The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1894-07-15
jocks LII BOY.

"
best chopper havo. Can't you wait till
next weck?"
Jock looked down ut mo q little re-
proachfully I thought.
"I'zc blecgcd ter go, boss, he said dc
cisively. Il done tolo yo' my LIP boys
wuss. Marg'ct's Tobc jes' fetched mo dc
news. I'd like pow full ter hep yo' all,
but l jcs' caynt, don yo' sec?'
Very we'll" answered irritably as
1 opened my pockctbook and counted out
the money duo him. "Only don't come
whining around after moro work. can't
be forever taking on new hands and learn
ing them the ropes. I want mon who will
stand by me
spoke rather moro vehomcntly than 1
meant to- but | liked Jock and was very
unwilling to have him go. He had only
been with nc II few weeks, but was al
ready worth any two mon 1 had Consid-
crably over 6 feet in height and strong
and massive in proportion he was at once
fertile in cXrcdicnts and perfectly obcdicnt
TO orders. These two unusual attributes
were what had recommended him TO me
In the first place, for my experience with
negroes had taught mo that they were
usually dull and shiftlcss. But Jock was
different from any man I had ever met
white or black. He was an indcfatigablc
hunter and fisherman, and there was not n
bird or beast or phase of wood life with
which he did not seem to be familiar. And
his familiarity was not that of Ignorance
i was often astonishcd ut the stray bits of
scientific information which came uncon-
sciously from his lips. He never seemed
to get weary, and out of work hours was
usually off in the woods or busy about
the campfire. Most of our game was
caught by him during the night, and in
deed most of 1t was prepared by him also
for he seemed to know more about cook
ing than our camp boy himself. Nearly
every day he brought me delicious stew
or roast which he had prepared himself
and always presented it with some such
remark rs, DE doctor show me bout
dis, or, Dis de way de doctor done hit"
was thinking rcgrctfully of these extra
dishes rs turned my instrument around
and sighted back over the line. Every
thing was all right, and 1 signalcd the
rear man to come forward. AS l took out
my field book to make some notes / was
conscious of slight touch on my shoulder.
What not gone yet?'' I asked
No boss; 1 cayn't go dis away Eff
aln't como back no mo-, dom wan yo'
think oh me ms no count niger jcs'
'blccgcd ter 60"
''Oh, that's all right" I answered, a
little ashamed of my i'll temper. You
needn't mind what I said about not com
ing back. | was out OF sorts. If have II
place, 1 shall be glad to take YOU on any
time "
The black face cleared instantly.
"T'ank 20, boss! Tank yo' sab!
like yo all's wuk. Yo'sc dc bes' boss TIC
had, cct'n dc doctor.'
I glanced down the line The rear man
was fully one fourth of mile away and
walking slowly. 1t would be 10 minutes
before he would arrive. slipped the field
book into my pocket and sat down upon
stump.
WHO is this doctor you arc forever
talking about, jock" 1 asked 81 am
| getting curious about him."
| Jocks face became grave once more
fancied I could SEQ tears glistcning in his
| eyes
Hes dc bcs' man dat cher lib, sab; dc
bcs' man dc good Gawd cher made. been
his body sarbcnt for 10 year, an wuk for
him. an watch obcr him, an nuss him.
watch him so almos' know W. at he t'inll
bout. He didn't hab no folks nowhars,
an he ulster say dat war his'ns family.
Ho TUX me in dc woods wen no hunt
bugs an things, an he TUX me in dc city
wen he wuk for de pore folks. Ho done
|
How came you to leave him?'
Il didn't leabe him, sab; he done lef'
me. De good Gawd TUX him. Wen do yal
Ter fever bruk out, he wuk night an day,
lax he alters do. Mos eberybody git outen
do city, but dc pore folks halter stay, an
de doctors an muses. halter stay ter look
arter EN-. DR.. Hatton stan hit for seben
week, den he TUX de fever an die"
DIR. Hatton!' 1 exclaimed. 'That
name sounds familiar
''Co'so hit do, sab. De papers war full
oh hit De doctor war rich man, an he
dono glib bofc his life an money to de
cause. reckon dc whole worl done hear
bOut'n him. He wuk night an day, all de
time, an ncbbcr fought oh res"
And you remained with him through
It ALP asked.
lob cosc!'' jock answered simply.
'Da doctor lowed war good hep. l war
big an strong an could wuk roun IN lif'
dc sicl, folks
".Inl YOU Gitn't get he fcvcr?''
no, .#ii' slowing his teeth Il little.
Il rcgl:oi. dis Iiss.crs skin too tick for
foyer az i..ou. Wcn Dc doctor die, l hab
no wuk, 80 ! nuss roua ill dc winter
come an brc,i dc fever. Den pick up all
tie DOCTORS tings. Io' Sec" his voice
growing low and t1cnulous, dc doctor
| t'iiN ioiN INV s'ii '''iHN NIX lc Hap ici
an buy me II III home somcwhar. I git
TO hundred dollar an come isaway. Yo'
know"
l nodded. had often seen and admired
Jocks little vine covered cottage and
wondered ut his exquisite tasto in shrubs
md flowers. On one occasion had met
him walking bnok and forth, grooming
some strange africa melody to pitifn
mite Of hurianity in his arms. Pcrl.0p