The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-12-20
HIS LITTLE Niger BOY"
Verses Composed by IA Young Vii ginian
Oh a pickaniDny.

OH Il pickaniDny.
Mr. Howell c. Featherston published in
last Sundays Washington Post "a dozen
or so stanzas under the caption THAT
Little Niger hoy Used TO own, which
has been complirr ented for it's ClevernesS
and fidelity to nature. The au thor is ~
son Of Captain }. G. Featherst On, mem.
Der OF the House of Delegates from Camp
ben County.
Here is the poem:
] have met a heap OF people. and I've had
a heap o. chums-
Good fellows just as good as ever
known!
But I've never seen better nor trder,
kinder friend
Than that little Niger boy 1 used TO
own.
His hide was black as charcoal. and his
heart was Just as warm
He want a great philosopher, but never
thought no harm.
And mo 10 flatfer childhood m anknd is
awful promo
Twas a cunning little devil tn It I used
10 boss and own.
There are lots Of pickaninnies 'iDund my
old plantation home.
But Alec he belonged TO me alone.
He could outrun al the others, a. I'd ned
fight an lie for me.
And / loved that Tiger boy I used to
own.
His head was round and happy and his
eyes were big and white
HIS mouth was quite capacious, and #
let in lots Of light;
But. tho he want beauty, nor a plate
.faT
Tie love was true and honest OF that boy
] used TO own.
We were playmatos all togethar, tho I
was kind OF king.
But | never put myself up on a. throne.
And l told tales in the hoghow ie and i
waded ia the branch
with that little Niger boy used t.
own.
It's true we'd get to fehtin', anil 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 an
ashcake and a bone
And I'd take my midday repast with that
boy ! used TO own.
And then ! grew up bigger and l used to
ride to school,
Through meadows. where the rice ana
cane were sOwn:
And led take my horse at even. and ned
love to see me come,
That happy. smilin' boy I used TO own.
He would steal watermelcns, but no one
didn't mind;
They knew he couldn't help it; twas the
nature of his kind.
And when in gaudy brilliance thf autumn
fun moon shone,
I'd hunt the cunning 'possum, with that
boy l used TO own.
But my schoolin' wasn't finished. for be-
fore / was sixteen.
The trumpet call 10 war was loudly blown.
And I volunteered by service ana / has
tened to the front.
And was followed by that boy used to
own
lie would get scared in battle, I'd. dam
i'm. how led rum
But he'd always find the comp ny when
the soldiers work was DONE:
An he'd steal good ratons for me. tho
from whence I've never known.
And I've oft been saved my upper by
that boy used 10 own.
J
dor never tagged
He kept the oath to follow me he'd
sworn.
An when il was all over, ] brought him
home again,
That shiny GRIMM boy / used 10 own.
lie would lie bout the battles. an he
swo he d fought EN- all:
lie said he'd killed some sixteen men. he
knew. he'd seen EN- fail.
But he took a fatal fever. which no skill
could check nor tone.
And 7 nursed him like brother then,
that boy used 10 own
But soon Il was all over and we laid him
I'm his grave.
No truer friend I've ever had to mourn
And 7 raised granite monument to mark
the pace we laid
That loving faithful boy | used 10 own,
Tie had his small shortcomings, and they
may be counted sin;
amt saint Peter knows a Niger. and hen
make excuse for him!
Ana AZ I'm Gods great goodness, / shall
view sweet heavens throne.
know III see that smilin face that boy
I used TO own.
have me, heap o people, ana I've had
a heap O chums-
Good fellows, just as good as ever
known
Jiut I've never seen a better, nor truer
kinder friend
Than that little Niger boy | used 10
own.
His hide was black as charcoal and his
heart was lust as warm;
| lie want a great philosopher, but never
thought 10 harm:
| And tho 20 aatter childhood mankind Is
awful prone,
| love the recolleotions OF that boy ! used
Z 10 own.
HOWELL c. FEATHERSTON.