The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1888-08-14
MdrS' JGGmGS qQd Bob.
For the Constitution.

For the Constitution.
MARS Jeemes, eff yer pleze sub, buy Cal
line."
Bob, don't say another word about that. 1t
isn't worth while to worry me any longer.
Ever since heard that Colonel Graves would
move to Texas, l have tried to buy your wife
and children from him. I've offered him two
thousand dollars for Caroline and her two boys,
which is more than they are worth, for she is
delicate woman and the children are mere ba-
bies. But he won't take it. He says his wife
can't spare her.
But still there was the same pitiful plea,
Mars Jeemes, fur Gods sake, dom let Calline
go to Texas long err Kurnel Graves. Eff you
luv Miss Lucy, don let UNI take my wife way
rum me, and the negro fell upon his knees
and wrung his hands in agony, while the tears
poured down his dusky cheeks.
James Benson's voice trembled as he an
swered, and he tried to make semblance of
anger cover its unsteadiness.
Its all your own fault, Bob. You were
warned not to take wife off the plantation,
as you were likely to be separated from her at
any time, and now you see the consequences"
Mars ,leemes, Caline wuz de oniest woman
in de wurld fur me-"
Mr.. Benson got up from his chair and walked
nervously up and down the gallery, his
thoughts busy with the past. Bob rose to his
feet stood upon the steps, and as if reading his
masters thoughts, said:
Mars Jeemes, me en- you wuz boys toged-
der. faint nun NV my own color l luv like
duz you. When yer hay pick me out frum all
Nv UNI at de quarters to play long or you, 1 dun
forgit nanny and daddy and brudders and
sisters to be wild you. to hunt wild you, to fish
wild you, to ten to yer pony, to hole de bride
while you git onto him. Dat day we wuz er
swimmin IN dc mill pom and you go down and
l ketcl holt TO you aud hole you up while L
holler fur help, dun make up my mine,
gwine down wild You Of no help cum. Cause
dassent go back to Miss Emily don't Mars
Jeemes, who she pntedly tell me to take Eeer
on you, and sides | don l1eer fur nuthin artcr
you gone. When help did cum and dey TUX
US back to de house, ! lied ter yer mar bout
yer bein in dc pom contrariwise to her orders
and her you fall in. Lie fur you, Mars Jeemesi
I'd er died fur you"
Bob paused and looked beseechingly into his
masters face, as he still paced back and forth.
"Nuthin' ever cum twixt us ceptin 'twuz
Calline. You told me l shant marry her, but
L dun hit. Mars Jeemes, don't let UNI part
u.s. and again he fell upon his knees and be-
gan wringing his hands.
Bob, how can buy your wife If hermas-
ter won't sell her?'
"Den sell me, Mars Jeemes. L never
spected to leave dis plantation, whar | bin
Dawn and raised and jis like dem two grave
yards, fur de white and fur de black lays side
by side. lowed me and you wud be burrid in
UNI, not so fur apart, but what we cud see
wun ernudder rise on de Judgement day. But
j gin UNI AZ up, Dc plantation and yoe, e 20
along wild Calline.'
just then the door opened and Mrs. Benson
came out. leading her little daughter The
child ran to Bob, and laying her tiny white
had tenderly upon his black, tear-stained
cheek said
Papa, did you make Uncle Bob cry?"
Mr.. Benson took his wife by the hand and
went into the house. Bob kissed the little
plying hand. land with ''God bless yer Mis-
sic, walked slowly and sadly off to the quar-
tiers.
The next morning Bob had his orders to be
ready to drive his master into town. AS
they drove along, MIR. Benson said:
Bob, l can't sell yon. I've tried to buy
your wife that you may not be separated, but
have failed. Now 1 intend to give you your
freedom, and am going into town to fix up the
papers. Then you can go where you will"
Bob laid down the reins, got on his knees in
the buggy. kissed and embraced his masters
feet, while he cried out with tears of joy
ode good Lord bless you, Mars Jeemes! De
Lord keep you alluZ in de holler NV his ham,
and eff de time ever come what needs hit, dis
pc niggah gwine die fur you.'
Bob followed his wife to Texas, and Tor
many years no news came from him. Then
began the war. Captain Benson's company
was preparing to leave for Virginia. The day
before it started, Bob suddenly appeared. He
sought his former master and said simply:
"MarS' Jeemes, Calline is dead. hearn NV
de wah, and cum to see don't you want me-"
So Bob became the body servant, and served
Mr.. Benson with the tenderest care.
One morning, late in the following summer,
Captain Benson called Bob into his tent.
Dob" he said.
eyes suh."
There is going to be fight today. l will
be in it. may not come out alive Last night
wrote to my wife telling her what wish her
TO do in the event of my death. | want you to
keep back with the wagons III place OF safety
until the battle is over If / am killed 20 home
at once and give this letter to Miss Lucy. DO
you hear me, BobY'
Bob looked at him in dazed sort of way and
answered as usual:
"Yes, subj"
"Whateyer is in my tent, belonging to me,
you can have, Bob, if you want it, And now,
old fellow" and the Captain laid his hand ten
derby on Bob's shoulder, goodbye. If any
thing happens to me you will take care of Miss
Lucy"
eyes, sub, Mars Jeemes."
A few hours later Captain Benson, with his
company, was being driven back, step by step,
in charge by the enemy. He saw a glitter
ing bayonet descend swiftly toward him, just
before it struck, some one sprang in front Of
him and received the deadly weapon in his
own bosom. Captain Benson caught the fall
ing man in his arms and looked into his face.
1t was Bob! AS his dark face grew ashen
with death, he looked up into his masters
eyes and said
"Twice / sed I'd die fur you, Mars Jeemes.
Wunce when we wuz in de mill pom, and
wunce when you gin me my freedom to 20
along wild Calline. Now de good Lawd dun
call on me to do hit"
AS face answered to face, so heart to heart
and amid the roar of battle the white soul
went gently forth from its black body into
eternity.
In tho family burying ground, upon the
loved plantation in Alabama, there stands
simple shaft Of marble, bearing Bobs name
and the words, Faithful unto Death" To
the heart Of his old master it brings this
thought: "Some day, old friend / will lie
down beside you, and together we will rise in
the resurrection morn" NJ. e. SAFEoLD.
Jay Gould Reading Amelie Rives.
From the Philadelphia Times.
Mr.. Gould started for Saratoga yesterday,
and Is now there. Before he LEFT Iryinqon the
Times correspondent PAID him visit, and found
that the invalid dividing the day between read
ing novel on the shaded yerauda and diekering