The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1896-03-22
CHI APTER NJ.
FREE POLLY's STORY.

1t was not long before the children had an
appointment to see Free Polly. She had chosen
their father for her guardian. and was in the
habit OF visiting the plantation very often.
sometimes staying there for weeks at a time.
Free Polly was go years old. but very risky
and fond of fun-always ready to listen to a
Joke or tell n story. All her stories were older
than she was. but she never told one without
laughing at it just as heartily AZ II she had
heard It for the first time. She howe d her
head from side to side in jaunty fashion and
laughed loudly. The children laughed, too,
for she made q very comical appearance. She
had on a yellow basque with flowing sleeves
and q blue skirt. On her head she wore a
flaming red bandanna, and on top Of that a bon
net shaped like u sugar scoop and stuffed full
of faded artificial flowers At 30 years old
Free Polly still considered herself n belle, and
put on q great many airs. Whenever she met
anybody. black or white. she always bowed her
head, irst to the left. then to the right, and
made a low curtsy.
This she did now when tho, children called
her. She bowed and curtsied, and then
placed her arms akimbo, and waited for the
youngsters TO come up.
"Oh l so glad to see you" she cried. II can't
tell you how glad | is. You mos done grown.
'Fo' ! know It you'll be done grown an mar
led. Hey-hey. You nee'n ter laugh. I done
see young people TO | see you. Dey mos
all do dat away"
Aunt Polly said Buster John, do you
,romember the night TIE big house burned2"
Free Polly ceased laughing and screwed up
her mouth and face and pretended indigna-
!eion.
How / gwine ter ferglt itp Want I right dar
I'm de hOuser Right un' do roofnessr"
Wont you please tell us about it7" asked
NSweetest Susan, with her pretty. coaxing smile.
Free Polly shook her head snIannnlr plnsaI
her eyes, and heaved IA deep sigh.
"How kin / tell you stan'in' up here fiat.
footed in dc sun? Wait. | comm In de house
after supper to see Mistiss. When you see me
in dar, run an AK me 10 come in yo' room TO
j go. But when | 20 In dar | mus I'm sump'n
else sides a cheer. an a table, an a bedstld.
What do you want to .nnd?" Buster John
Again Free Polly closed her eyes and sighed.
rs she answered,
o.r swhat ! want us to an'' Biscuit; Batter;
mouth wide. The children laughed and PROM.
the nursery as they could make an excuse for
At supper their mother saw them butterinR
more biscuits than they usually ate. SO she
Has any one seen Free Polly to-day"
on buster Jo iHnP' and s~sstsst s snss WAS waiting
lis she coming here tonight"
what don sEsfH so' DFu'niS answered some
AZ this the mother looked at the children
and laughed.
Mamma, how did you know" cried Sweet
Nst Susan.
was a little girl. and | always had To carry bis.
Quits and ham 20 my room, II l wanted her 10
Tell me a tale, Drusilla, pnt those biscuits and
three slices o. ham on "A plate, and carry IL 10
the nursery"
Naturally the children were delighted nj
the way their mother fell INTO their innocent
little plans, aud they walled with a good deal
OF Impotence Tor Free Polly TO come. She
HAm8saTleT what seemed In bp "A very Inng Nvhna
ehe Was even more comlcally polite in the
house than she was out OF doors, and pretended
20 have a good deal TO say 10 the 'Mistiss;"
but the lady said she was busy at that momsnt,
ana told FTee Polly TO go into the nursery and
Thus II came about that Buster John and
sweetest susan heard all the particulars OF the