The Elbert County tribune., 1899-05-18


began to recognize and Identity Jem.
me shiny oontraband, as something
tangible; TO feel amused at his quaint
ways. and odd. indistlnct mode Of
speech; and to feel pleased when he
answered my dim smile by a heartv
gunaw and fearful display Of the
piano keys And began TO make
Helen's visits the events of my monot-
onous life; to watch for her at her ac-
customed hours, and to sink back.
every nerve soothed and muscle re-
laxed. in the deeps OF measureless
content when she came | had lost my
arm, my good right arm. poor mans
emblem of power to do and dare. and
which was all that stood between me
and the cold worlds charities. And
yet was strangely happy.
Gradually. with strength, my
thoughts came back to the interests OF
life. / had many brief talks with
Helen. but they had been chiefly OF our
old home; she had never alluded to
herself. nor told me why she was there
1t had been enough, in my illness, to
know that, however she came. she was
there. and getting well in her care
and Jem's; for | will not be ungrateful
whatever else | am.
But at last | came to wonder at this,
though dared ask no question.
Thinking thus, spoke aloud. as one
sometimes does in musing, quite un-
aware that / had done SO. till Jem,
crouching by the window In the sull
rays of the sun, answered me.
What can have become OF Captain
Dumarcie?"
Master Paul's dead" was Jem's an
swer; killed down to Newbern last
year.
You knew him, them" 1 cried.
startled. being unaware. you see. till he
spoke that / had uttered my thought
aloud.
"Yahl yahi" burst out Jem. reckon
I did, marster; used to long to him,
me an all my folks"
you! Paul Dumarcies slave! And
Helen's now?"
NO, sir. Miss Helen never would
own wedem. Tell us to go North. and
when she cum stick to her close, you
bet. But | 'spect own myself. now"
replied Jem with another laugh and a
mixture OF negro patois and Yankee
slang in his speech.
you do. of course, Jem.' for his last
remark was half question; there are
no slaves here. But was Captain Du-
marcie in the army"
Yes, sir. Long of the Confeder-
ates. When he killed, Miss Helen
come North to get his body, and. oh.
how she weep when she find he been
buried many daysi She nebber go
back any more. She been here ebber
since, and Jem with her"
"Ahi" / said. But am very
thirsty. VIII you bring me drink.
Jem?" would not question a servant.
but had received information enough
to think about for ore day.
Helen was widow. theni How
lonely she was. and what a hard. hard
life after the years OF luxury she had
enjoyed in her southern home!
A few days afterward, when I was
nearly well enough to be discharged.
Helen spoke to me of herself. She told
me OF the dreadful parting that was
final. OF her journey northward when
tidlngs of her husbands death came.
and finding only the grave where his
mutilated remains were laid days be-
fore.
my little Phillip died but month
before" she said. "and had no longer
any tie to bind me. My dream of love
and home was past. Stern. sorrowful
realities presented Themselves. Intel
ligent nurses were wanted. and re-
solved to take my place among them.
NY life is dedicated to the work
But, Helen. you need not sacrifice
YOUR life. You ar looking pale ana