The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-11-06

grounds. II was there met Them. anu lSsOs-
nized the little negro hero so well known
uine treat TO see little Moses. to see his eyes
stretched with wonder, see his broad, happy
grin ON his fat, black face. Moses. ike
ropsy. lust growed," at least that has al
ways been the general belief.
Almost twelve years ago a party out on a
fish fry on Pigeon Bayou found a wee bit of
a pickaninny fast asleep in a blackberry
bush. The lady, Mrs. Martin, who first saw
the black baby, picked it up in her arms
and announced her determination to keep 1t,
unless the owner proved property. She mad
been married several years, but had no
children, and while she had never contem-
plated adopting a negro child, her heart
went out to this deserted little specimen.
and she wanted it. She carried the found
ling home. and waited with no little I'M
TO claim the child. but to her astonishment
and pleasure no one even seemed to know
anything about IL.
She became very fond of the little black
face, which lighted up whenever she came
near, and she huinored him in almost every
lning Just as she would her own child.
Wnen little Moses was seven years Cd a
little stranger came to stay with Mrs. Mar
tina boy, and her own. She expected TO
see Moses jealous. but the little darky be-
came perfectly devoted to the Martin baby,
a fact which only endeared him the more
to Mrs. Martin. Mr.. Martin was a
ana sheir home was at that time in the
WOODS. When his baby was only a few
months Old Mr.. Martin was taken II, with
swamp fever and died.
The three got on we'll until the spring
came, bringing with ii high water. Then
came the tug of war. Like all, under the
same circumstances. they had a hard time,
but no harm came TO them until the dread
cd storm broke that always ends the rise.
IL came in the night, and a storm I'm the
dead OF night IN an cid frame building al
most afioat Is a fearful thing. Mrs. Martin
threw herself out of bed, clutched with one
hand her s.x-morths'-osd babe. with the
other her faithful little Moses. and to-
gether they stood waiting for the outcome.
Sarfraf n ron frncC fell aQrnCG thu roof
crushing ii in. and then the wind entered
and aid it's work. The lightly built old
house rocked. careened and went over.
After p hard battle Mrs. Martin found
herself splashing in the water. clutching
With the aid of the lightning she reached
a log and climbed upon IL. Ere she had
time TO take a breath a limb fell across the
log. 1t lurched and she was alone-little
Morning came and found her in the boat
of a fisherman. He had picked her up more
dead than alive. The two went in search
of the children. neither with much hope OF
finding them.
Before they had gone a half mile some
thing attracted their attention. Ii APP
peared to be a child asleep on a log. And
so IL was-not one. but two-Moses and
soses. scarcely breathing. was
wedged between two large timbers, his
face just above water and one hand hold
ing like a vice to little Paul to save him
from being drowned. Paul was soon re-
viyed. but the faithful little negro was SO
ne could speak. Both his legs were
crushed and had TO be amputated, and
one arm broken above the elbow.
worshiped him now. She intended to fit
him fer some profession. and would have
/ without doubt had she lived But that
fearful night was the cause OF her death