The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1902-08-24
BOUND FOR GEORGIA
Good Old Black Uncle Ma y
Still Walking

As the 7:40 train began 20 Du1T an.
from the Alexandria station an ~
white-haired negro hurried across ~
platform and swung himself ON ~
rear car. He was very black and ya-,-
dusty, and the single occuua,ts
seats looked a little apprehenSiva as -
shuffied dindently through the car -
he did not offer to sit down. V-har, ~
reached the opposite end. he took boTI
of a seat to steady himself and 80
around CuriOusly, his big vond4rir--
eyes rowing from one face n suo+5.,
with the eager scrutiny of a child
Evidently he was very tired for hi,
shoulders began to slope. and eyar,-
few minutes he shifted his feet a.
though they hurt him.
At last u young man lowered his
newspaper.
Here is a seat, uncle" he caleb.
you look tired
The negro shufied forward eagerly.
Yes, sahi tank yO', sah,' he said
gratefully, as he sank down. .I.s
plumb beat. Done walk mons'rous lone
way dis yer mawnin'- No' see" as rHa
young man folded his newspaper and
slipped it into his pocket, ''Marse Hen
cry an me lib ober in Prince GAory,
county, an larst week Narse HeDaT-
he up an die Dat lef' me by myse'fi,
I see, and you are going south 10
look for work"
NO, sab; goin' back home-go5n.
back to ole GeOrgy.' Into his eyes
came a look of eager expectation. and
he strOked the back of the seat softly
as though il were his old home in far,
away Georgia.
I ain been dar in mos thutty year.
he went on, slowly; not sence de Lin
KUN men took we alTs niggers. Oar
was whole passle of 'em, but dew an
done bruk away Den de sheriff sol de
plantation, an Oar want nutten Iaf We
all but de Norf. We's bIeeged 10 hab
money to lib"
And you stuck to Marse Henry"
The old negro looked at him in sur
prise.
lob co'se," he answered, sinnIv
| us de body sarbent, an Marse Henerv
couldn' git long 'thOut me. He's a
gen leman, an pended on bein' TUX
car ob. But rs bleeged to be way
in de daytime, case Is a cyarpenter an
alters hab plenty wUk-'
What did Marse Henery do?'
''Marse Heneryi" Indignantly: why,
he's gentleman. I tells yO' He amt
do nUtten- He ain neber learn do
things like common wit folks He hab
niggers for dat"
You don't mean that you have sup
ported him ever since the war;
The old negro drew himself up with
unconscious dignity.
You gOin' talk like dat, I amt Gps
nutten mo- to splain.'
Il beg your pardon said the young
man. hastily please go on"
The black face relaxed.
''Yo' aim know Marse Henery," COM
miseratingly; so yo' don't un'stan'.
OBJ co'se I wUk for him. He car for
me befo' de war, didn' he? What mig
ger good for but wuk, I like know"
a boy came through the car with a
basket of sandwiches. The young
man bought two and handed them to
/ his companion. The old negro's eyes
| gIistened-
Tank yo'. massa, tank yo's. sah.'
he said, gratefully 4 didn't hab 10
breakfas', an moneys too scase to bay
things on de road 1 war 'Iowin' 10
| I'LL Up arter done reach GeOrEy-"
A few minutes later there was a
| slight ripple through the car. The
conductor had entered and was calling
| for tickets.
The young man produced his and held
| it in readiness. The negro fumbIed
anxioUsly through several pockets. and
/ finally remembered that he had pinned
his to his hat lining.
Done TUX cherry cent I could scrapa
up 10 buy dat" he said, triumphantly,
| as he produced it. But dat's all right.
I kin wuk, an folks don't need money
Wen dey's home. Moneys for trab-
| bin"
In the seat behind them was a shah
billy dressed woman whose face had
| an anxious, frightened expression.
Crowded on the seat beside her we're
several bundles, and in her arms was
| a white-faced, big-eyed baby. When
| the conductor touched her shoulder
she started uneasily.
Ticket, please"
A red flush of shame spread over the
/ wOman'S face; then it faded, leaving
| her white and logged.
I haven't any"
Very well II you get off at the
next station it win save US the trouble
Of putting you Of" and he turned %
the opposite seat.
The woman's eyes grew big with ter
ror as she sprang up and caught him
by the arm
Don't do that sir, Don't put me
Off" she impIored, hoarseIy. I've got
to go Ny husband has written for ma
to come He's-he's dying" and a great
sob rose TO her white lips. but was
| resOlutely choked back Il tried TO raise
money" lowering her voice 30 the
other passengers could not hear. but
couldn't We sold everything We had So
/ he could 90 south, as the doctor or
| dered. And now he'S-he' s. SE7
turned from him and sank weakly into
her seat The conductor shook his
head.
I'm sorry, madam ne said. kindly,
but we have only one rule You mus
pay or get OF. 1 can't risk breaking
the rules. Ticket pleas Sc"
The old negro rose slowly to his feet
rs feared you'll hab 10 put ne Of.
too, boss" he said. humbIy. Hit 8
mons rous hard work for pore Niger
ike me TO raise money for ticket"
'On at the next station broke in
the conductor, harshly- Wen be there
IN minute II il WAS not 50 near =
slow the train and put you OF This
poor woman has some excuse. but you
BAH" The young man was about 10
make a protest. but something in the
old negroes face restrained him
Before the conductor reached the end
Of the car the speed began to sLacken-
The old negro rose and turned 10 MS
companion.
Reckon better be Ieabin'' - he said
IT ank you for dem san wiChs. an /
hop'l member me kin'ly. Here, missy.
10 the woman, who was gazing sLOnlly
from the window, and. dropping his
ticket into her lap, here's 20 ticket.
reckon 70 done drap hit I hope 70
I'M dat husban ain so bad as 70
tink," and before she could recover
from her bewilderment ne had left the
car and was shutting down the plat
form The young man half rose To call
him back then a remembrance Of MS
own resources, or perhaps of some one