The Cook County herald. [volume] (Grand Marais, Minn.) 1893-1909, 1906-08-18

when, he wanted to, and he didn't
spare .Aleck a bit sAleck never said
a word-just listened to my fathers
abuse of him his hands folded over
his cap, his eyes on the two bills lying
on the table where my father had
thrown them. Then he said slowly:
">'Marse Henry, done hearn .ye
every word. You don't want me here
no mo-, an I'm 'gwine. away. amt
a-dghtin' agin you =. an Sammy an
nebera will-it's 'cause-I couldn't help
1t dat I'm wearin' desc clo'es. AS to
dis money dat you won't let Sammy
take, it's mine to glib cause saved
1t up. gin it to Sammy cause I
fotched him up an cause he's as
much mine as he is your'n. Please,
Marse Henry, let Sammy keep dis
money. Dere didn't useter be no dif-
renee otween us, and dere oughtn't
to be none now
MY father didn't speak again-he
hadn't the heart, and Aleck went out,
leaving the money on tue table.
when the war closed l came home
and began to pick up my life again.
Aleck had gone to Wisconsin and was
living in the same town as young
Cruger, one of my fathers law stu
dents. When my father died I tele-
graphed Cruger, inviting him to serve
as one of the pall-bearers, and asked
him to find Aleck and tell him.
knew he would be hurt if I didn't let
him know.
1T was two o'clock the next night
when Aleck came. hardly knew him,
he was so changed-much older and
bent; and his clothes hung on him in
rags.
81 pointed to the parlor door, and
the old man went on tip-toe into the
room and stood looking at my fathers
dead face for long time-the body
lay on cot. Then he placed his hat
on the floor and got down on his
knees. There was just light enough
to see his figure black against the
white of the sheet that covered the
cot. For some minutes he knelt mo-
tionless. as if in prayer, though no
sound escaped him.
"Then he bent down and picked up
one corner of the white sheet, and
kissed it reverently. He did not touch
the face. When he had tiptoed out of
the room, he laid his hand on my
shoulder. The tears were streaming
down his face.
1T was jes' like We, Sammy, to
send TO- me. We knows one anudder,
you an me- and he turned towards
the front door.
Where are you going, Aleck?' I
asked.
"1 dunno, sammy-some place
whar I kin lay down.
"'You don't leave here tonight,
Aleck,' I sa4u. Go upstairs to that
room next to mine-you know where
it is-and get into that bed He held
up his hand and began to say he
couldn't, but I insisted.
THE next morning was Sunday.
Sammy said .Aleck, as soon as he
saw me. Il want We to let me drive
my marsters body to de grave
II held out my hand, and for an in
slant neither of us spoke.
"''Thank ye, Sammy was all he
said.
when the carriages formed in line
saw Aleck leaning against the fence.
and the undertaker's man was on the
hearse. caught Alexis eye and
beckoned to him.
s. WHATS tho yooffnr A1oo1-o uyL -.
aren't you on the hearse?'
ode undertaken man wouldn't let
me, ~ammy; an didn't like to 'sturb
you an de mistis.'
''The tears stood in his eyes.
Go find him and bring him to me. ,
I said.
when he came I told him the fu-
neral would stop where it was if he
didn't carry out my orders.
Gle said there was come mistake.
though I didn't believe it, and went of
with Aleck AS we turned out of tt e
gate and into the road I caught sight
Of the hearse, Aleck on the box. He
sat bolt upright, head erect, the reins
in one hand, the whip resting on his
knee, as I had seen him do so often
when driving my father-grave, digni-
fed and thoughtful, speaking to the
horses in low tones, the hearse mov-
ing and stopping as each carriage
would be filled and driven ahead
At this instant the Pullman porter
came up.
your berth's all ready, Major" said
the porter.
My companion rose from his chair.
Strengthened his leg, held out his hand
and said:
"You can understand now, sir, how
feel about these continued outrages.
don't mean to say that every man
is like Aleck, but I do mean to saw
that Aleck would never have been as
loyal as he is but lor the way nv
father brought him up. Good night.
sir"
He was gone before could do more
than express my thanks for his con-
f1dence. It was just as well-any fur
Their word Of mine would have been
SuperfluOus.