The National tribune., 1892-12-15

and impressed with his natural intelligence and
quaint philosophy He even afterwards came to
live in family. and as came in closer con-
tact with him, ihe beauties of his mind and fine
nature expanded and grew.
His father and mother were slaves, and he used
to tell about their life and how their little family
was separated and each sold to a different master
The anguish OF the poor mother and the heart
broken father and grief-stricken children was
depicted with eloquence and vividness that
would have made him famous before any bar in
the country.
He described his Southern home with such care
fully elected words that it all was pictured before
you and you were impressed with his wonderful
descriptive powers Then his love of nature.
music poetry and art Was strong. his powers of
eloqueBce and oratory great, and his ideal and
ligious nature far above the average divine that
breaches the gospel to US.
And yet he called ignorant and uneducated
by those who only knew him old slave who
did little jobs about The house and barn and talked
and sang great deal.
III education is measured by the number of books
have read Then he surely was woefelly igno-
rant. But if educated man is one who has
wel-siored mind and who retains what he hears
and sbsorbs and observes, than our dear old Will
liam educated. His manners were polite and
courteous. his thoughts lofty and elevated. his
nlcnt sound.
He was fond Of lectures and sermons and could
report about word for word what he heard, and
turned il and over in his mind until it was
thoroughly assimiiaied. If he went to n concert
he could retain the music aud hum any tune he
heard. He was fond of art, and visited art stores
and came home with ali excitement over the lovely
pictures that must buy for our home. His
analysis OF and women was keen and scath-
ing. and he seldom made mistake.
Soon after William came to we children began
TO teach him 10 read aud to write his name. How
proud he when lie could write William
Miles" without "A copy and in imitation of the
childish, cramped hand that set him the copy.
After that he had many important business mat
tiers that demanded his signature which he wrote
with swelling pride and gratitude.
In q short time he could read chapters in the
Bible partly by picking out the letters but mostly
ia imitation with the aid of his wonderful memory
William had been a soldier. and belonged 10 a
Grand Army Post and was loved and retted by
bs comrades. One day he came home in the
greatest excitement. lie had been elected Chap
lain Of tie Post. aud his heart was bursting
with pride aud gratitude. Ia a short time by hay
iBg us resd the Ritual few times, he was master
Of it, and could repeat the entire contents of the
book, TO the special services OF Memorial
Day.
Those who attended the Memorial services of
Ford Post, Toledo. o.. in 1899, will never forget it.
One scene il so deeply impressed that / write
the picture stands out ia bold relief
The comrades. in full uniform stand around the
fower-bedecked graves OF their dead The solemn
dirge from the band has ceased and all eyes are
turned toward the tail form OF the Chapain who
stands little apart from the rest. with his black
face agiow with religious fervor and his eyes Shin
ing with spiritual light. His rich, full, plaintiye
voice rises and falls with eloquent expression a. he
repeats without aid of book the long beautiful
prayer Of Memorial Day.
You will ali wonder what has become of William
and If he lives, has gone join the majority Of
his comrades.
II you will visit the Soldiers Home at Saudusky
O., aud inquire for Chaplain William Miles, he will
greet you With hearty bandshske. aud will say:
Bless that child did she write about met"