Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1893-07-23
How Aunt Patsy Found Young Marster.
For the Dispatchl


The little town of Ashland. in old HanO-
yer. with ITS level meadows its number
less trees. Its pretty, shaded homes, lay
basklnC one afternoon in the glow OF the
setting sun.
A group of people had gathered about
the railroad station TO await the home
coming ot the accommodation tram
from Richmond, for on this train were
fathers, sons, husbands, and brothers,
whose duties carried them every day 10
the CITY. and 1t was merry welcome they
received when they came home III the
cool of the quiet summer evening.
The little group stood there rather list
lessiy, when some one suddenly e1-
claimed: There's Aunt Patsy at last"
and everybody turned 10 look at hgure
that was approaching as fast "a age and IN
trinity would permit. 1t was an OLD
negro woman, neatly clad IN g blue cotton
gown, "a wi,lte handkerchief crossed on
her bosom and an ample turban upon her
head completing her costume. She was
old and decreplt, but she bore herself
with dignity worthy of the first fam-
lies" What Q kindly, wrInkled old face
she had
No one knew how many generations of
young marsters, and mlstlsses had oeep
hushed upon her, motheriy bosom; tor
Aunt Patsy said she was " mos as ole as
Glneral Washington" and many OF her
friends were inclined to believe her.
Just as she reached the station the train
came putting in and the fathers, the hus-
bands. and the brothers, with q small
sprinking of mothers. wives, and sisters,
who had gone down that day " 10 do allt-
tie shopping" came pouring forth. Aunt
Patsy stood Il little aside tll the
crowd had somewhat dispersed; then
she approached the conductor and asked
anxiously. "Captln', has you seen any
thing o. young Marster, ylt l thought
he'd suttlngly come terday." How eagerly
she peered into his face as she asked the
Question and awaited the answer. No,
Aunt Patsy. | haven't seen him yet" The
old woman's eyes filled with tears as she
dropped an old-fashioned courtesy and
said Thank YOU, marster." and went
slowly away toward her lonely cabin.
A stranger IN the little town would not
have observed anything especially inte-
resting or unusual in this scene. but to
those familiar with the facts there was n
strange pathos about the question 80
earnestly asked. Every dav at sunset,
winter and summer, cold or hot, rain or
shine, just that same dialogue took place.
1t was sixteen weary years since the close
of the war, but every day Aunt Patsy had
met the evaning train and asked about
Young Marster."
There was not much to tell--just the
same old story written in blood and tears
in so many homes in the South. Young
Marster's " people had lived on plantation
IN old Hauoyer-from the station one
could almost see the great house-and
Aunt Patsy had been fsvorite slave and
for many year the nanny of the chill
dren.
Before the war began the girls had mar
ried and gone and when the call for men
came there was no one at home except the
old people and Young Marster," then only
a lad. How the mother prayed that the
war might spare her boy But the fever
was Gin his blood; men were falling
on every side, and he could not stay.
Al last. even mothers love could no
longer DENY him to his country; so be
rode away one morning with q smile on
his boyish face. he scofed at danger, and
promising to whip the Yankees" and be
home again before the leaves were gold
gave a gay goodbye to the weeping group
and was gone.
Then, indeed. did evil times come upon
those a. home. odd Master died heart
broken that his aged arm could not strike
blow tor his country's cause, and the
two women struggled on. In that house.
where song and laughter and teastlng had
been the order of the day, Old Misses
and her faithful slave toiled hard for the
necessities of life. At length the burden
grew too heavy, and Aunt Patsy was LETT
alone. Take good care of Young Master.
Patsy; he will be home some day" were
the dying words OF the mother.
Time went on. The war closed, but
Young Marster" did not come. Weeks
heightened into months and years, but
the faithful old woman still waited for
him. What visions came TO her poor
dazed brain of his return When Young
Msrster" came the strangers would 60 away
from the great house--life. brightness.
happiness. and the good old times would
come again.
People SAID that she was crszed with
those weary years OF pain and grief. But
her faith was strong. "Ole Missis" bad
told her to take care of her boy, and he
had said that be would come home soon.
80. through the long years she had met
the evening train with the patient ques-
ton, Has you seen young Marster YETI"
Alas, in a nameless soldiers grave
Young Marster" was sleeping his last
sleep! His brave boys heart had ceased
its throbbing in one OF those fierce fights
that ragged "'round Richmond" and old
msmmy's waiting was forever in VAIN.
One evening at sunset Aunt Patsy sat IN
her cabin. door gazing toward the glowing
western sky. when the old. familiar sound
OF the approaching train reached her ears.
She tired to rise, but the weary feet could
no longer obey her will. Stretching out
her arms toward the station she exclsim-
ed: Young Msrster will suttingly come
terday. Mammy's bin waitIn' ter him so
long Then, dropping back in herseha :. 7
she closed her tired old eyes forever.
Aunt Patsy had followed "Young Mars
teri when the evening train came in.
MARGARET BUCHANAN YEArTs.
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