New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-12-23
DOWN SOUTH.
A MISSING BRIDEGROOM.

MIoolN6 bhlDrFROOM-
Limestone Township Dec. l7-For two or three
days after Black Jake's INTERRUPTED interview with
Mrs. Aver all lived IN a state oiexpectasion. We
felt as II something going to appen When
man Is engaged and his betrothed ,rofesses herself
anxious to be married, and the ,eclares himself
~pussonally ready people naturally expect we'd
ding Mrs. Aver said she bs quito In
truded her presence upon Jsh on sew
era occasions hoping he word resume
the subject, but he did not He went Aund about
the farm with the most detected air, looing longer
and more gaunt than ever II was depressing to see
him. Mr. Aver said he worked less than ,efore, If
1t were possible to work less. lie had not,onfded
in him at all, but when the gentleman had ased him
what was the matter he had groaned and said o was
"crossed In lubs Nothing more was said We
all thought that II Jake continued to be thus crssed
the nero sight of him would have almost as bas an
effect upon us as though also were crossed In I've
The twins watched Jake with a furtive. but inteAe
interest He had suddenly assumed an attraction H.
them.
washing.
sNo' said Ellcn solemnly, I" folks is crossed IN
iove csrnt laugh, yer know
1t was not to be wondered at that gloom seemed
to be settling the Aver domain.
THIS state OF things continued for about week.
and were becoming so hardened to be able again
to enjoy the continued lovely weather and to think
occasionally of something beside the pail which Jake
had cast IL Is doubtless dreadful TO be
crossed In love, but life must stir go on.
We were discussing this very subject in a calmly
cheerful way, the twins being expedition for
chips when q stranger appeared In the doorway. At
my first glance struck with her figure and port.
She was largo, she held her head well back her
features modelled with the same large freedom,
an eagle between wellopened, handsome eyes.
q mouth in keeping, she seemed kind of rude, UNI
cultured zenobia Here opulence Of physical
fkot IL mn hlh
never seen any such woman before She was col
ored but her features not like those belonging
to the negro race
al reckon dis Mr. Ayers place. amt it?' she
asked.
when her question had been answered. she said she
reckoned she thoughts well say ter wunst as she war
or iurkin roun fur dat no count Niger Long Black
Jake.
Immediately felt, as had not done before, that
Jake must be a Of some consequence to have such
. woman as this lurhin roun' for him.
Mrs Aver acknowledged that Jake lived here, and
ste added that he had been very low In his mind OF
late.
The stranger smiled In a grstihed at this re-
mark Mrs. Aver asked her TO come in and sit down
She walked across the little IN way that made
the cabin seem spacious that 1t might accommodate
this empress like being.
aYes'ms said she "l amt no ways s'prised ter
year as Jake's low He oYter be low les
bundle him outer my house neck m crap when he
thar lars time. flung him out wild dis fst,"-she
held up a large handsome hand Then she laughed,
and laugh had ring in IL very unlike the husky,
unotuous laugh which usually belongs TO the African
Still she seemed somewhat anxious. She went on
"Natchly he thought, reckon, dat our Engagement
war broke / don't hev no doubt gen'Pmun
think eff he are hustled out wtdout no ceremony,
neck m crap, de Engagement be broke Dads
natchl, amt It, ma am?"
Mrs Aver replied that she thought It perfectly nat
ural for any gentleman under such circumstances, to
conclude that the engagement was broken
sand a few bones, too, perhaps said AmabeL
The visitor stared at her moment then
laughed again. 1t is very to find the common
negro understand humor in the least unless 1t be OF
the broadest burlesque Kind.
Dere war a promise 'twixt u.s." said the woman,
~but de time 1 flung him had mother gen'pmun in
view. Now de other genImun done married yister-
dy, an rse come roun' ter gin my p'omise ter Jake
/ feared 1 mought git fall tween two stools If l
warn spry bout huntin' Irp Jake, yo' Sec ma'am'
Certainly she had made her position perfectly
clear. We wondered how Jake would like It, She
went ON to say that she should simply state to Jake
that she made a mistake fingin him out dat time,"
and she was now ready for meiit wedlock" She
looked of the window at the log cabin
"Dat's war gwine TO live. reokon' I en-
work fur yo Miss Aver an Jake c'n work fur MI
Aver l amt had no ole man fur or long time
Gwine on two year sence my lars ole man got tux
urp for stealn' an war jagged
"Then you have a husband hvingF" cried Mrs. Aver
"No ma'am. Dey say he died in prison. amt
seen him die but de news was brought ter me mighty
straight an I amt gwine ter 'spute SIGH news as
Dat 'Twouldnt be safe fur BIZ ter turn urp i've
ergin now. 1 reckon Bill know dat he'll stay daid
Bin will He warn bright, but he bright 'nough ter
stay daid.'
We were absorbed In looking at this woman, who
sat erect and majestic in her chair If she we're on
. throne
"I call myself or widdeE" she said, l" an should
meek or pint OBJ havn' er minister marry u.s. Praps
80 got dat kindness in yo heart dat yon let us hao
de wedding hyar in dis house. Yo' see, done give
urp my room In Asheville dis mawnin an mad my
things moved TO er cousins. ! some back in
my rent, an folks amt no consideration tur or
lady as is back in her rent Oar am Jake now
She was looking through the doorway as she spoke.
She rose Jakes long, drawn-out countenance
changed to a look of wonder and then delight
@Gawdermighty :" he cried out, Is dat yo, Sally
Hab yo' come ter meek urp wip me, sally "
Sally was quite dignifed. She allowed him TO
shake hands with her He fastened TO say he hoped
she'd scuse him fur 'blgin her ter trow him ou de do
dad las time he visited her in Asheviile."
They walked toward the log cabin together Sally
retraoed her steps to mention that she hoped there
would be objection to having the
wedding there, and mat she should
insist upon having real minister 1t was not more
than half hour before Sally returned 10 us and
JAKE went 10 inc "oOu plio anu Pio'0Hu0u w '"'
wood, but his axe few very much at random ana
his eyes the house. He could see Sally
through the window. This yellow woman had none
of the negro slowness about her. She was shrewd,
too, in taking her position for granted
"Now Miss Aver" she said, standing with one
hand on her hip and the other hanging down, her
whole aspect one OF strength and readiness, Bin
rereve yo' of all de hard work Pm stronger'n
mos any man. kin do ou do work or Homework |
I meek bones sayin' kin do er smarter SHOW
III er day dan dat Jake. He's kinder trfhin' he IS.
But III tend ter him. I amt had no old man ter
train in some time. III train him. YOll see he
toe de mark ] kin do all de washin' an cookn'.
Jes' likes yo'D let me hab er few mo- things in
Dc cabin: ony or few mo- meek us mighty com'f'ble'