Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-11-16

The sun shone warm upon the banks
Of the Chipela. 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 delirious Joy of the spring
sunshine and flowers.
A white haired negro came slowly
around the cabin. grasping with both
hands n large bowl from which a
piece had been broken. AS be ap-
peared there was a sudden connection,
which spread quickly to the remote
parts of the clearing and to the I'M
dergroWth beyond, and chickens of all
sizes and colors came squawking to-
ward him with wings outstretched
and feet scarce touching the ground.
He scattered the food among them.
After the chickens had, with impair
TALLY and many admonitions to be-
have, received all the food from the
hand of the old man, he then sought
plank where the sunshine fell warm
and unbroken and closed his eyes and
spread out his trembling arms that he
might enjoy 1t to the full.
There were sounds of dishes being
washed in the cabin. the swish of q
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.
A hoe leaned against the cabin. a
mattock lay upon the ground near the
door, a saw still pressed its jagged
teeth into the trunk of a half sawn
branch at the meager wood pile-all
these implements OF toll as they had
been left when work was over the
night before.
No one came to resume work this
morning. so it was evident that some
thing out of the ordinary was going
on
Presently a dusky young face ap-
peared at the window.
'Hey, gran'pap" a shrill, childish
voice called. Nanny say To- yo' to
come in TO yo' clean shut. Yo' gwine
dress up fus' case yo' wax slower"
Grandpap moved toward the cabin.
AS he went in a troop Of six picka.
ninnies came tumbling out, all boys
but one. A peremptory voice followed
them.
Now, doan yo' chilluns go fur of.
Soon's yo' gran'pap's done fix 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 I'M
Outstanding, the boys began to sidle
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. Aim yo'
member dat nanny say all dem roses
gwine be save To- Aun' Cella's mar
r'geT
But new ones done bloom arter
nanny say dat" expostulated Wash
ington petulantly. "'Sides, hits man.
cipation an 'mancipation's more'n jes'
marr'ge."
81 don't keer. OATS what nanny
say. an yo' all know nanny aim say
one ting twice"
"Yo' gwine be telltale, MacieT' scorn-
fully.
mo, 1 aim gwine be telltaIe. But
dat's what nanny say. an yo' know
nanny mighty sot on what she say,
Yo' know dat, doan yo'T
Washington looked doubtfully at his
and from them back to
the roses.
'Dey gwine look mighty nice on we
ais new clos" he said wistfully. San
dar's shorely too many for jes'
marr'ge. An dey keep openin' UP all
de durin' time. Nanny ain gwine
car 70 jes' one rose 70, we alls man
cipation. Yo' know dat. Mncie."
MacieNdid not answer, and Washing
ton went on persuasively:
"Yo' know dat two nickels 1 done
make totin' things. Macle. Well. rs
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