The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1909-04-06

I had attained manhood, ana neeoed
his wise counsel most. My sainted
mother was my companion and friend,
but her sweet life was quenched sud
denly, and l am alone, Q :,
l met dear Ansel soon after my sad
loss, and I only know that We are
very good friends l am here to ask
your permission to WOO her as nay wife,
and would only say at present, that l
am able to care for her. as her station
in life demands, and should give her
the best-and all-of my heart and
life. Anse1 can tell you who are the
people / know and 11ing1e with in old
Virginia."
With a deep sigh Mr.. BERN said:
4 realize for the first time. Mr.. Stuart.
that our daughter Ansel has passed
into Wo%naanhood, anu is no longer the
precious, tender child we have SO
loved and cherished. Ny dear wife
will doubtless agree with me-that
matter, We will approve; for We have
great faith in her loving heart n
sound judgment. And then, a gentle
smile playing around his firm bps, MI.
BERN continued: d you see that Old
negro woman sitting on the lower step
just there? She is a member Of the
BERN family, n you will have to
propitiate her majesty If you Wof,ld
win Ansel. She has nursed that child
from her infancy. and would die TO
save HcI III dOA1SS1 ILldI .
threaten. Come here Riah.'
The IL woman arose from her lowly
seat and approached h group with
a deferential courtesy, saying, "SafEeat
to 20 all
"Riah, said Mr.. BERN. this gentle
man YOU doubtless know. is Mr.. Max
| we'll Stuart, from Virginia, and be has
come to Georgia Oh very important
business, and he wants to lake our
acquaintance. You might help him
some"
Use proud to know 0 sir: What
kin I do ter help a quality g~entnan?'
Il want YOU to help me win a wife
Nanny Riah, for | am told you are a
judge in such matters" What sheep
fole is you gwyin to rob, Mars Stuart :
De amt bat one lamb here, and She
she is de pearl Of great price, set in
de gole of ophir. / gwyin to inqulrate
powerful, fore I eyer lets Ansel say
dat las word. ter any man."
"Well, / am here to answer all
your questions
ole Riah amt doubtin' YOU is q
gent'man, sar, but my lamb is de light
an glory of dis ole place. What has
you ter give for de Owe Of dat chile?"
"AH the love Of my lonely heart,
Nanny Riah. | have neither father
nor mother, and all that / possess shall
be her
Has you got any ringers? an if 50,
is Q good to 'em?"
Il have only a few slaves, Ma1nmie
Riah. and they are a part Of my
household" Does Miss Ansei owe
you? Then surely those dear people
that I have known from my child
hood love meas I do them"
You is a far-spoken gent'maI, Mars
Stuart, an I shall tell Ansel to follow
her heart; but dis ole niger is gwyi.n
ter follow Ansel. II h go to old
jes hear dat fer de truth If ole mars
an Miss 'Lizabeth ca nspar dere only
lamb, de al spar me, too"
Gladly would I take you to Virginia
If Mr.. and Mrs. BERN consent, but I
ave yet to got the consent of Your
young mistress-for / would not ask
her until | ould do SO uHder her own
roof"
Now dat is what I call de right
KIND er cotin-no stealin' a young
chlles heart, an den akin consent for
what's already done. Go find my lamb,
Mars Stuart. You have my blessin.'
And the old woman made a low cour-
tesy and disappeared.
You have won her confidence Mr..
Stuart said Mr.. BERN. Had She
doubted you in h least she would
have have given YOU trouble: for she
mas the Y OF a lynx and a wonderful
insight into human nature. He word
has always had great influence over
my children. and Ansel loves her de-
votedly."
Thus the way was opened for Max
Wen stuart's final QUESTIONABLE ch
found an answer in Ansel's trustful
keeping.
Her year at the conservatory was
taken after her marriage. and during
her solourn there she found a honaely
part OF her old Georgia home in the
person Of Nanny Riah-a great com
fort. And Stuart always insisted that
the old atuocrat' was an indispensi-
BILE part Of his family.
Floral Manse.
should AcSoniafo xxrftr, HraC