The Atlanta constitution., 1896-05-18

She presided at their birth. She nursed
them in infancy. She watched them in
youth. She saw them go out into the world
and regarded their careers with maternal
pride What success they mad she attrib-
uted in part 10 her care. What misfortunes
they met with called out her sympathy
Hers was a life Of love.
Worn with age, shattered with the in
hrmitics OF many years, several weeks ago
she sic>enod and IL was soon seen that her
maiady was fatal. Those children whom
she had nursed We're in constant attendance
upon her bedside, supplying every want
She died on Saturday At the home Of
Col1nel Howard on Richardson street
Last Sunday came the funeral. 1t was a
scene OF striking pathos. Gathered about
the srs1ve N the special lot in NestvieW
were those whom she had served in life.
The services We're performed by Or. Davis.
OF the st. Johns Methodist church. in a
simple and impressive way. The pail
bearers were the sons and nephews OF Col
oncl Howard. Tenderiy they lowered the
coffin into the earth. sadly they stood with
barred heads while the last saG rites were
read. Their grief Was deep.
And 50 came the funeral of Martha. 1t
was simply a glimpse Of old southern life
a strange scene in this busy old world OF
today.
She was one OF a class Of which few re-
main.
The black nanny" win soon be an cx-
tnct type. The last OF her kind is rapidly
disappearing with the wane OF that civili-
2atou upon which the heroic principles Of
the pass We're founded.
Who could forget her-the kindly black
face scanned with wrinkles OF many years
years OF peace and prosperity. and turmoil
and strife, of adversely aud misfortune In
the days when the south nuurished u
goodly land, and the bouudIess acres of the.
planter sroancd with the wealth Of cotton
and corn. the old nanny was supreme and
Difference due her exalted station was rem
dered By others of her race. Her authority
almost equaled the firm dictates of the
master, but her reverence for him was
sacred and her love strong.
In the day when came the conflict and
the shock Of war was felt, it was she who
miristered with a comforting hand, and
gave out the healing sympathy of her huge
heart to those who remained at home
Ia the days when darker trials came and
the storm had swept away the labor of
life time; when the sky was dark, when
the bonds of slavery We're sundcred setting
free the thousands of her own race, she
remained unwayering in fidelity, unsullied
in her devotion.
1t was she who heard the natal squall
dtu Ntdpp'u lile &NdGuuS garments about
the dimiuutiFc form. Her strong arms was
a cradle softer than the finest down, and
more soothing than sleep itself 1t was
she who translated inarticulate babling in
to language wonderful and wise who
taught infant feet to totter and watched
the first walking with more than a moth
crs pride. Her voice was sweeter than
a SIRENS. and the nuted melody Of her
simple tones more magical than music
irresistible her lullaby, all powerful her
hush-a-bye.
And in the bread-and-hutter days it was
she who knew the mysteries of the big
pantry and carried the keys TO the secret
stores and jaIa and jelly. What a wonder
ful old woman; waddling around in her
turkey-red dress invading the sacred con-
fines Of the strawberry bed, reveling in
The shade Of the hg bushes or pronoI1cins
the death sentence upon a given number
Of ''yeller leg chickens doomed to be
fried next day. Against strict orders from
n higher source she would stuff tween
meals" the Unsuitable NAV Of the ravenous
younpstcr with the daintieSt dish for din
ner ana swear him to eternal secrecy. She
filed his huge pockets with red apples and
prepared special orders of ginger cake,
cooked as ginger cake was never cooked