Iuka reporter. (Iuka, Miss.) 1888-1894, 1888-11-01
CHAPTER XIV.
A HERDS DEATH.

He bent over the PROSTATE form before
him, and there, in the darkness that should
envelope such scene, he beheld the form
of his faithful slave and friend. jeff, the
negro. AS he recognized the fast friend
who had been SO faithful to him and his
family. and knew that he had deliberately
stepped between him and mortal danger,
and was now to lose his life for the act, his
form shook with emotion, and the sobs of
scene.
My God, what nm affliction!" he moaned
Poor jeff! Poor jeff"
Is yer safe, Marse John?" came the ques-
ton family from the poor negro.
Yes, yes, JEFF. But would rather be
dead than have life at such q cost,p was the
answer.
us happy niggar, den! I kin die in
peace"
John felt his pulse. and at once saw
that the last hours of the noble negro were
at hand.
Marse John?"
Yes, JEFF. What is it,"
Please took me ter Sylvia.
Can you bear to be moved?" asked John.
Il kin stand it ter see her." was the
answer.
They tenderly raised him from the ground
quietly on the ned.
The entire household was stricken with
grief at this terrible affection, for there was
none about the mansion who was loved
more than was this poor negro, who cheer
fully laid down his life for his master.
Sylva's grief was heartrending. She
could not believe that her dusky lover, to
whom she had given her best affections,
could be so near deaths door.
John led her to the bedside. and there
she stood quaking and shivering with I'M
bounded grief.
JEFF, have brought Sylvia.
A dusky hand reached out and was
clasped in the two hands of the weeping
negress.
God Dress yer, honey!' came slowly and
painfully from the dying man.
The people went away for few minutes
and left the two alone with their grief.
What passed between the negro lovers at
that last painful interview no one but those
directly Interested ever knew, but when
the family returned both were calm and re-
signed.
Marse John, has been good nigger?"
jeff asked,
-Jstf, anettor heart than yours no man
has got. ~ John took his hand.
is good, Marse John, goody"
"Of course you are, Jef. We all know
that.
IL ] good enough ter git tor hebbin?"
i believe you are. Ii any one goes to
heaven. believe you will. jeff, for you have
always been a church member, and tried to
be consistent one"
"Could yer read for me little in de
Bible, Marse John?"
John opened the family Bible, and some-
how it happened that it was at the Epistle
of John, fifteenth chapter.
Johncommenced TO read. The lines from
the sacred volume brought comfort to the
stricken people. When John reached the
whore it says: Greater love hath no
man than this. that man lay down his life
for his friends. look of great happiness
overspread the face Of the dying negro.
rs gitin' col, Marse John, but Is ready
ter CO.
He then called each Of the family up and
look an affectionate farewell. While the
friends about were weeping, a calm. re-
signed look Oyerspread his countenance.
\ .Miss Lille, he said, as the two fair
hands clasped his cold, clammy one, "yous
slIess bin q good chile. and dis ole niger
would hey done died fer yer any time, but
Is nearly gone now. Please sometimes
emember yer ole Niger fsien. JET,