New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-02-04
BY FLAvEL SCOTT MINES.

DEVELOPMENT had been at the expense OF his
physical increase Plainly stated by more IT.
revcrcnt admirers, it was because the blessings
showered upon his woolly head had been 50
many that they weighed him down and made 1t
impossible for him to rise above material level
Of four feet IIowbeit, Billings was small for his
age end systematically good. 1t was actually
painful TO see how good that boy was. rebuke
10 his elders and betters in society. lie went TO
Sunday-school twice every Sunday, evncing a
wonderful impartality by attending a shouting
minister Of his race I'm the morning and the
Episcopal mission in the afternoon. He went
year in and year Out-being neither fair
weather Christian nor Christmastide scholar
and he passed through this dual trial every
Sunday unsoa thed or undisturbcd by conflicting
doctrinal or theological questions. He reconciled
the varied teachings in some way and made con-
tnual progress in goodness and what more was
necessary?
lie was altogether too good to live. Bf-
ings asserted the women Of the household. con-
Meeting for some reason not apparent to the
male mind longevity with more or less wicked
ness 1t was useless for mankind to point to
the patrarchs to furnish instances Of age and
goodness Things were different then asserted
the weaker sex with more force than logic. APP
parently pinnng their belief to the literal inter-
probation Of the old adage which boldly declares
".hc good die young" and means something en-
tirely different. These points are worth noting,
because they were brought up in several family
controversies in re Billings
\ county in Virginia bounded Billings's world
a country house where his ancestors had been
slaves furnished his knowledge Of polite society
He was one and the youngest Of many children
and the only one Of his clan who showed any
capacity or desire for work. Morning and night
trudppd n and fro between The
Manor" and his humble cabin. Servants were
scarce: that is they We're like the birds Of the
air. and not to be caught with golden bait-so
Billings filed a large space for 50 small body
IN the mtnage of the Manor. 1t was the custom
for all the family-even the third and fourth
cousins-to gather at the old house in the
autumn. and at the end of the first six months
Of Billingss term of service the house was filled
with near and remote members Of the family. 1t
being a pleasant season, the black folk Of the
vicinity were content with the sweetness Of do
ing nothing and therefore beyond the man
Abner at the stable and Billings at the house
the household was taken in charge by the nu-
merous girls who thought it more or less fun-for
little while
Then that meek and gentle youth shone with
glory He always smiling. always agreea
bic and ever ready to stop in the middle Of one
duty to begin another, and leave that half done
at the solicitation of q third-but the marvel
was that Billings returned to his first and second
services and finished them. sigh went up each
night as the little figure started the fields
"a sigh of uneasiness lest he should fall into
the family prejudice and fail to return to work
But the sun was not more regular and Billings
would appear the next morning, find the kitchen
key hanging by string from the upper piazza
and have the fire lit and the cows MIXED by the
time the amateur cooks appeared on the scene to
set breakfast. Then during the day he al
ways in demand and ever busy The proverbia
bee himself would have worn out his wings in
accompanying Billings in his daily work.
The family consisted of six girls three mothers.
half dozen boys of all ages and fifth cousin
from New-York. This latter a young
Of thirty who did HIS best to win the approval Of
all his relatives-particulary one. This one. it
was believed was the magnet which drew him
to Virginia, he having been unaware Of her
istence until the summer previous. when they
had met in the Adirondacks. He jealous
man-Tom Ashton-and groaned at the praises
lavshed upon Billings.
You'll make him conceted" proclaimed
Tom. the oracle. that he'll be worth nothing"
"But he seldom gets word Of praise" put in
Billings's fair defenders land he surely deserves
IT.
THAT may be-" returned the young man. "but
terry the object of it is bound to become ac-
quainted with it-by absorption or telepathy or
some way. Now Grace and Nan and all the rest
do nothing but discuss Billings all day long"
you're jealous" retored Nan; maybe you'd
like to talk about YOU
"Why. yes" Tom answered with such avidity
that Nan blushed consciously and Of the
others was forced to say that "Then the remarks
wouldn't be complimentary"
II doan reckon Mr.. Ashton favors me-" drawled
Billings day while busy in the kitchen.
"'cause he never asks me 10 do nothin' for i'm"
'Now." said Nan. after repeating this remark.
what do you call that but Christian charity?
The poor atom has but one idea-that Of being
useful to somebody
so Nv Ashton. not alone for Billings's sake,
kindly permitted that youth to clean his boots
after hunting expedition and endeavored to
salve his conscience which reproachcd him for
adding to the boys labors. by a gratuity OF a
small con-which Billings accepted with so
sweet and gracious air that the rash young
tempted to double the fee. Then, after
Billings had heralded his good fortune from the
housetops. the misguided Tom was treated to a
good scoldng from all sides for attempting ito
buy the angels favor"
Great Caesar" thought the poor man after
that. what in thunder can do TO propitiate The
idol and win of the prlestesses. Must |
make love through that black angel-confound
Billings anyway" But Billings had been won and
treated Mr.. Ashton as though he were a cent?
pede and inquired hourly for boots to clean in a
most persistent manner So Billings went his
way-drawling out wise remarks on everything
and trotting here and there all errands bent
well. Billings" remarked Mr. Ashton as he
brought up his shaving water one morning, edo
you go to schoo?'
"Ye-es. sir" replied Billings. standing on one
} foot; Il do sir. Have you gawt any speakin
books?"
WHAT queried Ashton.
"speakin books. sir" said Billings slowly,
that you speak pieces from"