weak, why will you diei
For de 1.awd is good,
He'll hear yo' cry;
Den turn to Him. an take His han,
He'll lead you on
To de hebenly lam"
Somewhat spiritually inclined this MORN
ing" remarked, as l entered the door.
ayes, Mist Tommy. OATS my fabo.rite
hymn. kin line dat of from one end to de
odder."
"Wes havin' big times down to our church
now, Mist Tommy" said Jimmy. "3ln'hler
Braddie, he's q holdiu' 4 'vival neetin. He
say how we's gwine to hab a great season Of
refr.shment 70 we gifts done wild it."
~ suppose Aunt Cin,iy has been con-
verted." remarked.
"Well, no, Mist Tommy Nanny, she
still outen d, world yit but We 'spects tot gad-
der ber in 10 long" replied Jimmy.
~ don't know what to do about dat Cindy,"
Sail Uncle Jim. as prayed an talked to dat
'oon,an, hut she don't pay no 'iention to me.
Las Sunday l say tn her; "Cindy, is
prayci heap to see you a wn,kin on de
geluing streets, but it amt doin' no good"
Says she to me: 'Milah'-she allus call me
by de las name 'Ef you wants me to ten
dat church ob yourn, je, git me one oh dem
honnets like Miss Nellie got, an III go reg
lar Den happen to think what Brud1er
Bradrlie US bout flghtin' de debbil wild
his own iah an .;ib her 81 to git de bon
net"
".After that she went to church regularly,
didn't slef' ! inquired.
mo, Mist Tommy: she jes' went onst. She
broughten one oh dem little bonnets 'bonten
as big as yo' hand, an start off wild me-
Looking very stylish, Isu!,poser
AYES sab. She dun tx up her ha'r In dc
latest style. an Sot de bonnet tuppen her
watafall. Den she start of wild Il passal Oh
women folks galbin'. an drap de bonnet off
comm home, an didn't know she los it.
Soon as VIC git home dat night say: Cindy.
whar yo' bonnetr She cap her han on de
back Oh her head, an'-den she commence"
Here the old man gave prolonged whistle
10 give an idea of the extent aud power Of
Limy's wrath
"Cind,'s gocd 'ooman, Mist Tommy, but
she's got mons'"u tempeT She amt spoke
to me sence, an jimmy say $40 swar she
goin to ct divorce"
Tie Old man shook his head so :uefu!ly that
! deteliRucl to assist him all | could III
reconciiinS Aunt Cin,.y.
as done ebberythns knows how to get
her to make up" he continued, "Uut she won't
pay no 'tGntiOn to me-
IN try and fix it up for you" replied.
"Just leave that to me. Jimmy, want You
to take this note Ground to Miss Prudence,
and, Uncle Jam, want you to hitch up for
ne by o'rock in tn, afternoon. 1 want to
get off early
"All iich;, Mist Tommy"
Jimmy started of with the note, and as |
loft tho stable door ihu OLD man called after
me:
(Which way is yov gwine to carry Miss
Hrude c", Mlst Tommy"
"AnywAcre sho nAes,' Ireplied, "but I
prefer the river rosd.'
"Jes' what thought. Ef you goes de rib
Der road, Mist Tommy, come back hlough
de Iesevuh (reservoir) gate, an III show you
snudder loo.y dribe.'
"Will you be out therer' ] asked, some
what surprised.
"Ycs, sah eff you don't come back too
soon GrudLer Braddies gong to have an
open air n,ectn' at Miles woods, out d;r
whar' de road quits pikin, an guess III
60"
And take Aunt Cndy, suppose"
The old man laughed at my question. and
seemed surprised that | should tninS Aunt
Cndy would 60 with him anywhere, consid-
e.lng her present attitude toward him.
He then turned u bis work and continued
his song:
"Dcn tarry not in de mud an mire,
But sit on de rock;
It's de Lawds desire
He saws to Won, o sinnah come!
De star OBJ hope
VIII guide You home"
Walking up To the house, | told sister N III
about Uncle JiE,'s trouble with Cndy, aud
suggested that If she had bonnet she did not
care for, it might effect reconciliation if she
were to send it to Cindy. She readily CON
sente1 to this, and before noon Aunt Cindy
the possessor Of u little red bonnet.
Meanwhile Uncle Jim, who was busy with
MS CNOTeS, Wue IOUdllO VI hhiI udu
transpired.
The drive that afternoon was a pleasant
QUE. The road runs along the bank of the
Onio river for a considerable distance. 1T is
a smooth pike, used JUST enough TO be in good
condition, and lined with large old trees that
supply abundance of sha !e, and add worry
much to the beauty of the drive. The view
towards the river is magnificent and ever
IN fha Inlio N a Shnra pan bp
an occasional farmhouse. while below are
ths coal fleets of Pumpkin Patch, with their
customary putting, busy tugs.
On our return, just as we got to the toll
gate, and where tho road quits pikin," we
heard singing. 1t was the Star of Hope"
and could recognize the voice of Uncle
Jim leading the tune. Miss Prudence held
the reins while / dismounted and opened the
gatA Passing through, we saw quite large
crowd surrounding Erother Braddie, the col
ored minister, who had just commenced
preaching Up near the front sat Uncle
Jim, and some distance back was Aunt
Cindy with Nell's reu bonnet on Both were
very much Interested in the speaker and
were totally oblivious OF each others
presence.
The rude eloquence oe the preacher seemed
to be effective Some If the listeners were
already moving lie vo,Isly. Cindy, es-
pccially, was very n''ch impressed We
paused for some time - listen to the fiery
exhortaton, and had just turned to leave
when Cindy began to scream:
80 Lawd-Lawdy! o Lowd-Iawdyl rs
gwine to Zion! rs a gwine to Zion"
She had got religion at last
"OLawd-Lawdy! o Lawd--Lawdy! rs
got it! Is got It'll Don't tech me, nigsahs
Lem me 20! rs put de debbil to flight, an
de Lawd il II hokiin out his han"