The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-01-01

.Afeerd O what, Bossa"
1Of dying" answered, plainly.
you was little, Bossl"
"Wny, certainly not
'Den I amt afeerd nuther. Amt Cord we's
fathers He done handled me too tender TO me
ter be afeerd O. Him. Vas. He done handled
me too tender, an now, when Use gistin notion
ate He's a-spiin me Wild humorins' and indulg-
ms. Afeerd? No. mol"
The requirements of beauty, as laid down by
authorities on the subject. are always resolved
into question of lines and color, of curves and
tints-a certain synthesis of corresponding parts
into perfect unit of grace. 1t may, may
not be. that analysis would demonstrate that
the conditions had been for the moment full
niled In the unconscious of this old negro.
know not how this may be. but I sure
never saw any countenance more spiritual and
beautiful than the gentle brown face he turned
upward toward heaven, as in half soliloQuy he
thus spoke the childlike trust of his undoubting
heart. / understood now how he might even
doubt whether he might not put out his hand
and touch" the hand OF the Giver, who was as
real to him the gifts with which he felt him
self ''humored and indulged."
Except We become little children" God
give us all such faith this
"You are not all recollections after all, Uncle.
I said.
Not in de sperit. Boss-ies in de mine. Yer
My mine goes back an picks up ricolections
you tecks desc heah pressed flowers
outn a book an looks at EN-. My mine Is de
onies book Use got, an de ricollections is
pressed in hit same as 20 pressed flowers.
cord amt forbidden US to gyadder de flowers
what He done planted long de road, an de little
amt a-showin' dat we's forgittin' Yves journeys
Gen."
1 left the old man with keener regret than L
had felt the evening before ana was annoyed
that l could not shake it off. I knew the thing
that ought to do, but it involved annoyance
to me which my selfshness resented. had
and now felt impelled to move him irto my
yard. I could not deal otherwise than gently
with this antiquated bunch of aristocratic recol-
lections, nor treat with dishonor the spirit that
scared to heights to which had not attained.
strolled up the levee and back again several
times, always turning before l reached the little
shady side, facing the old man. "UncIe." said,
plunging headlong into the subject, II want
you to come and live in a cabin in my yard.
You can't stay here by yourself any longer"
Eyer reckin' deell mine eff staysP he said
Reckon who'll mindP
dee'll mineW
I'm the owner Uncle. ana don't mind your
staying, but I can make you more comfortable
in another empty cabin inside my grounds.
Won't you comet"
The old looked troubled. "You'ss
mighty kline, Boss-an' mighty good; but, Boss,
eff yer don't mine, I'll stay right heah."
f'The other cabin is better" I said, ''the chin
ney of this is falling now-look at it,"
81 know. Boss. know; hit amt dat-but hits
my white folks Dee's dat proud dee wouldn't
Yer see, I'd be a 'umblin' dem, an dat amt
right
feWell. Uncle" said. ''do you know where
could get good, steady old man to come and
stay in my little cabin and look after things2
1 am away good deal. and want some reliable
man to carry my hen-house key and gather eggs
and vegetables for me- I'd give such man
good home and take care of him.
.'H-how did you say dat, Boss?"
I repeated it.
Eyer reckon I'd do BossF
"Well, yes. think you'll do. Suppose you
try it, anyway"
We moved him over that evening, and he
seemed very happy in his new home. He even
wept. as. on entering it. he glanced around at its
homely comforts; but he evidently failing.
and it was not long before he often kept mis- bed
al day
ing, he sent for me- 'sSet down heah, Boss,
please sir,'' he said. 81 wants ter talk ter yer.
Use worried in my mine bout my people-my
white folks. Dis worryment amt nuver come
ter me TO nutn, an Use sturbed in de sperit."
Aren't you sick yourself UncleF asked for
he looked very feeble. -
Some days hit seems to me kin neah de ripple |
o. de water Fse dat neah de adge. De banks |
nigh Gavin but Cords a-letrin' me down mighty |
tender.
''But dat ANT what meek me som for you,
Boss. Use troubled bout my people. / had |
warnin' in my dream las night de same warnin' |
had when Marse Robert was kilt, an when |
Ole Boss died, an when all we's troubles come; |
an spicion now dat hits Ole Miss gone-an' |
would yer mine Quirin' bout em TO- me, Boss?" |
"Thrusting his hand nervously under the pill |
low. he brought out little soiled package, |
wrapped and tied in the corner Of an old ban
dana handkerchief.
"An won't yer. please, sir. ter teck dis little
package wild yer, an eff Ole Miss is daid ies'
give dis ter Calline fer mel Don't low nut'n ter
nobody else-jes' give hit to Calline. an say as
sont it. Hits $50 what saved from my wood
sswin, long wild all de change Ole Miss sons
II done saved it by, 'gainst de comm O. dis
sime fo Ole Miss, an may be dee mout be scase
D money. Dees address is in dar"
Untyiug the handkerchief, I found on a scrap
IF paper the name of a street and number, but
40 name of person. Sometimes pride survives
after fall
''Tell Calline," the old man continued, 1T say
hits fo' Ole Msss buryin', and don't specify ter
Miss Annie, case she's dat proud she moutnt teck
{, but Ole Miss wouldn't cyar-she wouldn't cyar. |
Ef lowed dat Ole Miss would cyar. I wouldn't
o'ce it on her, Gaze wouldt have no right-but
he wouldn't cyar.
lid
my nanny, she nussed Miss Annie reg,ar,
N yer know she an NE is jes' a month older
Ian one anudder. an you know how women
olks is, Boss, jes' changin' roun' an a nussin'
me anudder's babies, jes' TO- fun like. Ole Miss
ay'ed me roun' an PLAYED wild me, same as
-ou'd pet little black kitten, an soon's could
tan up deed meek me clap an dance, an 1
ouldn't scarcely talk befo dee had me -preachin'
n a-shoutin.
"Des had me fur rer'lar show when dee had
|
es' riz up wild 'em all, right in de house; an
EN-. all indurin o. de war. when all Yves men
oks was away, 1 slep' at Old Miss's do. an
,alline, she slep' pallet in dees room, 'twix
ees two bads.
Oats de reason we loves one anudder Yves
one seen good an bad times togedder-good an
ad times-togedder."
His voice faltered-I looked at him quickly. |
lie seemed suddenly to have fallen
sleep. 1 felt his pulse gently. as not to
ouse him. It was weak and Pickering but not
larmingly SO, thought. Calling Septima, and
idding her sit with the old man for awhile,
,ft him. About bedtime Septma summoned |
ne to come into the cabin. Mingo had tainted.
lie reviving when entered, and his eyes |
7andered with uncertain glance about the
Dom.
When he me he smiled. TELL Ole Miss
ont be afeerd, he said; Use a-seepin' at de
o."
His mind was wandering He lay in a semi
onscious state for an hour more. then he