The National tribune., 1889-06-27

the unconscious and unoffending slave, and
muttering something about dat cock-hghtin'
chile sen'in' desc gray hairs in sorrer to de
grabe," she plunged into the hut. The loud
gathering Of pans for some time thereafter
showed that the old womans stormy temper
was slow in calming.
Later in the morning the planter and his
son sterned out of the hut and walked toward
the road. On the young mans broad back was
strapped a bundle and he carried heavy
walking-st stick, which would serve him both as
a weapon and prop Reaching the road, the
planter placed trembling hand on his sons
shoulder. In shaking tones he said:
"Ye can jes dig out now, boy. EFF We come
back en- let me know yer 'pin'on, kinder feel
tibet I'll die easy like"
"Good-by, fatherl" answered the son in
husky voice; IN let ye know my 'pin'on or
bust
ais you gwine. Ter lebe your Fre'ric hind,
Massa Henry" broke in voice well known
TO the planter and his son. Am Massa Henry
gwine way wifout his boy2"
The black youth who had but short time
previous disturbed Aun' Rosey's even frame of
mind was standing in the road and staring at
his young master with half-pathetic, half
comic look showing on his homely face.
Come ere Fred" commanded the young
master. Let me give We some 'structions. l
didn't want We ter know L was gwine way,
cause i felt tibet ye would wanter so ter TIL
war with me. Now look yere; do We like
father en- me, We little black impY"
picture showed wildly in the boys minds
eve. He beheld hundreds of miserable slaves,
CRANE ,arents parents aud children, ali chained
together and standing in the slave mart of a
great Southern city, An auctoneer, possess
ing a villainous face, and who looked down on
crowd of laughing, swearing planters, was
seen standing on an auction-block and crying
the human chattels that were gathered around
him. Suddenly strange man appeared in the
picture. and turned his eyes on a slave woman
who was clinging to little black boy. The
mother impulsively reached out her hands to
him and sobbed, Good massa, buy me an my
Fre'ric. Dey will sell my chic from me; oh,
Massa, good Massa, do buy us!" The good
massa" moved away, saying, " Poor woman
can't buy ye" A little boy next appeared, and,
taking hold of the good massa's hand, he
said: Doan't We let tn little niger be taken
away from his nanny" Turning his eyes
upon the boy, the man said: I'll buy tn
NANNY en- son for We, boy; but I'll hev to
mortgage tn plantation. The picture slowly
faded from Frederick's memory, and then he
sank down in the dust at his young masters
feet.
Eyes, Massa Henry" he sobbed, /" 1 lubs you
an ole massa. / knows Ise been a bad your
niger, but / lubs you bofe, massas-deed l
does"
"What suivlin'!" calculated the planter.
"Now look yere, boy IF We doant stop thet,
Ill whip ye-I will" Then the stick was
shaken at the boy with an admonitory motion.
EFF We like father en- me. Fred" advised the
yonng master. who was apparently deeply az
fected by the boys words, yen stay yero on
tn plantation while Pm way. BE good ter
yer nanny, en- tell her not ter worry fer me.
/ want We ter say ye won't run way ies cause
tn Yanks hev promised ter free all ye mig
gers"
Eyes, massa, promise"
Shaking his fathers hands, the young man
resolutely strede down the road and quickly
disappeared among the pines.
When his son had passed from sight, the old
man sighed heavily aud then drew his sleeve
across his eyes. ala! sniv'lin yet" be ex-
claimed. catching sight of the s0bbing slave.
What did / tell We, boy? Ef We doan't-stop,
III whip ye-I-." Unable TO further master
his feelings, the eccentric man leaned against
a black-gum which stood near the road, while
his feeble frame shook with convulsive sobs