The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1886-09-15

gave the promise shc asked. Forgive
ness and help were so new to him ne
could not fully understand them, but
he felt their Divine influence. Aunt
ChaDy'' was an ancient negress VINO
lived in mise, able hut in . barren
field. She was held in awe by the
negroes on account OF her pretensions
as ."coniure woman" and her super
stitious practice of charms and phil
tiers. =,
"Ef she don't whip me, teacher"
said Syphax, rs they drew near the
house, he holding on to her dress for
protection, Use feared she'll put =
spell on to me, an III git pains all
ober me an die"
THAT is all nonsense, my child. God
does not give such power as that to
any one. She can't do that to you any
more than you can to her.
but she Glib pennyroy'l tea to
Clarlssy, wild snails' tongues in it, an
she lay bundle O. crooked sticks at
her do, an Ciarissy she nebcr git well
no mo-, insisted he, his eyes growing
large as he spoke, a -,
"Oh, you must not believe that! She
has no such power
When Chany saw them coming, she
came out to her door, and greeted the
young lady in the blandest tones.
"Bless your pretty face" said she,
''come in and rest you'se'f. wonders
de boys don't run away wild you, you
SO SWEET
Not noticing what she said, GIeta
said: Il want to see you about
Syphax."
"What you been dom, you var
minte" said the woman, turning to-
ward him, and he covered beneath
her glance. She was short, wiry me-
gress, with a very black face, and a
very yellow bandanna on her head.
Her eyes we're small but piercing.
81 want to tell yOu," interrupted
Greta, 'that if you and Syphax have
not enough to eat, we will try and
help you from our kitchen, but he
mustn't be encouraged to bring things
home from school that are not given
to him."
"He been stealin'? dat little niggah!
Miss Bond, l done raise him from de
bottle; his mother she die when he wah
free weeks ole; Use gittin' to be an ole
oman now. Amt got but two teet
in my head, but bless de Lord, one O
denis on top O. de udder! an now dat
boy take to stealin'!'
Notwithstanding her fluency, she did
not inspire Greta with confidence; she
felt that Syphax had told her the truth.
Looking steadily and sternly at her,
Grcta replied: ..Yes. he has been, steal.
ing, and I think it was because he was
told to. Now let me say, that if you
whip to-day, or any day. I shall know
it. AS surely as you do it. shall take
means to prevent your doing it in the
future"
Chany had evidently no desire tc
offend the white people around her
and was impressed by the firm man
ner of the young teacher. for she re-
piled: .
II amt gwine to tech him, lady; ht
won't steal no mo-. He'll be good
boy, Pm shua. Won't you have {
glass O. buttermilk TO- you goT'
mo. l thank you. Goodbye. Now
remember what say" and she left thu
two gazing at her, as she walked ava,
up the road. stAa
After this the devotion of Syphax t.
his teacher was very touching; he fol
lowed her about like faithful dog
One day he came late to school; wa
he relaps ng into his truant ways
When she asked his excuse, he said
II tell after de school, teacher"
When the school had closed, Syphal
said: "Teacher, come wild me dow
home; got somethin' to show you
doun dar."
| Old Chany's cabin was just outsid
of Mr.. Cameron's plantation.
.She's in de field now. ! reckon
pickin' up goubers for herself" h
said, and in bis eagerness, he almos
dragged Greta into the cabin with him
Then he rushed to the bed, an,
drawing key from under the pillow
he unlocked haircloth trunk in tn
corner.
4 40 teachern' he gaspod, ''don'
scole me. j didn't know it was your
nobody .Ole me, till / done glib it t
Aunt Chany"-and he handed her
watch.
Greta started. and her eyes an
mouth opened wide.
! as it de one. you lostP", he asked
eagerly.
"The onep-ycs," said she, ioyfully
at once recognizing the enameled cas-
of Miss Ambler's long missing watch
"Where did you find 'tP'
''In dem woods ODER yonder.
shine up at me out O the groun' Sh
!, gwine to take it to town an sell il
she say, but / couldn't let her, till
see if it was yourn fust l Tub you S
much, teacher" Syphax bega
to cry; 'you is de onliest pusson VIII
eber was real good to me.
Now the sweet note of the Souther
: mocking-bird came through the ope
window, ike song Of triumph owe
this little struggling soul. newly Dor
through love and sacrifice.
Greta reached out her hand to tax
the watch, when black hand, skim
l and muscular. closed in firm gri
over hers, and a shrill voice cried q
the highest pitch:
"What yer dom, comm here to
poor 'oman's house when she's on
: and goin' in her trunk, an projec' kil
ober her thingsP You got my watcl
what my ole mistiss Glib ME. Glib
back to me dis minute!"
Chany had heard them talking
: and crept slyly on them unperceive.
4 Grpta strn UUlnd stoutly and final,