Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-12-02
4 THANKSGIVING OF THE SLAVE
DAYS.

that big. pearl-of-cities. Boston, woke
up. II was to find hard rain beating
against the window. This hard kept up
FOR some hours, but now 4 short Spen
Of drea-y dampness pervadcd. as ont
in tho crowded street. men OF the bust
ness world. aud 4 fen women OF the
same type, picked their way through
the mud and along :he wet pavement.
Up i'll one OF the handsome Common
wealth Avenue palaces, there was none
OF this con:notion. only the gentle :all
OF the electric elevator. or mouse-like
step OF the footrnen OH the velvet car
SIS. broke the solemn stiffness.
Maybe. II one went further. the
scream Of spoiled child was audible.
In the nursery of satin-blue draperies,
and attractive mother goose pictures,
we're three misunderstanding children.
Marjorie. aged ten. with strange gray
eyes that looked into everything, was
ihe most MISUNDERSTANDING: G:aydon.
few years older. had white, drawn
face, bumped shoulders. curly brown
hair and eyes. bigger and more un-
child like than his sister. The baby.
locks and rosy countenance brought
admiration everywhere. was healthier.
They were all entirely differently DC
the crowded street, with her large won
dering eyes. the bookwornn. Graydon.
lying on the oriental rug with his fav-
orito Robinson Crusoc. and baby Beth
was running with her adorable smile to
get picture-hooks for tired 'Nursy."
II wish I'd never been born!" came
from Marjorie. suddenly. !
Indeed. Miss Maggie. I'm sure wo all
wish II. For no one ever know saul
cier-' began the worn. old. white
nurse.
ed the spoiled girl. kicking her feot
into the air: soobing unnaturallH.
AZ this point, big African,ltke. old
southern woman came into the room,
With startling black eyes. rolling from
one to the other.
."oh. nanny. make her stop: She
Nothing. that isn't true" snapped
NANNY Sue had darted an angry
What, you old common white trash
hurting my chile? Come hum darling"
She took the trembling little girl on
her ample bosom. gently rocking her
to and fro.
The English woman's face blazed
it's sailowness. but she was afraid to
speak.
II just said. 7 wish hadn't been
born" sohbed Marjorie.
The negro sat up. startled.
What. and to-morrah Thankssiv-
Tank diving. VIVA da.:" lisped lit
tic Betty.
II know. the Pilgrims had it Ions
always been at q dinner. or house-par-
~. at one Of her friends. so the ser
wants didn't think to celebrate 1t, I
suppose" explained Marjorie, wfstful-
ly.
Indeed thew do. Miss. Lemme tell
ye STONY 'boutin how yuh own grand
nanny started the first one at old
, Marser's place"
Graydon put down his hook. and
BETTY ran to see If there was room for
her, too. in the big lap.
!, Cd
the door TO admit Mrs Maynard. A. tall
youthful-lookinR Indy entered the
room. of slender figure. with pearl
dress was of some wonderful cream
material of shimmering satin. With
I'll the elegant clothes and dazzling
f-atl looks OF tho children.
%M,mmy; did I disturb story, she
OF tho baby and Maiorie
,ell EN- THANKSGIVING STONY whut
hannen"d to yuh ma" she said. with
Arrs. MAYNARD had heen horn on an
old plantation. down in Alabama. and
nothing delighted her moe. than to
stories to the children.
Put. think ! v.onld like to hear
Il: 700. rage. tel Mr.. MAYNARD. when
dren. Now. mamn,y--" and bright
star OF society leaned forward. with
:ravdon behind her chair: habv Beth
n hHr lap. and Marjorie worshipins
he" lovely mother from asar.
Twas wears aro. in the happy old
a'ave 9ars. little M.ss'c came IN to me
md says. SAYS she: NANNY: the Cen
r,L SAYS I! and who he he?" "My un-
81" BIZ. an he dun fot In &c Mexican
War Mamma says. s. he's the incest
man that ever lived. cep'n't papa" And
sho Ewira talkin' bout him. an huh
GOOD he ism all that. That night lttIe
W., Missie wer, down 81 sweet an tidy.
big man with as high falutin' nno
hnntsc",e look as the Mars'~. and
MISS Ellen She right skeered OF him.
counter his brass buttons. and sorts
u "w.ne 20 fe,ch'a' she's eittin on
his knN". an huggin' hin. When she
was JUS ~winn" to eitn' he'd. she snve
to me. saws she. "remr,v. uncle Fill
ssrs tc-n>nrrow's Misunderstanding Dav.
an M in New England. everyone roes
to church IN has turkey and nuddin's
an. rooa thtnFs to eat when thev go
home. So, Is Rwine hah q n,ectin'
Wild der slaves. Papo says he'll see
bout givin' dor' holidsv. Don't Won
sneck bout ffty'll cum said. I
did, an sure enough 100 slave coma t.,
De OF moetinR-house: old and Young.
saints an demons. Little Mi.sic. all e
viii come nm all in white. her face
was. and shn save. In her soft III voice.
uncle JIMMY will r"ah. ard II nrav"
so che hands the bible over TO the
head n'eger. and he stumbled over IL
somehow, Then we All a. waited still
en- silent. an suidenlv Miss Ellen
knell down and pray. Them was beau
tiful words for a chile. So simple and
sweet. az then all the niGsers began
10 cry. Then the C;ineral come in and
hey began to curt'sy. scarcd-lille but
he tust smile. and take Miss E;icn's
hand. an then big hell runE. and
thcr were oil led into de harm wJara
dinnah sich as 7 never see afore was
"aitin' FOR tho niesers mine We. tel,
v" we tho't sight Of Miss Ellen. An
she kept that up ehrev wear"
che old worr"n wiped her eyes. "The
ri"e-al was killed IN the war, an nov.
, Miss EEan.s n dead too, an a Nv.
to see II ALL
Mrs. Maynard's eyes hal grown star
IKE Win mem0rea. the tears canle