The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1888-09-06
VOL 80
TRUE UNTO DEATH.
ME-. Stafford in Atlanta Constitution.

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 dol
lars for Caroline and her two boys,
which is more than they are worth,
for she is delicate woman and the
children are mere babies. But he
won't take it. He says his wife
can't spare her."
But still there was the same pitt
full plea, "Mars' Jeems, fur Gods
sake, don't let Calline go to Texas
long er Kurnel Graves. Ef you
luv Miss Lucy, don't let UNI take
my wife way frum me-" and the
negro fell upon his knees and
wrung his hands in agony, while
the tears poured down his dCsky
cheeks.
James Benson's voice trembled
as he answered, and he tried to
make a senblance of anger over its
unsteadiness.
dts 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 conse-
quences."
"Nlars' Jeems, Calline wuz de
onliest 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 read
ing his masters thoughts, said:
MARS Jeems, me en- you wuz
bows togedder. faint nun Nv my
own color ! luv like I duz you.
When yer hag pick me out frum
all Nv um at de quarters to play
long er you, 1 dun forgit nanny
and daddy and brudders and sisters
10 be wild you, to hunt wild you, to
fish wild you, to ten to yer pony, TO
hole de bride while you get onto
him. Dat day we wuz er swimmin
in de mill pom and you go down
and / ketch holt to you and hole
you up while l holler fur help,
dun make up my mine, | gwine
down wild you et no help cum
Cause ] dassent go back to Miss
Emily dout Mars Jeems, who she
pintedly tell me to take keer or
YOU, and sides 1 dom keer ful
nuthin arter you gone. When helr
did cum and dey TUX us back to DE-
house, lied ter yer mar bout vel
bein in de pom contrarwise to bel
orders and tole her you fall in. Lie
fur you, Mars Jeems I'd er dice
fur YOU"
Bob paused and looked beseech-
jnglv into his masters face, as ht
still paced back and forth.
"Nuthiu ever cum twixt us cept-
in 'twus Calline. You told me
shant marry her, but ] DUE hit
Mars Jeems, don't let um part u.s.
and again he fell upon his knees
and began wringing his hands.
"Bob, how can l buy your wife i
her master won't sell herp'
sDen sell me, Mars Jeems.
never spected to leave dis planta-
ton. whar | bin bawn and RAISED
and lis like dem two grave yards
fur de white and fur de black layi
side by side, l lowed me and yor
wud be buried in um, not so ful
apart but what we cud see wun e.
nudder rise on de Judgement day
But / gin um all up, de plantation
and you, to go along wild Calline.
just then the door opened ant
Ms. Benson came out, leading he
little daughter. The child ran t.
Bob, and laying her tiny whit
hand tenderly upon his black, tea
stained cheek, said:
Papa, did you make Uncle Bo'
cry?"
Mr.. Benson took his wife by tn
hand and went into the house. Boz
kissed the little plying hand, AM
with "God bless yer missile,
walked slowly and sadly off to tn
quarters.
The next morning Bob had hi
orders to be ready to drive hi
master into town. AS they drov
along, Mr.. Benson said:
Bob, can't sell you. I've trie'
to buy your wife that you may no
be separated, but have failed. No'
/ intend to give you your freedom
and am going into town to fix u
the papers. Then you can go wher
you will"
Bob laid down the reins, got o
his knees in the buggy, kissed an
embraced his masters feet, Will
he cried out with tears of joy:
'sDe good Lord bless you, Mars
Jeems! De Lord keep you allu
in de holler NV his han, and eff d
time ever come what needs hit, di
30 niggah gwine die fur you"
Bob followed his wife to Texat
and for many years no news cam
from him. Then began the wal
Captain Benson's company was pre-
pairing to leave for Virginia. TIL
day before it started Bob suddenl
appeared. He sought his forme
master and said simply:
"Mars' Jeems, Calline is dead.
hearn Nv de wah, and cum to sc
don't you want me-"
so Bob became the body servan
and served Mr.. Benson with th
tenderest care.
One morning, late in the follow
inc summer, Captain Benson Calle
Bon into his tent.
Bob" he said.
Yes, sub"
There is going to be a 6ght to
day. l will be in 1T. | may nc
come out alive. Last night l wrot
to my wife telling her what | wis
her 60 do IN the event of my dealt
Iwaut YOU to keep back with til
wagons in place of safety unit
the battle is over. If am kille
co home ut once and give this lett
to Miss Lucy. Do you hear m
BobP
Bob looked at him in daze
sort of way and answered as usua
Yes, sub"
whatever is in my tent, belong
ing to me, you can have, Bob,
YOU want it. And now, old fellow
and the Captain laid his hand ten
derry on Bob's shoulder, good
bye. If anything happens to IN
YOU will take care OF Miss Lucy?
Yes, sub, Mars Jeems.'
A few hours later Captain Ben