, 1889-09-26

-
NThere's u letter here from Florida
addressed to NANNY June DO you
Tho old woman's fnce lit up with
smiles, as she hurried towards him, say
ing, as she took the letter from his
hands;
ayes, I does, en- hits from Darlin.
She amt never gwine furget her ole
mummy, what love her better EN- dc
whole worl u
She brought the letter and asked me
to read II for her. read as follows:
JACKSONVILLE, Florida, July Is, 18--.
DEAR NANNY: I have named my
beautiful girl baby Junia, for you, and
expect very soon to take her to see you.
Mr.. IAycnby says you are to return with
me, and then we will never, never again
be separated. Meet the up-train, July
first to clasp baby Junia. Tho Thought
of seeing you again shortly renders me
perfectly happy. Until the 25th good
bye, you dear old precious NANNY.
Lovingly yours, DARLIN'.
This sweet childish letter brought
tenrs to the old woman's eyes and she
fervently said;
"Thank God fur dat en- Use never
gwine to let her get out o my sight
again"
She then went away to tell her joyful
tidings.
The next day Mr.. Johnsons large.
old-fashioncd mansion was In u state of
commotion.' Dusky iorins were. hurry
| ing to and fro ut the bidding of Nanny
June. The darkcncd chambers were
thrown open ito air" rs the old woman
said, though that was dono every morn
ing with us much regularity rs " each
| room had u constant occupant. The
brown linen covers were removed from
the furniture and fires burned in each
Fireplace To dispcl amy, dampncss which,
pcrchance, may be lurking IN some
corner, ready TO seize upon Dnrlin's
baby the instant 1t entered the house,
and choke its little life away with that
fell destroyer. Group. The beautiful
cradle In hich she had rocked darlin,
to sleep a short time since-it seemed
but as yesterday to the happy woman,
was brought from its hiding place, and
spread with the dainty, perlumcd linen
she had 80 loved to Keep fresh and
sweet. Her happy heart kept singing
all the bright dnN long, "darlin'sc comm
darlin's comin'h
The 10Th of July dawned clear and
bright. Not II cloud o'crsprcad the
beautiful blue sky; no thought. Of sad.
ness touched the happy heart OF the old
negress.
| Tho latter was famous for her culinary
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 bystandcrs, im-
| patiently exclaiming;
| II dunno what make dat train 30 mon
| sous late this mornin', cep'in hits case
darlin's comin'n ~
| | am sure the entire village enjoyed
Nanny June's happiness that day, rs
she walked to and fro her face beaming
with joy, while she talked necessarily OF
/ her idol. In regard to the baby she let
told those who stopped to chat with her
what beautiful ayes and hair, what soft,
| white skin, what rosy cheeks, what tiny,
/ dimpled hands and feet IL had, and how
/ II looked ''zuctly like darlin'."
At length the train came In just on
time, and MIR. Laycnby, with bowed head
and inltering step, left tic car alone.
Nanny June caught him by the arm
and shriekcd, rather than asked:
20, God, Mars Gccms. where's dar-
lin2 What you done wild my child?"
"Dcad dead dead"
With one long, loud, piercing screa m
! the stricken woman sank on the ground
IN u swoon. Kind hands tenderly
raised her. and she was borne in an un-
conscious condition TO the home she had
left but few hours ago so full of hope
and JOY. Brain fever resulted and for
many days und nights we thought she
would die. Tho ladies of the village
took turns in nursing her and all
seemed to feel much pity for the nf-
hear her cries. In her deliriun,, for her
lost darlin'- Her life was spared, but
reason was detlironed.
| Mr.. Layenby, with his family, left
one day earlier than he expected, and in
II rail way accident his wife and child
! were killed. SO, after being delayed one
day, he brought Nandclla, with her
babe on her bosom, home in her coffin.
| They buried her In the village church,
yard 10y the side of her young mother.
/ THIS happened about one year ago,
/ and Mummy juno hus met every up
/ train since she got well, always asking
OF passengers that same sad question: /.
rs you seed darlin' nnywharsy'
| a few years after our visit to this little
I place was again travelling with friends
and relatives over this same road, and
as we expected to stop at ---'-'- told
the story of Nanny June and darlin'
/ to my friends, who seemed much cf-
/ fected thereby and expressed desire TO
see the ncgrcss. When we reached the
station the red and yellow turban of the
I poor woman could be seen towering
/ above the heads of the villagers, but she
wss greatly changed. Her checks were
hollow, her eggs and tom oles sunkcn,
and her poor form so cniaciuted that her
/ hands rescmblcd the claws of some lower
animal, while the expression of her large
/ eyes lad changed to one of utter hope
| lessness. She asked of us the same old
I question: rs you seed darlin' any
I whars?n
A little girl of our party offered her a
basket of orunges, but she shook her
head sadly, saying: mo, no, honey
don want no oranges; hits .lnrlin'
wants; l wants darlin' :" and with the
| tears streaming down her witliered black
cheeks she walked away, followed by a
stout Young negress.
! learned that her old master, Mr..
johnson, fearing she would not be
| kindly treated, would not hear to her
being sent to AN asylum; and so lie en-
I ploycd this woman to attend the faithful
creature who so truly loved the two idols
of his life.
have recently learned that on July
%, 1856 the poor demcntcd creature
went as usual to meet the cup train, ~
which, by reason of an accident, was on
this day detained more than two hours.
| While " iting its arrival, she walked
restlossly mp and down the track, and
no amount of coaxing could induce her
to leave It. Tho dav was intensely hot,
and being overcome by the heat, she fcil
| insensiblc to the truck. She was carried
to her home, where, ut sunset, with a
smile of recognition, .sho died with these
words on her lips, praise tiod sees
darlin' now"
Better Than n Gold Mine.
Mr.. J. A. Miner brought to. the RE.
VIEW Office Thursday some exceedingly