The Intermountain Catholic. (Salt Lake City [Utah] ;) 1899-1920, 1908-03-14
Taking Him Home

1t was a dead still day. wintry and cold with
gray atmosphere, close packed with snow clouds
and so dense that distances seemed short and the
horizon at hand. The hillsides were covered with
snow. and snow lay along the straight branches of
the trees
Even the laurel thickets huddled near the
ground. turned their leaves down and tried to spill
temwonted snow gathered upon them. There was
no wind. The season was unusual for Virginia
eran for the mountain region In January
There was much snow the track below and
an engine bad been sent to clear the track When
The passenger train arrived from above. it was de-
tanned some little time at the station. Several men
came out the platform to stretch their legs and
inquire about the detention
colored woman sat near the edge of the plat
form. with her arms, folded under her shawl Be
side her was a box. telling It's own story with
strange pathos. Many glances were cast upon the
woman but no paused to speak to her. The
station agent volunteered an explanation of the
situation: Its poor negro who lived somewhere
back among the hills He died last night and his
wife wants to take him down the country fifty miles
70 bury him with his own people the old planta-
uon She hasn't a cent of money"
why don't she bury him herel" passenger
inquired
The agent shrugged his shoulders. "Thats what
asked her. Why not bury him here. auntien [
sand. II this region was good enough for him to
I'VE and die IN, 1t ought to be good enough to hold
his body"
True for you" grinned young man with
hard face. Did she see the logic of thatl'
Not she She says that she and her old man
are quality niggers'-used to belong to the Bald
WINS below here-and that that sort of folks was
9aeeged to lay their dead together. She says all
Their folks, white and black are buried on the old
Place; and she can't feel satisfied to put the old
man anywhere else"
And she's got no money!"
Not q cent She wants mo to tr11St hpT fare
ana carriage until she gets back. Says she'll worl,
out had hard work 10 make her understand
hat the corporation doesn't do business that way"
me hard-faced Young man snickered.
lou bet il don't" he grinned. That sort Of
eeaaheading wouldn't pay. so faint likely to come
IN fashion. When the old lady gets left reckon
me come to think one place as good as another
tall man in shabby overcoat touched the
aren't on the arm. How did the body get herer'
-t asked. Did she bring it
les, sir; on wood sled with a steer. Twas six
miles She said She made the box too-she and
ef daughter. 1t looks hard to disappoint her, but
war can a fellow dol This road amt NINE and
regulations don't"
NE tall man turned away and went over anti
"aaed the woman on the shoulder.
80 You want to carry the old man home,
'Mue. he said. very gently.
>Ie looked up with tears III her eyes.
All we all's folks was buried spectacle an all
gsether in de graveyard at home" she said visit
Our white people thought sight O we all,
81. one corder oh DER buryin' place was cut off
}s t ee house servants. | was de chilun's NANNY
lo DC war; and Sawney he wait on Mars'r. |
n arm gree to put him away out here in de woods |
, r common niger. dou't no family nor moth
wv We all was allus quality colored folks"
~. w here are they all-your white people|
rI.,. DEAD sab. An de place is solded. but dars |
my people dat knows bout Sawney's place an
a. .- r ~ de graveyard. Ole Mars'r thought heap
o ~ ole man. An we all has allus buried togeth-
inr one m broke down sobbing pitifully, and
Ill., ,Ie rough box beside her with worn, dark hands
a III Gentleman stroked her shoulder kindly. q had
soft IioIed o. nanny when / was child" he said
to M, She was good to me, and | loved her next
my own mother"