The Canton times. (Canton, Miss.) 1893-1906, 1896-11-13
SISTER CALLINE'S CHILDREN
HE train ran into a
little station in the
heart OF the pine
woods, and t h e
conductor sprang
to the platform.

lM \RI(0XHNKC woods, and t b e
u |SzaHdMI1 conductor sprang
AZ QIkxW to the platform.
HURRY up,
there!' he called, running forward 10
the negro coach.
The steps were overflowing with pick
aninnies, SO black that at first sight
their small features would have been
indistinguishable but for the wide
crease on each face, filled with even
rows OF teeth, startlingly white in con-
trast with their sooty environment.
A fat. good-looking negress, holding
az oval bundle, wrapped in an old
shawl close to her breast, seemed to be
the center Of the crowd, and an old, old
negro man, grizzled and wrinkled, was
hanging around it's margin.
Is you got UNI all, Sister Callinew
he asked, anYiously.
"'Clar if knows" said the woman,
running her eye over the company.
Pears lax dere's one on UNI missn'!"
"All aboard" shouted the conductor,
and the train moved.
sHayr, mistah!" shrieked Sister Cal
line, ''you'se ca in off one O my chil'n:"
The conductor laughed good ma
turedly. and was gone.
"Oh!" moaned the woman. Hes
done ca'ed off one on um, suah!"
The station agent sauntered near. He
wore that intensely bored expression
only possible to a man who spends his
life in a piney woods clearing, seeing
four trains day 60 in and out and
playing checkers on barrel head in the
Intervals.
"Orter have tied 'em along a rope SOS
they couldn't get away" he said. y
Sister Calline turned her black velvet
orbs in his direction.
You call dat train back, say" she
cried. Hes done ca'ed off one o. my
chii'en."
"S'pose / can call the train back"
said the man, contemptuousiy. IF
you're sure one of 'em is missin' you'll
have to set down and wait here till the
train comes back. They'll bring it, |
reckon"
OH, MY pore Ill Culles
Tears began to stream down the black
face.
The wrinkled old uncle looked deeply
distressed.
is yu pint blank suah one on um's
missin', Sister Callinew he asked, SYM
pathetically.
Her eyes wandered vague and
over the dusky, shifting crowd
IF faces.
Use mos puffickly suah," she said.
Better count 'em," suggested the |
agent. How many are there, any
how?"
/. "Dere's LII Roxy Adeline, Lucyalier-"
Use here, mammy!" interrupted
org-limbed girl of IA.
II told you to count 'em," said the
gent, impatiently.
Il cayn't coun', mas'r! rs Dawn
fore dc wah. But, anyhow, dey say
lere's leben OBJ um."
"Sister Calline.'' said the old man,
enderly, 'le's we set right down hyar
M I'll coun' um fer We. rs scholar"
"You sholy is kind, mistah," said
lister Calline, gratefully, sitting down
n the edge of the platform.
The agent laughed shortly and turned
way.
The grizzled old uncle took red and
elbow handkerchief from his pocket
nd carefully busted the end OF the
tanks before he took his seat.
He wore a threadbare black suit
which had undoubtedly once moved in
Ugh society.
Sister Calline looked at him with in
crest.
81 reckon dat you mus be a preacher,
ah," she said, deferentially.
Madam, is. rs been preachin' de
Vord desc nine year, eber sence my pore
Id lady died. was powerful sinner
fore dat"
Sister Calline looked awed.
81 was, suahl" said the old nan,
etrospectively. "But rs come inter
e kingdom now, suah, 'nuff, bress de
ord. Is you got husband. Sister Cal
ne?"
"Ise pore wilder, mistah, wild oil
ese chil'en to scuffie fer, an de Lswd
nows what rs gwine ter do"
Uncle glanced at the bundle in her
rms. 1t had begun to move and whim-
err.
"Dat your baby. chile?" asked uncle.
"Dis my baby" replied Sister callire.