The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1890-05-30
And how you know it is ole Noah 3?
Halleluya Halleluyal
Cause / see de yark o. promise.
Halleluya Halleluya


Halleluya Halleluya!
Wander comes de Angel Gabriel,
Halleluyal Haeuyai
Oh yander comes de Angel Gabriel;
Halleluya Halleluya
And how you know hits de Angel Gabriel?
Halleluya Halleluya
Cause see his braZen trumpet
Halleluya HalleluyaI
Saturday evening proved bright and SUM-
shiny. All nature seemed in sympathy with
the festive occasion. The sun looked down
with the benignest possible smile upon his
broad countenance, and the gentlest zephyr
! stirred the leaves of the forest trees As the
guests issued from hotels and cottages and
hurried in the direction indicated by the
posters stuck about the grounds, a small,
half nude figure might have been seen to
creep from the woods near Aunt Dilsy Blue
skins cabin, and fit across fields and down
unfrequented paths toward the same spot.
The route Commodore had chosen brought
him to the rear of the back buildings.
Here, fearing that he might be observed by
some of the walters and driven from the
grounds, he paused a moment and surveyed
the scene from behind friendly tree. But
there was no danger of detection. Out
houses and kitchens were silent and deserted
The servants, great and small, pressed close
to the throng about the pole, giving the inner
circle of white the appearance of being sur
rounded by black border. Having convinc-
ed himself that the coast was clear Com
modore darted from his hiding place and sped
towards the main hotel, where, with BODY
pressed close against the side of the building,
he peered out at the waiting crowd. The
contestants stood in group apart, huddled
together like a flock of black sheep.
"Dess look at dem fool niggers," he chuck
led, as he noted their stiff shoes and heavy
uIlay rnnc ho 70 Lot do l.
folks know dey's got some shoes"
Times up" called out a burly red faced
man, gancing at the watch he held open in
his hand, and speaking to crestfalen little
darkey, who, after various Intellectual at
tempts to scale the. slippery ascent, had slid
den helplessly to the ground.
The ten dollars seemed destined to be re-
stored to the pockets of those who had con-
tributed it. One by one the contestants strove
TO gain the lofty height, their clumsy efforts
eliciting peals of laughter from the specta-
tors. One by one, disappointed and humili-
ated, they abandoned the contest, and Joined
the rapidly swelling ranks of the unsuccessful.
The last competitor had retired from the
field, and still the tempting prize floated
tauntingly aloft. There was q slight move
ment, as of separation, in the crowd when q
queer figure, looking like some strange white
winged bird emerged from an unsupported
hiding place, and sped with the rapidity of
lightning in the direction of the pole. The
appearance of this phenomenon was like an
electric shock to the spectators who stood
rooted to the spot in an attitude of motion
less expectancy. Commodore paused mo
ment when he had reached the pole, then
clasping its eel-like surface with his hard
palms and clamping it on either side with
his rough knees and still rougher soles, began
to climb
Heavens ! but it was hard work. The
weli-defned muscles stood out like knotted
cords upon the boys bare limbs, and the per-
spiration bursting from every pore, glittered
in diamond drops upon his jetty skin. Still
he struggled on. He was gaining ground per-
ceptibly, although he had many backward
slip, which made the hearts of the spectators
stand still for moment, and thump with in
creased velocity as though making up for
lost time.
At last he has reached the goal There is
no danger ofhis slipping now, for one hand is
over the top of the pole AS he unties the
futtering ribbons which hold the note in
place deafening shout bursts from the ex.
cited throng. He grasps his hard-earned
prize tight in one hand then loosening his
hold with the other slips down from his dizz-
zy height with the speed of electricity, and
springing lightly to the ground darts through
the crowd and rushes like mad through fields,
over fences, across bitches, never pausing an
instant until having reached Aunt Dilsy's
cabin, he sinks painting upon the floor.
A few Sundays after this, when Commo-
dore arrayed in ''sto' clo'es" and an abnor-
mslly high collar, entered "de Dry Branch
meetin' house" every eye in the congregation
was turned upon him. He walked with
dignified tread down the aisle, his stiff shoes
creaking at every step, and took his seat
fright amongst de school chillen." There he
remained, to the outward eye, model of
propriety and decorous behavior.
But Commodore was far from being the
attentive listener he appeared. Despite "old
preacher Volamtime's" warning, uttered in
the tones of Stentor, to the careless and I'M
his thoughts wandered to week
day plans and enterprises. So engrossed was
he in these speculations that he gave great
start when Il dive for hats among the male
portion OF the congregation showed him that
the services were concluded.
As to Aunt Diisy, the effect of Commo-
dore's triumph upon her was very curious.
1t aroused a feeling of maternal pride and
ambition in her breast, which might have
slumbered eternally but for some such awak-
euing. Her voice had assumed its most
boastful key when Commodore came sudden
y ppou LICE III INC CnuTCuyaru coDVerSlng
with Brother Volamtime."
"Yes," she was saying, IAN you'll see dat
ae's gwine to beat all de school chilen learn
IN out de books dis winter. Commidos got
4 mighty good understannin'. Then dashing
her praise with 4 little Of the wholesome
bitter of disapproval, as she caught sight of
he boy hanging about, "Ef he'll only have
manners and behave to correspond he'll do
mighty well, Brother Volumlime. He'll do
mighty we'll" Grace TPalloughJy.