The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1889-09-18
SeItrteo Storm.
els You Seed Darlin' 2"

A few years ago, in company with
some friends, was travelling in the
state of Georgia. On the way from
Macon to Atlanta one of the gentle
men of our party received telegram
which made it necessary for him to
stop over few hours, en- route, at
little village.
After holding a consultation on the
matter the entire party decided to stop,
as there was no need for haste. About
noon we arrived, tired and hungry, at
the little station. l was the last lady
to leave the car, and, as 1 was in the
act of ascending the steps which led to
the depot, / felt some one pull my
sleeve and pathetic voice, so fearful
that it startled me, asked: els you
seed darlin' any whars?" On turning
around | saw very tall negress, not
stout, not thin, only well proportioned,
standing before me. She was scru-
pulously neat and clean, was clad in a
blue and white checked dress of coarse
cotton cloth, and wore white apron.
Her head was ornamented with red
and yellow bandanna, arranged some
what in the style of the old-time turban
To describe the expression of her large
DldOh C1Co 10 ClJllClJ DO1Ohu llCs IL
was that of eager, anxious expectancy,
mingled with one of intense longing
and sadness.
" Who is darlin' ?" / asked.
Dat my chile, honey, what been
gone away to de Fluridy so long"
Then, with disappointment in her tone,
she added, cen you haint seed her
nowhars?n
"No, auntie, haven't seen her." 1
replied, and turned away, for l felt that
if looked into those sad eyes one mo-
ment longer l would myself burst into
tears.
The ladies of our party were inter-
ested in this strange creature, who had
accosted me in so singular manner,
and we determined if possible, to see
her again and learn something of her
history.
A colored porter led us to one of the
incest little hotels in the state, kept by
two widowed sisters. They soon made
us feel quite at home, and spoke of
my experience with the strange woman
at the depot. One of the ladies said:
4" Oh, yes, that's my poor old Nanny
June; she goes by no other name in
this place"
" imagine she has a sad history
from her manner, and the question she
put to me-" l said.
"She has," was the reply, "and if
you would like me to do so, | will give
it to YOU"
expressed my desire to hear it and
she proceeded as follows:
About twenty-five years ago, Mr..
johnson came to this place and went
into business. One summer he at
tended the commencement exercises of
Wesleyan Female College at Macon,
and when he returned he surprised us
all by bringing with him his bride, who
had just graduated from that college
with high honors. She was beautiful
young creature, scarcely seventeen
years of age, and, by her gentle man.
ners, won the hearts of all who came
in contact with her.
The newly welded pair brought with
them comely negress, apparently about
forty-fve years old, whom Mrs. John
son always called Nanny June" The
lady was an heiress and was an orphan
her father having died before her birth
When she was but three days old hel
mother placed her in the arms of this
faithful negress and babe her guard hel
with her life. Having done this she
calmly passed away. So Nanny
June brought up the doubly orphaned
babe and loved her tenderly. But Mr.
Johnson's happiness was destined to bt
of short duration, for in less than two
years his fair young wife in her turf
placed her infant daughter in the arms
of the weeping, stricken negress, say
ing: Nanny June, know how care
fully you watched over me, and how
. devotedly you loved me. Do the sam,
for my baby, and may God bless you
and send great" With this I'm
E finished prayer on her lips she died
5 and little Vandella was motherless.
Nanny June seemed now to opel
5 wide her heart and pour out all it
Il wealth of love into the life of the help
less babe. She watched her while sh
slept, hours at time, with all the low,
the fondest mother could bestow. A
the child grew older the doting woman
love increased. The daintily EN-
broidered garments were all the worl
of Nanny June's nimble fingers
She suffered no one to minister to thu
child's wants save herself In fact
she seemed to live and breathe for thi
child alone. When the latter was OLE
enough to begin her education, her oil
nanny walked with her every morn
ING to the school-room door, and moo
found her waiting to take Darlin' home
She was never known to call the chill
by any other name. -Four times a da
Nanny June and Darlin' wake
through the village to and from school
Vandella developed into mos
lovely character. She was the prid
of the village-this beautiful, mother
less girl. AT the age of seventeen, t
the regret of every one in the place, sh
married Mr.. James Layenby and wen
to his home in Florida. Both the youn
wife and Nanny June fully expecte
the latter to accompany the couple t
their new home; but on the morning @
their departure Mr.. Layenby objected
saying when they paid their first visi
to his wife's native village that the oil
woman should return with them. Thi
almost broke the hearts of MANN
ANNL l.,