The Washington times., 1911-06-20

'Peahs laik dat boy gifts some
moe 'ligIon ev'day. He's doin'
a powerful sight o. prayin',
mo'nin' an night, twell a body
CANT sleep TO listenin' to him."
Send him to me, Binah. 1 shall be
down in the dining room"
But, honey, yo' amt slep' none all
night! Dat bald amt been mussed.'
Never mind now. Go at once and
fetch Lymus. Oh. I'm so tired, nanny!
Don't keep me waiting!"
When Lymus, hat in hand, tramped
heavily into the dining room a few
minutes later. Della scanned him close
ly. On many occasions before she had
noticed the unusual intelligence and
quick comprehension her stout man
servant possessed. But now, looking at
the broad. pensive brow of ebony which
surmounted the impenetrable stolidity
of his features, 1t suddenly occurred TO
her that Lymus was the sort OF charac-
ter who would naturally take leader
ship among his race.
'Lymus," said she, 'I notice that
you've been praying a great deal of
late"
''Yas, missy" the man answered. 81
got 'hgion. done been moved by de
Speeret to pray fo' dis sufferin' worp."
For whom do you pray?"
How dat?" he asked quickly, scent
ing trouble.
Only the merest instant did he hesi-
tate. and then replied: II prays fo' dem
bofe. missy. cause I reckon dey bofe
stands in need O. pra'r."
But on which side are you in this
war;"
Use on de Lawd's side"
Aren't you hoping the Yankees will
succeed, because they have promised
you your freedom?"
Reckon Lymus'd a heap sight ruther
go round in a ole coat, even If hit am
full O. holes. dan git out in winter time
a lookn' TO new one"
Perceiving that she could get no ad-
mission from the negro, she came
nearer the point.
"Lymus," said she, 'the newspapers
have been full of rumors that the COL
ored people of Richmond are holding Sec
ret meetings"
He opened his thick lips in a slow
grin of incredulity.
'Yo' doan' say, missy!"
"Of course, you will say you know
nothing about such meetings"
me? Wy, hits des like yeahin'
knowledge to me, lrl' missy. I nebber
knowed none but white folks knowed
er dem COINS on"
THE papers say these meetings are
presided over by a white man."
wall, l reckon den dey knows, II
it's in de print. I doan' know muffin
maself!"
Just what expected you to say"
Deed doesn't. missy"
Listen Lymus. Im' not asking you
to tell me anything. know how use
less 1t would be. Only remember this
that last summer when 1 asked you to
look for the crippled soldier, Potts, he
came TO this house shortly afterward.
although you denied having found him. :"
Cur us. wuzn' It? While / wuz hun
tin high an low fo' him, up he bobs,
des like cottontail."
And later, when soldiers were sur
rounding this house, some colored man
came and tapped on the window to
warn him"
when wuz datT'
Never mind explaining. Lyrnus. do
you care anything for my brother.
Floyd?'
genuine feeling in the negro's soft and
sonorous tones. "Lawd bless yo,' III
missy, what fo' yo' done ask me dat?
Amt young Mawse Floyd growed up
un'er ma ve'y own eyes"
This letter." She hesitated.
"Yes, missy?" Lymus blinked his eyes
rapidly, to indicate to her that he was
concentrating all his attention on what
she was about to say.
"It is directed to-Captain Grtgg."
"Capn Grigg? Who datT'
"Can you deliver 1t to him, Lymus? It
Is for my brothers sake"
please tell Lymus whah bouts dis
yaw Cap'n Grigg is" slowly replied the
negro. taking the letter with the air Of
one who only awaits the usual informa-
ton before setting forth.
"I do not know, or I should go myself.
II there is any truth in the rumors Of
negro meetings, Captain Grigg will be
found there. Give him the letter. That
is all I ask"
''How come missy knows dis Cap'n
Gregg ez in Richmond
at do not. He may be miles away. I
only know that this letter must some
how, some way, be got to him If my
brothers life is to be saved"
Standing clumsily astride on the car
pet his cap tucked under his elbow, the
negro kept turning the letter over and
over in his strong; dark fingers while
he slyly regarded the girl askance.
Sposin' 1 make out to fin dat Cap'n
Grigg." ,