Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1892-04-07

uteIS would pause IN their meal and
pun themselves out. and spread their
tails. and throw their crimson heads
back against their shining feathers, and
proudly strut forward and backward, to
the admiration doubtless of their mates.
Turkeys were the young lady's spe-
cialty, and on them alone of all the deni.
zens OF the poultry yard did she bestow
her personal attention From the thrill
ing moment in early spring when she
scrubbed the date of its arrival on the
first egg until the full grown birds were
handed over to Aunt Rachel to he fat
tened for the cable. the turkeys were her
particular charge. and each morning
and afternoon saw her sally forth, armed
with pan full of curds. or loaf of
brown bread for her flock.
Her usual attendant on these occasions
was little colored boy named Sawney
the last OF line of Sawneys extend.
ing back to the dining room servant Of
Pocahontas' reat-grandmother The
economy IN nomenclature on a southern
plantation in the olden time was worthy
of Dandie Dinmont himself The Saw
ney IN question was grandson of Aunt
Rachel and an utterly abominable little
darky, inky black. grotesque and spoiled
TO degree. He was devoted to Poca.
hontas and much addicted to following
her about, wherever She would allow
him. At feeding time he ALWAYS ap-
peared as duly as the turkeys, for Poea-
hontas never forgot TO put biscuit or a
lump of sugar in her pocket for him.
With the largest black gobbler Sawney
was on terms Of deadly enmity; for on
more than one occasion had his precious
biscuit been plucked from his unsns-
picious hand aud borne away in triumph
by the willy bird. Half of feeding time
was usually consumed by Sawney in
throwing small stones at his enemy,
who, as he was never by any chance
snitten, would raise his head from time
to time and gobble his assailant to
scorn.
On this particular morning there had
been lull in the feud. Sawney had de-
vourea his biscuit unmolested and had
offered no gratuitous insults to his foe.
Pocahontas having emptied her basket
was watching her flock with interest
and admiration, wien Berkeley made
his appearance on the porch with let
ter in his hand. He seemed in hurry
and called to his sister impatiently.
Look here, Princess" he said, as she
joined him, there's letter from Jim to
old Aunt Violet, his NANNY He told
me he had promised the old woman TO
write to her. 1t came with my mail
this morning. and haven't time to go
over to Shirley and read it to her; |
wish you would. She's too poorly to
come after it herself, so put on your
bonnet and step over there now, like
good girl"
''Step over there. indeedr' laughed
Pocahontas. How insinuatingly you
put it, Aunt Vi'let's cabin is way over
at Shirley; half mile beyond Jim
Byrd's line fence
General Smiths line fence. you
mean. wish you'd 90, Princess.
There's money in the letter, and don't
want to send it by the negroes. prom
ised Jim we'd look after ne old woman
for them. The girls want her to come
to Richmond. but she won't consent TO
quit the old place She hasn't any chill
dren Of her own, you know.
Pocahoutas extended her hand for the
letter She ought to 20 to Richmond |
aud live with Belle or Nina. she said,
it into her pocket. Shed die
of inconsistencies way ont in California
with Susie. | wonder whether the new |
people will let her stay at Shirley
"Oh. yes Jim made every arrange
nent when lie found she wouldn't con
vent to move. He had an understanding
with General Smith about the corner of
land her cabin stands on; reserved it, or
leased it. or something. It's all right.
Always kind. always considerate,
thought the girl wistfully, even amid
the pain and hurry of departure-the
sundering of old ties--fnaing time to
care for the comfort of his old nurse.
Good, faithful Jim.
'sHave the new people Gomez sue call
ed after her brother. as he disappeared
within the house.
Il don't know. rather think they
nave lie dDSWfitu- bObi1Sh oAhOht |
rising from the kitchen chimney this
Ask Aunt Rachel-the ne
groes are sure to know
Pausing moment at the kitchen door
TO request the servants to inform her
mother that she had walked over to
Shirley TO read letter to old Aunt
vi'let, and would be home in an hour or
70, Pocahontas set ont on her expedition,
never noticing that little Sawney. with
nuttered Me divine, too, was reso-
utely following her. The way led along
. pleasant country road, as level as
able, which ran, with scarcely bend
,r turning, straight from the Masons'
pack gate over to the ancient home of
he Byrd family at Shirley. Overhead
he interlacing branches of oak and mag
iolia trees made a gorgeous canopy OF
ylossy green and russell, and the sunshine
iltering through the leaves embroidered !
he old road with an intricate pattern OF