Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-02-14

CHAPTER l.
"Oh nv babyl my baby my little one !!
How can leave yOuY and with that low
ing, yearning cry, poor Marie Grant laid
her arm around the child lying at her side.
1t was human nature cGnging TO the
world, and it comes even in death. The
cold touch had been laid on her heart,
freezing its warm currents, weakening its
thrObs. Life ebbed away with every fiut-
tering breath, and yet from the border
land dividing time and eternity, she turn
ed back for a moment, assumed earthly
cares, and gave one feeting look into the
future.
"Guard her, on, God and make up the
loss OF her mothers love and care" she
prayed passionately, her dim eyes fixed on
the tender little face gathered to her bosom
for the last time.
"DOn't be troubled about her now. Ma
rle. She shall never lack for anything in
a poor mans power to give" said her nus
band, tenderly strOking her hair.
DO you promise that, JOhnW
81 promise it, so hel p me heaven. Mag
dalen shall always be my first care, as
long as live"
The mother gave one last long look at
her precious treasure, then her clasp re-
laxed.
take her away; my hold on life is slip
ping from me.'
Two days later John Grant, overseera and
manager of the Cammack place, one of
the finest plantations in Louisiana, laid
bis young wife to rest in the Cammack
burying ground, and returned to his 81
lent, desolated house.
He buried his face in his rough hands,
miserable, hopeless. No use to listen,
now, for the light footsteps, the soft voice
no use to look for the slender form, the
pretty, delicate face, which had made the
rough house home to him. They were
g0ne-hid away under six feet Of solid
Iarth.
"What have l to live for, now! Marie
Marie come back, don't stay away for
ever. | cannot bear it," he gTOaned
heavily.
The crib quilt shook, and a small voice
set up hungry cry. 1t was the baby.
Grant thought of it for the first time since
he had sat down there. That loud, healthy
shrek reused him, and effectually an
swered that question, "What have to
live fOr;" and made it palmer to him than
all the reasoning in the world.
Poor little motherless Magdalen. She
bad to be cared for-he had promised it.
He lifted her, awkwardlY, and held her
tenderly against his broad breast, igno-
rant what to give her to sOothe those baby
cries.
The dining-room door opened and the
black head and face of an old negro Wo-
man appeared.
''Giye her to me, Marse John; she's
hungry" and he thankfully resigned mis-
charge TO more experienced hands.
But he could not so easily put her future
away from his thoughts. What ought he
TO do? What could he do with baby?-
ana girl babyf He walked the floor, re-
volving the question in his mind. His
people all lived in Georgia, and they we're
not very near or dear to him, and he could
not pack the child off to them-he had no
desire to do so. Old .Mause, his wife's
nurse, could care for her babyhood, but
what would become of her in the years to
come?
"Poor, motherless little one; God
knows, but do mott"
Manse brought her back, smiling and
satisfied, her brown baby-eyes looking
cOntentedly around. She stretched out
her dimpled hands 10 her father, and when
he felt the soft, tender face touch his
rough cheek great wave Of plying, pro-
tecting love swept over him, and he vowed
in his soul TO guard her from danger or
evil as long as life lasted.
1.-The first one who dares TO harm her
shall feel the weight of !" clinching his
large hand and holding it up.
Not quarter of a mile away an oak
shaded hill stood the Cammack residence,
closed and silent, save when the servants
entered 1t to dust and air the rooms, for
was December, and the family were all
away in New Orleans. The lord of the
manor did not fear to leave his land and
slaves in the care OF the Overseer, for John
Grant was the most honest and faithful of
men, and attended TO bis business with
unfagging zeal.
He was working man, large, sun
Drowned aud rough, and made no preten-
sions TO anything else. He was the over
seer of the plantation. kept the slaves in
order, received his salary and was salts
fed. He bad no desire to be fine gentle
man. His tOrefathers had been toIlers
before him. sprung from the same strong
peasant stock OF old England. Grant, had
been left TO fight his own battles early in
life, and as IL had often been question OF
meat and bread, his book learning had
suffered neglect. But he had a sound,
practical knowledge Ot business, and that
was all he cared for. A Bible, a Web
ster's dictionary, two or three religious
books. and "A history Of America COM
prised bis library.
The Bible repOsed in state on a spindle
legged table, picked up az "A sale in New
Orleans. but the other books lay on a shelf
be had himself nailed TO tho log wall.
When be married pretty delicate Marie
WALDORF, she added two or three old
novels, and as many parts TO the scant
collection her small hands would never
dust and arrange again, with "a pause
here, and there, 20 read "a fayorite pass
age, or particularly line couplet. No,
she had gone away never to return, but
she had left sweet comforter 20 sOothe
and cheer the wounded heart OF her hus-
band and her faithful nurse-Magdalen.