The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1895-02-16

-lA- gray-green leaves, and
knocking birds and cardinal grosbeaks
had mated for the season. The air was
warm and soft, and all Woodville was
excited over the coming Washington
birthday celebration. There was TO be
procession Of the military and civic
organizations, and the eloquent young
lawyer, Howell Marion. OF Richmond,
would deliver n eulogy upon the great
patriot and soldier.
There had been no commemoration |
of the day since the war, and the Wood
villcites felt that IL reflected upon the
patriotism OF good Virginians 20 suifor
so important an event 10 go by unno-
ticed. All the neighboring towns mani
tested 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
plantation of his former master, Col
Elton Temple The orator OF the day
was 20 be the guest OF the Temples,
who lived but two miles from the viii
lage, and NIizraim, who had Loyalty re-
manned upon the old place after eman-
cipation. felt that all the responsible
rested upon his shoulders
Old Alizraim, his wife Dinah, who
later passed 20 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, n i ain gwine;
nuther's you, Dinah."
"Who done said / wuz?" demanded
Dinah, Indignantly.
Piney grew up under her mothers
care, was taught all the mysteries OF
her slxillful cookery and succeeded the
old woman when she died. Piney de-
spised the ''Lineoln-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-
en- door, the Oldham scratched his gray
locks and said: "Piney, huccum dey
meek sich err furse erbout Ginrul Wash
in'ton's bufday?"
The daughter underworld 20 explain
the part taken by the immortal hero in
the struggle for independence conelud-
n ing with:
'.He was the Father OF His Country,
y paw
,De farder Of all dis yere country, po'
white trash an all? Den, lawsamussy,
Of I wuz him I'd be pinted ershamed er
myself. dom see no use er buidays
nohow. Dcy just naterly keep ON er
'mindin yer dat yer's ergittin' older
all de time, N my achin' bones done
tells mc dat. Whuh Ginrul Washin'tor
lib?"
"why, paw, he's been daid jamby Ell
hunncrd years"
"G1ong, gall Den white folks II
bigger fools den / fought Waiter
good gwine do ter him N he daidT
"Ics TO larn the livin' how good he
wuz an how he fou't an saved thu
country NJ"
Look or here, GAL does yer tcck I'M
fer or fool? Did he do all er dis YER
on his bufday? Den whatter de!
wanter hab IL on datter day? But
iisser don meclsin' myself sick worryin
ODER dc foolishness or white folks. She
up, Piney, shet mp. Oar come Mis-
Gracey now
The old negro pulled off his some
and scrape I'm acknowledgment OF Tn
presence OF n most beautiful and charm
ing young woman, who smiled piea'
antly upon him aud his curtseyin
daughter.
Now, Uncle Mizraim, you know W
do have 90 depend upon you. Can't 20
get us some nice fish and game? 70
know We shall have company on I'll
~ Twenty-second.'
"Yaas'm. Miss Grncey, yaas'm,
know, but yer see hits pooty soon Il
do shad m hurrin n ruther late fer
fat will tuclxey. mought git
II knew you would, Uncle Mizrair
Inn especially anxious that cverythir
shall be pleasant and nice and am SUI
YOU will make an extra effort TO pleas
me-"
"Datter de way" grumbled Mizrair
when the young lady had passed @
"Hit's Mizurm dis N Mizurm dat,
Mizurm tother," and he went of mu
tering.
"Ln. paw 'ould be mis'ablc ef
couldn' complain. Is ef l didn' kno
he druther be in muss nur eat
laughed Piney, as she entered h
realm.
Elton Temple was an old-school v
pinia gentleman, whose blood was hl
ms indigo and ran unsullied back
noble lords in old England. lie "
disposed 70 regard with great favor I
marked preference shown his daugh'
by the gifted young lawyer who wou
be his guest In day or two. Marto'
family was as ancient as his own a
more than once the blood OF that II
had blended in marriage with that
the Temples.
Col. Temple was a very proud
very worthy and upright man.
had served the south faithfully duri