Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1909-11-20
Roses and
Repentance
BY v. A. WAYNE
Copyright. 1909 by American Press
Association.
BY v. A. WAYNE

The sun stone warm upon the banks
of the Chipcla. upon the tall pines and
the low bending dogwoods and upon
the little cabin In the half acre clear
Ing that was devoted to chicken rails.
ing and sweet potato growing.
There were odors of new growth In
the air. the CLINT of fresh green among
the foliage. and from branch of the
towering dogwood hooking bird was
singing its delrious joy of the spring
sunshine and flowers.
4 white haired negro came slowly
around the cabin, grasping with both
hands Il large bowl from which a
piece had been broken. AS he APP
pearcd there was sudden commotion.
which spread quickly to the remote
parts of the clearing and 10 the un-
dergrowth beyond. and chickens OF all
sizes and colors came squawking to-
ward him with wings outstretchcd
and feet scarce touching the ground.
lie scattered the food among them.
After the chickens had. with impair
TALLY ana many admonitions TO be-
have. received all the food from the
hand of the old man. he then sought
a plank where the sunshine fell warm
and unbroken and closed his eyes and
spread out his trembling arms that ho
might enjoy ii TO the full.
There We're sounds of dishes being
washed in the cabin, the swish of n
broom. the passing of hot iron across
newly starched cloth and above all the
hubbub of eager. expectant. joyful
voices. The day was not an ordinary
one: that was evident.
\ hoe leaned against the cabin, n
mattock lay upon the ground near the
door, saw still pressed its jagged
teeth into the trunk of half sawn
branch ut the meager wood pile--all
these implements of toll as they had
been left when work was over the
night before.
No one came 10 resume work this
morning. SO 1t was evident that some
thing out of the ordinary was going
ON.
Presently dusky young face ap-
peared Mt the window.
Hey. gran'pap" a shriIl childish
voice called. Nanny say TO yo' 10
come In TO 20 clean shut. Yo' gwine
dress up fus' case yo' wax slower"
Grandpap moved toward the cabin.
As lie went in II troop of six picka.
ninnies came tumbling out. all boys
bur one A peremptory voice followed
them.
Now. doan yo' chilluns go fur off.
Soon's yo grau'pap's done Tx yo'
gwine be fix TOO. Now, min"
At one end of the cabin a rosebush
clambered up and about the low
caves. AS though through previous un.
derstanding. the boys began TO side
toward this. keeping an inquiring look
upon their sister the while. But not
until one of their hands reached slyly
toward a freshly opened rose did she
notice. Then she said:
stop dat. Washunton. Ain yo
member dat nanny say all dem roses
gwine be save TO- Aun' Celia's mar
rge?"
But new ones done bloom arter
nanny say dat" expostuiated Wash
ington petulantly. sides. hits man
cipation an 'mancipation's more'n jes'
marr'ge"
Il don't keer. OATS what nanny
say. an yo' all know nanny ain say
one ting twice"
"Yo' gwine be telltale. Macie:" scorn-
fully.
No. | ain gwine he teltaIe. But
dat's what mummy say. an yo' know
nanny mighty sot on what she say.
fo' know dat. doan yo':"
Washington looked doubtfully ut his
companions and from them back TO
the roses.
"Dey gwine look mighty nice on We
ais new clos" he said wistfully, AN
dars shorcly too many for jes
marr'ge. An dey keep openln' M all
de dnrin' time. Nanny ain gwins
car TO jes' one rose TO we alls man
cipation. 70 know dat. Macie."
Macie did not answer. aud Washing.
ton went Oh persuaslyely:
"Yo' know dat two uickels | done
make totin' t'ings. Macie. Well. is
gwine spen' hit NIL TO sweet stun. an
yo'se gwinc hab half An. sides. god
shorely look mighty fine long o one
dem roses pinned on go blue caliker.
yo' shorely would"
Macie hesitated.
Oars mo- roses openin' up. sho'
nuf." she said thoughtfully. "an'
don low mammy'd car much. spe-
cially If She didn't know. An marr'ge
ain muffin TO Emancipation nohow
Den yo' say right bout dat rose look.
in peart long o my caliker Yaas.
reckon jes' one rose dat away gwine
he all right: but. min you. half dat ar
sweet stun longs 10 me-"
"chilluns. chilluns. Wh'ar yo' all
be: Come. rusticate yo'se'fs now.
Gan'pap's done fix an gwine up de
road. Yo'se 10 foIler him. Den Nose
an' NELL come long. We hit de road
faster dan YOU alls. Quick. now. 70