The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1891-04-03

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 a bent old
negro leaning on 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. "Gilbert?"
he said, colbert? Is this you?"
"Tubbe sho, mawster! Use been GAVIN
long time, but de Lawd is spared me
ter git back"
"My son?' 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
a chair toward him.
''Pm 'bleedged ter you, mawster," old
| Gilbert stammered; to be seated in the
presence of quality shocked his sense of
decorum. "De wuz wagin gin me a
lif' as l come along. l lighted by de
back lot ter git ter my house, en- dere I
met Missy"
''Sit down." the colonel commanded,
and old Gilbert felt no must obey. But
he Stunned the chair, and spying box
in the corner he went over and pcrched
thereon with 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 itg' she
entreated.
The colonel could not speak, but he
put out his hand for the letter that old
Gilbert was seeking in the crown of his
dilapidated hat.
"My tendance wuz strong in de Heb
emily Mawster ter spare me ter han you
dat, suh," he said. "Pd fotch hit buff
fo', 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.
"Well! well! mawster is come ter spec
tikles" said old Gilbert in admiration.
EN- yo' hair is a-sheddin'. Minds me of
yo' paw. You is middlin' ole, mawster,
tubbe shot,
The remark was intended as 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 wait!'
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.
Their to discharge this debt
'"Ah, my brother, come backl" sighed
Missy, passionately kissing the letter
"and everything you ask shall be doneI
Colbert" said the colonel, with q
tremulous smile, show much money did
you lend my son?'
| DuHdW, udWSteTs Is pldWSe MICH
wrotened you bout dat? En- tole him
not ter fret, SEEM dis ole no count mig
ger is mos ter de eend of his row.
doan 'zactly re-collict. had it on ter Q
scrap O. paper Mawse Nick writ me, en-
tally stick besides, which could oner-
stan better, but los 'em bof, long with
my rumberilla, on de flep O. battle. Ii
you been in de wah, mawster?'
eyes," said the colonel.
"Praise be ter gloryw calculated old
Gilbert. "Den you kin onerstan' de wu2
pow'ful scatterin' times, en- hit druv dc
amount plum outen my min. Some Of
hit wuz what Missle-virey sont him, en-
had ter purten lax hit wuz all mine ter
git him ter borrer hit. Hit wuz like
Mawse Nick wuz my chile. Not but ez
onerstan' hit, mawster, you wuz boun
ter shet yo' eyes beginst him fur cree,
tion," the old man fastened to amend.
CEN wuz after him cawstant ter sen
you his 'pentance, but my min misgive
me, all along, dat Miss Roxy she wuz
wukin' beginst Mawse Nick's 'pentance
You members Miss Roxy White, maws
teri"
The colonel nodded.
"She wuz po'ful holp to Mawse Nick
en- a mighty good oman; but"-and he
paused and looked around as though Miss
Roxy might be eavesdropping-''sht
amt quality. Miss Roxy is po'ful sot in
her own notions, ZEN she is plum bound