The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-02-02

THEY NEVER TOLD
rolled tho cloth until DE came 10 an oval
shaped mirror. The frame was heavy and
richly carved, and shone ass bright as
new silver shines
Aaron placed the beautiful mirror care
fully on the floor face up. Then Doe threw
the red cloth over his head and over the
chldron's heads If any one had been
pceping through the chinks of the chim-
nev Doe would have been very much puz-
zled by what he saw and heard. TIE would
have seen the red cloth bObbing up and
down. as If those underneath were bow
ing their heads back and forth. ana he
would have heard mufiled eNclamauons OF
wonder, the loudest of all being Drusilia'
Involuntary cry.
Don't dat beat all.'
The children never told what happened
under the clOth. nor what they saw in
the mirror. when Aaron rose 10 his foet.
the cloth still over his head he made
few movements with his arms and lol
there was the bundle in bis hands with
the mirror wrapped in it's folds
Sweetest Susan looked no Buster John.
wasn't fl easy2" She cried. Did you
ever see anything as bright She
would have said more. bat Aaron touched
her gently on the arm and put his finger
ON his lips AT That moment eanucr
I'm the spring lot began 10 scream.
"What did Doc savy' asked Aaron, look
ing at Drusilla.
"Ile say. Pm gwine after water-water
who Wantcr gO|
Aaron seemed satisfied with the am
swer. lie replaced the bundle I'm the
chest, turned the key and then leaned
against the rude mantel shelf he had
nailed over the fireplace
you think I'm Niger. don't you2'
He turned 20 Buster John.
cor course" said the youngstcr without
hesitation. What else are yOu|'
"In show YOU" From his pocket Aaron
drew a little package something raped
I'm soft leather and securely tied. IL was
memorandum book. Opening this small
book, Aaron held if toward Buster John,
saying whats hereY'
at looks Ike pothooks." replied the boy
frankly.
"Ain't a word in it can't read" said
Read some Of it, please" pleaded
Sweetest Susan.
Thereupon Aaron began 10 read from
the book i'm a strange tongue. the tone Of
his voice taking on modulations the chill
dron had never heard before.
'I amt never heard no jabber Ike dat"
said Drusilla.
"What sort Of talk Is it?" asked Buster
John
'rain't no creetur talk remarked
Drusia: Il know dat mighty we'll"
ITS the talk Of Ben All said Aaron
"Ben Ali. my daddy. Every word here
was put down by him"
why I've heard grandpa talk about
Uncle Ben AL" suggested Buster John.
Aaron nodded MANY time. Your
cr .ndpa. my master, tried to buy my dad
dy. bat Ben All was worth too much ]
wa1t % see him with my master twice a
year tin no did. Vie was no bigger.
What them" Buster John asked.
"Arab-man Of the dcsert-slave hunter
ali Put down here" said Aaron, tapping
the little book with his finger
The children were anxious 10 hear more
about Ben All. the Arab-Ben Ali the
slave hunter. who had himself become a
slave There was not much TO tell. but
that little was fun OF interest as Aaron
tod u. sitting In his door, the children
sitting cn she steps below him. For the
most part NE book was a diary Of events
that had happened 10 Ben Ali after he
landed IN this country: being written In
ono Of the desert dialects; but the first
few Tages told how the Arab chief hap
pened 10 be a slave
Bon AL was the leader Of band that