Morris tribune. [volume] (Morris, Minn.) 1880-2000, 1910-02-18
but1dat don hinder me-"

told at the time that you were dying"
well, nanny done shame OBJ me,
an she neber let me come to see you
nor nobody else eff she kin hep it, eos
she say l too ugly an l'r an might
scair dem. ;
zone day, massa." continued the boy,
Nancy brung lip massa down to de
cabin, an while she an nanny ben
a-talkin' l slipped up to de kerridge.
an he amt neber ben scairt in de leas',
but jes' her out his lTI' hands to me an
say, I Tub you, boy 1 glib him some
flowers, an he jes' laff so sof' an
sweet. Oh, sab, l know l could tex
sech good care OBJ him.! e
''He has a nurse already" said the
judge. Then, seeing the disappoint-
ment in the child's eyes. he added good
naturally, ''but come up to the house
tomorrow, and l will see if l can find
something for you to do
'Tankie, massa" And with hope in
his heart the little unfortunate went
back to his mothers cabin, careful not
to excite her by any allusion to an in
terview with the master.
Bright visions haunted the little boy
that night as he lay on his humble pal
let. The height Of his ambition was
about to be realized. The "big house"
as he termed it, which was a large CO.
lonial structure, seemed to him beau
tiful palace and it's inhabitants such
superior beings that he was not worthy
to touch the hem of their garments.
So occupied was the judge with his
business that the incident with the lit
tie boy passed out of his mind, and he
was surprised the next day when An
drew, the butler, told him that NapO-
leon Bonaparte wished to see him.
''Who on earth is Napoleon Bona
parte? l was not aware that | had
made an appointment to meet the
ghost Of that illustrious man. Did you
know it, my dear?" turning to his wife.
''No, indeed, did not. Who is this
person, Andrew"
''Well, ma'am, he's Liza's chile, one
wat Big Jim let fall down de bluff.
You amt member dat, ma'am, cos it
y
Il remember now, Andrew. Show
him ill.," said the judge, and, seating
himself by his wife, he said:
''My dear Lucy, he is the most pitiful
specimen of humanity ever saw, but
he. has fallen a victim to Harry's
charms and wants to be his body serv-
ant"
With mingled feelings Of awe and
delight the little cripple walked into
the presence of the judge and his wife,
saluting them with a low bow, cap in
hand.
"Heah I is, massa. Andrew ain
wan let me in, but tell him reckin
you knowed your own business. How
L'P Massa Harry tOdayY
''He is well. Napoleon" replied Mrs.
Marsden. would you like to see
himY'
"Deed l would, missis. See, |
brung chin some shells wat / got on
de beach," And he drew forth some
lovely pink and white shells from the
depths of ragged pocket.
Noticing his tattered garments, Mrs.
Marsden said:
''Why doesn't your mother provide
you with better clothes?"
''She glib all de good clos to Lafa-
yette an Esmeralda an mex me wey
all de ole ones, cos she say it dom
matter bout me-nobody gwine notice
me nohow."
Meanwhile Nancy brought little
Harry in, and as soon as he laid eyes
on Napoleon he toddled straight for
him. ...
"See, massar' exclaimed the delight
ed boy. "He aim scairt OBJ me one bit.
Here, li'F massa. here some shells
brung you And he put the pretty
things in the baby's hands.
1t was truly a charming sight-the
handsome, laughing boy scattering
the shells on the floor and the eager
faced hunchback gathering them again
and again. only to have the baby cast
them down Immediately with roguish
delight.
HE is too small to have charge of
Harry" whispered Mrs. Marsden to
her husband, shut he could help in the
kitchen and be allowed to amuse him
sometimes"
She then said to the child. "Your
master and l think you too small to
have charge Of Master Harry, but you
may go into the kitchen and help the
cook, and sometimes you may play
with him."
''Tankie, ma'am." But be added as
he backed out Of the door. Il gwine
do somet'in' to show you dat eff is
li'P l ken TEX charge OBJ de baby"
every well, we'lI See" said Mrs.
Observation-Disclosures Constitution.