The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1914-10-21
DREAn THAT CAME TRUE
BY A. @. COOPER


Felix's back ached, for he was bent
and old. Precipitation poured over MS
black face in little rivulets. His
faded, patched hickory shirt was wet
and streaming, and clung tightly to his
muscular body.
He had been hoeing corn since early
morning; he looked down the long
row still to be hoed, and knew when
he reached the end he was to turn
and hoe the next row back. and so on
e%ndlessly.
He glanced furtively up at the white
farm house. Yes. the boss was sit
ting on the shady porch; he dared not
stop hoeing nor sit down.
A flock Of crows few over the field.
cawing. The heat danced in simmer
ing waves across the corn; the chop,
chop Of his hoe beat in rhythm with
the throbbing muscles Of his aching
back. sd,
"Ole Boss wouldn't b1eeve me 7 ]
said Is SICK" he muttered; besides
he was hungry-his empty stomach
clamored for the corn bread with mo-
lasses, the chunks Of fat pork and
black coffee he would get for dinner,
He couldn't afford to plead sickness
He was q man with q hoe, was Felix,
but he had his dreams-and AN alb
sorbing ambition. He Strengthened UP
and wiped his streaming face on his
clammy shirt sleeve; as he did "a
carriage swept into view on the high
way. It was drawn by a spanking
team Of bays, and driven by Jef-an
unbearable and stuck-up Niger, that's
what he was! Didn't earn his salt!
Held his chin up and paid no attention
to Felix's good mawnin'."
His brass buttons glittered In the
u and Felix would rather have worn
his shining silk hat than . kings
crown. ',.
The Judge and Miss Elizabeth were
in the carriage. Miss Elizabeth waved
at him and somehow his back ached
less and the tiny blades Of corn
trembled in a vagrant breeze. Many
times had Felix gone to- the judge
and asked to be his coachman.
What" exclaimed the practical
Judge. Aren't you old Bakers lazy
Felix?"
"Yas, Judge; yas. sab. I wuk fun
Mistah Baxtah-yas. sab! But amt
lazy-no. sah!" ::
"GIong OF, Felix, g'long, s'long!"
said the judge testify, waving him
aside as he would a fly that annoyed
him. Miss Elizabeth had stolen out
as he skunk away with his ragged hat
in his hand and his eyes bent modify
on the ground.
Never mind, Felix. you list keep
comm and dadl take you yet" So
he had kept heart and held on to his
dream. He stood looking after tina
carriage as it rolled along the hot
road. saw it wind up the hill and dis
sppearoin the cool forest Of oak.
He was still leaning on the handle
Of the hoe gazing into space when Mr..
Baxter called sharply from the porch:
Felix, get to work there!" And the
chop, chop Of the hoe went toiling on
ats way.
Time came when the corn was
higher than his head and he could
walk down the long. green .aisles and
be out of sight Of the boss.
Time came when the proud JEFF was
laid low, for he lost his Job, and the
Judge sent word to Felix he could
have his place. d,
He went to bed that night with q
song In his heart No more would he
hoe the corn; no more would he fol.
low the plow; tomorrow he would
wear the blue suit with the brass but
tons; tomorrow he would wear the
shining hat-he would hold the reins
and drive the beautiful bays for Miss
Elizabeth and the Judge.
When the morning came and the
sun shone down on the field Of corn.
lt also shone across the TRANSPORTED
face Of Felix. He stood at the en-.
trance Of the cool forest. on his way
TO the judges house. He held the
ragged hat in his hands and wore the
hickory shirt and patched overalls.
The chrysalis was full to bursting;
the blue suit and shining hat were
IN sight: his feet trod the field ely.
sian. for his dream had como true. .