The Pascagoula democrat-star. (Pascagoula, Miss.) 1878-1920, 1890-03-14
ONE OF THE OLD MASTERS.

The old planter lay dying He
had been a long time aillne, worn
down by anxiety and trouble, borne
uncomplainingly and in silence, he
was now gong OF slow disease,
and lay III tine middle ground, be-
tween here and The hereafter,
awaiting his summons.
He had once been Sea Island
nabob, he was now a pau3er; all
he and his wife had 10 depend on
was the meagre salary of ii grand
son, lad OF eighteen. But, redu-
ced as he was, Mr.. Conner was
never too POOR to lend a helping
hand TO any OF his former slaves,
who were old and feeble like him
self.
And now in his last illuess three
Of them came to assist his wife in
nursing him. They we've old Dad
dy Zack, The former cOachman
(whoSe carriage and horses had
long since vanished); Tobe, The
chlel butler, whose pantry had be.
come thing of The past, and old
Maum Dnah, the former cook,
whose turtle soup had once had a
coast wide reputation.
Maum Dlnah, now Mrs. Ragsdil,
made precariouS living al scour-
ing; and Daddy Zack, now Mr..
Zarkcry Rak+slraw, a yel more un-
certain une, as vendor of scrub
bug brushes. T0be, now Tobias
Conner, was ii well to do citizen
and chief cook at hotel. Never
'heless he threw up lis place and
came to nurse his old MASTER and
between hlni and the two old dar-
kies deadly rivalry ragged as to
who should he nurse.
Worn out with watching, old
Mrs. Connor had gone to lie down,
leaving the patient in charge of
lobe. lie was tail, very black
man of 40, and some red marks on
his face made him look tatlooed,
and gave him a fierce appearance.
The sick man was in a mild de-
Iirium, his mnd wandering back a
quarter of a'cenlury to The days OF
prosper ty. lie talked lncessant-
", but received only monosyllable
answers from Tube, who was natu-
rally laciturn. With scme difficult
ty he succeeded in iulling hIs pa
lient To sleep, when lhe door slow
ly creaked open and old Zack. Ia
king advantage of his mistress alb
sence. crept in in crying shoes.
"Who is that ~ asked the old
man, rousing up.
"Me, sub, Sach'riah, sui" said
Mr.. Zackery eGtraw, going back
lD his plantation name.
"Well, Zack, what is it? Have
you attended to the horses ~
Old Zack was speechless, till a
fierce nod from TObe, who was his
nephew, made him multer, "Hes,
suh."
"Where are the horses ~ asked
Mr.. Conner noticing the panto-
mime.
"Dey done gone" stammered
old Zark.
"Tell 'em dey in the ya'd, you ole
fool, mutlered the respectful ne
phew.
"Dey IN de ya'd, suh," repeated
Zack; "de stable ya'd, mean."
SADDLE Maz-ppa and bring him
round for me to ride, and lobe, help
me on with NV clothes" He slrug
gled 10 rise, but lobe gently laid
him back upon the pillow.
mot 10 day, mauser; you eni
we'll nuf. Wha' you come in yer
an start him ferg" he added, turn
ing fiercely on old Zack.
Il wanler see EN-. / shO e my
mauser well as yourn," SAID the old
man in an aggrieyed tone.
Oats So" said Maum Dinah,
joining Daddy Zack at the door.
Mr.. Conner ceased to struggle
with Tobe 10 inquire: who's
there Z"
aDinah, sur" said the old wo-
man; "dunEO you know me, maus-
serg"
'sOf course, Dinah; | have invi-
ted Col Tyler and Governor Gates
10 dine with me to-day; gives us
good dinner. Dinah."
AT this cid Dinah grew as ashY
pale as she could, for both The gen
remen had been in their graves tor
thirty years. Good Lsudw she
muiiered, awhO gWiHe ter cook TOT