The Somerset reporter., 1889-12-12

a beautiful young creature, scarcely Il
years of age, and by her aim9ble DISPOSE
lion and gentle manners, won the hearts
of all who came in cantact with her.
The newly welded pair brought with
them comely negress, apparently about
Is years old whom Mrs. johnson always
called Nanny June" The lady was an
heress and was an orphan. her father
having died before her birth. When she
was but three days old her mother placed
her in the arms of this faithful negress
and babe her guard her with her life
Having done this she calmy passed away.
So "Mammy June" brought up the doub-
" orphaned babe and loved her tenderly.
But Mr.. Johnsons happiness was destin-
ed to be Of short Duration for in less
than two years his fair young wife plac-
ed her infant daughter in the arms of the
weeping, stricken negress, saying, "Mam-
nv June, know how carefully you watch
ed over me. and how devotcdly you loved
me. Do the same for my baby. and may
God bless you, and send great"
with this unfinished prayer on her lips
she died, and little Vandella was mother
less.
Nanny June seemed now to open wide
her heart and pour out all its wealth Of
love into the life of this helpless babe
She watched her while she slept, hour.
at a time, with all the love the fondesi
mother could bestow. AS the child grew
older the doting woman's love Increased.
The dainty embroidered garments were
all the work of Nanny June's nimble iin-
gers She suffered no one to minister to
the child's wants save herself. In FACT,
she seemed to live and breathe for this
child alone. When the latter was old
enough to begin her education, her Old
nanny walked with her every morning
to the school-room door, and noon found
her waiting to take Darlin' home. She
was never known to call the child by any
other name. Four times day Nanny
June and Darlin' walked through the vii
lage to and from school.
Vandella developed into most lovely
character. Gentle, atfectionate and noble
minded. she won the love OF all VINO
knew her. She was the pride of the vii
lape-this beautiful. motherless girl. AT
the age of seventeen, to the regret OF
everyone in the place, she married MIR.
James Layenby and went to his home In
Florida Both the young wife and Nam
NV June fully expected the latter to ac-
company the couple to their new home
but on the morning of their departure
Mr.. Layenby objected, saying when they
maid their first visit to his wife's native
village that the old woman should return
with them. This almost broke the hearts
of Nanny June and Darlin', and both
wpet bitterly at parting
When Vanuela had been little more
than one year away, on warm after
noon In July the postmaster called NAM
nv June, who happened to be passing
and said;
"Iere's letter from Florida address
ed to "Mammy June Do you know
any such person."
The old woman's face lit up with smiles
ne she hurried towards him, saying, a.
she took the letter from his hand:
eyes, does, en- hits from Darlin'. She
amt never giving furgit her ole nanny,
what love her better en- de whole worP!
she brought the letter and asked me To
read It for her. read as follows:
JAcKsoNsILLE, FLA, July Is, lS-.
DEAR NANNY have named my beau
tiful baby girl Junia, for you, and expect
very soon to take her to see you. Mr..
Layenby says you are to return with me
and then we will never. never again be
separated. Meet the up train July the
twenty-hfth, and your arms shall be the
f,rst to clasp baby Junia. The thought
OF seeing you again shortly renders me
perfectly happy. Until the twenty-ffth
good.by, you dear precious nanny.
Lovingly yours.
DARLIN'.
This sweet, childish letter brought tears
to the old womsn's eyes and she fervent
vi said:
aThank God fur dat Use never gwint
ter let her git out o. my sight again.
She then went away to tell her Joyful
tidlngs. =,
The next day Mr.. Johnson's large, old
fashioned mansion was 10 state OF com
motion. Dusky forms we're hurrying Il
and fro at the bidding OF Nanny June
The dsrkeued chambers were throw
open $50 air." q the old woman said
though that was done every more'ut
with q much regularity - II each room
had . constant occupant The BROW
linen covers were removed from Tie fur