The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-04-19

this command was given, and pretty soon
might have been seen running down the hard,
smooth path which led TO the wood. his white
garment futtering like pennon IN the
breeze
Aunt Dlsy was influenced by motives of
deep diplomacy in keeping Commodore's
wings thus clipped. As bringer OF water
and "bresh" he WAS invaluable TO her in her
occupation as laundress for the guests AZ tho
Chalybeate. But DIES lem me CIV him par
clo'es." she reflected. AN he'd be des same
rs bird out de- cago. couldn't never keep
i'm of de big road
In cold weather Commodore's wardrobe
had the addition Of pair or SO OF very re-
markable pants. put together with the cium-
siest possible stitches. and cut by Aunt Dllsys
eye But they wero never sufficiently pre-
sontable te enable him to appear at school, a
circumstance which the little darkey deeply
deplored
Aunt Dilsy. however. considered education
for the colored people, doubt dey was
gwine 10 be preachers or zorters' entirely
superfluous. Desc here book WORKS" she
was wont 10 say don't do nOthin' 'cep'
make nggers no count and trifiin'." As
might have been expected these unfashion-
able sentiments rendered. her unpopular with
her neighbors, while poor little Commodore
was the target for many cruel jests from de
school chillen." Il 'clar, boy" they would
say with eXasperatlng "Haw. haws.' wheh
coming upon him in the woods, you looks
zackly like desc here sabbage folks whar dey
tells bout in de geography"
Commodore felt his superiority 70 them IN
some things. however lie could peat tbein
climbing, he was certain, and as lie hltted
about beneath the forest trees, picking mp the
fallen branches. his brain was busly engaged
in evolving q secret. half-fOrlned plan.
A ,rreagel Volp he had heard. with a ten
dollar note tied 10 the end Of il, was 70 be
erected on Saturday in front OF the principal
hotel at the Chaly beate. On the afternoon
Of that day the cclored boys in the neighbor-
hood were invited 70 assemble upon the lawn
and exhibit their skill in climbing for tho
amusement Of the guests. the successful con-
testant receiving, as his reward, the sum above
mentioned.
The last stick was laid upon the pile, and
az Commodore gathered all together and
locked his fingers firmly across the irregular
bundle the vague schemes and aspirations
which had foated through his brain crystal
lied into fixed aud distinct purpose. II
you gets dc money to buy EN- wid. you KIN
hab en-" Aunt Dilsys words kept repeat
ing themselves in his mind Despite her
many infirmities she was mighty good to her
word. l." and Commodore had no doubt put
that she would keep her promise to him lie
WAS very happy in this assurance, and IN the
bright hopes conjured up 10y his own imagi-
nation: and as he hurried in the direction OF
home. he broke into song. making the woods
vocal with one of Aunt Dllsy's iayontehymns
Wander comes ole Noah.
Hallcluyal Hallcluyal
Oh, ynnder comes ole Noah,
Haleluyn Halleluyai
And how yOu know II is ole Noah7
Hhloluyal Halleluya
Cause | see de yark o promise.
lIaloluya! Halleluyai
Yandcr comes 10 Angel Gabriel,
Ilaeluya Halleluyal
Oh. yandcr comes tho Angel Gabriel
Halleuya, IIalleluya
And how YOU know hits the Angel Gabrcl?
Halleuya, llallelnya.
Cause see his brazen trumpet
HaleuyA IIalleluya!
Saturday evening proved bright md sun
shiny. All nature seemed III sympathy with
the festive occasion The sun looked down
with the benigncst 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's cabin, and
fit across the fields aud down unfrequented
paths toward the same spot.
The route Commodore had chosen brought
him TO the rear of the back buildings.
Here. fearing that hc might be observed by
some Of the waters and driven from the
grounds, he paused II moment and surveyed
the scene from behind friendly tree. but
there was no danger Of detection. Outhouscs
and kitchens were silent and deserted The
servants. great and small. pressed close TO the
throug about the pole giving the inner circle
Of white the appearance of beng surrounded
bv black border Having convinced him
self that the coast was clear. Commodore
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 con-
testants stood in a group apart, huddled to-
gether like q flock of black sheep.
"Dess look at dem fool niggers.' he chuck
led, rs he noted their stil shoes aud heavy
| coats "Dey mus be want 10 let de white
| folks know dey's got some shoes"
Times up. called out a burly, red-faced
| man. glancing at the watch he held open in
| his hand, and speaking 10 - crestiallon little
| darkey, who after various Intellectual al
tempts to scale the slippery ascent, had slid
| den helplessly 10 the ground.
| The ten dollars seemed destined to he re-
! stored to the pockets OF those who had con-
| tributed it. One 10y one the contestants
sirove to gain the lofty height. their clumsy
| efforts ehciting pcals Of laughter from the
| spectators. One by one, disappointed and
! Inundated. they abandoned the contest, and