Omaha daily bee., 1896-03-22
CHAPTER XII.
FREE PoLLY's STORY.

NiNGi1 oLh y olotI
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 q time.
frlsky and fond of fun-always ready to lis
ten to a joke or tell a story. All her stories
were older than she was, but she never told
one without laughing at 1t, just as heartily
as II she had heard 1t for the first time.
She bowed her head from side to side in
jaunty fashion and laughed loudly. The
children laughed, too, for she made a very
comical appearance. She had on a yellow
basque with flowing sleeves and a blue skirt.
On her head she wore a flaming red ban
danna, and on top of that n bonnet shaped
like a sugar scoop and stuffed full of faded
artificial flowers. At 60 years old Free Polly
still considered herself a belle, and put on
a great many airs. Whenever she met any
body, black or white, she always bowed her
head, first to the left, then to the right, and
made a low curtsy.
This she did now when the children called
her. She bowed and curtsied. and then
placed her arms akimbo, and waited for the
youngsters to come up.
"oh so glad to see you" she cried, 81
can't tell you how glad l is. You mos done
grown. 'Fo' ! know 1t you'll be done grown
an married. Hey-hey! You nee'n ter
laugh. i done see young people TO / see
you. Dey mos all do dat away"
.. Aunt Polly" slid Buster John, "do you
remember the night the big house burned?"
Free Polly ceased laughing and screwed
up her mouth and face and pretended in
dignation.
How I gwine ter fergit it? Want I right
dar In de house? Right I'M de roofness?'
Wont you please tell us about it?"
asked Sweetest Susan, with her pretty, coax
ing smile.
Free Polly shook her head solemnly, closed
her eyes. and heaved a deep sigh.
How kin I tell you stan'in' up here fiat
footed In de sun? Wait, comm in de
house after supper to see Mistiss. When
you see me in dar. run an ak me to come
In yo' room TO l go. But when / go in
dar i mus fin sump'n else sides a cheer,
STAN"
what do you want TO fnd?" Buster John
inquired.
Again Free Polly closed her eyes and
sighed, as she e
what T want to fin? Biscuit. Batter
cakes. Butter. Ham," At each word Free
Polly smaeked her lips and opened her mouth
wide. The children laughed and promised
that they would carry as much food into
the nursery as they could make an excuse
for.
At supper their mother saw them butterlng
more biscuits than they usually ate. So she
suddenly asked:
HAS any one seen Free Polly today?"
"Yes'm," promptly replied Drusilla, who
was waiting on Buster John and Sweetest
Susan.
'Is she coming here tonight"
IL speck 90" Drusilla answered some
what doubtfully.
At this the mother looked at the children
and laughed.
Mamma, how did you know ?" cried Sweet
Susan.
Because she used to come to see me when
/ was a little girl, and / always had to carry
aud ham to my room, IL | wanted
her TO tell me a tale. Drusilla, put those
biscuits and three slices OF ham on a plate,
Ind carry it TO the nursery"
Naturally the children were delighted at
he way their mother fell into their innocent
title plans, and they waited with a good deal
u impatience for Free Polly to come. she