Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1890-07-05
"Let me read. too. ~

"Let me read, too"
The colonel was in the office: Missy
saw the CLEAN of his light through the
window as she crossed the yard. Too
eager to delay for permission, she pushed
open the door and entered with the
words "My father" but she could say no
more.
Her father looked up in some alarm.
but when he saw behind her bent old
negro leaning on a staff, he half believed
that he must be dreaming; it seemed in
credible that old Gilbert should be stand
ing on that threshold, with scarce a
wrinkle more than when he traded for
the mule.
The colonel started to his feet stagger-
ing, and put out both hands. "Gilbertg
he said, Colbert? Is this your
'Tubbe sho, mawsterl Use been GAVIN
long time, but de Lawd is spared me
ter git back"
"My SOM" faltered the colonel.
Missy burst into tears. Make him sit
down." she sobbed. "There is so much
to tell"
''Sit down." the colonel said, pushing
chair toward him.
'Fm 'bleedged ter you, mawster." old
Gilbert stammered; to be seated in the
presence of quality shocked his sense of
decorum. "De wuz a wagin gin me a
lif' as l come along. / lighted by de
back lot ter git ter my house, en- dere l
met Missy"
''Sit down." the colonel commanded,
and old Gilbert felt he must obey. But
he Stunned the chair, and spying box
Co., H. L. 1Iol
thereon with a sigh, while Missy eagerly
repeated to her father the account given
of Nicholas.
''And he has letter for you from
Brer Nicholas; will you not read it?' she
entreated.
The colonel could not speak, but he
put out his hand for the letter that old
Gilbert was seeking i'm the crown of his
dilapidated hat.
'My 'pendance wuz strong in de Heb
emily Mawster ter spare me ter han you
dat, sub" he said. ''I'd fotch hit buff
TO-, but de roomatiz split my chances ter
wuk out my travelin' 'spenses."
The colonel seized the letter, but his
hands trembled so that he could hardly
adjust his glasses.
tiklesl' said old Gilbert in admiration.
"En' yo' hair is a-sbeddin'. Minds me Of
yo' paw. You is middlin ole, mawster,
tubbe sho!"
The remark was intended as a compli
ment, but the colonel was absorbed in
his sons letter and it escaped him.
'Let me read too" Missy entreated,
leaning over his shoulder. 81 cannot,
cannot waitH
1t was touching appeal in which the
banished son besought his fathers pro-
lection for his wife and child, and then
implored justice for the devoted old slave
who had proved so true friend. He re-
counted how freely old Gilbert had sup
piled him with money, the savings of his
years of industry, and besought his ia.
ther to discharge this debt.
"Ah my brother. come back" sighed
Missy, passionately kissing the letter,
''and everything you ask shall be done!
Colbert" said the colonel, with a
tremulous smile, chow much money did
you lend my SOM
Outlaw, n4swster? Is. Mawse Nick
wrotened you bout dat? En- tole him
not ter fret, seein' dis ole no count mig
ger is mos ter de eend Of his row.
doan 'zactly re- COLLECT. had it on ter &
scrap o paper Mawse Nick writ me, en-
tally stick besides, which could oner
stan better, but los 'em bof, long will
my rumberilla, ON de fier o battle. i
you been in de wah, mawstery'
eyes," said the colonel.
praise be ter glory" calculated ole
Gilbert. "Den you kin onerstan' de WI
pow'ful scatterin' times, en- hit druv d.
amount plum outen my min. Some o
hit wuz what Missle-virey sont him. en-
had ter purten' lax hit wuz all mine te
git him ter borrer hit. Hit wuz lik'
Mawse Nick wuz my chile. Not but ez
onerstan' hit, mawster, you wuz bour
ter slNt yo' eyes beginst him fur cree
tion," the old man fastened to amend
''En' wuz after him cawstant ter ser
you his 'prntance, but my min misgiv
me, all along, dat Miss Roxy she WI
wukin' beginst Mawse Nick's pentance
You members Miss Roxy White, NAV:
ter?'
The colonel nodded.
"She wuz poful holp to Mawse Mich
en- a mighty good oman; but"-and h
paused and looked aroundas though Mi
amt quality. Miss Roxy is po'ful sot
her own notions, en she is plum boun
up in dat chile, Mawse Nick's lttle'bo.
en- she is dat feard o losin holt on hin
hukkom she amt no incouridgemint t.
Mawse Nick to turn his desires hom
wuds.'
The colonel glanced up quickly with
look of enlightenment; he was beginnir
TO understand his sons obstinate silenc
"But now-now we will bring hi
back Winifred entreated.
eve shall see," the colonel said, ar
sighed He could not consent to lay ba
his heart, and he changed the subjec
Now that you are your own man, VIII
are you going to do, Gilbertg' he aske
with amused curiosity.
Il been studyn' bout that" old g
bert answered, hesitatingly. Use allie
lowed to he homes, en- paid you fur
muel."
80 you did, exclaimed the colon'
with sudden recollectioni and he rose a
unlocked the scored drawer Of his secI
tary.
But den hit pears ter me lax l stt
yo' niggerf' pursued old Gilbert, with
furtiye grin. "Ain't boun' ter wuk c
dat time stole myself? Maybe l beti
git lie yer's vice on hit?"
"No!' said Missy.
The colonel smiled. "Well, do Y
want to stay on here at Thorne Hillf'
asked, as he took out the little bag ii
held the price Of the mule