Five Mile Beach weekly journal., 1914-02-06
A A ToRY
Copyright. 1914. by American Press
Association

sun, was turned into a rudy cloud.
Alabaster saw nothing save the glim-
mer of the white painted gates of the
White farm. The cloud did not at
tend him after he had passed beyond
the gates and his feet pressed the hard
packed driveway.
At the back door he timidly inquired
for Miss Charlotte.
Walk inter de settin' room and doan'
yo' track any dirt" warned Aunt Chloe,
the cook.
Miss Charlotte White looked up from
her needlework and smiled at the anx-
ious little face.
You're Nettie Johnson's boy, aren't
you?" she asked pleasantly.
"Yes'm,'' replied Alabaster. I'D like
ter split rails fer de boss" he said
bravely.
.'Split rails? I'm afraid you are too
small. my dear. Perhaps Peter can
give you some lighter work. There is
wood to carry in and chips to pick up"
"Scuse me Miss Charlotte, but it's
got ter be fence rails"
Miss Charlotte did not allow the
amused smile in her eyes to creep
around her lips.
"Why must it be rails" she asked
gently.
Its gotter be rails. | KANT git dere
any other way" insisted Alabaster.
Get where?'
"Git ter be president of dese we're
United States. yes'm." explained
Alabaster eagerly. "Mistah Abraham
Linkum. he lone 1t dat e~rway-'fum
rail splitter ter de presidents chair.
Yes'm. OATS whut it says in de Lin
KUN book. and shoreiy rs gwine ter
git dere If splittin' rails will do It'll"
There was a little silence after that,
during which Miss Charlotte gazed
steadily out of the window. Suddenly
the sunshine blurred in a mist of
tender tears. and she smiled upon the
earnest little negro boy.
"What is your nameT' she asked.
"Alabaster Johnson-yes'm."
"Well. Alabaster. you may split rails
this afternoon. | will speak to Peter
about it. Tell Chloe to give you some
cookies"
"Yes'm; thank you, ma'am!' bobbed
Alabaster delightedly.
1t was a memorable afternoon in
the life of the little boy. Never had
he worked so hard or so fruitlessly.
The long, tough timbers refused to be
split by his puny strength. and the
small ak he welded weighed heavily
in his grasp.
It came 8 o'clock, and not one rail-
had the presidential .aspirant split.
His ak was embedded in the hickory
timber. and his tired arms could not
release it. He bowed his woolly head
on the handle and wept silent tears of
misery and chagrin.
ooh, Alabaster. what Is the matter?
Have you cut yourself?"
Miss Charlotte hurried toward him
%anxiously. She had watched his man.
full efforts all afternoon.
Ell never git dar, yes'ml" burst
forth Alabaster. II reckon dat Aba
ham Linkum was a powerful strong
man. He shorely didn't begin when
he wuz a little boy like me. Yes'm."
Miss Charlotte sat down on the re-
fractory hickory log and talked to lit
tie Alabaster Johnson.
She commended his ambition. and
she told him-oh. sc gently-of how
difficult it would be for him to attain
that enc. She told him Of the great
man Henry Clay. who said he would
rather be right than be president" and
b told him 1t was a mightier task to
live an upright life than to have many
honors showered upon him.
But Mistah Linkum?" murmured
Alabaster. almost convinced.
"He was chosen to accomplish a
great work. and when 1t was done he
was called home.r said Miss Charlotte
generously. for her father and young
brothers had given their lives for the
south during the bitter war.
Nov. Alabaster. Peter says you can
help him about the place. and your
mother can do the laundry work here
If she wishes. There is that little
white cabin in the lane you can live
in, and, Alabaster'-she smiled whim-
sically-''you can be right. you know,
and you can play you are president of
that little white housei''
Alabaster tore out of the gate to run
into the strong arms of Nanny Net
tie.
"Huccome yo' heah?' she demanded
What's all dis we're talk parson tole
me erbout yo' bein' president-huh?
Yo' plumb crazy. chile?v
"Yes'm-no'mr' shrieked A1abaster
joyfully. 81 sho'ly done beer elected
president, and dis yere's de White
House!' He pointed toward the little
whitewashed cabin that Nettie had
long coveted.
who 'lected YOU" demanded Nettie
suspiciously.
Miss Charlotte" was his reply.
"Waal, | reckon dey's somefn in. dis