The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-01-14

dag" said he, when an cid negro en-
| tered Good mornin.' he said. am dis d
place where slcOnd han goods am bought
| Upon being answered in the affirmative
| the old darby united bundle, and pro
| drced these dishes and spoons. DO yO'
| want TO sell these things. uncle?' asked
Yes. sub. I does
Il looked them over. and asked hin
where he got them. The aged man SPOKE
| up with alacrity, oh. dat's all right. sun
1 come By efu honestly; deed | did. 1n
SEQ il wuz les like dis. During de Wal
| wuz owned by ole Marse Dinwiddio IL
| vaginniy. He had a little gal named Jane
an one day she ,old me to 60 an git hei
| set oh dishes aud spoons. an bury
EN- SOS de Yankees couldn't fine 'em. So
| l TUX EN-. bress yo' heart. an put 'em in
a hole an kiycred EN- OYER. After dat
| wuz taken away. an l didn't go back 10
ma ole home til aftah de wah. Den
foun' de place all burnt up. an ole Marso
Dinwiddie gone away, an'-an- mere
| the old fellow began to wcep-'little Miss
Jane wuz dead. | dug up desc little trim
kcts. an 20 de Lawd ! wouldn't sell 'em
now Of de ole man Wuzn't nachrully a
staTvin'.
Il gave him 30 for the lot. and he went
out weeping and laughing, and wishing me
with these dishes and spoons for ten timea
their value. they tell a tale OF love ana de-
votion on the part Of one Of class OF
dear old colored people fast passing away.
William r. Smith, Superintendent Of the
United States Botanical Gardens. is a la
tive Of Bonnie scotland. but came TO this
country at an early age, and has for long
time been interested in botany. Mr.. Smith
has known intimately many OF the proml-
neut statesmen of America, and because OF
his intellect and familiarity with books
as well as his warm hearted congenial:ty.
he is an agreeable companion.
Mr.. Smith not long since returned from
a trip TO the land Of Burns. and has many
interesting things TO relate concerning his
journey. Robert Burns is at once the ideal
nd idol OF the Superintendent of the Bo-
tanical Gardens. and the latter is said To
possess the finest aud most complete Burns
library in existence. One volume, compris-
ing all OF Burns poems Is about two inch
es long and one inch thick, and the print
is so fine it can scarcely be read without
a glass. This little book Mr. Smith prizes
above all the rest OF his worldly posses
sions.
Speaking OF his visit to Scotland during
the past summer, Ire said: II went to
Scotland TO visit my old friend, Andrew
Carnegie In company with younger
/ would journey as far as tSp
hundred and eighty miles at night. which |
is considered a long jaunt in Scotland. At !
| called on Mrs. Brown, grand |
daughter of Burns. and her daughter, and |
together we went to the poets house. now |
I museum. II is strange how many stories |
are current about great men who hive !
lied For instance, it has been repeatedly ;
said that Burns died in fear of the Jail,
hat he owed some small debts lie was IN
ible TO pay, and being OF the most honest
nature that the knowledge OF his Inability
% meet his obligations brought on deli
'ium, which continued to his death.
Now the truth OF this matter is. and it
las never been published In this country
,efore, that Burns and his brother, GIL