The Somerset reporter., 1889-12-12

hture and fires burned In every II e-pl | &c
- diSpel any dampness which, perchance
night be lurking in some corner, ready
to sieze upon Darin's baby the instant il
entered the house, and choke It's little lifG
away, with that fell destroyer, Group
The beautiful cradle in which she had
rocked bsrlin' to sleep 90 short time
sheet seemed but as yesterday to the
happy woman-was brought from its hid
ing place, and spread with the dainty per.
fumed linen she had so loved To keep
fresh and sweet. Her happy heart kept
singing all the bright day long, "Darlin' s
comm! Darlin's comm. -
The 18th Of July dawned clear and
bright Not cloud overspread the beau
tful blue ky; no thought OF sadness
touched the happy heart of the old neg
ress. The latter was famous for her cul
mary proficiency, and the best dinner she
could plan had been prepared, and she
stood on the platform of the depot more
than an hour before train time, much to
the amusement of the bystanders, impa-
tientiy eXclaming:
81 dunno what make dat train SO mons
Gus late dis mornin' 'cep'in, hits case Oar
Inns comm, ~
am sure the entire village enjoyed
Nanny June's happiness that day, as she
walked to aud fro, her face beaming with
joy, while she talked necessarily of her
IDOL. In regard to the baby she let her
imagination have fnll play. She told
those VINO stopped to chat with her, what
beautiful eyes aud hair, what soft white
skin, what rosy checks, what TIM, dim
pied hands AMI feet i: had, and ho~ il
Look zscty like Darlin'.'
At length the train came in just on
time, and Mr. Layenby, with bowed head
and faltering step, left the car alone.
Mamma June caugrt Tim by the arm
and -hrieked. rather than asked:
"Oh, Cod! Mars Geem. where's
Darlin? What You done wild my child?'
Dead, dead deadn
With one long piercing scream the
stricken woman sank to the ground in
,woon. Kind hands gently raised her and
,he was bourne, in an unconscious con
ition, to the home she had left but few
hours before so full of hope and joy.
Brain fever resulted and for many days
nd nights we thought she would die.
| he ladies of the village took turns in
lnrsing her, and all seemed to feel much
J!ty for her the afflicted negress. 1t was
to hear her cries In her de-
irum, fer her lost Darlin'. Her life was
pared. but reason WAS dethroped,
Mr.. Layenby, with his family, left
lone one day earlier than he expected
md, in a railroad accident, his wife aud
mild were killed. 50, after being delay
ID one day, he brought Vandella, with
Ter babe on her bosom, home in her
ollln.
They buried her in the village church
ard by the side Of her young mother
This happened about one year ago, and
danny June has met every up train
ince she got well, always asking of the
passengers, that same sad question.
as you seed Darlin anywhars2"
few years after our visit to the lit
lie place | was again travelling with
riends aud relatives over this same roai,
nd as we expected to stop at told
he sad story of "Mammy June" and
'Darlin'" to my friends, who seemed
nucn affected thereby and expressed
lesire to see the negress. When we
cached the station the red-and-yellow |
urban OF the poor woman could be seen !
owering above the heads of the villagers |
tut she was greatly changed Her cheeks
we're hollow, her eyes and temples sunk |
N, and her poor form so emaciated that
Ter hands resembled the claws of some
over animal, while the expression of her
arge eyes had changed to one of utter
lopclessness. She asked of us the same
lid question. is you seed Darlin' any
ghars?'
A little girl of our party offered her a
basket of oranges, but she shook her
lead sadly saying: "No, no, honey, do
want no oranges hits Dariin | wants; |
wants Darlin'," and with the tears stream
ug down her withered black cheeks she
walked away, followed by stout young
negress.
| learned that her old MASTER Mr..
Johnson, fearing she might not be kindly
would not hear of her being sent
10 an asylum; and so he employed this
woman to attend the faithful creature who
had so truly loved the two idols of his
life.
have recently learned that on July %.
1886, the poor, demented creature went,
As usual to meet the up train, which, by
reason of an accident, was on this day
detained more than two hours. While
awaiting its arrival she walked restlessly
NJ and down the track aud no amount of
could induce her to leave it. The
day was Intensely hot, and being over
come by the heat, she fell, insensible, on
the track She was carried to her home,
where, at sunset, her face almost brill
ant with smile of recognition, she died
with these words on her lips, "Praise
God, | sees Darlin now.''-, Selected.