Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1886-04-19

the collar with powerful hand.
'sPromise me you'll keep clear of
the school-house, or I'll lick you TO
You can't bolt" he yelled
savagely.
''Don't see why / havn't right to
go, if I am black. Dad pays tax"
ga poll tax, and my father pays
three hundred dollars. Pretty talk
for a nigger. Guess you need lit
tie water treatment to bring you to
terms"
He dragged the trembling Scipio
to the brink of the river, and thrust
his head into the water. The boy
struggled, but his strength was far
inferior to his enemy's, and he was
completely in his power. He was
submerged until breath was nearly
gone. Then Alfred lifted him up
dripping from head to foot, and with
chattering teeth.
"What have you to say now, mig
ger?''
"I-promise MOTTO go-to school
any more," family articulated the
conquered Scipio, gasping for breath.
The next day Scipio's seat in the
school-room was vacant, and a month
later the Drake family left the vii
lage.
Seven years passed.
When the midnight train stopped
at one Of our small northern cities, a
pale, shivering, suffering young man
stepped upon the platform leaning
heavily upon the conductor. He had
fallen sick on long journey from
the southwest, and was forced to
stop at the nearest station.
$50 right to the Pequot House" :"
said the polite conductor. ''It's a
first class hotel, and you'll be well
taken care of there"
just then young, good-looking
colored man with the words, "Pe-
quot House, Porter" on his shiny
hat, came up.
"This gentleman is sick, said the
conductor to him. ''Get a carriage
and take him to your house."
The sufferer was at once conveyed
to the hotel. He gave his name as
Alfred Grant. The porter "Daniel''
attended him through the night and
tenderly ministered to him. When
morning came, a physician was call
ed who declared a low bilious fever
bad settled upon him.
"Daniel,'' said Mr.. Peters, the
landlord, "Mr. Grant has especially
requested to have you in close at
tendance upon him. He is gentle
man of means, influence, and family
an honor to our house. Give hin
every attention.
81 will, SIR
Mr.. Grants illness was not danger
Gus, but lingering, and several weeks
passed before he could leave his
room. Daniel attended him mean
while with unceasing devotion. Ev
cry whim was gratitied, and the mic
est delicacies were brought to tempt
his appetite. When he began going
down stairs, he leaned heavily or
Daniel for support; IN short. this
servant was the favorite of the house
He was a good musician, and often
by request played upon his violin fo
the amusement of the guests.
"Daniel," said Mr.. Grant one day
with emotion, you've taken care O
me with the devotion of a woman
You are a splendid fellow-a com
plete gentleman in manners"
IA colored man can never be
gentleman
'.You are one. Your good deeds
make you honored and beloved"
"You have called me that before
sir"
"When? where? p inquired Mr.
Grant IN surprise. 81 cannot recall
seeing you till 1 came here
''Have you forgotten the negro
boy, who attended school with yol
in Wehosset, seven years ago? Yol
drew perfect likeness of me on thu
blackboard and wrote underneath
This is likeness of Sclpio DAME
Drake, our colored gentleman Yor
thrust me into the river, and held me
under the water till / was nearly
drowned, and forced from me 6
promise never to 60 to that schoO
any more. Father died soon after
we came here, and dropped my frs
name, Scipio, and was called Daniel
because it was his name, and mother
wished to call me after him."
A hue of shame overspread Mr..
Grants face as he listened; then
tears filed his eyes.
''And you have tenderly nursed me
back to health, with all this cruelty
of my boyhood against me? How
could you?" he asked in low ,hoarse
voice.
Il have done my duty; what
would do for any one who was sick
and suffering, whether rich or poor,
white or black. God has made His
children of one blood, and all are
brothers,
s'Tell me how | can atone for the
past. You shall have money-any-
thing have, only let me help you, :"
pleaded Mr.. Grant.