The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1889-09-18


til the 9th, good-by, you dear old precious
nanny. Lovingly yours, DARLIN'.
This sweet, childish letter brought
tears to the old woman's eyes and she
fervently said:
"Thank God fur dat en- Use never
gwine ter let her git out o. my sight
again"
She then went away to tell her joyful
tidings.
The next day Mr. Johnson's large,
old-fashioned mansion was in state of
commotion. Dusky forms were hurry
ing to and fro at the bidding of Nanny
June. The darkened chambers were
thrown open ito air." as the old
woman said, though that was done
every morning with as much regularity
as if each room had a constant occu-
pant. The brown linen covers were re-
moved from the furniture and fires
burned in each fireplace to dispel any
dampness which, perchance, might be
lurking in some corner, ready to seize
upon Darlin's baby the instant it en-
tered the house, and choke its little life
away with that fell destroyer, Group.
The beautiful cradle in which she had
rocked Darln' to sleep so short time
since-it seemed but as yesterday to
the happy woman-was brought from
its hiding place and spread with the
dainty, perfumed linen she had so loved
to keep fresh and sweet Her happy
heart kept singing all the bright day
day long, "Darlin's comm! Darlin's
comin'P'
The 25th of July dawned clear and
bright. Not cloud o'erspread the
beautiful sky; no thought of sadness
touched the happy heart of the old ne
gress.
The latter was famous for her Gull
nary 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 by
ISLANDERS, impatiently exclaiming:
81 dunno what makes dat train so
mons'ous late dis mornin', 'cep'in' hits
case Darlin' commit"
am sure the entire village enjoyed
Nanny June's happiness that day, as
she walked to and fro, her face beam
ing with Joy, while she talked inces-
sanity of her idol. In regard to the
baby she let her Imagination have full
play. She told those who stopped to
chat with her what beautiful eyes and
hair, what soft, white skin, what rosy
cheeks, what tiny, dimpled hands and
feet it had, and how it "look zactly lack
Darlin'."
AT length the train came in just on
time, and Mr.. Layenby, with bowed
head and faltering step, left the car alone.
Nanny June caught him by the
arm and shrieked, rather than asked:
60, God! Mars Geems! where's
Darlin'? What you done wild my
, child?"
Dead, dead, dead!"
With one long, loud, piercing scream
the stricken woman sank to the ground
in swoon. Kind hands tenderly
raised her and she was borne, in an
unconscious condition, to the home
3 she had left but few hours before so
full of hope and joy. Brain fever re-
! suited and for many days and nights
t we thought she would die. The ladies
of the village took turns in nursing her,
e and all seemed to feel much pity for
, the afflicted negress. 1t was heart
D.. rending to hear her cries in her de-
r lrium, for her lost Darlin'. Her life
5 was spared, but reason was dethroned.
T Mr.. Layenbv, with his family, left
home one day earlier than he expected,
and, in a railroad accident, his wife
4 and child were killed. So, after being
: delayed one day, he brought Vandella,
e with her babe on her bosom, home in
. her coffin.
They buried her in the village church
S yard by the side of her young mother.
= This happened about one year ago,
: and Nanny June has met every up train
v since she got well, always asking of the
e passengers that same sad question:
u SIS you seed Darlin' anywhars?"
l. A few years after our visit to this
Is little place was again travelling with
friends and relatives over this same
n road, and as we expected to stop at -,
s l told the sad story of " Nanny
y June " and Darlin'" to my friends,
e who seemed much affected thereby and
e expressed desire to see the negress.
s When we reached the station the red
s and-yellow turban of the poor woman
l. could be seen towering above the heads
of the villagers, but she was greatly
3. changed. Her cheeks were hollow, her
e eyes and temples sunken, and her poor
I, form so emaciated that her hands re-
IS sembled the claws of some lower ami
d NAL, while the expression of her large
d ewes had changed to one of utter hope
l. lessness. She asked of us the same old
n question, sis you seed Darlin' any
e. whars?"
d A little girl of our party offered her
y a basket of oranges, but she shook her
"a head sadly, saying: "No, no. honey,
/. do want no oranges; hits Darlin' |
st wants; | wants Darlin'," and with the
lie tears streaming down her withered
r black cheeks she walked away, followed
% by a stout young negress.
lie learned that her old master, Mr..
1t johnson, fearing she might not be
g kindly treated, would not hear to her
"a being sent to an asylum, and so he en-
% ployed this woman to attend the faith
u full creature who had so truly loved the
l, two idols of his life.
IT have recently learned that on July
"a 25, 1886, the poor, demented creature
Is went as usual, to meet the 'up train,
" which, by reason of an accident, was