The Press., 1894-02-08

mixed up wid dem sum CT desc days, en den you see W at hit es ter be loos' 'en free.''
 To be loose and freel The major fixed his eyes upon the old negro as he produced tin platters from his kit an the smoking viands, humble but savory, from the frying pan. The words haunted him, and as the smoke arose there fioated upon his vision pie lures of boyhood s escapades. Isam had belonged to him from his own infancy. though for the first Is years the ques- tion of ownership seemed altogether unsettled, for the negro was five or six years the senior. How they had hunt ed and strayed off and set gums for rab- bits and snares for birds and robbed nests! Loose and freel Old Isam sur veyed with proud satisfaction the ma ior's fierce attack upon the morning meal.
 'sDere ain no spring chick'n en der pan,'' he said sententiously, but CT fuss rate app'tit kin git des' es good CT grip on CT flip CT bacon es hit kin on CT yaller leg chicken. y
 '.There is something in that. said the major. "Get your flip, yon I..rI rascal, and go to eating.' But l.'.sl. shook his head.
 .No, sah. Wen CT nigg'r feeds. r. don wan no w'ite folks ro,ln. II wan ter git off en mop de pan 'thout tract 'tention ter hisse'f.
 "It seems to me" said the major. as he transferred another flip of bacon to his platter, that it must be mighty hard for an honest nigger to live com fortably out her,.
 Isam s face took on look of personal injury. ...
 "Er homes nigg'r,'' he said, stirring up the ashes and inserting fresh cake, '.don' eat no mo out hyah den he do at home, not bit. Rashuns es rashuns ennywhar you fine 'em. En hear say," he continued significantly, "w'en folks goes CT wis tin dey don 'quire es ter de year marks uv de pig. wen back bone en spar ribs en chine es sot out. "
 "Your idea of etiquette is perfectly sound, lsam.
 '.En der only time wen folks w'at's vis'tin got CT right ter git der backs up es wen de gem man feed 'esse'f high en feed t others low.''
 With an air of dignity the old negro gathered up the remnants of the spread, the major having finished and retired to allay the bangs of an increased appetite, but he was doomed to further delay. A most profane ejaculation fell from the majors lips and came to his ears.
 "Des' es said, dere 'tis ergin--ter- packer now." He put aside the repast and grumblingly investigated the kit once more. "En l reck'n ven he see dis yer bag CT terbacker he go'n ter want hits ped gree all way back
 Nevertheless he produced it, with a handful of corncob pipes, and cutting a reed stem handed to the major the fin est smoking outfit in the world. As Isam skillfully balanced a glowing coal upon the little heap of tobacco he con- cluded:
 ''Somehow nuther sump'n said bout time de runaway noshun struck in, 'Isam, you go'n ter see com ny terday, and hits go'n ter be Mass Craffud, so des laid in CT bag spesh'ly fur m. y
 u0 uAO" HI anu C<A- pelled a cloud of smoke. He contented himself with saying, You are very thoughtful, and laughing softly to himself Isam retired to his meal. As he finished and stuffed his own cob pipe full of natural leaf'' and perique-- brought along especially for his master -Isam cast his eye skyward.
 Mos 10 CT clock. Mus be movin out CT hyah. Bimeby overseer en houn be Tong in CT hurry. Got ter git whar meat es thicker too. Dat bacon en hoe cake hard ter beat, but dey don half fill de bill wid CT run way nigg'r. Des wait twell we git CT mess CT redbelly en brim, en 1 reck'n sho' huff de fun go'n ter b'gin ter start. Time we uz go'n, Mass Craffud."
 The major rose and followed cheer fly. skirting the swamp, Isam soon found a hog path, and presently the runaways came in sight of the river. A batteau was tied up in little branch near by, and in it lay an ax and a paddle.
 ''Isam,'' said the major as he clam bered in, "how does it happen that you find boat and ax all ready here, and the runaway notion only struck you just be- fore day this morning?"
 Isam shook his head as he chuckled:
 Hit ain de rite time CT day ter 'splain t'ings, Mass Craffud. Dere aim no tellin wat time dem houn s go'n ter strike CT hot trail, en de tree dat you kin cline aim go'n ter lif' you out'n de reach uv dog." The little boat, propelled by vigorous strokes, shot out into the river, and gliding under the willows bore its passengers swiftly down stream.
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