The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-03-03

whose duty It was to do the marking
Tho other laborers asked Will
and he told them that Et a. was Eli
berton Anderson and U. S. was Unc 9
Sam Wilson, and hence tho United
States took the name Of Uncle Sam
That Little Niger Boy I Used
to Own.
(By reuucst.)
have met a heap O. people, and I've
had a heap o. chums-
Good fellows, Just as good as ever
known!
But I've never seen a better nor a
truer, kinder friend
Than that little Niger boy used to
own.
His hide was black as charcoal, and
his heart was just as warn
He want n great philosopher, but
never thought no harm;
And tho to flatter childhood mankind
is awful prone,
Twas cunning little devil that !
used to boss and own.
There we're lots OF pickaninnies round
my old plantation home,
But Alec, he belonged to me alone:
lie could outrun all the others, and he'd
fight and lie for me,
And loved that niger boy used
to own.
His head was round and knappy and
his eyes were big and white:
Els mouth was quite capacious, and
it let in lots of light;
But tho he want a beauty, nor plate
for style and tone,
The love was true and honest Of that
boy used to own.
We were playmates all together, tho I
was kind OF king.
But | never put myself upon a
throne:
And I told tales in the hog house and
I waded in the branch,
With that little niger boy used to
own.
It's true we'd get to fghtin', and I'd
lick 'em If / could
But this was rather seldom, for they
generally We're good;
And I'd swap 'em off my dinner for a.
ashcake and bone,
And Id take my midday repast with
that boy used to own.
And then I grew up bigger, and used
to ride to school.
Through meadows where the rice and
cane were sown;
And he'd take my horse at even, and
he'd love to see me come.
That happy. smiling boy used to
own.
He would steal watermelons but no
one didn't mind;
They knew he couldn't help it-'twas
the nature of his kind;
And when in gaudy brilliance the au-
tumn full moon shone,
I'd hunt the cunnin' possun with
that boy used to own.
But my schooling wasn't finished, for
before I was sixteen
The trumpet call to war was loudly
blown
And I volunteered my service and 1
FASTENED to the front,
And was followed by that boy I used
to own.
He would get scared in battle, and,
dam i'm, how he'd run!
But he'd always find tho compny
when the soldiers work was done,
And he'd steal good rations for me, tho
from whence I've never known,
And I've oft been saved MY supper
by that boy I used to own
He would lie bout the battles, an he
swo' he'd fought 'em all;
He said he'd killed some sixteen
men, he knew--he'd seen zen,
fall;
But he took fatal fever, which no
skill could check or tone,
And ! nursed him like a brother then,
that boy I used to own.
But soon it was all over, and we laid
him in his grave,
No truer friend I've ever had to
mourn:
And raised granite monument to
mark the plake we laid
That loving. faithful boy used to
own.
| He had his small shortcomings. and
they may be counted sin;
But Saint Peter knows a Niger, and
he'll make excuse for him!
And If, In Gods great goodness. I shall
view sweet heavens throne.
know I'll see that smilin' face. that
| boy I used to own.
I have met heap O. people. and I've
had a heap o. chums,
| Good fellows-just as good as ever
known
But I've never seen a better, nor a
/ truer, kinder friend
Than that little niger boy used to
own.
His hide was black as charcoal, and his
| heart was just as warm;
| He want a great philosopher, but
never thought no harm;
And tho to flatter childhood mankind
Is awful prone,
love the recollection Of that boy |
used to own.
Howell colston Featherston.
Schools Before the War.
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