The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1909-04-06
:" M RlAH'
An Olden Time Autocrat.
By VIM. LAURIE HILL.
An Olden Time Aut0crat.
By VIM. LA URIE HILL.

tie bed in mothers room. Is was
with delight that Ansel saw the
thoughtful love of father am mother
in the beautifully furnished Eoom that
greeted her glad eyes.
ooh mother she exclaimed, and
putting her arms about her mothers
neck. she said:
How sweet of you and dear father
to plan this great surprise for me. IL
is indeed a dear haven of rest ana
peace and I feel like l could never
leave it
Mother is glad indeed that you
like it all, and your father en1oyad as
much the planning of it as [ did. my
dear daughter. / rejoice too. in see
ing that you are looking so we'll, for l
feared your last session would tax your
strength, and leave you sadly in need
rest. but you are blooming
MY hardest work was last year,
mother dear, and fortunately, | nave
not been overworked this spring, and
was able to give the attention | desired
to my music. You will be glad 20
know I Won a scholarship at the con-
se~rvatOry in B.. and greatly desire to
spend a year there a little. later on
Bravo, my girl. | am proud OF you.
And you shall have every advantage.
FOR I know you will make wise use OF
them. Rest now a little Whila. my
darling, before coming down to sup
per; mothers heart is overlooking at
the very thought Of having you once
| more at home"
Ansel BERN had been a pretty child
| but a developed into a very beautl~
full Oman and was as attractive IN
manner as in person. Her eyes were
a soft hazel with dark brown lashes;
her cheeks had & healthtui bloom.
her mother seemed always ready :or
a smile. and her smile was So win
| ming, it never failed to attract even the
most casual acquaintance. She had
inherited her father genial way ara
healthy physique, and her mothers
gentle disposition and graceful per
sonal attractions II IS therelor2 u,
wonder that Ansel was the pride and
10Y of her parents, and a most pCtted
and beloved sister TO Malcomb a2d
Kenneth.
Malcomb had often been heard to
saw that SISTER AnSel had given him
in her own sweet self so high an ideal
| Of womanhood. he feared that ne
should never be able to find n wife
Who could Measure IN to her. While
Kenny had often told her II you WIZ
| only STAY single. and go on living at
FaiIowfield, / pledge YOU Ansel, dear,
| Will never mary
Nanny Piah had always belonged
to the BERN family, Her fathei was
a Guinea negro, and one OF the last
shipload of slaves that had landed on
the Georgia coas Just prior to the
ending of the save trade. h claimed
that he was an African prince VINO
had been captured in a tribal war. Ana
there were many stories told q tnf
regal way in which he had ruled the
slaves at Fallowfield. when the fethef
of Malcomb BERN had rewarded ms
f~aithfulness. by making him head mar
in all the plantation york.
His daughter, Riah. had Inherited
his autocracy. n While ever respect
ful to "old mars" and Miss Iizabeth,'
the children had always yielded hes
obedience as second in command, alu
not a slave on the place dared to dis
pute when her will was once made
known.
That first evening at home-wEal
If delight it Was-fOr in advance O
her coming. Brother Malcomo had Sc
lected as a present n hippeu ~
rail. the best piano to be II
Savannah. and Ansel was now 20 tes,
is tone and give the dear acme peo-
pie a rare specimen Of her muslca
bowers: while her rich. sweet voice
blending with Malcomb's deep pass
land Kenny's beautiful tenoT,~ "nder
song after song, that stirred sWec;
memories, and fliled the ou ON
with rich melody.
Father BERN sat in his old arm
chair. holding the hand of Dame I1iiz-
abeth, while their children SURE y.
Banks and Braes O Bonnie Don
while Mammie Riah. her red silk tnr'
baned head bobbing. her black fact
Shining, kept time to the music: hel
every feature giving expression to Ia
tense delight.
.sMiss Iizabbeth. Miss Li"abeth
exclaimed Mammie Riah during {
pause in the music, does You eve
'spect ter hear any sWeeter music II
heaben dan dis? WHY my honey fa'
de voice Of er ANGEL
cit is very sweet, nanny, and dea'
Aneel and the bows make old F'a11oW
fie1d as near heaven as we VIII eve
get on earth. Dat de does, an
hates ter see de beaux begin to come
an de young birds b'gln to lily ava.
from de ole nest-and old mammles
eyes filled with tears. It q afte'
ten o'clock. the evening hymn ha'
been sung. and the household com