Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1884-01-29
For the SPKCTAroh.E
"LITTLE NOSE"
"A NEGRO CHARACTER SKETCH.


In the summer of SO l was invited to
quit for few weeks, the dusty streets and
sultry atmosphere of my city home and
spend TIN time with Ned Carter, an old
friend and school-mate at his beautiful
country home on the banks of the James.
gladly accepted the invitation, and soon
found myself most comfortably domiciled
at "Hazelwood." This was one of the old
Virginia plantations, well stocked with me-
groes whose inimitable songs could be heard
ut any time during the day waited from
the tobacco fields or from the comfortable
cabins in the rear of the mansion. FIRE.
quently, in the evenings, when the labOrers
had retur' ed from the fields, my friend and
l would visit the da, keys at their quarters,
and no concert that have ever attended
gave me more real pleasure than'the char
acteristic choruses of these happy people.
''Banjo Dick" would furnish the accom-
paniments, score OF melodious voices
would blend in perfect harmony and slit
tie Nose, !" the subject of this sketch, would
''pat de juba." This soubriquet had clung
to him since early childhood, and, cons der
ing his diminutiye statue, it was still ap-
-preFP;-te, although he had growa to be a
muscular youth of sixteen years. Nose
the darkeys. Upon my arrival. he was de-
tailed to wait on me, and IN a few minutes
after reached my room, the aoor opened
and Nose placed himself at my service. He
was full-blooded African-as black as eb-
ony, and when broad grin would part his
lips, his pearly teeth would form striking
contrast to the color of his skin. +
"Well, Cesar"
GCMy mama Mosa cob
'Well Nose, sit down here and shine my
boots for me-"
''Yaas sab; kin do dat, sab; dat my
'feshun."
"Ah! it is, is it? Then your master
doesn't make you work in the fields"
''No sah; Ibis in de ht use, l does I amt
none o yo' co'n-field niggahs. longs to
young mas'-mas' Ned. Him an mes good
fren's. Hemos' allus takes me wild him when
he goes fun home an 1 waits on him
all de time. When dress up in shiny shoes
an red kewat, an gifts in de buggy
wild mas Ned or rides long side him on
one O. de fine hOsses what he got, 1 does
feel dat big-ugh-um! When we goes
long pas de 'bacca fiers whar de greasy
niggahs wukkIn, jes frows my head bach
an lets on like don't ee 'em. sortel
SiduCoS RUN db OH SOulcLlucS, uOuSu
an sees 'em a-lookin', an lookin' an
knows all de time dey's wishin dey wul
me-. Use gentleman darkey, I is"
His was, indeed, life of happiness
Nothing seemed to trouble him; nothing
dampened the ardor of his spirits. HI
would sing from morning till night. The
following, addressed to some dusky damsel
seemed to be his favorite song, and when
circumstances would admit Of it, was al
ways accompanied with his peculiar ''pat, ,
which consisted of striking the knees ant
palms of the hands alternately and keeping
time with the music, at the same time givin;
motion, a la mill-saw, to his body:
"Look sweet, Miss Liza. don't you grieb an
| cry,
| Use courted you long time, but I'll MARI.
you by.an'.by.
(Chorus) My purity little PINK, Use gwin
away.
My purity little pink. Pm gwine away
My purity little pink I'm gwine away
/ Down in Tennessee.
Dis time tomorrer night whar shall / be-
Way do1ain Tennessee. sittln' in a hole