The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1890-05-18


Missy dictated
When Gilbert returned, some time af-
ter sundowr he found Missy seated at
his cabin door.
''Brer Nicholas is in Tallahassee - she
announced in triumph.
'De Laud! VIVA dat you tell me,
Missy Nobody ter Eden, nur ter Sun
rise kin tell whicherway is Mawse Nick
gone. Is nit fur fac he is in Tallahas-
see?"
Missy nodded, with comfortable sense
of superiority in the possession of knowl
edge that this old man had missed.
though ne had made a journey of thirty
miles. cat Cousin Myrtilla's," she ex-
planned further.
You doan tell!''
"And he is i'll; dreadfully ILL.," whim-
pered Missy. ''And l know he wants to
see me-"
''Lawdi Lawd" ejacul2ted old Gil
bert.
'You got to carry me up to town to-
morrow" said Missy authoritatively.
''You got nothin' else to do.
Old Gilbert shook his head. Hit
mought be ketchin' complaint, chile
Il hate hard hearted people," Missy
declared, bringing her little fist down on
her knee with violence. And every
body on this old hill has got hearts like
mile stones-ceptin' me. You mean old
niger! l sha'n't give you any Christ
mas gif'."
''You mus tax patience, honey" coun-
seled old Gilbert. Hit amt mon three
days sence Mawse Nicholas lef' US; things
gwan mend-maybe."
''And it might % thousand yearsr
sighed Missy.
''Chillen mus oley," Gilbert reminded
her.
Missy was silent long time; then she
said, at last:
Daddy Gilbert you've got religion,
amt you:"
"Bress de Lave :" calculated the old
nan, piously.
EFF" proceeded the child, with great
Ieriousness, ''if you was to make, right
here. solemn VOW to the Lord, like the
Bible says, you'd keep it, wouldn't you,
If it killed your
"Tubbe shoI" the old man answered,
q little dazed between the fatigue of his
Journey and the look of strange resolve
on Missy'S face.
AT this assent she stood up, on the step
above him, her hair tossing in the even
ing wind, her eyes burning, her slender
hands clasped against her breast; she
Il ! 49, "a
and Old Gilbert felt awsd.
"Kneel down. she said imperiouSly.
Old Gilbert obeved as though the com
mand had come from another world, as
he half believed it did.
'Sav after me-" Missy dictated: Il
promise and VOW, in the help of the
Lord, to keep track of Mawse Nicholas
Thorne to the end of my days. Amen"
These words Missy recitcd with fervid
solemnity, the old negro repeating after
her, in an awe stricken voice; he thought
the child must surely De inspired.
Now" said she, III a matter of fact
tone, when this ceremony was over, I'm
goin' back to the house and bring you
some supper. I've got TO take care Of
you, cause you've got to Look after Brer
Nicholas
The old negro stood watching her as
she went along the lane. dat chile
ANT gwan live out half her days" he
muttered. with a sorrowful shaking of
his old head.
When Missy returned presently with
the promised supper, he declared that lie
could not eat.
well, bat YOU better" Missy insisted.
You got to 80 up to town tomorrow.
know Aunt Elyira is goin' TO send you"
dat cawfee do smell pow full eucour-
agin', tubbe sho," he admitted. with a
slow smile. and soon found ibis appetite.
He had just enGcd his meal, when Miss
Elvira stood in the cabin door. and the
old man rose stiffiy to make his awkward
obeiSanCe.
'Sit down, Gilbert, you must be tired"
said Miss Elvira, graciously. "Winifred,
my dear, run on back to the house; it is
too late for you to be out
whats the use:" said Missy, with an
impatient shrug. Il know all about it.
Daddy Gilbert had been to look for Brer
Nicholas and Brer Nicholas amt there.
Nicholas is at Mrs. Herry's," said
Miss Elvira, YEARLY.
$50 Missy been tellin' me. Hukkom
you know, Missile virev?"
Mrs. Henry was here today" she an
swered, flushing. you must go UP to
town tomorrow, Gilbert You need not
start so very early, and I'll see you again
in the morning."
But the next morning old Gilbert was
ailing, and for several days thereafter
he was unable to leave his bed. Tom
Quash, who went sup to town" three
times q week for the mail, reported to
Glory-Ann that Mawse Nick was
mighty sick then that he was little
better, and finally that he was pro-
nounced out of danger. A fortnight
later Miss Elvira added another hundred
to the sum she had already given old !
Gilbert. and dispatched him on an en- +!
RaSsy 10 her nephew.
rs sRgisgd Al AigsIe.yirsxA- -Russd J