The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1884-03-29

3
threats. Our father would smilingly
say that '.Ben is not afraid Butlmy
mothers eyes would glow with leat
she did not attempt to conceal; forshe
was very sensitive as to the welfareland
rights of her property.
| Our Ben had one fault, which Twas
doomed to get him into trouble. He
was passionately fond of hunting DOS
sum, and would wander many mills of
my fathers land He was courtiig a
| girl on neighborjng plantation, wAose
owner was not pleased at it.
lie had been forbidden to visidthis
plantation, and my father, knof ing
and sympathizing with him, permitted
any of us to write him apass, wherever
he wanted it. But our obdurate nigh
Dor finally forbade his visits, eve9with
pass, and some overseerS werf con-
stantly on the alert to catch himl
One night, when my father wa away
| from home, for, being a LAWYERS le was
often away on business, we were Atarted
from slumber by q halloo in od back
yard. My mother dressed quickf, and,
going into the back veranda, net my
brothers as they came out OF their
room.
Poor Uncle Pen stood beside 3mule;
his two hands tied to the pomnNl of a
saddle, on which sat one of tlA most
unmerciful overseers of our Vcinity.
There were three of these men Insight,
and one skulking in the shadowof the
trees which grew near the doot The
moon rode brightly through a&tarlit
sky, and its beams fell fully upol Y
mothers face Her eyes iiasHedB t,iEir
nously and her lips were compressed
Asking no questions, she stood looking
them over and over. After clearing
their Threats several times, one finally
asked:
The Cunnel! Is he home, Mrs? p
"No, sir, " was the laconic reply.
They turned and twisted in their sad
dies as if bent upon difficult task, bu
my mother did not help them.
''Sorry Cunnel's away. This nigger's
ben depredatin' on Mr.. IS planta
ton. He's gwine to wallop EN- like the
dickens fur it, but thought we'd come
and let the Cunnel know it."
"Where did they catch you, Benz"
''In our big field, Mistis; jist wen
huntin' "
HE says you caught him on hi
MASTER land, sirs. y
Oats a fact, Mistis; on de home
place, where desc hams cut de fust tret
an hewed de fust timber"
But we was on the lookout fur him
and ran him away from Mr.. -!
quarters at Dulcy's cabin. Sorry, Mum
we 'sturbed yers. Didn't know Cunne
was gone. Come on, Niger
'Loose that negro's hands, sir,
called out my mothers ringing tones
Gle goes not with you out of my pres
ence."
"Git up, niger" he said, raising tn
heavy handle of his whip as if to strik,
our Ben over the head, for he was pull
ing back with all his mighty strength.
"Strike him, if you dareI' again m,
mother cried. your gun, my SOM
Her eyes were blazing, for her Southern
blood was on the alert to resent any in
dignity toward herself, or wrong to he
faithful servant.
81 have my gun, mother, and it i
loaded with buckshot.'
Then protect that negro'S back will
your life, if need be, and |, your mother
will stand at your side.
! While my eldeso brother, Il ! Sst.hfr D,
| sixteen, took deadly aim with his gun,
the younger brother cut the rope from
| Ben 5 hands.
Muttering profane menaces, theover-
seers rode out of the yard Our Ber
looked afterthem, a broad smile stretch
ing his lips, and a humorous twinkle in
his eyes.
"You must be careful, Ben, oryoul
night wanderings will cost you dear
! Were you not atraid?"
''Not much, after / gets in our field
Dey knowed dey better not hurt me
Spec dey's afeared of marster"
He walked with swinging gait away
through the moonlight. and our mother
stood looking after him with seriou!
thoughtfulness in her face.
always be kind and considerate o
him, boys, y she said, ''for during al
those earlier and most toilsome years
on this plantation grown to 81
goodly home his strong arms anC
willing hands never failedus. Age ant
toll will tell upon his vigorous consti
tuition; then take care of him."
Uncle Ben was more careful IN hi
stolen visits to Dulcy, and though h,
continued to court throughout thu
summer, was never apprehended. M,
father sympathized with him in his low
affair, and offered to purchase her, bu
her owner refused to sell her Chance
however, and his wonderful strength
at last won from Mr.. --- ready con
sent that he should marry her To
gether with his other accomplishments
Ben could swim remarkably well. ant
he happened one day to be crossing tn
ferry at the same time with Dulcy'
master, his wagon drawn by a fine team
OF mules, and with q negro driver
The team became unmanageable, an,
backing the wagon out of the boat. fel
into the water Through the endeayo
of Ben, almost unaided, both team an
driver were rescued. Then and thei
Mr.. - showed his gratitude by eS
pressing regret for his former ill-usage
and giving him leave to marry Dulcy
Thus Ben, after a long bachelor lif5
became a Benedict. So the year
passed, and his vigorous frame bega
to show marks of giving way. H
walked with stick, and his hi
was drawn out of shape by rher
matiSm. He hated to stand aside for th