Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1886-10-28


My mother had gone down and the
grand dinner was now in progress.
was watching the procession of dishes
from the kitchen along the gallery be-
low, when saw Nix run out.
Nix was my Uncle Bob's little boy,
about five years old. The whole fami-
ly really thought that no such beautiful
child had ever been born. Uncle Bob,
with his wife and boy, lived in New
Orleans, but were with us now on a
visit.
Nix Nix = l cried. what are
you doing there p
But Nix did not hear her heed me,
He flew straight down the path and
pushed Goost's head up.
Make a lap y he ordered, and in a
moment had snuggled down, white
skirts, lace and ali, onto the negro's
knees. They sat talking, apparently on
the most intimate terms, when Nix
bounded off, darted into The house, and
brought back plate of Aunt Slleny's
famous kisses. He was proceeding to
ram the snowy glistening sweetness
down the cavernous mouth before him,
when-could it be ?--Goost remonstra-
ted.
Take 'em back, litty mas Dey'll
scold you. dom wan see you scold.
Take 'em hack
Goost's hoarse croak had actually a
sweet tone in it
But Nix compromised By gobbling
up all the kisses himself, like a little
glutton. and then commanded Goost to
Gimme ride y The man turned over
on his hands and knees, helped Nix to
climb to his back, and then crawled
away, trotting or galloping,as the baby
ordered.
Just at this moment Uncle Bob came
into the garden. Now Uncle Bob was
hot-tempered man, and he had warn
ed my father that 1T was dangerous to
keep that half-idiot on the place He
jerked Nix off his back and angrily or
dered Goost never to touch or speak TO
the child again. Then he came up un-
der the window to the gallery. | Won
dered to see Goost follow him.
Mas Bob,' he said, humbly, dom
say dat. foh Gods sake Lemme glib
de chile ride. | bin gibin' him ride
ebery day. I won't hurt him. II
likes to glib him ride. Show him how
we do it, litty mas'.'
He dropped down on his hands and
knees, and looked UP like hungry dog
begging. 1t seemed pitiful to me, be-
cause | saw that Nix was the only one
of us who had ever taken any notice Of
him, and that he loved the baby. But
Uncle Bob, l suppose, did not stop to
think. He kicked Goost once, twice.
Don't dare to touch the child "a
gain y he said.
At that Nix flew to GooSt where he
lay, and threw his arms about him.
Stop 'at Bad papa he screamed
'Goost good l love Goost y hug
glng the woolly black head.
His father took him in, screaming,
and Goost got up and looked after
them. When he saw me, he said L
wouldn't hev hurt dat chile, Miss An
ME- l thought the tears were in his
eyes, but he suddenly went off, turn
ing hand.springs like a wheel and yelp-
ing just like dog.
Uncle Bob, Aunt Belle and Nix went
home next week, anu my mother and
I went with them for visit. The day
before we started, Goost came up to
Uncle Bob, smiling as if be had just
taken gold medal for good conduct.
Mas Bob. tink IN 'long to you
now. Mas William say 1 no count.
Ef you lemme. go wild you, take
mighty good care ob Mas Nix.
Uncle Bob was in good humor that
day, so he only laughed.
Thank yod, Augustus. But l
wouldn' rob your Master William of
your services. I have enough Of your
sort in the sugar fields at Lafourche
Very well, sab y and Goost (his real
name was Augustus Imperator) dis
appeared.
We went by boat down the river. 1t
was an immense boat. the Messenger,
with three cabins all gliding and glass
and gay hangings. There was party
of our friends going down to New Or
leans, and mamma and Aunt Belle
wore their pretty gowns, and there
were music and dancing in the saloon
every night. Nix. of course, was the
darling of every body.
One day Tilda came up, her eyes
round and wide, leading him. his
clothes all SCOT and CRIME. The Cap
tain followed her.
we unearthed a miserable stowaway
in the hold, Mrs. Champney,' he said,
'and your little boy recognized him
and insisted upon huggine him.
'Goost = said Tilda.
'Ah, ciel = gasped my mother. Un-