Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1885-10-31
JUDGE NOT.


We lived in Delaware on large fruit
and grain farm along the bay shore.
Our dwelling-house was situated
about ahundred yards from the waters
edge.
One summer morning as John, my
husband, was preparing for tho days
labor he was accosted by ragged but
rather bright looking negro boy of
some 16 years, who asked him for
Job. John surveyed the boy for some
moments, and after plying him with
a few questions said he might stay and
do the chores and odd jobs around the
farm. OF his parents the boy could
say nothing, and when asked his name
replied he had been called Pal by
his former master, who had recently
died.
So we called him Pal. He was a
good worker, and proved to be cheer
ful and obedient, qualities not often
found among the present generation of
negro laborers. The summer passed
without anything occurring to disturb
the usual routine of farm labor, and
we all became much attached to our
new servant.
One morning in early autumn my
daughter Edith came running to me,
saying she had lost her gold ring, a
present from her uncle. She said she
had left it few days ago on the bureau
in her bedroom, on looking for it she
discovered that it was missing. A search
of the room and house was made, but
the missing article could not be found.
II L., . Del
in the room. This was bad for the boy,
and we believed him guilty of the theft.
When accused he denied, saying he had
not seen the ring John was harsh and
strict and discharged the boy. When
he left us noticed tear in his eye as
he moved toward the gate.
1t was cold November night. NY
husband being away. my daughter and
] would spend the night alone. The
weather throughout the day had been
threatening, The sky overcast, the wind
blowing almost a gale, and feared
we would have storm. My fears were
we'll grounded, for early in the even
ing it began to rain, and | could hear
the roar of the waves as they beat an
grily against the shore. 1t rained as
the rain still coming down in torrents.
lighted the lantern and looked out
the door, All was darkness-inky
black. stood there moment until q
gust of wind almost knocked me down.
managed, however, with difficulty to
close the door, and assembled the stairs
to my bedroom. / was afraid to retire,
and so waited up. An hour passed and
the storm was raging as hard as ever.
Irealized that there was danger of
somc of the cattle and out-buildings
being destroyed.
Midnight! The storm as terrible as
ever | went downstairs and looked
out. The tide is in and the water has
surrounded the house We are in per-
sonal danger. In short time the wa
ter has covered the first floor. Upstairs
climbed, my clothes wet and ciinging
/ to me like batheT' s-suit. 1t was a
horrible night; our .house filed with
water. while could hear the wind and
rain Iashing amid the surrounding trees
as If possessed with a thousand de-
mons. / tried to sleep, but tho roar
of the maddened elements, informing
led with the bellowings and distressful
cries of the animals in the barn, made
my heart within me chill.
Edith. = I said. II am going out in
to the yard and see how the cattle are
getting on. / seized the lantern and
darted downstairs, only to find the
water some three feet deepen the floor.
knew then the impossibility of do
ing anything for the animals, and so
returned
The hand of the clock on the mantel
pointed to /. The water was up even
with the sccond-story Of our house and
the storm showed no signs Of termi-
mating. The minutes dragged slowly
on. / thought Of my husband aBd
friends. Horrible thought to De
drowned, and in my own house.
Ii was 2 0clock, when, ON going 80
| the window to look out. / heard noise
Is il boat was approaching. was
not deceived. for such il was. As il
came nearer. voice called OUT and
asked il / were yct alive. ] replied
was and called for the occupant g take
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