The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1894-11-15

count had she ministered to Sis Betsey;
more times had her husband "aninted
de oniiest laig' Of Unc' Owens with
''karoseme an needs foot ile'' for the
rheumatism; more times when the two
ailing old folks were unable to prepare
their meals, had their neighbors split
up light wood and cooked yittles'' for
them. No wonder that gratitude, old
ties, and old recollections bound the
two families together so closely, that
Sis Venus pet grandchild, little Owens,
scarcely knew which of the couples to
love best.
All things have an end, and as Unc'
Owens bent over his suffering '.ole
oman the tears rolled down his fir
rowed face, for he saw that she was
nearing her end. cole 'oman," he said
gently, "doan you know me?" She soft
ly whispered, "Dat I does, honey"
docs you know Sis Venus? An dozen
you want Knchen to be saunt arfter to
sing an prayY' No answer. "Gin her
some brandy" said Kinchen, who at
this moment entered the room and ap-
preached the bedside The stimulant
revived her for awhile, and then it was
that she told Of the angels she saw
standing at the foot Of the bed, beckon-
ing and waving to her, and pointing up
to the great white throne. Then she
asked all three, her husband, Venus,
and Kinchen, to bend low while she
made Sis Venus and Kinchen promise
to take her husband to their home and
to take care Of him the rest Of his days.
CLEAR ontwen de angels come after my
ole man, back dey done come after his
ole oman" They promised, dear, sim
ple-hearted old creatures, and earnestly
intended to keep their promise.
AS soon as the funeral was over Unc'
Owens bed was put in the best Of the
two rooms that formed Kinchin's
home; little Owens was detailed to wait
on him; he was well and tenderly cared
for; his breeches were patched and his
socks darned in a way that even the
angels might have approved.
But all things have an end, and the
end of this happy condition Of things
was brought about by the blandish-
ments Of yellow Nancy, who, in the in
tervals during which Sis Venus was
obliged by her work to be absent from
the cabin, would drop in and give the
old man toddy, so that it became at
last the joy Of his life to hear her foot
steps and her CHEEKY greetings. Good
morning. Mr.. Owens. It does me good
to set eyes on you; you's handsomer
to-day than any of the young men is.
You ought not to hide yourself in Venus
Ramy's cabin; you ought to go about
among the folks and enjoy yourself.
You are distinguished man Mr..
Owens. You are the onliest man in the
neighborhood who ever saw General
Grant and got a pension by fighting for
the liberties of your color. That's the
reason I brung you over some black
berry wine. I wants to know, Mr..
Owens, if you won't go over to my
house tomorrow and spend the day,
if comes after you in a carriage, and
treats you like the hero you is. Please
say yes,' she said, seating herself be-
side him and taking one Of his cold,
withered hands in her smooth, yellow
ones. II wants you to come mighty
bad," and she peered lovingly into his
wrinkled, wizened old face. wont
you Gomez"
II dunno, Nancy. I feels like wants
to go, but Sis Venus say"
"No matter what she say. Don't