Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1900-11-12

Miss Sarah. He got a mighty good
heart in dat little body o. his'n. An
sho nun. added the old woman tri-
umphantly, 'jes see how my boy done
growed up"
The string of simple "reminiscences
OF his childhood must have touched
some tender spot, but the man only
made an impatient gesture. as of one
who is annoyed at the teasing of
gnat and stared away down the road
again.
Lit do mex me think of ole times
to set here pursued the old negress
thougntfully. You recommended de
time you an ole Mis- had de scrim-
mage bout de rose bush you wanted
to cut down? My, but ole Mis- sho was
on high boss. You know what ole
Mis- said bout dat temper o. your'n
after dat? She say you sho come by
hit homes: Mas John, where Miss
| 'Liza?"
He started at the sudden question
as though something had stung him.
WHAT'S il to you?'t he demanded
angrily. Why are you meddling with.
what does not concern you? Go back
home and leave me alone
l9ClOtS nc Adu uu4SASQ Speaking luS
Deborah of Lost Greek was on her feet.
What you mean, Mas John?" she
cried, trembling with Indignation.
Ell you'n Mis- Lift amt my business
I'd jes lax TO know whose business you
is. Amt / been KNOWN your Ma
even sence long before she seed your
Pa? Didn't / hab you in my arms
before you was a hour ole? What de
matter with you, Mas John? What
you reckon ole Mis- I'D say if she could
look back here an see you euttin' up
lax all possessed? Has you done for
got when you was my baby? Ell you
has forgit hit, | amt an l amt
gwineter forgit hit, nudder. Hit mex
me full lax de worr comm to a end.
when l see de chile dat | done raise
talkin' dat away to his ole nanny.
An Mis- Liza a my baby, too, an
when she amt got ne udder place to
go TO she can come in her ole nanny
dat what she kim
The old woman's feeble form shook
with the violence of her indignation,
and she stood over Mas John, glaring
at him with offended majesty.
"She will probably need your gem
erous shelter he retorted grimly; IF
she persists in marrying this penniless
ADVENTURE"
And, then, to his utter establishment
Aunt llsy broke into a laugh and clap
ped her withered hands.
We'll, eff dat don mex me think o.
ole timesi" she proclaimed joyously.
Dat was jest de way your Ma talked
when you was plum boun' for to marry
dat pore little schoolmis an you
recommember what you say den, Mas
John?"
Apparently Mas john remembered.
He was silent, and his head was down
on his hand.
You recommended how you up an
tell ole Mis- dat you was a gwineter
hab dat schoolmis' eff neider one o you
didn't had dollar in de worl'; dat
you was plenty man enough to mex
libin'?"
Another pause, during which Mas
Johns head was still down on his
hand
AN you married de schoolmis', Mas
John-and sho did
Another pause.
An now mere you is, a cuttin' up
Ned bekase Mis- Liza's got min o.
her own. is ashamed o. you, Mas John
dats what is. You acts to me lax you
done forgot all de trainin' what | glib
yen when YOU was baby. Why don
you go tell Miss Liza she kin marry
de one she want, jes' lax what her Pa
did; an Ell she kin be as happy as
her Pa"
A light step sounded along the hall
| and down the gallery behind them.
They both knew whose step 1t was,
without turning; and the girl came up
behind her father ard put her arms
around his neck. She had come to ask
for reconciliation. He might have
waited, and so have triumphed over
her; but somehow the old scenes upon
which he had been looking had soft
ened his heart, and he remembered with
infinite sorrow the little penniless
schoolteacher with whom he had been
so happy. He drew her down and look
ed at her; the pretty girl, who had
| her mothers eyes.
Marry the man of your choice he
said brokenly. And | hope you viii
be as happy as | was"
Then he arose and went away. and
Aunt Ilsy took the weeping girl into
i her arms and soothed her, and called
her "Maum Ilsy's baby"
The homeward way did not seem
long to Aunt Ilsy, and she walked as
one who Is lifted up and supported by
unseen hands.
Hit pear lax to me dat disshere's
days wo'ks mighty nigh enough for
one life time" she said TO herself as
she went in at the rickety gate and sat
down under the saddles with the light
of a peaceful sunset on her wrinkled
| face.