Evening star., 1925-07-12
6 'LIJ All By Edgar Valentine Smith
An Entirely New Way of Handling the Servant Problem

But he amt payin' you nothin.
the tempter would insist.
"'Sposin' he aint?" 'Bama, hands
on her ample hips. would face the
speaker You IL fergittin' somep m,
amt you? What bout my social posi-
tion?"
Usually this ended the discussion,
for 'Bama, born and reared in the
atmosphere OF Holmacres, was the
recognized leader OF her people in
the vicinity. No wedding was COM
plete without her In the role of gen
erai adviser and master of ceremonies.
nor was any funeral fittingly held
without her presence to lend due
solemnity to the occasion. But some
times argument failed to convince
those who tried to tempt her. Then
'Bama would fall back on fiat refusal.
go way. nigguhs"' she would
command. Il wouldn't leave is heah
plantation foh-foh a hunded dolluhs
a yeah"
SO she remained steadfast at Holm
acres as general house factotum for
the Judge. 1t was 'Bama who tactfuliy
reminded him, at those times when
the larder became more depleted than
usual. that supplies were neeGed. And
it was she who, out of the merest
nothing. could serve food At for a
kings banquet. 1t was 'Bama who
attended to the laundry-carefuily
washing the judges shirts to save the
frayed cuffs as much as possible
and looked after the scanty supply
of household linen. She darned Judge
Holmsted's socks, saw that his shiny
coat was occasionally brushed, and
kept him generally from being out
at elbows in the matter of clothing.
X
HER manifold duties had brought
l. her to the front of the house
that afternoon when the judge sum-
moned the mythical 'Lijah. For
moment she listened I'm openmouthed
amazement. Then understanding of
sort came to her, as she peeped
between the curtains and saw the
strangers. For some reason Judge
Holmsted wanted il understood that
parsonage who answered-or should
answer-to the name of Litah be-
longed about the place. And any un-
dertaking that the judge set on foot
was worth seeing to its conclusion.
While she lacked the judges creative
ability, she could at least embellish
that which he had made. Her first
attempt was in evidence that evening
when she served supper that would
have tickled the palate of a gour-
mand.
Judge" she remarked. taking the
privilege of an old servant. does you
know, sub, at trifiin' Lijah amt got
back till yit?"
Judge HoImsted choked momenta-
rily, but he recovered his self-control
instantly.
He hasn't?" he demanded. sternly.
Won't he ever learn to come in on
time? Tell him that / wish TO speak
with him the moment he gets in"
Yes sub. I knows wheah he's at.
He's down to at river, settin' out
catfish lines
'Bama had cast the die. Judge
Holmsted's creation OF 'Lijah had been
the result of a sudden--and now in
eXplicable-impulse; probably, upon
reflection. he would have made no fur
ther reference to him. But 'Bama
had given entity to the myth: with
a word or two she had made of it
an outstanding personality; a house
servant who, by implication at least
took whatsoever liberties he chose.
And suddenly the realization came
to the judge that his creation had
been nothing short of inspiration.
With the present state of affairs at
Holmacres numberless things were
sure to happen which might cause
fill the role of dutiful host; and the
lack of a perfect hospitality. in many
instances, could be blamed on the
erring-though mythical-'Lijah
He's one of the older servants
about the place" the judge explained
casually to his guests. Does pretty
much as he pleases"
He followed this with laughing
remark about 'Lijah's fondness for
fishing. II was almost impossible to
keep negro and river apart when
the catfish were biting.
I'D like very much to see Lijah.' ;"
1t was the younger stranger speaking
I've read so many stories dealing
with Southern plantation life-and
especially the old family servants
that I've often wanted to see one of
them. And your man 'Lijab seems
to be typical "
"Oh, he'll be about the place-off
and on" the Judge assured, carelessly
And If you're interested in types. sir,
you'll probably like 'Lijah.'
Thus for the moment he dismissed
'Lijah. But Bama apparently was
determined not to let the errant one
off so easily, for later, as the Judge
and his guests entered the high-ceil-
inged living room, where portraits of
earlier Holmsteds gave greeting from
their oval walnut frames, she came to
the doorway.
Judge" she observed mes ninsiv
II don't s'pect you'll hahdly find no
seegars. 1 seed 'Lijah sof'-footin' it
round at sec'ta'y whilse | was dustin
is mawnin'"
Mechanically, Judge Bolmsted's eyes
sought the old rosewood secretary in
one corner of the room, but before he
l.
broke in with:
''Oh, that's all right, judge" He
was laughing heartily as he extended
cigar case. Take one of these So
he 'borrows' your cigars. does he? l
want to see him. q
The strangers spoke of their bust
ness in the vicinity The timber
which they wished to inspect lay some
miles away. They supposed an auto
mobile could be obtained in Wynnes-
borough?
Guests beneath Holmacres' roof had
never been compelled to hire convey
ences. 1t would have been unthink-
able. The judge explained that the
roads were such that an automobile
would be impracticable. He had never
bought car himself for this reason.
His guests must use one of the numer-
Gus horses about the place.
When one of them suggested retir-
ing, Judge Holmsted, first ascertaining
that Lijah was nowhere to be found.
led them to their room. He lighted
the kerosene lamp. Then, carelessly
turning back the bed covering, he
stopped in sudden horror. There wa s
only one sheet on the bed.
He turned, his face crimsoning. to
his guests. They had seen
That trifiing, worthless" he be-
gan, and stopped. It's 'Lijah-of
course, gentlemen-as usual" he said,
helplessly. Come with me-
He led them to another room-his
OWn-uhich for more than Aa .roa,.-