The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-12-24
That Little Negro Boy I Used to Own,

God fellows, just as good as ever
known.
But I've never seem better, nor
truer, kinder friend
Than that little Niger boy l used to
own.
His hide was black as charcoal, and his
heart was just as warfa;
He WANT great philosopher, but never
thought no harm;
And tho to fiatter childhood mankind is
awful prone,
Twas u cunning little devil that | used
to boss and own.
There We're lots of picaninnies round
my old plantation home,
But Alec he belonged to me alone,
He could Outrun all the Others, and he'd
fight am lie for me,
And I loved that Niger boy / used
to own.
His head was round and nappy and his
eyes were big and white;
His mouth was quite capacious, and it
let in lots of light;
But, tho he want a beauty, nor plate
for style am tone.
The love was true and honest Of that
boy l used to own
We We're playmates all together, tho
/ was kind o king,
But | never put myself up on a
throne;
And | told tales in the hOghouse and |
waded in the branch,
With that little Niger boy / used to
own
It's true we'd get to fghtin', and I'd lick
'em, if | could;
But this was rather seldom, for they
generally were good
And I'd swap 'em off my dinner for a
ashecake and bone,
And I'd take my midday repaSt with
that boy l used TO own.
And then / grew up bigger and / used
TO ride to school,
Through meadows where the rice and
cane were sOwn
And he'd take my horse at even, and
he'd love to see me come,
That happy, smilin' boy | used to own.
He would steal watermelons, but no one
didn't mind;
They knew he couldn't help it; twas
the mature Of his kind;
And when in gaudy bElliance the au-
tumn full moon shone,
I'd hunt the cunning 'poSSum with that
boy | used to own
But my schooling wasn't finished, for
before | was sixteen,
The trumpet call to war was loudly
blown;
And / volunteered my service and
FASTENED to the front,
And was followed by that boy used
to own.
He would get scared in battle, and.
dam i'm, how he'd run!
But he'd always find the cOmp'ny when
the soldiers work was done;
An he'd steal good ratioIs for me, tho
from whence I've never known.
And I've oft been saved my supper by
that boy i used to own.
The war was long and bitter, but his
ardor never tagged;
He kept the oath to follow me he'd
sworn:
An when it all was over, 1 brought him
home again,
That shiny, GRIMM boy | used to
own.
He would lie bout the battles, an he
swo' he'd fought 'em all:
He said he'd killed some sixteen men
he knew, he'd seen 'em fail;
But he took a fatal fever. which no
skill could check nor tone,
And ] nursed him like a brother then,
that boy l used TO own.
But soon it all was over, and we laid
him in his grave.
No truer friend I've ever had to
mourn;
And / raised a granite monument to
mark the place we laid
That loving, faithful boy l used to
own.
He had his small shortcomings, and
they may be counted sin;
But Saint Peter knows nigger, and
he'll make excuse for him!
And if, in Gods great goodness, l shall
view sweet heavens throne,
| know I'll see that smilin' face, that
boy l used to own.
l have met a heap O. people, and I've
had heap o chums,
Good fellows, just as good as ever
known! |
But I've never seen better, HOT
truer, kinder friend
Than that little niger boy / used to
own.
His hide was black as charcoal, and his
heart was just as warm;
He want great philosopher, but never
thought no harm;
And tho to fatter childhood manhood
is awful prone,
love the recollection of that boy | used
to own.
Howell c.. Featherstone, in Washing
ton Post.
HIS LIFE WAS SAVED.