The Monticellonian., 1895-02-22

 warm and soft, and all Woodville was excited over the coming Washington birthday celebration. There was to be a procession of the military and civic organizations, and the eloquent young lawyer, Howell Marton, of Richmond, would deliver eulogy upon the great patriot and soldier.
 There had been no commemoration of the day since the war, and the Wood villeites felt that it reflected upon the patriotism of good Virginians to suffer so important an event to go by unno- ticed. All the neigh ghboring towns mani fested 6 lively interest in the coming ceremonies, which promised to be of exceptional importance.
 This Is why old Mizraim Temple was moving about so restlessly over the plan tation of his former master, Col. Elton Temple. The orator of the day was to be the guest of the Temples, who lived but two miles from the Yil- lage, and Mizraim, who had Loyalty re- mained upon the old place after eman- eipation, felt that all the responsibil- ities and duties of the coming event rested upon hlS shoulders.
 Old Mizraim, his wife Dinah, who later passed to her reward, and his daughter Piney were the only ones of the old servants who lived on with their master, the hundreds of others scattering In every direction after they were set free.
 "Marser needs me, m I ain gwine; nuther's you, Dinah."
 "Who done said I wuz?" demanded Dinah, indignantly.
 Piney grew up under her mothers care, was taught all the mysteries of her skillful cookery and succeeded the old woman when she died Piney de- spised the "Lincoln-freed niggers," as she termed them, and as there were no others whereabouts she had remained single.
 As Mizraim and Piney stood under a big magnolia that grew near the kitch- 5en door, the old man scratched his gray locks and said: "Piney, huccum dey meek sich CT furse erbout Ginrul Wash in tons bufday?"
 The daughter endeayored to explain the part taken by the immortal hero In the struggle for independence, conclud- ing with
 He was the Father of His Country, paw
 De farder of all dis yere country, pol white trash an all2 Den, lawsamussy, eff I wuz him I'd be p'inted ershamod CT myself. 1 don see no use CT bufdays pohow. Dey just naterly keep on CT smindin' yer dat yer's ergittin' older all de time, n my aehin' bones done tells me dat. Whuh Ginrul Washin ton tib?p
 Why, paw, he's been daid jamby CT hunnerd years"
 "G1ong, gall Den white folks is bigger fools den I fought. Waiter good gwine dc ter him n he daid?"
 ''It's to larn the Twin how good he Muz an how he fou't an saved this country 'n'-"
 Look CT here, gal, does yer teck me fer CT fool? Did he do all CT dis yere on his bufday? Den whatter dey wanter hab 1t on datter day? But I jisser don mechin' myself sick worryin' ober de foolishness CT white folks. Shet up, Piney, shet up. Oar come Miss Gracey now"
 The old negro pulled off his some what battered hat and began to bow and scrape in acknowledgment of the presence of most beautiful and charm ing young woman, who smiled pleas antly upon him and his eurtseying daughter.
 "Now, Uncle Mizraim, you know we do have to depend upon you. Can't you get us some nice fish and gamer Ton know we shall have company on the Twenty-second."
 'Yaas'm, Miss Gracey, yaas'm, I know, but yer see hits booty soon fer de shad n hurrin' n ruther late fer fat wil' tuckey. I thought git-'
 ''l knew you would, Uncle Mizraim. lam especially anxious that everything shall be pleasant and nice and am sure you will make an extra effort to please me-"
 .Datter de way" grumbled Mizraim, when the young lady had passed on Hits Mizurm dis n Mizurm dat, n Mizurm tother," and he went off nut tering
 La, paw 'ould be mis'able eff he couldn' complain. $ eff I didn' know he druther be in muss nur eat" laughed Piney, as she entered her realm.
 Elton Temple was an old-school Vir- ginia gentleman, whose blood was blue as indigo and ran unsullied back to noble lords in old England. He was disposed to regard with great favor the marked preference shown his daughter by the gifted young lawyer who would be his guest in a day or two. Marton family was as ancient as his own and more than once the blood of that line had blended in marriage with that of the Temples.
 Col Temple was very proud, yet very worthy and upright man. He had served the south faithfully during its secession struggle, and at the close of hostilities surrendered in good faith, becoming obedient unto the laws, Without repining he accepted the results of battle, bearing up brave ly under the loss of negroes, stocks, bonds, otes, depreciation in land val ues,. etc., and resumed his planter life under the changed conditions, dealing justly by the freedmen as he formerly had acted humanely to his slaves
 Washington was his apotheosis. One of his male ancestors had married Was ashington and he gloried in the con nection. It was largely through his in- haenee that the cele bration of the hero's natal day was determined upon, and it was upon his advice that ynnno Marion