Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1913-01-28
UNCLE NOAR'S
FREEDOM
a Lincoln Day
Story
BY cLARIsSA MACKIE

"Huccome yoh ain't said muffin to ole
marse about IL" demanded Aunt
Hessa as she tossed smoking section
Of hoecake on to her husbands plate.
Uncle Noah sighed and shook bis
white, woolly head. IL dunno, Hessa
Somehow I cain't git de right inspira'
ton to 'proacb de kunnel on dat sub
iec,."
Den l SPECS rs got to go alone.
De norf is col place In winter, I've
been hearin', an it'll be mighty lone
some for dis niger woman widout her
husband erlong but mebbe I'll cotch
de brownkitts er somethin' er ruther
an die! Do yoh reckon dey buries po'
ded niger follsses up dere. NoahT'
Hessa's voice ended in plaintlve
moan.
Noah shvered. OF co'se dey burieS
eberybody, old woman. only what's dc
use of goin' If yohs so suah yoh'll die;
What's de matter wild Virginny for
awhile"
The old man almost ducked under the
table ut the flaming wrath In Hessa's S
eyes. She pointed scornful finger at
him.
II knowed it-I knowed 1t! Yoh'd
ruther stay heah in slavery den to 20
norf an be free an earn sights OF
munney an some day be ridin In yoh
own kerridge. Dey's big wages foh
black folkses up dere, an I'm goin'
alone tomorrer eff yoh's too chicken liv-
cred to come erlong too"
I'D like to 90 nightly, Hess, only l
dunno whut de kunnel an ole miss
will do widout u.s." protested Noah
weakly Now, de kunnel has only one
arm left
"Shucksv' exploded Aunt Hessa i'm,
patiently, and forthwith she proceeded
10 convince her wavering husband that,
although they had both been born and
raised on Colonel Partidge's plantation
and had lived happily all through the
years Of kind masters supervision
now TINT President Lincoln had pro-
claimed that all slaves should he eman-
cipated on and after the 1st day OF
January, 1863, 1t was their bounden
duty to take advantage of the liberty
that had come to them and hasten
northward to the land Of plenty OF
money
All the other slaves on the Partridge
plantation had run away during the
cooneIs absence on the battlefield
Only Uncle Noah, the family butler
and Hessa. the cook, had remained
faithful. But relatives who were pre-
pairing to take advantage Of their new.
ly acquired freedom were working upon
Hessa's feelings.
Colonel Partridge and his wife sat In
the small study adjoining the sitting
room. 1t was warmer room and more
easily heated by the pine logs In the
wide fireplace. Outside 1t was crisp
and cold, with light fall Of snow on
the ground. Within the study 1t was
warm and cozy and comfortable
There was crimson glow over the
polished mahogany tables and chairs
and over the rows Of books on the
shelves. The heavy damask curtains
and table covers had vanished. They
were serving as blankets for soldiers In
the Confederate army.
What are you thinking about Rich
ardY asked Mrs. Partridge after awhile
She was knitting woolen socks for the
soldiers, and her delicate white fingers
worked as willingly as they hnd ever
done ON dainty embroidery. She was
woman past middle age, and the
strenuous time she was passing
through was leaving Its blighting i'm
print upon her. She had sent three
sons to the war and had received them
back again-to be buried In the family
tomb Her husband had gone forth
strong and hale and vigorous, and he
had come back minus one arm and
quite broken IN health, with old age
pressing heavily upon his grief smitten
heart. With the desertion Of his slaves
the revenue from his plantation dwin,
died to mere pittance.
II Uncle Noah and his wife had not
remained faithful 1t would have gone
hard with the Partidges. The old but
Ter had not scorned to become man OF
all work about the place, and In add,
ton to the little vegetable garden he
maintained there had been one COW
salvaged from the large herd that once
grazed on the pastures.
"What are you thinking OF, dearT'
asked Mrs. Partridge after awhile.
The colonel looked up from his sad
contemplation of the kissing fire.
81 was wondering what we would
do If Noah and Hessa should decide to
go away" he answered quietly.
"Oh, Richard, have they spoken to
you?" Mrs. Partidge's gray eyes filled
with tears.
He shook his head. mo, but Blythe
says that nine Of his negroes are goinl
tomorrow. and one Of them told him
that our Hessa and Noah were going
too"
without a word to US? Richard,
hardly think they would do It." falter
ed his wife.
"It is their right. Catherine. Perhaps
they are afraid to speak to me.
wish they would go openly. I wan,
to give them something for a new
start In life. They are old, Catherine
Just as we are, but they are as limo
cent children in the face Of the worlt
they will meet. But The colona
bowed his white head and covered hi
eyes with his hand.
There wus a heavy shufiling step II
the hall, and the two looked up to set
Hessa's numbering form filling th'
doorway. Her black fingers nervousl!
smoothed the crisp folds Of her white
apron, and the snow turban that sur
mounted her dusky face shook tremu
lously.
Something In the old servants atti
tude-something In the frightened un
certainty Of her round face--revealet
TO the colonel and his wife the nature
Of Hessa's errund. 1t had come a
last-the final blow-the desertion o.
these two faithful retainers.
"Come in. Hessa," said Mrs. Par
tidge gently.
Hessa leaned for support against tin
door Intel and rolled her dark eyes a
Colonel Partridge.