Metropolis weekly gazette. (Metropolis, Ill.) 1???-19??, 1913-12-12

Meant All Life Had Held for Old
Darky.
True story Of the Flood That Has
infinite Pathos--iiia Little Girl
Had Not Been Among Those
Saved.

Good morning. uncle! Sit on that
chair What can We do for you to-
day7.
An old negro. who had waited for
some time. stood before the desk. He
took the seat and entered quickly mp
on the business of his visit.
Il wants ter know II you'se seen
my little gal She's lost. and Use been
huntln fur her fur nigh to week an
can't I'm 'cr. De people all say dis
II de place 10 cum 10 fur to fin cherry
ting. an so cum. She's bright lit
tie gal. eight years ole dis comm
june. Has you seen 'er. Boss7" And
he looked into my face as II life itself
depended upon the answer.
Uncle. I'VE seen 50 many people
since this food came that am not
sure whether I saw your little girl or
not. Did you say II 10 your little
giTi?v
Vas. sir. Bossi No--i's dis way.
Boss Ny daughter had dis chill, and
she died when de chill was little bit
a thing. nm tuck It an cared fur It
nm raise II. an rs my gran CHR. Does
yon t'Ink my chil's IN dIs city, Boss?'
II might be here. Uncle. Tell me
how you came to be separated from
the child"
ia dis way. sab. We had dun
waited on dc leyec all day fur de boat.
an wen dc boat cum we put de vim
mems an Dc chilIens on dc boat an
de men deg hep 20 load dc stock. An
vile We was a-ioadIn de stock on dc
barge de steamboat II went OF. an |
hain't seen dc ehll' senco dat time TIL
now. Use been TO Wilhelm nm to
Port Hudson, an nov Use here a-look-
IN fur ray chill Some people say dey
seed dc chii'. but dey don know whar
she nj now iusi knows dars some
ting bad happened dat chil Every
night since her ma died dat chill has
gone 10 sleep IN desc berry arms. Boss;
an knows II she's liyin she is cryin'
fur me now, Does you t'lnk she's In
dis town.
"She might be here. am not surc
Of that We can find out however. !
will give you note 70 the captains OF
our camps. and they will permit you
to talk to the people In the camps. In
that way you can nnd whether your
little girl is In camp. viii ask tho
coiored citizens committee TO search
among tho refugees who are being
'~---' a. = private families. z. may
child il With some OF our
les. Give mo your name. .
ay."
the girls name?"
Clay"
Here In the note. Wait the camps.
and let me know Tire result, OF your
search"
Tank you. Boss"
The old man went away. recalled
the death OF an orphan child few
. days before. and concluded. after some
inquiry. that this was tho child the old
man was looking for. The child had
come IN on rainy night among many
other people. and wasn't noticed until
she was very sick patient The
shock. the grief OF loneliness In the
midst OF many strangers. the far-ofr
call TO leave this troubled worid-she
turned upon her hard bed and feebly
cried for her grandfather. Then ri.
ience fell upon the child. The woman
who waited on her thought she slept.
She slept. but not to wake again .
charge OF ours.
We buried her In the potter's field.
The old man found the little mound
OF earth. and, sitting by II. gave sx.
pressIona to his grief
As long as he lives that little mound
OF earth Will loom large in the life
OF old Uncle Josh. The object Of eight
years devotion lies beneath II. iife's
current seems TO have lost itself in
II.
These little mounds Of EARTH l..
Hines In Red Cross Magazine.