The National tribune., 1889-06-27
CHATTER III.

his feeble frame shook with c0nvulsive sobs.
CHATTER III.
Nearly two years passed, and the planter pa
tiently awaited his boys return. At the Sc
cluded little estate scarcely anything was heard
from the outside world. From far down the
valley the roll Of drums was occasionally borne
to the Inhabitants Of the plantation. and sew
eral times company from M0sby's command
had stopped at the place while returning from
some successful raid in an adjoining County.
The few slaves living on the plantation showed
little or no interest in the great struggle which
was TO either secure their release from bond
age or increase their moral degradation. The
fact was, that the slaves owned By the good
massa had always been treated with human
ity. Each and every one was far better fed and
clothed than many OF the poor whites living
some distance down the valley. That ebul-
lient young negro. Fred, with one exception,
was the only slave on the plantation that
showed any curiosity about "de wah TO de brack
man. Often, when the planter was doing on
the front porch, Fred would steal from the
slaves quarters, and hurry toward the hut.
PeeFing into the kitchen where Aun' RGsey
was wont 20 smoke her evening pipe over the
FIRE, he would Whisper, Is you dar. Nanny"
Aun' ROscy would raise her head at the sound
Of the mysterious voice, and then camly sur
yey her boy. After some deliberation, she al
ways decidedly announced, Ise yere, ehile!"
Then Fred would 20 TO his mothers side. aud
whisper 10 her all the information he had
CLEANED during his nocturnal wandcrings about
the neighborhood. Aun' Rosey learned that
Mosby was rapidly losing ground where once
he had seemed inVineibe; that the Yanks were
driving the ConfedeTAtes across the State like
chat before the wind and that, In short, the
great day-"de emancipation mornin'"-was
not far of. The old black woman loved her
kind master and his son; bat the word free
dom possessed for her an untold charm, and
although the poor black was content to remain
slave she hoped and prayed that her boy
would one day become freedman.
| One lovely Spring morning the peaceful re-
| gion about the plantation echoed for the first
time with the distant growing Of cannon.
| Aun' Rosey had assisted her old master 10 his
| fay0rite seat on the cypress-covered porch.
when a sound, very much like the dying crash
Of thunder, rolled up the valley. The planter
heard the mufiied report, and so did his faithful
slave.
Listen, ROseylD he commanded; "de ye
kinder notice a sOun'f"
"Yes, Massa," answered Aun' Rosey who
was all In tremble with fright. dat am
swfa' SCUM for s'uahl"
"Thars heavy 6ghtin' gwine on, sure's yer
born. Tn Yanks air gittin' down toward our
| plantation, or I'm uiggeri"
At this point Fred came running toward the
hut, and stopped within a few feet Of where his
master was sitting
Massa," he called out, "dere's big fight
gwne on tween our soldiers an dc Yanks de
oder sbe oh sharp's hill.
CHANGING toward the boy, whose eyes were
glistening with anticipation, the planter
asked:
"How dye known"
"oEe oh Mosby's men stop at dc run las
mite while wuz out"
"Ha, ye young snake in tn grass! Whar
wuz ye last inter"
"Forgib de poah chile. Massa I" cried Aun
ROsey. DE weak boy hab maniac foah cock.
fghtin'l"
Vainly attempting 20 suppress a smile, tho
planter shook his stick at Fred. aud threatened
} him with that long withheld whipping. Salts
fed that she had saved her son from a severe
chastisement Aun Rosy Withdrew in the hut
"COme yere boy"
/ Fred cautiously Obeyed his master
B Now, Fred, want ye to do somethin' fer
me. Air We 'fraid o bullets2"
Sometimes, Massa," answered the boy will
/ O significant grin.
e "Would ye be 'fraid ter 20 near tn place
1 whar tn fghtin' Is gwine on now. jos ter SO,
| eff ye can kinder ketch sight o. my boy? Y,
: can't tell, he may somehow hey got mixed NJ
thar in tn scrimmagc."
= "Will i gwine look foah Massa Henry!
S jOyfuily cried the slave; "le'me jes try mas
= ga, le'me jes go!"
Z "Then git, ye little imp, en- hurry back, s.
eg ] kin Farm somethin o. tn fghtin'-en m,
Q boy"
: Fred's handy legs quickly carried him to til,
z road
d Ise gwine home gain rite smart, massa,
y he called back, aud he then plunged into tia
tangled wood near the hut.
Sinking back in his chair the planter mat
r tered, mus see Henry, en- know his 'pin'ol
A fore i die"
) Hours passed. The old man at last fell int
u fitful sleep, only TO be awakened shortly b.
l. loud screaming. Feebly starting to his fee
e he glanced around. A sight met his eyes tina
II caused the sluggish blood in his veins TO b0i
IF with rage. In front of the hut, with his fac
Il aud hands bleeding from innumerable cuts an
It scratches, Fred was struggling in the clutche