The National tribune., 1892-12-01

u %S/>T| which he dNelt anu
>sS~CW when the tidings of his
sudden decease became
generally circulated there was much wallinS
abroad in the land. His cabin was soon
thronged with visitors and lamenting friends
from all parts Of Green Turtle Bayou, who
had hurried in 10 pay their last sad respects
TO the memory of Exodus SarcoNie.
About a half score OF friends volunteered to
remain and set up with the corpse, which was
not to be inferred until the following after
noon.
Among those holding this solemn vigil was
the good mans favolite niece. Miss Venus
Louisa SaTcoxie, who had come 40 miles from
her home Up in the bills to gaze her last upon
the venerable face Of her uncle.
Miss Venus was maiden past so, with
stout. Totund figure, and a crown OF Jetty
kinks covering a head always held detiantly
and proudly high Like all of her race she
did not look her age. and had not her friends
possessed fertile memories. she might easily
have passed for 20. But Miss Sarcoxie had
no ambition to appear younger than she really
was The ridicule of being an old maid had
never disturbed leT. Her intimates had al
WAYS feared her caustic tongue too much TO
attempt passing Jokes with her on her age.
Ten wears before Venus had passed several
happy months in the Rev. SarcoXie's house
hold assisting his wife in various domestic
duties. At the same time Job Robson Mrs.
Sarcoxie's nephew from Alabama, was en-
plOyed 10 helpwith the cotton and the yams on
the little cultivated patch over on the hillside.
Job and Venus. thrown almost constantly
together, formed warm attachment foI each
other. AT every campmeeting, or place OF
amusement which she attended, the Alabama
4. H. ,s,I
up dancing and Joined her uncle's church. the
lover followed suit; and il, as his associates
dared assert. Job had gal religion y the
time had been when he made some powerful
prayers.
Job and Venus with the full approval Of
uncle and aunt became engaged TO be married.
But a trifiing quarrel ruffied the surface of
their stream of love. aid they foolishly drifted
into the fmgid sea OF estrangement.
Despite the honest, If blundering, efforts of
the Rev. and Mrs. Sarcoxie to bring about
reconciliation between the separated lovers,
the gulf widened and the engagement was de-
clared of. Venus returned to her home
among the hills, and Job consoled himself by
hacl1sliding and going with other dusky
bellies of Green Turtle Bayou.
Venus Sarcoxie had never married. but Job
took for a wife one of the sable daughters of
the neighborhood, and for eight years he had
been wretchedly hen-pecFed. AT last death
had removed his dark Xantippe, and the
young widower was again strutting about
with all the freedom of man rid of an in
cubus which had numerically held him
pinned to the wall for eight remorseless
years.
Now, Job Robson, too, was one of the
watchers at the SaTcoxie cabin. Since their
L.
had not met Although they had brushed
against each other in the cabin, had shed tears
side by side over the pastors dead body, they
had not spoken to each other.
Venus went out doors and sat down on
bench in the moonlight. Job had been to
the spring for a bucket of fresh water.
Having deposited his burden on table near
the door, and having quaffed literally from
big gourd dipper, he remarked:
Miss Venus, beliebe, !" and he approached
her
Venus looked up from her meditation.
81 low no ones aimin' to hinder yo's from
beliebin' it's she returned unencouragingly.
Job had been through the mill. He had
been subjected to far sharper things from
woman's tongue than that else he might
have gone away without making further at
tempt TO open conversation, for Miss Sar-
coxie's tone was decidedly cool
But vo's must membeh dat it's been er
pow while sence done saw yo's las, Miss
Venus, he pursued in his most differential
manner. Couldn't be quite sho' dat it was
yo's, till yo' speak. Yo's hain't changed
much in all desc yeahs, 'cept to grow mo-
beautifuller."
Don't yo's tink Use changed much? ?"
she asked, halfplacated by his seductive
compliment. But, quickly resolving not to
be won over 50 easily, she changed her tone:
Well, Job Robson, Use plumb unable to
'cipnocate de compliment to yo's. Yo's
changed TO de wuss right sma't
= knowledge / has, Miss Venus" said
the lank widower, his voice sad and reflective
. il done meks er man ole an bony To- his
time te be hitched wild woman who nags
sll de time"
low yo's done married Tidy Jefferson
wild bofe yo's eyes open. Yo's was in fo' de
Kitchen much as she was. Yo's needn't
blame de woman all, Job Robson"
No, don't blame her all, Venus We
uns wasn't signed fo' one ernuder, 50 Uncle
Exodus say many er time. 1t was er judg-
mint sent on me, 'cause-'cause -
Cause yo's was sech er plumb greeny, !"
she supplied, and he calmly accepted the
term without offering the slightest dissent
There lis no telling into what channel the
conversation might have drifted had not some
of the watchers just then come out of the
cabin and interrupted them.
Dem Fall pippins' mighty fine jest now, -
remarked Job. "Tll go down to de orchard
an bring yo's up some te nibble at" and
catching up large willow basket, he walked
away toward an orchard of apple and peach
trees that stood some little distance from the
cabin.
Job acts right te home hyer at Brer Sar-
coxie's," whispered Sister Johnsing to Sister
jackson, as they watched Job disappear down
the path.
He's er grit ham te 'sume 'thority.n re-
turned Sister Jackson. Reckon he's got his
eye sot on Venus now. Dey done say dat
Brer Sarcoxie lef dis place te her, cause she
am his best belobbed niece" !"
Yes, dat IS er fac'.''
It's er plumb wondeh," I" remarked one OF
the other watchers from the doorway, "dat
Job kin be injuced te leave de cabin erlone al
dis hour oh de night. Why, Job Robson am
one oh de bi2ges' scared-Ob-a-ghost yo's ebeI
seed. Cats He'd shore run like er plumb
whitehead ef he'd see suffin Gu 'ious an white.
lookin' down dar"
Yes, an it'd be jes' like de pas te be
prowlin' roun' in de sperit down dar in his
orchard, cause he was allus right sma't