Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1898-05-05
Astrea, forgetting her position, anu
A,>S1,}np with nd1rn n t}o,, G5g5

kASlIcSt, AOiSClJluS uGcs pU6lIlUOs anu
flushing with Indignation.
Now. the uncultivated negro has nat
urally the very same manner of ex-
pressing indispensable things as the
cultivated French-with significant
shrug of the shoulders. Cybele drew
hers up in the most exaggerated man
ner us she answered.:
Laws, honey, when anybody buy
perty bird an pay high price, dey nuts
1t In de cage I'M fastens de door, fear
Of 1t flynn away-leastwise till he gets
1t tame, you know"
An indignant expression rose to the
captive's lips, but she prudently sup.
pressed it.
An now, honey. do, for goodness
sake. make haste an come an pour
out ole marse's coffee fore he loses his
temper" said Cybele. impatiently.
Astrea bathed her face and smoothed
her hair and settled the folds Of her
dress and gravely announced herself
ready to go.
Come along, den: l show you de
dinin' room where ole marse takes all
his meals" said Cybele, leading the
room directly opposite to that Of AS.
trea.
1t was. furnished in simple summer
style, with straw mating on the floor,
straw blinds at the four windows. and
straw-bottomed chairs and settees
ranged about the room. There was,
besides, sideboard against the back
wall between the windows. A small,
round table, covered with a white dam
ask cloth that hung to the floor, and
adorned with breakfast service Of
FURNISHED silver, stood in til emiddle of
the room. Upon it lay plates of light
biscuits and cakes. potted meats and
fish, fresh fruit, and all the luxuries of
Il summer breakfast. There was a COW
er laid and Il chair placed but for one.
Astrea was expected to stand in the
presence Of her master. And this she
much preferred to the hated intimacy
implied in sitting at the table With him.
Any, even the MOST humble position,
being much higher iii her view than
the humiliation Of such an equality
with him.
Cybele went out and brought in the
Kissing silver urn and put it ON the ta-
bic, and then went and summoned her
master, who was walking up and
down taking the morning air on the
front piazza.
RGmfOrd came in, radiant and smil-
ing, and looking cool and healthy in
his morning suit of white holland and
his broad brimmed straw hat. He
threw his hat upon settee and drop
red into Lis seat at the table, saying,
gaily:.
well. NY girl, over your sulks yet?
You see lave given you time''
Astrea lowed slowly with grave
dignity, but without other reply.
"If that means yes. I'm deuced glad
TIC hear it! Come, give me cup Of
coffee. I like Il good deal of sugar and
cream in 1t. tOo," said Rumford, turn
ing the contents Of q whole jar of pot
ted venison into his plate and helping
himself to a biscuit.
AStrea grayely poured out the cup of
coffee according to his directions, and
placed it beside his plate Then, as
gravcly, size resumed her stand at the
head of the table.
'Eless my soul alive, girl! you are as
solemn as an OWL" said the planter, as
he took up his coffee.
"Mr. Rumford--," began Astrea, with
the serious dignity that had marked
her whole manner since falling into the
power of this mar; but before she
could add another word, he interrupt
ed her with the remark.
"My servants usually call me Mas
ter my friends Only say Mr.. Rum
ford;' while my intimates term me
'Rarnabas.'"
Il thank you. sir. for the informa-
ton. although it does not interest me
much"
II say, girl. where did you pick up
your fine lady phr.sesY'
81 am glad you perceive that pos
sess them, sir. l was educated at a
school for young ladies in the Green
Mountains. if it concerns you to- know;
as think it NAV"
<r0 BE COnt1nuedD