The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1901-02-10
P ATHE TIC SKETCH
OF OLD VIRGINIA.
Shadows Of the Blue Ridge and the
Grooming Of the Shenandoah,
THE TALE OF A FAITHFUL NEGRO
After Wandering Far in Strange
Land He Found the End of His
Long Journey at His Old
Masters Door.
THE TALE OF A FAITHFUL NEGRO
By EDWIN BENNETT.

By EDWIN BENNETT,
Five years had passed since the wave
OF war had washed the land and a bright
sun looked down upon a bright and beau
tiful landscape-the fair Valley of Vir-
ginia The blue Ridge und the Shenan-
doah mountains, with their varying
shades OF sunlight and shadow, doomed
in the distnnce, and the fell carnage and
destruction of war seemed foreign and
impossible to that peaceful scene
In sequestered part cf this valley,
where flows gently by the Shenandoah.
there stood at the time mentioned an old
and rather decayed brick mansion, sit
uated in the midst of broad nnd rich fields
srown over with weeds. The boards on
the great barn hung loose and shacklng,
and the great yard about it held no lfv-
ing creature though once resounding with
rual activity. Around the house also a
silence reigned, in sad contrast with, the
uproarous swarms of noisy ''pickanir-
Mes" who used to play around the kitch-
en- door in the happy, prosperous days OF
long ago.
However, in the kitchen there is still to
be heard the low, peculiar chant OF an
old negress, singing over some modest
culinary preparations, while the slow
and regular blows Of an axe resound from
the adjacent woodward, attesting to the
fact that the old place is not yet quite
deserted. These sound emanate, hrst
from old Martha, and the wielder OF the
IKE, old Sam, an ancient colored couple
who are the only servants who remained
behind OF a once numerous househoid to
attend to the wants OF their master in his
broken fortunes.
The fate OF the owner OF this deso.ated
homestead was a sad one, and his old age
was only IL remembrance of better days
and later misfortunes. Two sons mao
persisted in battle on the red field o!
Gettysburg. his slaves had deserted him
and as d last and most cruel blow, MS
wife had died. leaving him aged alone
und with shattered heart; SO 1t IS not
to be wondered at that he lost all ener'
ev and ambition and allowed ais rlcf
fields 20 grow up in weeds.
THE PARTING.
On this bright day the old master was
sitting on the veranda of the lonely mouse
with his gray head resting YEARLY upon
his hand while the stiffness WIS broker
now and then by a long sigh. His mine
was so taken up with sad remetloraiices
that he did not hear the slow step o.
quaverins voice Sam made known MS
erra,ld
us goin away, Nassa.
"What? You're going to leave me, too
SAM without looking up.
Yes. Massa Things is po'ful roun
heah, an dey say dere is great times u
North. an eberytins an Sam stop
ped. Then, after a pause:
"Good-bye, Massa, [ jes' done cut lo
oh wood to las awhile, an | spects to SCI
de ole place ag'in fore long some DAY
aftah Is made lots OBJ money and "on'
got rich up dere
Goodbye. sam goodbye" said the Ole
master. holding out his hand, receiving ;
tear from Sans eye as we'll as Il partns
grasp. You have been a good friend o
mine since the old days when We were
children and played together, and l an
sorry to see you go, Sam. You must no
forget me- or the better days of long ago
and don't stay away too long. for vii
not be mere many years more. SO. good
bye again. Sam, and God bless YOU.
With an aching heart. Sam turned
away. and shouldering the bundle he ha,
placed on the step, passed out at th'
gate and on up the road, northWard.
His step echoed family as he crossed
the little bridge and went slowly up thu
hill. While the gray head of his old mas
ter again went down upon his hands
Sam reached the top Of the hill, and
pallSirg to take q last look at the ia
miliar scene glanced Blackjack upon tn
old place which he was perhaps leaving
forever: back upon the well-known hill
and hollows and fields, where used to re
sound the clash of his hoe and the era
dies Swish through the tall grain III
drew his rough hand across his molsten
ed eyes and journeyed northWard
THE RETURN.
After ten long years of wearing tot
and struggling among the hard hearts o
the outside world the ancient wanderc
again stood upon the hill and looked
upon the old familiar scene, of which n
had often dreamed during those lon;
years of hardship and disappointment
The scene was still unchanged, although
his own form was bent and feeble. Hi
glowing heart beat joyously as he say
ali the old beloved landscape and tn
peace lying in the trees around it. Tear
fell from his ase-dimmed eyes as H.
shufTled onward. murmuring: Is com
in bact-comin back to de ole plac
aS'in!'
Poor old Sam, He did not go formal.
around to the back doh but deposit
ing his bundle of worn clothing-his onl.
earthly possession-upon the step, knock
ed loudly at The front door. 1t was no
until then that the deep silence AM
gloom around the familiar old home-plac
struck in upon his soul. Again the sum
mons was repeated, but without answe
save by the echoes from within. He no1
realizes that they whom he longs to Sc
are gone forever, and his weary io;n
drops at the door. to stir never ds1in.
There a chance passenger found Inn
and he was laid away by some WHO re
membered his face, on the bank of III
gently-fowing Shenandoah. where tn
fower-studded sod is shaded by a might.
Dab; the rippling river VIII Groom to hin
an endless lullaby, While he rests from b;
WEAKNESS and heart-breaks.
Love Letters of Prince Bismarck.