The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1907-03-21
The GOLD LEAF
THURSDAY. MARCH u, 1907.

ry HOWELL E. FEATHERsToN.

IThe following beautiful stanzas writ.
ten by Mr.. Howell {. FeatherstOn and
Dublished in the Washington past recent
iv. have been complimented Tor their
cIeverness and fidelity to nature. Inc
author is Il son Of Capt. J. {. feath-
erston. member OF the Virginia House OF
Delegates from Campbell rOunty.-Rlch-
mond 7jmes Uispatcb.
have met Il heap o people. and We had a
heap o chums-
Good fellows. Just rs good as ever known!
But I've never seen better, nor !; truer'
kinder friend
Than that litter Niger boy used to own.
His hide was black az charcoaland his heart
was Just as warm:
He wa mt great philosopher, but ne never
thought no harm:
And tho to fattcr childhood mankind II
awful prone,
Twas a cunning little devil that used TO
boss and own.
There are lots OF picknn nnies round my old
plantation home.
But Alec he belonged to me all alone
He could Outrun all the others, and he d fight
and lie for me
And loved that niger boy used 10 own.
His head was round and nappy and his eyes
were big and white,
His mouth was quite chpacious, and 1t let III
lots Of light
But tho he want q beauty, nor plate Tor
style an tone.
The love was true and honest OF that boy
used to own.
We were pIaymatcs all together, tho | was
kind of king
But never put myself 10 on throne;
Ind 4 toll taIn in I ha lnDhnuGp and | wAUpI
in the branch,
With that little Niger boy used no own.
It's true wed get to fghtin', and I'd lick IN,
ii | could:
But this was rather seldom for they gener-
ally We're good.
And I'd swap EN- off my dinner for an ash
cake and Il bone.
And I'd take my midday repast with that
boy used TO own.
Aud then grew up bigger, and | used to
ride to school
Throngn meadows. where the rice and cane
We're sOWn
And he'd take my horse at even, and he'd
love to me come.
That happy. smilin boy used to own.
But my schOOin' wasn't finished for before
was sixteen.
Tn" trumpet call OF war was loudly blown;
And volunteered my service and FASTENED
to the front,
And was followed by that boy used TO own.
He would get scared in battle and dam i'm,
how he'd run.
But he'd always find the compny when the
soldiers work was done
And he d steal good rations for me, tho from
whence ! We never known,
And I've oft been saved my supper by that
boy used to own.
The war was long and bitter, but his arlor
never tagged;
II" kept the oath to follow me he'd sworn:
An when it was all over brought him home
again.
That shiny, GRIMM boy used to own.
He would lie bout the battles, an he swo
he'd fought EN- all:
He said he'd killed some six teen men he knew,
he'd seen en- fall:
But he took Natal fever, which no skill could
check nor tone.
And nursed him like brother then, that
boy used to own.
But soon it was all over, and we laid him in
his grave.
No truer friend ever had to mourn
And raised a granite monument to mark
the place we laid
That loving, faithful boy ! used to own.
He had his small shortcomings and they
may be counted sin;
But Saint Peter knows ngger, and he'll
make excuse for him!
And it, in Gods great goodness | shall view
sweet heaven throne,
know II see that smiling face, that boy !
used to own.
have met a heap o. people, and I've had a
heap o chums-
Good fellows, Just as good as ever known.
hut We never seen a better, nor truer,
kinder friend
Than that little niger bsy used to own.
His hide was black rs charcoal and his heart
was Just as warm:
Tie want a great philosopher, but be never
thought no harm;
And tho to Halter childhood mankind is aw.
ful prone.
love the rec0lections of that boy used to
own