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stick and knocked bob s head off this fortunately did not do and when bob went to the university afterward he was said to have the best head in his class she just turned around and ran into the house with her face very red but she never bob after that not long after this he went off to college for mr the said he already knew more than most college did and that it would be a shame for him not to have a university education when the question of ways and means was the colonel who was always ready to lend money if he had it and to borrow it if he did not swore he would give him all the money he wanted but to liis astonishment bob refused to accept it and the colonel abused him for it and asked if she did not think he was a fool which did for she was always ready to take and spend all the money he or any one else gave her yet he did not like him the less for it and he finally persuaded bob to take it as a loan and bob gave him his bond the day before he left home he was over at the colonel s where they had a great dinner for him and presided in her silk dress she had three then and when bob said good by she slipped something into his hand and ran away to her room and when he looked at it it was her ten dollar gold piece and he took it he was at college not quite three years for his mother was taken sick and he had to come home and nurse her but he had stood first in most of his classes and not lower than third in any and he had the carpenter on hill who was the bully of the town so that although he did not take his degree he had gotten the start which enabled him to complete his studies during the time he was taking care of his mother and until her death so that as soon as he was admitted to the bar he made his mark it was his splendid defence of the man who shot the at the on election day that brought him out as the i candidate for the constitutional con in virginia where he made such a reputation as a speaker that the declared him the rising man of the state and even the admitted that perhaps the party might find a leader to redeem it was just fifteen when she began to take an interest in politics and although she read the papers diligently especially the which her uncle never failed to abuse yet she never could exactly satisfy herself which side was right for the colonel was a while most people must have been as bob was elected by a big majority she wanted to be on the side and made him explain everything to her which he did to his own entire satisfaction and to hers too she tried to think but when bob came over to tea which he very frequently did and the colonel and he got into a discussion her uncle always seemed to her to get the worst of the argument at any rate he generally got very hot this however might have been because bob was so cool while the colonel was so hot tempered bob had grown up very handsome his mouth was strong and firm and his eyes were splendid he was about six feet and his shoulders were as broad as the colonel s she did not see him now as often as she did when he was a boy but it was because he was kept so busy by his practice he used to get cases in three or four now and big ones at that she knew however that she was i just as good a friend of his as ever indeed she took the trouble to tell herself so a compliment to him used to give her the greatest happiness and would bring deeper roses into her cheeks he was everybody thought that there was no one in the world uke him he had long ago forgiven him his many and said he was the man in the county him and the colonel and that he j ai to he by which made reference to regular made to him by the man and particularly to an especially large then lately i conferred it happened one evening at the colonel s after dinner when several guests including bob were on the of various ladies who were visiting in the neighborhood that i summer the praises were to s mind some i what too liberally bestowed and he had attempted i to console himself by several visits to the but when all the list was disposed of and s name had not been mentioned endurance could stand it no longer and he suddenly broke in with his judgment that they didn t none on em a candle to his young de ve y pink i an flow r on em all the colonel immensely pleased ordered him out with a promise of immediate sale on the morrow but that evening as he got on his horse in ok virginia slipped into his hand a five dollar gold piece and h told that if the colonel really intended to just to send him over to his house he the benefit of his judgment of course did not understand his though the colonel had told her of term s speech but bob had a rose on his coat when lie came out oi the window and the long pin in s was not fastened very securely for it slipped and she lost all her other roses and ho had to stoop ant pick them up for her perhaps though bob wa	46
simply referring to his having saved some for shortly afterward he came over one and to the colonel s disgust paid him down in fu the amount of his bond he attempted a what formal speech of thanks but broke down in so that two were ordered out b the colonel to easy relations them an effect which apparently was not produced and the colonel confided to next day that since the fellow had been taken u so by those he was not altogether as h used to be why he don t even drink his clear thi old man asserted as if he were charging him with at the least of treason however b added softening as the excuse presented itself b his mind that may be because his mother wa always so opposed to it you know petty would grow there he pursued to who had heard him make the same observation with the same astonishment a hundred times thing i ever knew but he s a clever fellow though he continued with a sudden of the old time affection i like him and as s face turned a sweet added oh i forgot didn t mean to swear if i did it just slipped out now i haven t j sworn before for a week you know i haven t yes of course i mean except then for with softly fading color was reading him the of lectures on his sin and an over term s failing of the day before come and sit down on your uncle s knee and kiss him once as a token of forgiveness just one more squeeze as the fair girlish arms were about his neck and the sweetest of faces was pressed against his own j rough cheek do you remember asked the j old man holding her off from him and gazing at the girlish face fondly do you remember how when you were a little scrap you used to climb up on my knee and squeeze me just once more to save that rascal and how you used to say you d were going to marry bob and me when you were i grown up s memory apparently was not very good j that evening however it seemed much better when dressed all in soft white and with cheeks in oh virginia reflecting the faint tints of the sunset clouds she was strolling through the old flower garden with a tall young fellow whose hat sat on his head with a air and who was so very careful to hold aside the long branches of the rose bushes they had somehow gotten to recalling each in turn some ii of the old boy and girl days bob knew the main facts as well as she but remembered the little details and circumstances of each incident best except those about the time they were playing together then bob recollected most he was positive that when she cried because he shot so hard he had kissed her to make it well curiously s recollection failed again and was only distinct about very modern matters she remembered with remarkable suddenness that it was tea time they were away down at the end of the garden and her lapse of memory had a singular effect on bob for he turned quite pale and insisted that she did remember it and then said something about having wanted to see the colonel and having waited and did so strangely that if that rose bush had not caught her dress he might have done something else but the rose bush caught her dress and who looked really scared at it or something ran away just as the colonel s voice was heard calling them to tea bob was very silent at the table and when he left the colonel was quite anxious about him he asked if she had not noticed his depression had not that s just the way with you women said the colonel a man might die under your very eyes and you would not notice it i noticed it and i tell you the fellow s sick i say he s sick he with a little habit he had acquired since he had begun to grow slightly deaf i shall advise him to go away and have a little fling somewhere he works too hard sticks too close at home he never goes anywhere except here and he don t come here as he used to do he ought to get married advise him to get married why don t he set up to sally or he s a likely fellow and they d both take him fools if they didn t i say they are tools if they didn t what say i didn t say anything said quietly going to the piano her music often soothed the colonel to sleep the next morning but one bob rode over and instead of his horse to the fence as he usually did he rode on around toward the stables he greeted term who was in the and after some preliminary observations from him respecting the misery in his back he further facts that miss was going down tl road to dine at the of which he had in virginia intimation before and that the colonel was down on the river farm but would be back about two o clock he rode on at two o clock promptly bob returned the colonel had not yet gotten home he however dismounted and tying his horse went in he must have been tired of sitting down for he now walked up and down the without once taking a seat bob walk to death observed charity to from her door presently the colonel came in bluff warm and hearty he ordered dinner from the front gate as he dismounted and from the middle of the walk greeted bob with a which	46
he fully expected to see s face and to receive her approbation and thanks what was his disappointment to see her face grow distinctly white all she said was oh uncle it was unfortunate that the day was sunday and that the colonel went with her to church which she insisted on attending notwithstanding her headache and was by when she met bob they came on each other suddenly bob took off his hat and stood like a soldier on review erect expectant and a little pale the colonel who had almost forgotten his impertinence and was about to shake hands with him as usual suddenly remembered it and drawing himself up stepped to the other side of and handed her by the younger gentleman as if he were protecting her from a mob who had been looking anxiously everywhere but in the right place meaning to give him a smile which would set things straight caught his eye only at that second and felt rather than saw the change in bob s attitude and manner she tried to give him the smile but it died in her eyes and even after her back was turned she was sensible of his defiance and she went into church and dropped down on her knees in the far end of her with her little heart all the of her religion the man she prayed hardest for did not come into church that day things went very badly after that and the knots got and an attempt which bob made to them failed and the colonel who was the best hearted man in the world but whose prejudices were made of wrought iron took it into his head that bob had insulted him and s efforts at aroused him to such an extent that for the first time in his life he was almost hard with her he conceived the absurd idea that she was sacrificing herself for bob on account of her friendship for him in ou virginia and that it was his duty to protect her against herself which man like he proceeded to do in his own fashion to poor little s great distress she was devoted to her uncle and knew the strength of his affection for her on the other hand bob and she had been friends so long she never could remember the time when she did not have bob but he had never said a word of love to her in his life on that evening in the garden she had known it just as well as if he had fallen on his knees at her feet she knew it was just because he had owed her uncle the money and oh if she just hadn t gotten frightened and oh if her uncle just hadn t done it and oh she was so unhappy the poor little thing in her own dainty white room where were the books and things he had given her and the letters he had written her used to but that is a secret anyhow it was not because he was gone she knew that was not the reason indeed she very often said to but because he had been treated so and suffered so and she had done it all and she used to introduce many new into her prayers in which if there was not any name expressed she felt that it would be understood and the blessings would reach him just the same the summer had gone and the indian summer had come in its place dreamy and sad it always made her melancholy and this although the weather was perfect she was affected she said by the heat and did not go out of doors much so presently her cheeks were not as blooming as they had been and even her great eyes lost some of their lustre at least charity thought so and said so too not only to but to her master whom she scared half to death and who notwithstanding that dr was coming every other day to see a patient on the plantation and that the next day was the time for his regular visit put a boy on a horse that night and sent him with a note urging the doctor to come the next morning to breakfast the doctor came and spent the day examined s lungs and heart prescribed out door exercise and left something less than a of for her to take was at the time of his visit in a very excited state for the colonel had with a view of soothing her the night before delivered a violent against marriage in general and in particular against marriage with impudent young who did not know their places and he had proposed an extensive tour embracing all the united states and canada and intended to cover the entire winter and spring following who had stood as much as she could stand finally and had with flashing eyes and cheeks bob s cause with a courage and dash which had almost the old colonel not that he was anything to her in virginia except a friend she was most careful to explain but she was tired of hearing her friend assailed and she thought that it was the highest compliment a man could pay a woman etc etc for all of which she did a great deal of blushing in her own room afterward thus it happened that she was both excited and penitent the next day and thinking to make some and at the same time to make the prescribed exercise which would excuse her from taking the she filled a little basket with to take old aunt at the far quarters and thus it happened that as she was coming back along the path that ran down the meadow on the other side of the creek which was the dividing line between the two and	46
was almost at the foot bridge that somebody had made for her so carefully with logs cut out of his own woods and the long shadows of the made it gloomy and everything was so still that she had grown very lonely and unhappy thus it happened that just as she was thinking how kind he had been making the bridge and hand rail so strong and about everything and how cruel he must think her and how she would never see him any more as she used to do she turned the of to step up on the log and there he was standing on the bridge just before her looking down into her eyes she tried to get by him she remembered that after ward but he was so mean it was always a little confused in her memory and she could never recall exactly how it was she was sure however that it was because he was so pale that she said it and that she did not begin to cry until afterward and that it was because he would not listen to her explanation and that she didn t let him do it she could not help it and she did not know her head was on his shoulder anyhow when she got home that evening her improvement was so apparent that the colonel called charity in to note it and declared that virginia country doctors were the finest in the world and that was the greatest doctor in the state the change was wonderful indeed and the old gilt mirror with its covered frame would never have known for the sad eyed of the day before the bright happy little maiden that stood before it now and smiled at the beaming face which at its own content old s was a protracted and the good things carried her daily did not tend to the sickness ever afterward she blessed the lord for whenever s name was mentioned had she known how sympathetic bob was during this period she would doubtless have included him in her but although he was that bridge every afternoon regularly notwithstanding s oft wish and express orders as regularly declared no one knew a word of all this and it was virginia a bow drawn at a venture when on the evening that had tried to carry out her engagement to bring her uncle around the old man said why the young rascal s cause seems to be she was so confident of her success that she was not prepared for failure and it struck her like a fresh blow and though she did not cry until she got into her own room when she got there she threw herself on the bed and cried herself to sleep it was so cruel in him she said to herself to desire me never to speak to him again and oh if he should really catch him on the place and shoot him the in our language were probably invented by young women the headache had the next morning was not invented poor little thing her last hope was gone she determined to bid bob good by and never see him again she had made up her mind to this on her knees so she knew she was right the pain it cost her satisfied her that it was right she was firmly resolved when she set out that afternoon to see old who was in everybody s judgment except her own quite and whom dr pronounced entirely well she wavered a little in her resolution when descending the path along the which were now she caught sight of a tall figure easily up the meadow and she abandoned that is she forgot it altogether when having doubtfully suggested it she was suddenly in a pair of strong arms and two gray eyes lighting a handsome face strong with the self confidence which women love looked down into hers then he proposed it her heart almost stood still at his boldness but he was so strong so firm so reasonable so self and yet so gentle she could not but listen to him still she refused and she never did consent she forbade him ever to think of it again then she be ed him never to come there again and told him of her uncle s threats and of her fears for him and then when he laughed at them she begged him never never under any circumstances to take any notice of what her uncle might do or say but rather to stand still and be shot dead and then when bob promised this she burst into tears and he had to hold her and comfort her like a little girl it was pretty bad after that and but for s out door exercise she would undoubtedly have it seemed as if something had come between her and her uncle she no longer went about singing like a bird she suffered under the sense of being misunderstood and it was so lonely he too was oppressed by it even shared in it and his assumed a cast terrific in the last degree it was now december one evening it the weather had been too bad for to go out and she was sick i in virginia finally was sent for who to use charity s expression was till she was and refused to keep her bed or to take the prescribed charity backed her got drunk the colonel was in a and declared his intention to sell next morning as usual and to take charity and and go to europe this was well enough but to s consternation when she came to breakfast next morning she found that the old man s plans had into a scheme to set out on the very next day for and new where he proposed to spend the	46
winter looking after some she had and showing her something of the world remonstrated it was all in vain had seriously frightened the old man about her health and he was preparations were set on foot the brown hair trunks with their lines of staring brass were out and the colonel got into a fever ordered up all the in the yard and gave instructions from the front door like a major general his troops got charity and all the others into a wild flutter attempted to s matters made her promises of gifts became and told marvellous stories of his old days which and so excited and the plantation generally that from old who came from the far quarters iy for the purpose of taking it in down to the little dot on the place there was not one who did not get into a wild whirl and talk as if they were all going to new the next morning with joe on the boot had after a stout resistance surrendered to her fate and packed her modest trunk with very mingled feelings under other circumstances she would have enjoyed the trip immensely but she felt now as if it were parting from bob forever her heart was in her throat all day and even the excitement of packing could not drive away the feeling she knew she would never see him again she tried to work out what the end would be would he die or would he marry every one said she would just s him and she d certainly marry him if he asked her i the sun was shining over the western woods bob i rode down that way in the afternoon even when it i was he had told her so he would think it cruel of her to go away so and never even let know she would at least go and tell him good by i so she did bob s face suddenly when she told him all and that look which she had not seen often before settled on it then he took her hand and began to explain everything to her he told her that he had loved her all her life showed her how she had inspired him to work for and win every success that he had achieved how it had been her work even l in virginia more than his then he laid before her the lift plans he had formed and proved how they were all for her and for her only he made it all so clear and his voice was so confident and his face so earnest as he pleaded and proved it step by step that she felt as she leaned against him and he clasped her closely that he was right and that she could not part from him that evening was unusually silent but thi colonel thought she had never been so sweet she him until he swore that no man on earth was worthy of her and that none should ever have her after tea she went to his room to look over his clothes her especial work and would let no one not even her help her and when the colonel insisted on coming in to tell her some more concerning the glories of new in his day she finally put him out and locked the door on him she was very strange all the evening as they were to start the next morning the colonel was for retiring early but would not go she around hung about the old fellow him sat on his knee and kissed him until he was forced to insist on her going to bed then she said good night and astonished the colonel by throwing her self into his arms and bursting out crying the old man soothed her with caresses and baby talk such as he used to comfort her with when she i a little girl and when she became quiet ho i handed her to her door as if she had been a the house was soon quiet except that once the colonel heard walking in her room and mentally determined to her for sitting up so late he however drifted off from the subject when he heard some of his young galloping around the yard and he made a sleepy resolve to sell them all or to dismiss his for letting them get out of the lot before he had quite determined which he should do he dropped off to sleep again it was possibly about this time that a young man lifted into her saddle a dark uttle figure whose face shone very white in the and whose tremulous voice would have suggested a r had it not been drowned in the deep earnest tone of her lover although she declared that she could not think of doing it she had on her hat and and riding habit when bob came she did indeed really beg him to go away but a few minutes later a pair of horses down the avenue toward the lawn gate which shut with a bang that so frightened the little lady on the bay mare that the young man found it necessary to lean over and throw j a arm around her for the first time in her life saw the sun rise in north and a later a young clergyman whose sweet faced wife was wholly carried away by s beauty received w he twisted fr i it ye co i mi in virginia protest bob s only gold piece a coin i he twisted from his watch chain with the promise it if he would preserve it when charity told the colonel next morning that was gone the old man for the first time in fifty years turned perfectly white then he fell into a rage and swore until charity would not lave been much surprised to	46
here she asked i don t smell anything but that bed you ve been walking on he laughed as they rode off leaving and charity stand ing in the road the last thing said was now be sure you tell him nine o clock i know he sell me den said in a tone of conviction as the horses away in the frosty night once or twice as they galloped along bob made some allusion to the bed on which had stepped to which she made no reply but as he helped her down at her own door he asked what in the world have you got there said she with a little low pleased laugh by light next morning it was known all over the plantation that miss had returned the rejoicing was clouded by the fear that nothing would come of it in charity s house it was decided that should break the news was doubtful on the point as the time drew near but charity s mind never wavered finally he went in with his master s water having first tried to establish his courage by sundry at a black bottle he three times to deliver the message but each time his courage failed and he hastened out under pretence of the water having gotten cold the last time he attracted charity s attention name o you to seal she asked the next time he entered the colonel was in a of impatience so he had to fix the water he in virginia set down the can and about with industry the colonel was almost through retreated to the door as his master finished he put his hand on the and turning it said miss come home night sh say she breakfast at nine o clock came the can against the door just as he out and the roar of the colonel followed him across the hall master appeared on the and charity were watching in some doubt whether he would not carry out on the spot his purpose he strode up and down the long porch evidently in great excitement he s dis said he th owed de whole o b water at me pity he didn seal you to death said his wife she thought s awkwardness had destroyed s last chance resorted to his black bottle and proceeded to talk about the lake of and fire up and down the strode the old colonel his horse was at the rack where he was always brought before breakfast for twenty years he had probably never missed a morning finally he walked down and mounting rode off in the opposite direction to that whence his invitation had come charity looking out of her door inserted into her against all drunken a to the effect that ef meet bob dis de don be a hide nor left o one on em an lamb over maybe got for him too was so much impressed that he left charity and went out of doors the colonel rode down the plantation road his great gray horse quivering with life in the bright winter sunlight he gave him the rein and he turned down a cross road which led out of the plantation into the main road mechanically he opened the gate and rode out before he knew where he was he was through the wood and his horse had stopped at the next gate the gate of bob s place the house stood out bright and plain among the yard trees lines of blue smoke curled up almost straight from the chimneys and he could see two or three running backward and forward between the kitchen and the house the sunlight on something in the hand of one of them and sent a ray of dazzling light all the way to the old man he knew it was a plate or a dish he took out his watch and glanced at it it was five minutes to nine o clock he started to turn around to go home as he did so the memory of all the past swept over him and of the wrong that had been done him he would go in and show them his contempt for them by riding in and straight out again and he actually the gate and went in in ok virginia as he rode across the field he recalled all that had been to him from the time when she had first stretched out her arms to him all the httle ways by which she had brought back his youth and had made his house home and his heart soft again every scene came before him as if to mock him he felt once more the touch of her little hand heard again the sound of her voice as it used to ring through the old house and about the grounds saw her and bob as children about his feet and he gave a great as he thought how desolate the house was now he sat up in his saddle than ever d him he would enter his very house and there to his face and hers him for his and he pushed his horse to a trot up to the yard gate he rode and his horse to the fence and the gate fiercely behind him stalked up the walk with his heavy whip clutched fast in his hand up the walk and up the steps without a pause his face set as grim as rock and purple with suppressed emotion for a of memories was overwhelming him the door was shut they had locked it on him but he would burst it in and ah what was that the door flew suddenly open there was a cry a spring a vision of something swam before his eyes and two arms were clasped about his neck while he was being smothered with kisses from the sweetest mouth in	46
the world and a face made up of light and laughter yet tearful too like a dew bathed flower was pressed to his and before the colonel knew it he had amid laughter and sobs and caresses been borne into the house and pressed down at the little breakfast table eyes ever saw set for three persons and loaded with steaming dishes and with a great fresh by the side of his plate and was standing behind his chair and bob was helping him to while with face was attempting the of pouring out his coffee without moving her arm from around his neck the first thing he said after he recovered his breath was where did you get this broke into a peal of rippling delicious laughter and the arm about his neck just one more squeeze said the colonel and as she gave it he said with the light of it all breaking on him if i don t sell you or if i can t sell you i ll give you away that is if he ll come over and live with us that evening after the great dinner at which had sat in her old place at the head of the table and bob at the foot because the colonel insisted on sitting where could give him one more squeeze the whole plantation was with christmas and him in virginia self against the delivered a discourse on peace on earth and good will to men so powerful and so eloquent that the colonel delighted rose and drank his health and said if i ever sell him again c s robert louis s books strange case of dr and mr paper c cloth z oo of the adventures of david in the year with t full page illustrations without illustrations paper c doth z oo the merry men and other tales and paper c cloth z oo new nights cloth i oo paper c the new nights with mrs cloth z oo paper c memories and portraits cloth z oo familiar studies of men and books cloth and other papers cloth of cloth i oo cloth a child s garden of verse cloth oo mr is a true wonder a for us space and time are as naught no bounding line of circumstance refuses to yield at his bidding yet it is by the simplest of straightforward truth telling that be brings us under his spell mr has too like the perfect sense of proportion which never an exaggeration or a thb nation charles s sons eighth trance case of dr a robert louis s books mr fine library gilt top l oo paper c m it being of the adventures of in the year was and cast away sufferings in a in ike d his and with au that he at the hands of ail of sa i vol doth with fuu page illustrations the eminent english artist william hole i j fi oo c no at in kind than df ihe ad of david the merry men a nd other and cloth i oo paper yellow contents the men chap i ii what the wreck had brought lo chap hi land and sea in bay chap iv the gale chap v a man out of the sea will o the mill the of a story in eight chapters in the a of ia in ihe md o him all tin e tiu robert louis s books nights i cloth i oo paper cents contents the suicide club story of the young man with the cream story of the physician and the trunk the adventure of the the s diamond story of the story of the young man in holy orders story of the house with the green blinds the adventure of prince and a the on the links a lodging for the night the de door providence and the the more new nights with mrs i mo cloth paper cents contents of the cigar s adventure the squire of d s adventure the superfluous mansion narrative of the spirited old lady s tale of the s adventure the brown box story of the fair of the cigar a child s garden of verses i mo boards gilt top a more exquisite and dainty art than mr s has not come to the service of children and their interpretation these verses are simply exquisite they are the child s thought in the child s and yet altogether poetical we do not know anything in the whole of english literature to equal them in their own peculiar charm there is a in them which is indescribable and the i mo cloth fi oo with this book mr himself among our verse writers his place in poetry as in literature at large will be a place apart just what he does no one can do as a prose writer as a tale and now as a poet he stands r robert louis s books essays literary personal and miscellaneous memories portraits i mo doth i contents the at home some college rs old a college an old scotch gardener pastoral the of an talk and the character of dogs a penny plain and two pence colored a gossip on novel of a gossip on romance a humble remonstrance and other papers doth l oo contents vi age and an apology for ordered south el the english some portraits by child s play walking pan s pipes a for gas lamps these volumes contain delightful essays on a great variety of subjects and ore marked by the same of style and vigor and nobility of thought that the author s other works familiar studies of men and books cloth tl victor s some aspects of robert burns henry david charles of samuel john and of the author	46
in giving a strong portrait of his friend the subject oi the throws so much light upon his own strong personality that the is sure to excite the greatest interest new dollar novels published by charles s sons each one volume j mo cloth ft oo by price reduced to one dollar a romance upon the history of the family in the early of the sixteenth century during the lifetime of pope alexander vi and his son it presents a remarkably carefully studied picture of those stirring times a story full of spirit and action the details of are excellent mr writes out of a full mind and a thorough interest in his subject atlantic monthly his manner is dignified and his english pleasant and easy boston it is well called a romance and no romance indeed could be more than the extraordinary extract from italian annals which it preserve vivid colors n y a signal addition to the really superior novels of the season thi independent one cannot read far in before perceiving that mr has written a very creditable romance in the historical field and one that would not have lacked readers had the name been left off the title n y times s new dollar novels the last meeting by mr the old style of full of plot and the modern more subtle methods the is most original and clear and at same lime the author shows ai ihe scene is laid in new york it is t is carried through it from a wholesome society novel a strikingly dramatic and thrilling tale and a tender love story every word of which it worth reading critic a simple but ingenious plot is force and to the narrative and the pictures of new york social life are done by one to ths manner bom foil a and or tale full of dramatic situations and with some new and most expressive within the author of mr s novel ia first of all an interesting one as a se y pure and simple it well the best of s tales but it is much more the adventures of tom the hero are by no means confined to sea life though never there are plenty of exciting incidents and ever a well developed mystery the plot is of the good old fashioned sort and the style strong and mr proves himself a master of and an accurate observer his style is good and fresh and in its ness that of if y the style is so quaint so so quietly humorous tliat wonder and s new dollar novels a wheel of fire by mr novel is so unusually strong in its conception that it makes a strong impression on this account alone it is not only a striking story but is told with remarkable power and intensity a very powerful performance not only original in its conception out full of fine literary art george one of the most fascinating stories of the year inter ocean a carefully written story of much originality and possessing great interest the plot is clearly conceived and carefully worked out he story is well told with something of humor and with a management of dialogue and narrative art roses of shadow by t r a most pleasant revival of a type of novel that has been growing rare a story well told with the charm of a sincere self respecting le that does not lose itself in a search after effects and and with a strong and healthy plot not away by perpetual analysis the characters of the story have a remarkable and individuality every one of them which mark at once mr s strongest promise as a all of mr s men are excellent john the grimly pathetic old beau sometimes reminds us of a touch of times star across the chasm story of north and south a novel full of spirit and wit which takes up a new situation in american life the cleverness of the the admirable of the whole and a capital plot make the novel one of the brightest of recent years a story which will at once attract readers by its original and striking es journal of commerce n y r new dollar novels i nothing can be more and written than ihe last few pa es when louis and margaret meet and peace is made it is a little of its kind across the m not being an y a desperate chance by j d j u s n a desperate chance is bs absorbing as only a can be when told with the ven e of such a writer as ii is a fresh stirring story with adventure and mystery to keep the reader absorbed it may safely be said that if the tale is once begun it will be in a continuous reading and we think of it as one of the stories we will always remember and which was well worth the reading a stirring sea story york star i d j s novel a chance is of the good old fashioned kind though it is a sea story all the action is not on board ship there is a well developed mystery and while it is in no sense readers may je assured that they will not be tired o descriptions nor they find a dull page from first to a desperate chance is a sea story of the best sort it possesses the charm and interest which attach us to sea life but it does not the reader by extremes which none but a professional sailor can a desperate chance reminds us of mr s stories bat the professional fault into which mr has fallen so often the book is interesting and this nowadays is the highest novel can have color studies by	46
about my climbing capacity in a way which me and giving me the with a which somewhat me now i will write a letter to of the mountain and to i once was enabled to do them a slight service and they wiu receive you it will take him two or three weeks to get it so you may have to wait a little you must wait at l until comes down to take you over the mountain you may be there when lie gets the letter or you may have to wait for a couple of weeks as he does not come oyer the mountain often however you can amuse yourself around l only you must always be on hand every night in case comes although this appeared natural enough to the doctor it sounded rather curious to me and it seemed yet more so when he added by the way one piece of advice don t talk about england to and don t ask any questions who is i asked a daughter of the poor thing he said my curiosity was aroused but i could get nothing further out of him and set it down to his unreasonable dislike of travelling englishmen against whom for some reason he had a violent declaring that they did not know how to treat women nor how to fish my friend has a custom of speaking very strongly and i used to wonder at the violence of his language which contrasted strangely with his character for he was the kindest hearted man i ever knew being a true of his patron saint old y giving his sympathy to all the unfortunate and even handling his as if he loved them thus it was that on the afternoon of the seventh day of july having for purposes of a letter in my pocket to of the mountain from his friend dr i stood in the rain in the so called street of l on the looking over the faces of the stolid but kindly who silently around trying to see if i could detect in one a resemblance to the picture i had formed in my mind of of the mountain or could discern in any eye a gleam of special interest to show that its possessor on the watch for an expected guest there was none in whom i could discover any indication that he was not a resident of the straggling little settlement they all stood quietly about gazing at me and talking in low tones among themselves tobacco or smoking their pipes as naturally as if they were in virginia or only if possible in a somewhat more manner it gave me the single bit of home feeling i could muster for it el was i must confess rather desolate standing alone in a strange land under those with the clouds almost resting on our heads and the rain coming down in a steady wet monotonous fashion the little dark log or frame houses with their double windows and turf roofs standing about at all sorts of angles to the road as if they had rolled down the mountain like the great beyond them looked dark and cheerless i was weak enough to wish for a second that i had waited a few days for the rainy spell to be over but two little children coming down the road laughing and chattering recalled me to myself they had no whatever and nothing on their heads but their soft hair yet they minded the rain no more than if they had been i saw that these people were used to rain it was the inheritance of a thousand years something however had to be done and i recognized the fact that i was out of the beaten track of and that if i had to stay here a week on the prudence of my first step depended the consideration i should receive it would not do to be hasty i had a friend with me which had stood me in good stead before and i applied to it now walking slowly up to the largest and one of the oldest men in the group i drew out my pipe and a bag of old virginia tobacco free from any flavor than its own and filling the pipe i asked him for a light in the best phrase book i could command he gave it and i placed the bag id his hand and him to fill his pipe when that was done i handed the to another and him to fill and pass the tobacco around one by one they took it and i saw that i had friends no man can fill his pipe from another s bag and not wish him well does any of you know of the mountain i asked i at once that i had made an impression the mention of that name was evidently a claim to consideration there was a general murmur of surprise and the group around me a spoke at once he was at l last week they said aa if that fact was an item of extensive interest i want to go there i said and then was somehow immediately conscious that i had made a mistake looks were ex el changed and some words were spoken among my friends as if they were of my presence you cannot go there none goes there but at night said one who goes over the mountain comes no more said another as if he quoted a proverb at which there was a faint intimation of laughter on the part of several my first adviser undertook a long explanation but though he labored faithfully i could make out no more than that it was something about and the devil s ledge and men who had disappeared this was a new revelation what object had my friend he had never said a word	46
of this indeed he had i now remembered said very little at all about the people he had exhausted his eloquence on the fish i recalled his words when i asked him about she is a daughter of the poor thing that was all had he been up to a practical joke if so it seemed rather a sorry one to me just then but anyhow i could not draw back now i could never face him again if i did not go on and what was more serious i could never face myself el i was weak enough to have a thought that after all the mysterious might not come but the recollection of the fish of which my friend had spoken as if they had been the golden fish of the nights banished that i asked about the streams around l yes there was good fishing but they were all too anxious to tell me about the danger of going over the mountain to give much thought to the fishing no one without blood could cross the devil s ledge two men had disappeared three years ago a man had disappeared there last year he had gone and had never been heard of afterward the devil s ledge was a bad pass why don t they look into the matter i asked the reply was as near a shrug of the shoulders as a can accomplish it was not easy to get the proof the mountain was very dangerous the very slippery there were no witnesses etc of the mountain was not a man to trouble he hates englishmen said one significantly el i am not an englishman i am an american i explained this had a sensible effect several began to talk at once one had a brother in another had cousins in and so on the group had by this time been by the addition of almost the entire population of the settlement one or two rosy women having babies in their arms standing in the rain utterly regardless of the steady it was a time can i get a place to stay here i inquired of the group generally yes oh yes there was a consultation in which the name of was heard frequently and then a man stepped forward and taking up my bag and rod case walked off i following escorted by a number of my new friends i had been in s little house about an hour and we had just finished supper when there was a murmur outside and then the door opened and a young man stepping in said something so rapidly that i understood only that it concerned of the mountain and in some way myself of the mountain is here and wants to speak to you said my host will you go yes i said why does he not come in he will not come in said my host he never does come in he is at the church yard said the messenger he always stops there they both spoke broken english i arose and went out taking the direction indicated a number of my friends stood in the road or street as i passed along and touched their caps to me looking very queer in the dim twilight they gazed at me curiously as i walked by i turned the corner of a house which stood half in the road and just in front of me in its little yard was the little white church with its square heavy short spire at the gate stood a tall figure perfectly motionless leaning on a long staff as i approached i saw that he was an elderly man he wore a long beard once yellow but now gray and he looked very straight and large there was something grand about him as he stood there in the dusk i came quite up to him he did not move sl good evening i said good evening are you mr i asked drawing out my letter i am of the mountain he said slowly as if his name embraced the whole title i handed him the letter you are i am taking my cue from his own manner the friend of her friend his great friend can you climb i can are you steady yes it is well are you ready i had not counted on this and involuntarily i asked in some surprise to night to night you cannot go in the day i thought of the speech i had heard no one goes over the mountain except at night and the ominous conclusion who goes over the mountain comes no more my strange host however diverted my thoughts a stranger cannot go except at night he said gravely and then added i must get back to watch over i shall be ready in a minute i said turning in ten minutes i bad bade good by to my simple hosts and leaving them with a evidence of my consideration to secure their lasting good will i was on my way down the street again with my light luggage on my back this time the entire population of the little village was in the road and as i passed along i knew by their murmuring conversation that they regarded my action with profound i felt as i returned their touch of the cap and bade them good by a little like the of old who about to die saluted at the gate my strange guide who had not moved from the spot where i first found him insisted on taking my luggage and his around it and flinging it over his back he me his stick and without a word strode off straight toward the black mountain whose vast wall above us to the clouds i shall never forget that climb we were hardly out of the road before vo began to ascend and i had shortly to stop	46
for breath my guide however if silent was thoughtful and he soon caught my gait and knew when to pause up through the dusk we went he guiding me now by a word telling me how to step or now turning to give me his hand to help me up a steep place over a large rock or around a bad angle for a time we had heard the roar of the torrent as it boiled below us but as we ascended it had gradually hushed and we at length were in a region of profound silence the night was cloudy and as dark as it ever is in in that far northern latitude but i knew that we were climbing along the edge of a precipice on a narrow ledge of rock along the face of the cliff the vast black wall above us rose sheer up and i could feel rather than see that it went as sheer down though my sight could not penetrate the darkness which filled the deep abyss below we had been climbing about three hours when suddenly the ledge seemed to die out my guide stopped and his rope from his waist held it out to me i obeyed his silent gesture and binding it around my body gave him the end he wrapped it about him el and then taking me by the arm as if i had been a child he led me slowly along the narrow ledge around the face of the wall step by step telling me where to place my feet and waiting till they were firmly planted i began now to understand why no one ever went over the mountain in the day we were on a ledge nearly three thousand feet high if it had not been for the strong firm hold on my arm i could not have stood it as it was i dared not think suddenly we turned a sharp angle and found ourselves in a curious place almost level and fifty or sixty feet deep in the as if a great piece had been out of the mountain by the which must once have been there this is a curious place i ventured to say it is said my guide it is the devil s seat men have died here his tone was almost fierce i accepted his explanation silently we passed the singular spot and once more were on the ledge but except in one place it was not so narrow as it had been the other side of the devil s seat and in fifteen minutes we had crossed the summit and the path a little and began to descend you do well said my guide briefly but not so well as doctor john i was well content with being a good second to the doctor just then the rain had ceased the sky had partly cleared and as we began to descend the early twilight of the northern dawn began to appear first the sky became a clear and the tops of the mountains became visible the dark outlines beginning to be filled in and taking on a soft color this lightened rapidly on the side facing east they were bathed in an atmosphere so clear and transparent that they seemed almost within a stone s throw of us while the other side was still left in a shadow which was so deep as to be almost darkness the gray lightened and lightened into pearl until a tinge of rose appeared and then the sky suddenly changed to the blue and a little later the snow white mountain tops were bathed in pink and it was day i could see in the light that we were descending into a sort of hollow between the snow patched mountain tops below us was a lovely little valley in which small pines and grew and patches of the green short grass which stands for hay shone among the great several little streams came jumping down as white as milk from the stuck between the mountain tops and after resting in two or three tiny lakes which looked like hand lying in the grass below went and foaming on to the edge of the precipice over which they sprang to be dashed into and snow hundreds of feet down a half dozen sheep and as many were feeding about in the little valley but i could not see the least sign of a house except a queer brown structure on a little with many and peaks ending in the curious which i recognized as one of the old wooden churches of a past age when however an hour later we had got down to the table land i found myself in front of a long quaint double log cottage set between two immense and with of hark covered with turf which was blue with wild it was as if it were built under a bed of s ease it was very old and had el been a house of some for there was much curious carving about the doors and indeed about the whole front the s head being distinctly visible in the design there were several lesser houses which looked as if they had once been dwellings but they seemed now to be only stables as we approached the principal door it was opened and there stepped forth one of the most striking figures i ever saw a young woman rather tall and as straight as an arrow my friend s words involuntarily to me a daughter of the and then somehow i too had the feeling he had expressed poor thing her figure was one of the richest and most perfect i ever beheld her face was singularly beautiful but it was less her beauty than her nobility of look and mien combined with a certain sadness which impressed me the features were clear and strong and perfectly carved there	46
was a firm mouth a good jaw strong chin a broad brow and deep blue eyes which looked straight at you her expression was so soft and tender as to have something pathetic in it her hair was and as fine as satin and was brushed perfectly smooth and on the back of her head which was placed admirably on her shoulders she was dressed in the coarse black blue stuff of the country and a also dark blue was knotted under her chin and fell back behind her head forming a dark background for her silken hair seeing us she stood perfectly still until we drew near when she made a quaint low courtesy and advanced to meet her father with a look of eager in her large eyes he said with a tenderness which conveyed the full meaning of the sweet pet term darling there was something about these people though they were which gave me a strange feeling of respect for them this is doctor john s friend said the old man quietly she looked at her father in a puzzled way for a moment as if she had not heard him but as he repeated his introduction a light came into her eyes and coming up to me she held out her hand saying welcome then turning to her father have you a letter for me father she asked el no he said gently but i will go again next month a cloud settled on her face and increased its sadness and she turned her head away after a moment she went into the house and i saw that she was weeping a look of deep came over the old man s face also ii i found that my friend doctor john strange to relate of a had not exaggerated the merits of the fishing how they got there two thousand feet above the lower valley i don t know but fairly in the little streams which boiled among the rocks and they were as greedy as if they had never seen a fly in their lives i shortly became contemptuous toward anything under three pounds and addressed myself to the task of defending my flies against the smaller ones and keeping them only for the big fellows which ran over three pounds the of the streams with these i had capital sport for they knew every angle and hole they sought every of and the rocks were so thick and bo sharp that from the time one of these took the it was an equal contest which of us come off victorious i was often forced to rush and through the water to my waist to keep my line from being and as the water was not an hour from tlie green above it was not always entirely pleasant i soon made firm friends with my hosts and varied the monotony of catching by helping them get in their hay for the winter poor thing was notwithstanding her apparently splendid so delicate that she could no longer stand the fatigue of manual labor any extra exertion being liable to bring on a of the heart failure from which she had suffered i learned that she had had a violent two before from which she had come near dying and that the skill of my friend the doctor had doubtless saved her life this was the hold he had on of the mountain this was the small service he had rendered them by them thus i was enabled to be of material to and i found in el helping these good people that work took on once more the which i remembered it used to have under like circumstances when i was a boy i could cut or carry on my back loads of hay all day and feel at night as if i had been such is the singular effect of the spirit on labor to make up for this would sometimes when i went fishing take her knitting and keep me company sitting at a little distance with her pale calm face and shining hair against the background of her sad colored she looked like a mourning angel i never saw her smile except when her father came into her presence and when she smiled it was as if the sun had suddenly come out i began to understand the devotion of these two strange people so like and yet so different one rainy day she had a strange turn she began to be restless her large sad eyes usually so calm became bright the two spots in her cheeks burned yet deeper her face grew anxious then she laid her knitting aside and took out of a great chest something on which she began to busily i was looking at her when she caught my eye el and smiled it was the first time she ever smiled for me did you know i was going to be married she asked just as an american girl might have done and before i could answer she brought me the work it was her wedding dress i have nearly finished it she said then she brought me a box of old silver ornaments such as the wear and put them on when i had admired them she put them away after a little she arose and began to wander about the house and out into the rain i watched her with interest her father came in and i saw a distressed look come into his eyes he went up to her and his hand on her drew her toward a seat then taking down an old bible he turned to a certain place and began to read he read first the lord thou hast been our refuge from one generation to another before the mountains were brought forth or ever the earth and the world were made thou art god from everlasting and	46
world without end then he turned to the chapter of now is christ risen from the dead and become the first fruits of them that slept etc his voice was clear rich and el d devout and he read it with singular earnestness and beauty it gave me a strange feel ing it is a part of our burial service then he opened his hymn book and began to sing a low like hymn i sat silent watching the strange service and noting its effect on she sat at first like a person bound struggling to be free then became and at last perfectly calm then knelt down and with his hand still on her prayed one of the most touching prayers i ever heard it was for patience when he rose was weeping and she went and in his arms like a child and he kissed her as tenderly as if he had been her mother next day however the same excited state and this time the reading appeared to have less effect she busily and insisted that there must be a letter for her at l a violent fit of weeping was followed by a of and finally the old man who had sat quietly by her with his hand her head arose and said i will go she threw herself into his arms rubbing her head against him in sign of dumb affection and in a little while grew calm it el was still and quite late only a little before sunset but the old man went out and taking the path toward l was soon climbing the mountain toward the devil s seat sat up all night but she was as calm and as gentle as ever the next morning when returned she went out to meet him her look was full of eager i did not go out but watched her from the door i saw shake his head and heard her say bitterly it is so hard to wait and he said gently yes it is but i will go again and then she came in weeping quietly the old man following with a tender look on his strong weather beaten face that day was taken ill she had been trying to do a little work in the field in the afternoon when a sinking spell had come on it looked for a time as if the poor heart had knocked off work for good and all strong however left by doctor john set it going again and we got her to bed she was still desperately feeble and sat up i could not leave him so we were sitting watching he one side the open platform fireplace in one comer and i the el other he smoking anxious silent grim i watching the expression on his gray face his eyes seemed set back deeper than ever under the shaggy gray brows and as the fell on him he had the fierce hopeless look of a eagle it was late in the night before he spoke and then it was half to himself and but half to me i have fought it ten long years he said slowly not to break the thread of his thought by speaking i lit my pipe afresh and just looked at him he received it as an answer she is the last of them he said accepting me as an rather than addressing me we go back to the blood of the is in our veins and here it ends and have known our power saxon and have bowed bare headed to us and with her it ends in this many times her fathers have found refuge from their foes and gained breathing time after battles by sea and land from this nest like they have down carrying all before them and here at last when betrayed and el hunted they found refuge here no foreign king could rule over them here they learnt the lesson that christ is the only king and that all men are his brothers here they lived and worshipped him if their were stolen from them they found here a truer wealth content if they had not power they had what was better independence for centuries they held this last remnant of the dominion which had conquered by land and of the bloody axe had won by sea sending out their sons and daughters to people the lands but the race as their lands had done before and now with her dies the last how has it come as ever by i the old man turned fiercely his breast heaving his eyes burning was she who came of a race at whose feet have crawled and kings have knelt not good enough i was hearing the story and did not interrupt him not good enough for him he continued in his low fierce i did not want him what if he was a saxon his fathers were our rather a thousand times then the race would not have died then she would not be not be so el the reference to her recalled him to himself and he suddenly into silence at least paid the score he began once more in a low intense in his arms he bore him down from the devil s seat a thousand feet sheer on the hard ice where his cursed body lies crushed forever a witness of his falsehood i did not interrupt and he rewarded my patience giving a more connected account for the first time addressing me directly her mother died when she was a child he said softly his gentle voice contrasted strangely with the fierce in which he had been speaking i was mother as well as father to her she was as good as she was beautiful and each day she grew more and more so she was a second knowing that she needed other companionship than an old	46
man i sought and brought her he spoke of him as if i must know all about him was the son of my only the last of his line as well and he was tall and straight and strong i loved him and he was my son and as he grew i saw that he loved her and i was not sorry for he was goodly to look on straight and tall as one of el old and be was good and she was satisfied with him and from a child ed him to do her girlish bidding and he obeyed and laughed well content to have her smile and he would carry her on hia shoulder and take her on the mountain to slide and would gather her flowers and i thought it was well and i thought that in time they would marry and have the farm and that there would be children about the and the valley might be filled with voices as in the old time and i was content and one day he came the reference cost bim an effort found him fainting on the mountain and brought him here in his arms he had come to the village alone and the idle fools there had told him of me and he had asked to meet me and they told him of the mountain and that none could pass the devil s ledge but those who had the old blood and that i loved not strangers and he said he would pass it and he bad come and passed safely the narrow ledge and reached the devil s seat when a stone had fallen upon him and had found him there fainting and had lifted him and brought him here bis own life to save him on the el ledge and he was near to death for days and she nursed him and brought him from the grave at first i was cold to him but there was something about him that drew me and held me it was not that he was young and taller than and fair it was not that his eyes were clear and full of light and his figure straight as a young pine it was not that he had climbed the mountain and passed the narrow ledge and the devil s seat alone though i liked well his act for none but those who have s blood have done it alone in all the years though many have tried and failed i asked him what men called him and he said then laughing said some called him the fair haired the answer pleased me there was something in the name which drew me to him when i first saw him i had thought of and of and of that other who though a saxon died bravely for his kingdom when his brother betrayed him and i held out my hand and gave him the clasp of friendship the old man paused but after a brief re proceeded so el we made him welcome and we loved him he knew the world and could tell us many things he knew the story of and the and the were on his tongue loved him and followed him and she the pause which always indicated her who filled his thoughts she then but a girl laughed and sang for him and he sang for her and his voice was rich and sweet and she went with him to fish and to climb and often when and i were in the field we would hear her laugh clear and fresh from the rocks beside the streams as he told her some fine story of his england he stayed here a month and a week and then departed saying he would come again next year and the house was empty and silent after he left but after a time we grew used to it once more and the winter came when the spring returned we got a letter a letter to her saying he would come again and every two weeks another letter came and i went for it and brought it to to her and she read it to and me and at last he came and i went to meet him and brought him here welcome as if he had been my eldest born and we were glad smiled and ran forward and gave him his hand she she did not come at first but when she came she was clad in all that was her best and wore her silver the things her mother and her grandmother had worn and as she stepped out of the door and saluted him i saw for the first time that she was a woman grown and it was hard to tell which face was brighter hers or his and smiled to see her so glad the old man into reflection presently however he resumed this time he was than before the summer seemed to come with him he sang to her and read to her from books that he had brought teaching her to speak english like himself and he would go and fish up the streams while she sat near by and talked to him also learned his tongue well and i did also but did not see so much of him as before for had to work and in the evening they were reading and she she grew more and more beautiful and laughed and sang more and so the summer passed the autumn came but he did not go and i was well content for she was happy and in truth the place was that he was here alone seemed downcast but i knew not why and then the snow came one morning we awoke and the farm was as white as the mountains i said to him now you are here	46
for the winter and he laughed and said no i will stay till the new year i have business then in england and i must go and i turned and her face was like sunshine for she knew that none but and i had ever passed the devil s ledge in the snow and the other way by which i took the doctor home was worse then though easier in the summer only longer but looked gloomy at which i him but he was silent and the autumn passed rapidly so cheerful was he finding in the snow as much pleasure as in the sunshine and taking her out to slide and race on shoes till she would come in with her cheeks like roses in summer and her eyes like stars and she made it warm where she was and one evening they came home he was than ever and she more beautiful but than her wont she looked like her mother the evening i asked her to be my wife i could not t ke my eyes from her that night was a wolf at last el he asked me to come out and then he told me that he had seen kiss her and had heard him tell her that he loved her and she had not driven him away my heart was wrung for for i loved him and he wept like a child i tried to comfort him but it was useless and the next day he went away for a time i was glad to have him go for i grieved for him and i thought she would miss him and be glad when he came again and though the snow was bad on the mountain he was sure as a wolf he bade us and left with his eyes looking like a hurt dog s i thought she would have wept to have him go but she did not she gave him her hand and turned back to and smiled to him when he smiled it was the first time in all her life that i had not been glad to have her smile and i was sorry had stayed and i watched climb the mountain like a dark speck against the snow till he disappeared she was so happy and beautiful that i could not long be out with her though i grieved for and when she came to me and told me one night of her great love for i forgot my own regret in her joy and i said nothing to el because she told me he said that in his country it was not usual for the father to be told or to speak to a daughter s lover they were much taken up together after that and i was alone and i missed sorely and would have longed for him more but for her happiness but one day when he had been gone two months i looked over the mountain and on the snow i saw a black speck it had not been there before and i watched it as it moved and i knew it was i said nothing until he came and then i ran and met him he was thin and worn and older but his eyes had a look in them which i thought was joy at getting home only they were not soft and he looked taller than when he left and he spoke little his eyes softened when she hearing his voice came out and held out her hand to him smiling to welcome him but he did not kiss her as do after long absence and when came out the wolf look came back into his eyes looked not so pleased to see him but held out his hand to g him but stepped back and suddenly drawing from his breast a letter placed it in his palm saying el slowly i have been to england lord and have brought you this from your lady rid they expect you to your wedding at the new year turned as white as the snow under his feet and she gave a cry and fell full length on the was the first to reach her and lifting her in his arms he bore her into the house would have seized her but brushed him aside as if he had been a and carried her and laid her down when she came to herself she did not remember clearly what had happened she was strange to me who was her father but she knew him i could have slain him but she called him he went to her and she understood only that he was going away and she wept he told her it was true that he had loved another woman and had promised to marry her before he had met her but now he loved her better and he would go home and arrange everything and return and she listened and clung to him i hated him and wanted him to go but he was my guest and i told him that he could not go through the snow but he was determined it seemed as if he wanted now to get away and i was glad el k et to have him go for my child was strange to me and if he had deceived one woman i knew he might another and said that the letter he had sent by him before the snow came was to say he would come in time to be married at the new year and said he lived in a great and owned broad lands more than one could see from the whole mountain and his people had brought him in and asked him many questions of him and had offered him gold to bring the letter back and he had refused the gold and brought it without the gold and some said he	46
had deceived more than one woman and lord went to get ready and she wept and moaned and was strange and then went to her and told her of his own love for her and that he was loyal to her bat she waved him from her and when he asked her to marry him for he loved her truly she said him nay with violence so that he came forth into the air looking white as a and he sat down and when came out he was sitting on a stone and had his knife in his hand looking at it with a dangerous i eyes and just then she arose and out and seeing him sitting so witli el his knife she gave a start and her manner changed and going to him she spoke softly to him for the first time and made him yield her up the knife for she knew that the knife hung loose in the but then she changed again and all her anger rose against that he had brought the letter which carried him away and sat saying nothing and his face was like stone then lord came and said he was ready and he asked would he carry his luggage and at first refused and then suddenly looked him full in his face and said yes and entered the house to say good by to her and i heard her weeping within and my heart g hard against the englishman and s face was black with anger and when came forth i heard her cry out and he turned in the door and said he would return and would write her a letter to let her know when he would return but he said it as one speaks to a child to quiet it not meaning it and went in to speak to her and i heard her drive him out as if he had been a dog and he came forth with his face like a and taking up lord s luggage he set out and so they went over the mountain and all that ht she lay awake and i heard her moaning and all next day she like stone and i the and her thoughts were on the letters he would send i spoke to her but she spoke only of the letters to come and i kept silence for i had seen that lord would come no more for i had seen him burn the little things she had given him and he had taken everything away but i could not tell her ao and the days passed and i hoped that would come straight back but he did not it grieved me for i loved him and hoped that he would return and that in time she would forget lord and not be strange but be as she had been to before he came yet i thought it not wholly wonderful that did not return at once nor unwise for she was lonely and would sit all day looking up the mountain and when he came she would i thought he glad to have him hack at the end of a week she began to urge me to go for a letter but told her it could not come so soon but when another week had passed she began to and when i asked her what she she said her dress and she became so that i agreed i el to go for i knew no letter would come and it broke my heart to see her and when i was ready she kissed me and wept in my arms and called me her good father and so i started she stood in the door and watched me climb the mountain and waved to me almost the snow was deep but i followed the track which and the englishman had made two weeks before for no new snow had fallen and i saw that one track was ever behind the other and never beside it as if had fallen back and followed behind him and so i came near to the devil s seat where it was difficult and from where had brought him in his arms that day and then for the first time i began to fear for i remembered s look as he came from the house when she waved him off and it had been so easy for him with a swing of his strong arm to have pushed the other over the cliff but when i saw that he had driven his stick in deep to hold hard and that the tracks went on beyond i breathed freely again and so i passed the narrow path and the black wall el and came to the devil s seat and as i turned the rock my heart stopped beating and i had nearly fallen from the ledge for there scattered and half buried in the snow lay the pack had carried on his back and the snow was all dug up and piled about as if had been fighting there for their lives from the wall across and back were deep as if they were by men s feet dug fiercely in but they were ever deeper toward the edge and on one spot at the edge the snow was all torn clear from the black rock and beyond the seat the narrow path lay smooth and bright and level as it had fallen without a track my knees shook under me and i clutched my stick for support and everything grew black before me and presently i fell on my knees and crawled and peered over the edge but there was nothing to be seen only where the wall sharp down for a little space in one spot the snow was brushed away as if something had struck there and the black smooth rock showed clean cutting off the sight from	46
i went to look for him aa i approached i heard a dull sound when i reached the cleared place i found him digging he had chosen a spot just in front of the quaint old door with the rude letters which the earliest would touch as i came up i saw he was digging her grave i offered to help but lie said no so i car him some food and placing it near him left him late that evening he came down and asked me if i would sit up that night i told him yes he thanked me and went into the house in a little while he came out and silently went up the path toward the mountain it was a strange night that i spent in that silent valley in that still house only i and the dead girl lying there so white and peaceful i had strange thoughts and the earth and things earthly disappeared for me that night shut in by those mountain walls i was in a world alone i was cut off from all hut god and the dead i have dear ones in heaven and i was nearer to them that night amid the mountain tops of than i waa to earthly friends i think i was nearer to heaven that night than i ever shall be again till i get there el day broke like a great pearl but i did not heed it it was all peace suddenly there was a step outside and with his face drawn and gray and bowing under the weight of the burden upon his shoulder stepped wearily in at the door to do honor he had been over the mountain to get it i helped lift it down and place it and then he waited for me to go as i passed out of the door i saw him bend over the quiet i looked in later he had placed her in the coffin but the top was not on and he was on his knees beside her he did not bury her that day but he never left her side he sat by her all day and all night next day he came to the door and looked at me i went in and understood that he wanted me to look for the last time on her face it was fairer than i ever saw it he had cut her flowers and placed them all about her and on her breast was a small packet of letters all care all suffering all that was merely of the earth were away and she looked as she lay like a dead angel after i came out i heard him on the top and when he finished i went in again he would have attempted to carry it by him el self but i restrained him and without a word he took the head and i the foot and so lifting her tenderly we went gently out and up toward the church we had to pause and rest several times for he was almost worn out after we had lowered her into the grave i was in doubt what to do but drew from his coat his two books and standing close by the side of the grave he opened first the little bible and began to read in a low but distinct voice lord thou hast been our refuge from one generation to another before the mountains were brought forth or ever the earth and the world were made thou art god from everlasting and world without end when he finished this he turned and read again now is christ risen from the dead and become the first fruits of them that slept etc they were the and the chapter which i had heard him read to that first day when she became excited and with which he had so often charmed her restless spirit he closed and i thought he was done but he opened his hymn book and turning over a few leaves sang the same hymn he had sung to her that day he sang it all through to the end the low strange like hymn and as it was by that old man alone standing in the fading evening light beside the grave which he had dug for his daughter the last of his race i never heard anything so moving then he knelt and clasping his hands offered a prayer the words from habit ran almost as they had done when he had prayed for before that god would be her shepherd her and lead her beside the still waters and give her peace when he was through i waited a little and then i took up a to help him but he reached out and took it quietly and seeing that he wanted to be alone i left him he meant to do for all the last sacred offices himself i was so fatigued that on reaching the house i dropped off to sleep and slept till morning and i do not know when he came into the house if he came at all when i early next morning he was not there and i rose and went up to the church to hunt for him he was sitting quietly beside the grave and i saw that he had placed at her head a little cross of on which he had burned one word simply el i spoke to him asking him to come to the house i cannot leave her he said but when i urged him he rose silently and returned with me i remained with him foi a while after that and each day he went and sat by the grave at last i had to leave i urged him to come with me but he replied always no i must watch over it was late in the evening when we set off to	46
cross the mountain we came by the same path by which i had gone leading me as carefully and holding me as steadily as when i went over before i stopped at the church to lay a few wild flowers on the little gray mound where slept so quietly said not a d he simply waited till i was done and then followed me i was so filled with sorrow for him that i did not except in one place think much of the fearful cliffs along which we made our way at the devil s seat indeed my nerves for a moment seemed shaken and almost gave way as i thought of the false young lord whose had caused all tlie misery to these simple kindly folk and of the fierce el young who had there found so sweet a revenge but we came on and passed the ledge and descending struck the broader path just after the day broke where it was no longer perilous but only painful there paused i will go back if you don t want me he said i did not need his services but i urged him to come on with me to pay a visit to his friends i have none he said simply then to come home with me and live with me in old virginia he said no he must watch over so finally i had to give in and with a clasp of the hand and a message to her friend doctor john to remember he went back and was soon lost amid the rocks i was half way down when i reached a cleared place an hour or so and turned to look back the sharp angle of the devil s ledge was the highest point visible the very of the mountain and there clear against the steel of the morning sky on the very edge clear in the rare atmosphere was a small figure it stood for a second a black point distinctly and then disappeared it was of the mountain gone back to keep watch over george washington s last of all the places in the county the towers was the favorite with the young people there even margaret was the major kept open house with his major and george washington and when margaret came from school of course it was popular only one class of persons was excluded there were few people in the county who did not know of the major s to old women as he called them years no more entered into his definition of this class than did into his idea of an old bachelor the state of single continued in the female sex beyond the bloom of youth was in his eyes the sole basis of this condition he made ain to the few individuals among his neighbors who had remained in the state of washington s last because as he declared was a greater virtue than but he drew the line at these few and it was his boast that no old woman had ever been able to get into his one of them he used to say would close paradise just as readily now as eve did six thousand years ago thus although as margaret grew up she had any other friends she desired to visit her as often as she chose her wish being the supreme law at rock towers she had never even thought of inviting one of the class against whom her uncle s ruddy face was so set the first time it ever occurred to her to invite any one among the was when she asked rose to pay her a visit rose she knew was living with her old aunt miss bridges whom she had once met in r and she had some apprehension that in miss s opinion the condition of the south was so much like that of the islands that the old lady would not permit rose to come without her personal escort accordingly one evening after tea when the major was in a particularly gracious humor and had told her several of his oldest george last and best stories margaret fell upon him unawares and before he had recovered from the shock of the encounter had captured his consent in order to secure the of a invitation she had immediately written rose asking her and her aunt to come and spend a month or two with her and had without delay it to george washington to deliver to to give to carry to the the next evening therefore when the major after twenty four hours of serious apprehension the matter with a fixed determination to or buy her out of the notion because as he to say women can t be reasoned out of a thing sir not having been reasoned in margaret was able to meet him with the announcement that it was too late as the letter had already been seated in one of the high backed arm chairs with one white hand her laughing eyes from the light and with her evening dress spread out about her margaret was amused at the look of desperation on the old gentleman s ruddy face he his round body before the fire himself with his plump legs well apart as if he were i washington s last preparing to sustain the shock of a blow and taking a deep inspiration gave a loud and prolonged this was too much for her margaret rose and going up to him took his arm and looked into his face uncle i was bound to have rose and miss would not have let her come alone the tone was the low almost plaintive key the of which margaret knew so well not let her the major faced her quickly margaret she is one of those strong minded women margaret nodded brightly i bet my horse she wears iron gray curls caught	46
on the side of her head with she does declared margaret her eyes dancing and has a long nose red at the end uncle you have seen her i know you have seen her asserted margaret laughing up at him you have her very picture the major groaned and vowed that he would never survive it and that margaret washington s last would go down to history as the of her uncle i have selected my place in the he said with a mournful shake of the head put me close to the fence behind the thicket where i shall be secure tell her there are there but uncle she is as good as gold declared margaret she is always doing good i believe she thinks it her mission to save the world the major burst out that s part of this modern of for christianity next thing they ll be wanting to hell the major was so impressed with his peril that when who had galloped over for a little while entered announced with great ceremony by george washington he poured out all his apprehensions into his sympathetic ear and it was only when he began to rally on the chance of his becoming a victim to miss s charms that margaret interfered so far as to say that rose had any number of lovers and one of them was an awfully nice fellow handsome and rich and all that she wished some one would washington last t invite him down to pay a visit in the neighborhood for she was afraid rose would it dreadfully dull in the country the major announced that he would himself make love to her but both margaret and declared that providence intended him for miss he then suggested that miss s friend be invited to come with her but margaret did not think that would do what is the name of this inquired margaret gave his name mr why i know him pick we were college mates class mates he used to be in love with somebody up at his home then but i never identified her with your friend we were great at the university he was going to be a lawyer but i believe somebody died and he came into a fortune this history did not appear to surprise margaret as much as might have bee expected and she said more about him about a week later took occasion to ride over to tea and announced that his friend george s last mr had promised to run down and spend a few weeks with him margaret looked so pleased and dwelt so much on the alleged charms of the expected guest tliat with a pang of jealousy suddenly asserted that he didn t think so much of that he of those fellows who always pretended to be very much in love with somebody and was always changing his clothes that s what like said margaret and this was all the thanks ii was immense excitement at the towers next day when the visitors were expected the major took twice his usual period to dress george washington with a view to his nerves them so tight that he bad great difficulty in maintaining his and even margaret herself was in a quite unusual to one so self possessed as she generally was when however the carriage drove up to the door the major with margaret a little in advance met the at the steps in all the glory of new washington s last blue and velvet sir charles could not have been more elegant nor sir more gracious behind him yet stood george george washington his master s in to the handkerchief and the trick of waving the right hand in a flowing curve it was perhaps this spectacle which saved the major for miss was so overwhelmed by george washington s dignity that she exhibited humility to place the major immediately at his ease and from this time miss was at a disadvantage and the major felt that he was master of the situation the old lady had never been in the south before except for a few days on the occasion when margaret had met her and rose at the hotel in r and she had then seen just enough to excite her her natural curiosity was quite amazing she was desperately bent on acquiring information and whatever she heard she set down in a journal so as soon as she became sufficiently acquainted with the major she began to him with questions her seat at table was at the major s right and the questions which washington s last she put to him proved so embarrassing that the old gentleman declared to margaret that if that old woman knew as much as she wanted to know she would with her wisdom solomon and destroy the value of the he finally hit upon an expedient he either traversed every proposition she suggested or else answered every inquiry with a statement which was simply she had therefore not been at the towers a week before she was in the possession of facts furnished by the major which might have staggered itself one of the many in her journal was to the effect that according to major b it was the custom on many to shoot a slave every year on the ground that such a sacrifice was generally that it was an of past and a from repetition and she added this the most extraordinary and part of it au is that this barbarous custom which might well have been supposed confined to is justified by such men as major b as a pious act she inserted this can it be true george washington s last if she did not wholly believe the major she did not altogether him she at least was firmly convinced that it was quite possible she determined to inquire privately	46
of george washington she might have inquired of one of the numerous maids whose useless presence embarrassed her but the major that she might pursue her investigation in other directions had informed her that the was guarded with the greatest care and that it would be as much as any one s life were worth to it miss therefore was too loyal to expose one of her own sex to such danger so she was compelled to consult george washington whom she believed clever enough to take care of himself she accordingly watched several days for an opportunity to see him alone but without success in fact though she was unaware of it george washington had conceived for her a most violent dislike and carefully avoided her he had observed with growing suspicion miss s investigation of matters relating to the estate and her persistent pursuit of knowledge at the table had confirmed him in his idea that she contemplated the capture of his master and himself george s last like his master he had a natural to old women and as the major s threat for years had varied between setting him free next morning and giving him a mistress to make him walk straight george washington felt that prudence demanded some vigilance on his part one day under cover of the incident to the presence at dinner of and of his guest mr miss had pushed her further than usual george washington watched her with growing suspicion his head thrown back and hia eyes half closed and so when just before dinner was over he went into the ball to see about the fire he after his habit took occasion to express his opinion of affairs to the sundry members of the family who looked down at him from their dim gilt frames on the wall i ain t pleased de way things is on at all he declared the fire and addressing his remark more particularly to an old who in and red velvet sat with crossed legs in a chair just over the piano me an an miss margaret been long all years easy an an washington s last been over all de time an d ain been no trouble nor till now what ax mo questions n a folks kin answer got to come and set up to an talk to him he hardly eat he rose from his knees at the hearth and looking the old gentleman over the piano in the face asserted she got her mine on bein my s what tis i this relieved him so that he returned to his occupation of the fire adding when women sets de mines on a thing you well gin up so intent was he l himself of the burden on his mind that he did not hear the door softly open and did not know anyone had entered until an enthusiastic voice behind him exclaimed oh what a profound observation george washington started in much confusion for it was miss who had stolen away from the table to him at his task of fixing the fires she had however heard only his concluding sentence and she now advanced with a beaming smile intended to the old butler george washington gave the hearth a final and hasty sweep and last was retiring in a long around miss when she him uncle e he stopped and half turned what old place here i george washington cast hia eye up towards the old gentleman in the high backed chair as much as to say you see there what did i tell you then he said briefly yes m what is its extent how many acres are there in it george washington positively started he took in several of the family in his glance of warning well i declare i don t know he began then it to him that the honor of the family was somehow at stake and must be lie added a mo n a hundred his was convincing miss threw up her hands prodigious how many how many persons of the african blood are there on this vast domain she inquired getting nearer to her point george observing how much she was im eyed her with rising disdain george washington s last does you mean m m bout three another exclamation of astonishment burst from the old lady s lips if you permit me to inquire uncle george how old are you she warn see if i kin s what she s after said george to himself with a confidential look at a young gentleman in a hunting dress on the wall between two windows then he said well i declare you got me i i is ninety years i reckon i se ol er n you is i reckon i is oh exclaimed miss with a little start as if she had pricked her finger with a needle kin tell you continued george if you don t know how you is all you got to do is to ax him an he kin tell you he got it all set down in a book he kin tell how you is to a day dear how frightful exclaimed miss just as the major entered somewhat hastily he s a gone said george washington through the crack of the door to the old george washington s last gentleman in as he pulled the door slowly to from the outside the major had left the young people in the dining room and had come to get a book to settle a disputed quotation he had found the work and was trying to read it without the of putting on his glasses when miss him major your appears to be a very person the major turned upon her my madam i have no i mean your body servant your butler explained miss i have been much impressed by him	46
george george washington you mean george washington no madam he has not a of intelligence he is and stupid i have never in fifty years been able to get an idea into his head oh dear and i thought him so clever i was wondering how so intelligent a person so well informed could be a slave the major faced about george george washington a slave madam you the situation he george washington s last is no slave i am the slave not only of him but of three hundred more as and as the and as lazy as the devil i miss threw up her hands in astonishment and the major who was on a favorite theme proceeded why madam the very coat on my back belongs to that rascal george washington and i do not know when he may take a fancy to order me out of it my soul is not my own he drinks my my tobacco and takes my clothes before my face as likely as not he will have on this very waistcoat before the week is out the major his well filled velvet as if he already felt the pangs of the approaching separation oh dear you me began miss yes madam i should be amazed myself except that i have stood it so long why i had once an affair with an intimate and valued friend judge you may have heard of him a very distinguished man and i was enough to carry that rascal george washington to the field thinking of course that i ought to go like a george washington s last and although the affair was arranged after we had taken our positions and i did not have the pleasure of shooting at him j good heavens exclaimed miss the pleasure of shooting at your friend monstrous i i say i did not have that pleasure corrected the major the affair was as i stated arranged without a shot yet do you know that rascal george washington will not allow that it was so and i understand he with the most details the manner in which he and i as he terms it shot my friend murdered him miss gave an horrible what she said almost under her breath the major caught the words yes madam it is horrible to think of such unquestionably he deserves death but what can one do the law kept feeble by does not permit one to kill them however worthless they are he observed miss s start except of course by way of example under certain peculiar circumstances as i have stated to you he bowed george washington s last miss was speechless so lie pursued i have sometimes been tempted to make a break for liberty and have thought that if i could once get the rascal on the field with my old pistols i would settle with him which of us is the master do you mean that you would would shoot him gasped miss yes madam unless he should be too quick for me replied the major or should order me from the field which he probably would do the old lady turned and hastily left the room iii though miss after this regarded the major with renewed suspicion and confided to her niece that she did not feel at all safe with him the old gentleman was soon on the same terms with rose that he was on with margaret herself he informed her that he was just twenty five his last grass and that he never could would or should grow a year older he and his friend mr george washington s last at the table that he regarded himself as a candidate for s hand and had the ground and he informed her that as soon as he could bring himself to break an oath which he had made twenty years before never to address another woman he intended to propose to her rose who had lingered at the table a moment behind the other ladies ed the old fellow that he need fear no rival and that if he could not muster courage to propose before she left as it was leap year she would exercise her and propose herself the major with his hand on his heart as he held the door open for her vowed as rose swept past him her fine eyes dancing and her face with fun that he was ready that moment to throw himself at her feet if it were not for the difficulty of getting up from his knees a little later in the margaret was down among the rose bushes where had joined her after rose had executed that inexplicable feminine of denying herself to oppose a lover s request was leaning against a pillar pretending to talk to rose but listening more to the of song in margaret s rich voice or george washington s last to the laughter which floated up to them from the garden below suddenly he said abruptly i believe that fellow is in love with margaret rose insisted on knowing what ground he had for so peculiar an opinion on which he charged his friend with being one of those fellows who falls in love with every pretty girl on whom he lays his eyes and declared that he had done nothing but hang around margaret ever since he had come to the county what rose might have replied to this unexpected attack on one whom she reserved for her own especial torture cannot be recorded for the major suddenly appeared around the both the young people instinctively straightened up ah i you i catch you he cried his face glowing with you d better look out honey catches a heap of flies and sticks mighty hard rose don t show him any mercy kick him on him i am not honey said	46
rose with a look out of her bright eyes yes you are if you are not you are the very rose from which it is washington s last oh how charming cried the young lady how i wish some woman could hear that said to me don t give him credit before you hear all his proverb said do you know what he said in the dining room don t credit him at all replied the major don t him don t listen to him he is green with envy at my success and the old fellow shook with amusement what did he say please tell me she appealed to and then as he was about to speak seeing the major preparing to run she caught him no you have to listen now tell me to again well he said honey caught lots of flies and women lots of fools rose fell back and pointing her finger at the major who with mock humility was watching her closely declared that she would never believe in him again the old fellow met her with an denial of ever having made such a statement or held such sentiments as it was he maintained a well established fact that flies never eat honey at all from this moment the major conceived the george washington s last idea that had been caught by his fair visitor it had never occurred to him that anyone could to margaret s hand he had thought at one time that was in danger of falling a victim to the charms of the pretty daughter of an old friend and neighbor of his and though it appeared rather a pity for a young fellow to fall in love out of the state yet the claims of hospitality combined with the fact that with mr against whom on account of his he had conceived some prejudice promised a delightful excitement more than that objectionable feature he therefore immediately constituted himself s ardent champion and always spoke of the latter s guest as that fellow accordingly when one afternoon on his return from his ride he found who had ridden over to tea lounging around alone in a state of mind as miserable as a man should be who having come with the expectation of in the sunshine of beauty s smile finds that beauty is out horseback riding with a rival he was impelled to give him aid countenance and advice he immediately last attacked therefore on his forlorn and expression and declared that at his age he would have long ago run the game to earth and have her home across his saddle bow tou are afraid sir afraid he asserted hotly i don t what you fellows are coming to admitted the accusation he feared he said that he could not get a girl to him he was looking rather red when the major cut him short fear sir i fear catches not kisses not get a girl to have you well upon my soul why don t you run after her and like a baby for her to stop whilst you get down on your knees and get her to have you was too dejected to be even by this unexpected attack he merely said well how the deuce can it be done make her sir make her cried tlie major her compel her the old fellow was in his element he shook his head and brought his hands together with sounding emphasis george washington s last suggested that perhaps she might be but the old fellow that no woman was this that no fortress was too strong to be carried that it all depended on the and the vehemence of the assault and if one did not succeed another would the young man brightened his however dashed his rising hopes by saying but mark this sir no coward can succeed women are rank themselves and they demand courage in their do you think a woman will marry a man who before her by jove sir he must make her tremble admitted that this sounded like wisdom the major burst out wisdom sir it is the wisdom of solomon who had a thousand wives from this time the major constituted himself s ally and was ready to take the field on his behalf against any and all comers therefore when he came into the hall one day when rose was at the piano running her fingers idly over the keys whilst was leaning over her talking he exclaimed what treason s this i ll tell george washington s last he was consulting me only yesterday about muttered an but rose wheeled around on the piano stool and faced him only yesterday about the best mode of winning he stopped of winning what i am so interested she rose and stood just before him with a air the major shut his mouth tight i m as dumb as an do you think i would betray my friend s confidence for nothing i m as silent as the of looked anxious and rose followed the old man closely i ll pay you anything i demand payment in coin that youth from age he touched his lips and catching rose leaned slowly forward and kissed her now tell me what did he say a bargain s a bargain she laughed as almost ground his teeth well he said he said let me see what did he say the major he said george washington s last he could not get a girl he loved to have him oh did he say that she was so much interested that she just knew that half stamped his foot yes he said just that and i told him well what did you say oh i did not bargain to tell what j told him i received payment only for betraying	46
his confidence if you drive a bargain i will drive one also rose declared that he was the greatest old screw she ever knew but she paid the price and waited well well of course i told him well i gave him the best advice a man ever received a lawyer would have charged him five hundred dollars for it i m an on rose declared she would have to consult him herself and when the major told her to consult only her mirror gave him a courtesy and wished he would teach some young men of her acquaintance to make such speeches the old fellow vowed however that they were un that he would as soon expect to teach young george washington s last iv it was not more than a half hour after this when george washington came in and found the major standing before the long mirror turning around and holding his coat back from his plump sides so as to obtain a fair view of his ample dimensions george washington said he i m afraid i m growing a little too stout george washington walked around and looked at him with the critical gaze of a butcher a fat ox oh nor you not to say too stout he finally decided as the result of this inspection you sort o hit s to you do you think so the major was flattered i was apprehensive that i might be growing a trifle fat he turned carefully around before the mirror and from a fat old man and a old woman heaven deliver us george washington i nor you ain got a too much meat on you said george george washington s last how much you weigh last time you was on de he inquired with interest the major faced him george washington the last time i weighed i tipped the beam at one hundred and forty three pounds and i had the waist of a girl he laid his fat hands with the finger tips touching on his round sides about where the long since reversed curves of the lamented waist once were and gazed aj george with melancholy s so assented the latter with acquiescence i members hit well when me and you down in to up to co te miss s mo n thirty years ago the major reflected it cannot be thirty years i ty years he mused yes an better too we fit de i know cause s what we shoot him bout cause he co te miss an cut we out damn your memory thirty years i could dance all night every night in george washington s last the week and now i can hardly mount my horse without getting the george washington affected by his reminiscences declared that he had heard one of the ladies saying just the other day what a fine gentleman he was the major brightened did you hear that george washington if you tell me a lie i ll set you free i it was his most terrible threat used only on occasions of exceptional provocation george vowed that no reward could induce him to be guilty of such an and followed it up by so skilful an allusion to the youth of his master that the latter swore he was right and that he could dance better than he could at thirty and to prove it executed with extraordinary for a man who rode at twenty stone a pas which made the floor rock and set the windows and ornaments to as if there had been an earthquake suddenly with a loud he flung himself into an panting and it s you sir he gasped you put me up to it nor tain me i s you de asserted george moved to defend washington s last you infernal old rascal it is you panted the major still his face you have been running riot so long you need i ll tell you what i ll do i d marry and give you a mistress to manage you yes sir i ll get married right away i know the very woman for you she ll make you walk chalk for thirty years this had been his threat so george was no more alarmed than he was at the promise of being sold or turned loose upon the world as a free man he therefore inquired solemnly le me ax you one thing you ain bout me that one for a is you what old one fool the major stopped panting george washington the side of his head where miss s thin curls get out of this room tell to pack your chest i ll send you off to morrow morning george washington with the gravity of a it might have been or it might have been silent but exquisite enjoyment which lay beneath his black skin george s last george washington said the major almost in a whisper what made you think that it was to george washington s credit that not a gleam across his countenance as he said solemnly i ain say i think i ax you is you she been mighty lar bout de plantation and how many we got an all an i she got her eye sort o set on you an me s all the major to his feet and seizing his hat and gloves from the table burst out of the room a minute later he was shouting for his horse in a voice which might have been heard a mile laid to heart the major s wisdom but when it came to acting upon it the difficulty arose he often wondered why his tongue became tied and his throat grew dry when he waa in margaret s presence these days and even just thought of saying anything serious to	46
her he had known margaret ever george washington s la t she was a bit of a baby and had often carried her in his arms when she was a little girl and even after she grew up to be right big he had thought frequently of late that he would be willing to die if he might but take her in his arms it was therefore with no little that he observed what he considered his friend s growing fancy for her by the time had taken a few in the garden and a horseback ride or two with her was satisfied that he was in love with her and before a week was out he was consumed with jealousy margaret was not the girl to indulge in on account of her lover s if had had a finger ache or had a drop of sorrow but fallen in his cup her eyes would have softened and her face would have shown how fully she felt with him but this this was different to his heart was a part of the business of her young it was a healthy process from which would come greater devotion and more loyal constancy then it was so delightful to make one whom she liked as she did look so miserable perhaps some time she would reward him after a long while though thus poor george washington s last spent many a wretched hour cursing his fate and cursing pick he thought he would create a diversion by paying desperate attention to margaret s guest but it resolved itself on the first opportunity into his opening his heart and confiding all his woes to her in doing this he fell into the greatest contradiction declaring one moment that no one suspected that he was in love with margaret and the next that she had every reason to know he adored her as he had been in love with her all her life it was one afternoon in the drawing room rose with much assured him that no woman could have but one reason to know it inquired what it was rising and walking up to him she said in a mysterious whisper tell her after that he had been telling her for years into a declaration of helpless perplexity how can i tell her more than i have been telling her all along he groaned rose said she would show him she seated herself on the sofa spread out her dress and placed him behind her now do as i tell you no not so o washington s last now lean over put your arm no it is not necessary to touch me as with prompt apprehension fell into the scheme and declared that he was all right in a and that it was only in the real drama he failed now say i love you said it they were in this attitude when the door opened suddenly and margaret stood facing them her large eyes opened wider than ever she backed out and shut the door sprang up his face very red lawyers know that the actions of a man on being charged with a crime are by no means evidence of his guilt but it is hard to satisfy of this fact if the were composed of women perhaps it would be impossible the demonstration of a man s arm around a girl s waist is difficult to explain on more than one after this margaret treated with a which came near destroying the friendship of a lifetime and became so desperate that inside of a week he had had his first quarrel with who had begun to pay very devoted attention to margaret and as that young man was in no mood to wash s la lay on a bruised wound mischief might have been done had not the major arrived on the scene just as the quarrel came to a heat it was in the hall one morning there had been a quarrel had demanded satisfaction had just promised to afford him this peculiar happiness and they were both glaring at each other when the major sailed in at the door ruddy and smiling and laying his hat on the table and his riding whip it declared that before he would stand such a gloomy atmosphere a that created by a man s looks when there was so much sunshine lying around to be in he would agree to be in his own fat why i had expected at least two affairs before this he said as he pulled off his gloves and i ll be hanged if i shan t have to court somebody myself to save the honor of the family with dignity informed him that an affair was then and intimated that they were both interested when the major declared that he would advise the young lady to both and accept a and a wiser man they announced george washington s last that it was a more serious affair than he had in mind and let fall a hint of what had occurred the major for a moment looked gravely from one to the other and suggested mutual explanations and but when both young men insisted that they were quite determined and proposed to have a meeting at once he changed he walked over to the window and looked out for a moment then turned and suddenly offered to represent both parties that such a proceeding was outside of the code this the major gravely admitted but declared that the affair even to this point appeared not to have been conducted in entire with that system of rules and urged that as mr was a stranger and as it was desirable to have the affair conducted with as much secrecy and as possible it might be well for them to meet as soon as convenient and	46
he would attend rather as a witness than as a second the young men assented to this and the major now thoroughly in earnest with much solemnity offered the use of his pistols which was accepted in the discussion which followed the major took the lead and suggested sunset that after george washington s last noon as a suitable time and the grass between the garden and the as a convenient and secluded spot this also was agreed to though s face wore a expression than had before appeared upon it the major s entire manner had changed his levity had suddenly given place to a gravity most unusual to him and instead of his his face wore an expression of the greatest seriousness he after a casual glance at suddenly insisted that it was necessary to exchange a and opening his secretary with much pomp proceeded to write you see if things were not regular it would be he explained to who slightly at the word i don t want to see you murder each other he went on in a slow comment as he wrote i wish you since you are determined to shoot each other to do it like gentlemen he took a new sheet suddenly he began to shout george george washington there was no answer so as he wrote on he continued to shout at intervals george washington george washington s last after a sufficient period bad elapsed for a servant crossing the yard to call to another who sent a third to summon george and for that to take a hasty from a as he passed through the at his usual stately pace he appeared at the door did you call he inquired with that additional dignity which his recourse to the as as if he had brought the in his hand did i call cried the major without looking up why don t you come when you hear me george washington on his feet and expression do you suppose i can wait for you to drink all the in my are you getting deaf drunk as weu as he asked still writing george washington gazed up at his old master in the picture on the wall and shook his head sadly nor you know i ain drink none to drunk i is a member o de church i is full of de the major as he blotted his paper assured george washington s last him that he knew he was much fuller of it than were his and george washington was protesting further when his master rose and addressing as the began to read he had prepared a formal and all the subsequent and documents which appear necessary to a well conducted and duly meeting under the and he read them with an which was only equalled by the dignity of george washington as he stood himself and took in the solemn significance of the matter his whole air changed he raised his head struck a new attitude and immediately assumed the position of one whose approval of the affair was of the utmost moment the major stated that he was glad that they had decided to use the regular pistols not only as they were more convenient he having a very fine accurate pair but as they were smooth bore and carried a good large ball which made a clean pretty hole without tearing now he explained kindly to the ball from one of these infernal concerns goes and tearing its way through you and makes an george washington s last like a he illustrated his meaning with a sweeping motion of his clenched fist grew a shade and wondered how felt and looked whilst set his teeth more firmly as the major added that no gentleman wanted to blow another to pieces like a george washington s bow of exaggerated acquiescence drew the major s attention to him george washington are my pistols clean he asked yes clean as yo shut front replied george washington well clean them again yes and george was disappearing with ponderous dignity when the major called him george washington yes tell carpenter william to come to the porch his services may be needed he explained to in case there should be a you know yes george washington disappeared a moment later he re opened the door shall i send de to d graves sub could not help exclaiming good and then checked himself and gave a perceptible start i will attend to that said the major and george washington went out with an order from to take the box to the office the major laid the notes on his desk and devoted himself to a brief on the beautiful of the code his views by apt to a number of instances in which its absolute had been established by the instant death of both parties he had just suggested that perhaps the two young men might desire to make some final arrangements when george washington reappeared and more imposing than before in place of his ordinary apparel he had a velvet waistcoat and a blue coat with brass buttons both of which were several sizes too large for him as they had for several years been stretched over the major s ample person he carried a well worn hat washington s last in his hand which he never except on extraordinary occasions de is ready he said in a fine voice which he always employed when he proposed to be peculiarly effective his self satisfaction was where did you get that coat and waistcoat from sir thundered the major who told you you might have them george washington was quite taken at the of the assault and he one foot uneasily well you see he began vaguely i know you warn never to wear em no mo and dis was a very serious an i in a jewel	46
i thought i ought to like a man on dis you infernal rascal didn t i tell you that the next time you took my clothes without asking my permission i was going to shoot you the major faced his chair around with a jerk but george washington had in the recovered himself yes i remembers he said complacently but didn t have no to solemn when i a man in de code ab n s la yes sir it did i had this especially in mind declared the major i gave you fair notice and damn me if i don t do it too before i m done with yon i d sell you to morrow morning if it would not be a cheat on the man who was fool enough to buy you my best coat and waistcoat he looked affectionately at the george washington evidently knew the way to soothe him who ever de beat of he said in a tone of mild complaint partly to the young men and partly to bis old master in the and velvet over the piano you reckon i ain got no better manners n to you coat and coat and did you no favor i hear miss bout it de time you ever put em on s de reason i em having found an excuse he was as as a river i say to myself i ain let my young things no mo strange ladies an man in de too an i so about it i say george n n you got to things and em yo george wa t n last self to keep him f om it s what you got to do i say and s de reason i em he looked the picture of self sacrifice but the major burst forth on him why you lying rascal that s three different reasons you have given in one breath for taking them at which george washington shook his head with s just look at them cried the major my favorite waistcoat i there is not a crack or a in them they look as nice as they did the day they were bought this was too much for george washington s the favor of de what has em on he said bowing at which the major finding his ire giving way to amusement drove him from the room swearing that if he did not shoot him that evening he would set him free to morrow morning vi as the afternoon had worn away and whilst the two in the affair were arranging their matters the major had been taking every precaution to carry out the plan i i s for the meeting the effect of the approaching upon the old gentleman was somewhat remarkable he was in unusually high spirits his rosy countenance wore an expression of humorous content and from time to time as he about a smile flitted across his face or a chuckle sounded from the depths of his satin stock he fell in with miss and related to her a series of anecdotes respecting and generally so lurid in their character that she groaned over the of a region where such was practised but when he solemnly informed her that he felt satisfied from the signs of the time that some one would be shot in the neighborhood before twenty four hours were over the old lady determined to return home next day it was not difficult to secure secrecy as the major had given directions that no one should be admitted to the garden for at least an hour before sunset he had been giving directions to george which that would have found some difficulty in even had he remained sober but which in his existing condition was aa impossible as for him to change tlie i washington s last in his hair the major had solemnly assured him that if he got drunk he would shoot him on the spot and george washington had as solemnly consented that he would gladly die if he should be found in this condition immediately succeeding which however under the weight of the momentous matters submitted to him he had after his habit sought aid and comfort of his old friends the major s and he was shortly in that condition when he felt that the entire universe depended upon him he his shoes at least twenty times and marched back and forth in the yard with such importance that the servants instinctively shrunk away from his august presence one of the children in their ran against him george washington simply said out my way and without pausing in his gait or to look at him him completely over a maid ventured to him to know why he was so finely dressed george washington overwhelmed heir with a look of such infinite contempt and such withering scorn that all the other servants forthwith fell upon her for in george s last wash n ton s business at last the major entered the garden and bade george washington follow him and george washington having paid his twentieth visit to the and had a final interview with the liquor and having polished up his old anew left the office by the door carrying under hia arm a mahogany box about two feet long and one foot wide partially covered with a large linen cloth his hat was cocked on the of liis head with an air supposed to be impressive he wore the major s coat and velvet waistcoat which he had won so a victory in the morning and he a lai e handkerchief the of which he had transferred still more recently the major s orders to george washington were to convey the box to the garden in a secret manner but george washington was far too much impressed with the importance of the part he	46
ain know tall about you him he waved his hand in scorn ah said the major as he set about the pistols handling the ball somewhat e washington asserted i b i know mo bout the code n you does the major looked at him as he the ball down hard he was so skilful that george at length added but i bee you ain how to handle things the major modestly admitted as he put on a cap that he used to be a pretty fair shot and george washington in an attitude as of his pride in the occasion as his state admitted was looking on with an expression of complacency when the major the weapon and sighted along its barrel george washington gave a jump which sent his cherished twenty feet look out don handle thing so please sub i george washington s last the major explained that he was just trying its weight and declared that it came up beautifully to which george washington after he had regained his assented with a somewhat unsteady voice the major looked at his watch and up at the trees the tops of which were still brightened with the reflection from the sunset sky and muttered an at the failure of the to appear that he never before knew of a similar case and that at least he had not expected to fail to come to time george washington again proudly announced that he represented and that it was that man what had done fly de track that man what you he spoke with contempt the major suddenly turned on him george washington he faced him if my principal fails to appear i must take his place the rule is the second takes the place of his non appearing principal in s de rule declared george washington as if it were his own suggestion de de place o de non washington s last and s what me say what i i does man is done run away s what s de him he s he couldn face things j he nodded towards the pistols his stuck in the of his velvet as the major bowed george washington continued with a he ain like we me us s to em an don mine em no mo n pop george washington said the major with his eyes set on george washing i ton s velvet waistcoat take your choice o j these the old made his choice with due i deliberation the major indicated with a j wave of his band one of the spots which george bad marked for the expected take your stand there sir george washington marched up and planted himself with overwhelming dignity whilst the major vith the other pistol in his hand quietly took his stand at the other position facing him george he said george washington sub george washington was never so imposing george washington s last my principal mr having failed to appear at the time and place to meet his engagement with mr i as his second and representative offer myself to take his place and assume any and all of his obligations george washington bowed yes of is to de code he said with solemnity the occasion the major proceeded and your principal mr having likewise failed to appear at the proper time you take his place ejaculated george washington in sudden astonishment turning his head slightly a if he were not certain he had heard correctly say please the major elevated his voice and advanced his pistol i say your principal mr having in like manner failed to put in his appearance at the time and place agreed on for the meeting you as his representative take his place and assume all his obligations oh i nor i don t i exclaimed george washington shaking his head so violently s last that tlie fell off again and rolled around i ain bargain foi no thing as nor but the major was yes sir you do when you accept the position of second you assume all the obligations to that position and the major advanced his pistol i shall shoot at you george washington took a step towards him oh goodness i you ain do like ia you his jaw had fallen and when the major bowed with deep solemnity and replied yes sir and you can shoot at he burst out i don warn shoot at you what i warn shoot at you for i ain got you on de fatal you been good master to me all my days an the major cut short this sincere tribute to his virtues by saying very well you can shoot or not as you please aim at that waistcoat he raised his pistol and partially closed one eye george washington dropped on his knees oh please what you want to shoot me for po good for washington s last george washington ain done you no harm the major s eye over his blue coat and george saw it but steal you an you es an ef you le me off dis time i steal no mo o you es er you er you wouldn shoot po good for george washington up you yes sir i would declared the major sternly i am going to give the word and he raised the pistol once more george washington began to creep toward him oh please don pint thing at me away hit s loaded oh he shouted the major his weapon fiercely stand up sir and stop that noise one two three he counted but george washington was flat on the ground oh please don t i se feared o things a sudden idea struck him you is about to loss a mighty valuable he pleaded but the major simply shouted to him to stand up and not disgrace the gentleman he represented george washington seized on the	46
word it was his final hope washington s last i don t nobody nobody at all i ain but a de box down you me to s all an i ll off you coat an dis ef you ll le me up off de suddenly appeared george lay out on the ground as flat as a field lark but at s appearance he sprang behind in amazement was inquiring the meaning of all the noise he had heard when appeared on the scene the major explained briefly it was that champion as our failed to appear on time he being an of the code suggested that we were bound to take the places of those we represented nor i don nobody interrupted george washington but at a look from the major he again behind the major with his eye on said well gentlemen let s to business we have but a few minutes of daylight left i presume you are ready both gentlemen bowed and the major proceeded to explain that he had loaded both george washington s last ill pistols himself with precisely similar charges and that they were identical in sight drift and weight and had been tested on a number of occasions when they had proved to be excellent weapons and remarkably accurate in their fire the young men bowed silently but when he turned suddenly and called george washington that individual nearly jumped out of his coat the major ordered him to measure ten paces which after first giving notice that he didn t nobody he proceeded to do taking a dozen or more gigantic strides and hastily retired again behind the safe of back as he stood there in his condition he about as much resembled the and of a half hour previous as a wet and turkey does the cock of the flock the major with an at him for stepping as if he had on seven league boots stepped off the distance himself explaining to that ten paces was about the best distance as it was sufficiently distant to avoid the of letting a gentleman feel that he was within touching distance and yet near enough to avoid useless b taking out a coin he announced that he would toss up for the choice of or rather would make a disinterested person do so and holding out his hand ht called george washington to toss it up there was no response until the major shouted george washington where are you you rascal me said george washington in a voice rising from the ground where he had thrown himself to avoid any stray bullets and slowly forward with a pitiful please don p int thing dis away the major gave him the coin with an order to toss it up in a tone so sharp that it made him jump and he began to turn it over ner in his hand which was raised a little above his shoulder in his it slipped out of hia hand and disappeared george washington in a dazed way looked in his hand and then on the ground hi what hit he muttered getting down on his knees and searching in the grass dis place is evil the major called to him to hurry up but he was too intent on the problem of the mysterious disappearance of the quarter george washington s last i ain like dis bein right he murmured don you have no mo to do dis thing the major s patience was giving out george washington you rascal he shouted do you think i can wait all night for you to pull up all the grass in the garden take the quarter out of your pocket sir tain in my pocket washington feeling there instinctively uie coin down his sleeve into his hand again this was too much for him hi de king he exclaimed how it in my pocket oh de devil is bout you fling it up i ain but a po sinful oh and handing over the quarter george washington flung flat on the ground and as a sort of religious began to chant in a wild tone the funeral hymn hark i from the a sound the major tossed up and posted the and with much solemnity handed them the pistols which both the two young men george washington s last received quietly they were pale but perfectly steady the major then asked them gentlemen are you ready whilst at the sound george washington s voice in tremulous struck in ye ee off view the ee ere you ou m ly lie they announced themselves ready just as george washington looking up from the ground where he like the so off was lying discovered that he was not more than thirty yards out of the line of aim and with a muttered began to crawl away there was a confused murmur from the direction of the path which led to the house and the major shouted fire one two three both young men facing each other and looking steadily in each other s eyes with action fired their pistols into the air at the report a series of shrieks rang out from the towards the house whilst george washington gave a wild yell and began to kick like a wounded bull that he was killed george washington s last the major had just walked up to the and them of their weapons had with a comprehensive wave of the hand congratulated them on their courage and urged them to shake hands which they were in the act of doing when the parted and margaret followed closely by rose and by miss panting behind rushed in upon them crying at the tops of their voices stop stop the two young ladies addressed themselves to and and both were all their eloquence when miss appeared her eye caught the prostrate form of george washington	46
who lay flat on his face kicking and groaning at intervals she upon the major with so much vehemence that he was almost carried away by the sudden oh you wretch what have you done she panted scarcely able to articulate done madam asked the major gravely yes what have you done to that poor miserable creature there she actually seized the major and whirled him around with one hand whilst with the other she l last pointed at the prostrate and now motionless george washington what have i been doing with yes with him have you been out your barbarous on his person she gasped the major s eye lit up yes madam he said taking up one of the pistols and i rejoice that you are here to witness its successful george washington has been selected as the victim this year his monstrous lies his habitual drunken his in the open to day of my best coat and waistcoat mai him naturally as the proper sacrifice i had not the heart to cheat any one by selling him to him was therefore constrained to him he was with his usual not killed at the first fire although he appears to be dead i will now finish him by putting a ball into his back observe the shot he advanced and the pistol click click stuck it carefully in the middle of george washington s fat hack miss gave a piercing shriek and flung herself on the major to seize the pistol but she might have spared george washington s last for george washington suddenly bounded from the ground and with one glance at the weapon rushed crashing through the followed by the laughter of the young people the shrieks of miss and the shouts of the major for him to come back and let him kill him that evening when margaret seated on the major s knee was in his pockets for any loose change which might be there which by custom belonged to her she suddenly pulled out two large round bullets the major seized them but it was too late when however he finally obtained possession of them he presented them to miss and solemnly requested her to preserve them as of george washington s miraculous escape s i had the good fortune to come from the old county of as that particular division of the state of virginia ia affectionately called by nearly all who are so lucky aa to have first seen the light amid its fields and heavy forests and to this happy circumstance i owed the honor of a special visit from one of most loyal citizens indeed the glories o his native county were bo in his memory and were so generously and imparted to all his acquaintances that he was in the county of his universally known after an absence of forty years aa old i had not been long in f when i was informed that i might in right of the good fortune respecting my to which i have referred expect a visit from my distinguished fellow and thus vas not surprised when one afternoon a was brought in that lis r j p was in the yard and had called to pay his to de man what de honor to come de county i immediately went out followed by my host to find that the visit was attended with a formality which raised it almost to the dignity of a old was accompanied by his wife and was attended by quite a number of other who had followed him either out of curiosity excited by the importance he had attached to the visit or else in the desire to shine in reflected glory as his friends old himself stood well out in front of the rest like an old african chief in state with his followers behind him about to receive an he was arrayed with great care in a style which i thought at first glance was of the calling but which i soon discovered was intended to be merely of to the dignity which was supposed to to that profession he wore a very long and coat which had once been black but was now by exposure to a brown a which looked as if it had been velvet before the years had eaten the nap from it f and changed it into a fabric not unlike leather his shirt was obviously newly washed for the occasion and his clean collar fell over an ample and somewhat white cloth which partook of the qualities of both stock and his skin was of that black which shines as if and his face was closely shaved except for two of short white hair one on each side which shone like snow against his black cheeks he wore an old and very quaint and a pair of large old fashioned silver which gave him an air of dignity when i first caught sight of him he was leaning on a long stick which might have been his staff of state and his face was set in an expression of importance as i appeared however he at once removed his hat and taking a long step forward made me a profound bow i was so much impressed by him that i failed to catch the whole of the speech with which he greeted me i had evidently secured his approval for he boldly declared that he would a me for one of de rail quality ef he had me in a cup p pen i was immediately conscious of the effect which his produced on his companions they regarded me with new interest if any expression so deserved to be thus i tell folks up don t know bout rail quality he asserted with a contemptuous wave of his arm which was intended to embrace the entire section in its comprehensive sweep ain had no it he	46
explained his friends accepted this criticism with proper de de de de de de an the final ending es was plainly supposed to give additional dignity now is quality i know all bout em he paused long enough to permit this to sink in i b to you know what he his emphasis compelled me to acknowledge his exalted position or abandon forever all hope of retaining my own so i immediately assented and inquired how long he had been in p this country as he his adopted region he turned with some severity to one of his companions a stout and woman very black and many years his junior how long is i been the woman addressed by way of answer turned half away and gave a little nervous laugh i don t know how long you been you been so long forty years i reckon this sally called from her companions a little ripple of amusement s my wife the old gentleman explained she s de one i got now she come f om up in dis his voice expressed all that the words were intended to convey who appeared accustomed to such contemptuous reference merely gave another little explosion which shook her fat shoulders as however i was expected to all his views i changed the embarrassing subject by inquiring how he had happened to leave the old county gi me to miss when she ma william he explained i ma den to ann she miss s maid an when p amen t she come up miss i her he would not admit that his removal was a permanent one i al out to go back home but i ain been s all b fo dis he spoke as if this were a fact but there was a faint inquiry in his eyes if not in his tone i was sorry not to be able to inform him differently and to change the subject i started to ask him a question ann i began and then paused she s too he said simply how many children have you i asked i ain got but one now ef i got one he replied s p how many have you had well s a lar thing to tell he said with a look on his face de says you is to an de but i s i s had some several mo n my s an peter an an an an an saint besides de s all gone an now i ain got but p he s de one o de whole gang he after his f s the reference to appeared to sion some amusement among his friends and i innocently inquired if he was ann s son nor he warn was the vehement and indignant answer ef he had a been he would a got me into all trouble de mortification o my life he got all meanness f om his is his he indicated the plump with his long stick which he at her contemptuously s what i for mar one o up the was apparently quite accustomed to this for she simply looked away rather in embarrassment at my gaze being directed to her than under any stronger emotion her continued warn quality like me an ann an her son after her what s in de will come out in de an he is de i had i name de f om de but he come o a stock an i name him mr p use to b to an i reckon maybe s de reason lie bo p evil i had mo trouble by o boy n i bed when i los ann the old fellow threw back his head and gave a loud actually removing his large spectacles in his desperation at s wickedness again there was a suppressed chuckle from his friends so seeing that some mystery attached to the matter i put a question which started him well i ll tell you sub he began hit all out of a sub you an i knows all we come f om de county o de raise he referred to them as if they had been a species of vegetables but we ain de of a in a i admitted this and after first laying his hat carefully on the ground he proceeded well you know sub p got de in he he to ride in a he got f om he turned and pointed a trembling finger at his and then slowly declared lord i day i suggested that possibly he had not followed solomon s as rigidly p s s peculiar traits of had demanded but he said promptly yes i did i him faithful but he took like a steer didn to have no on him he didn had no memory he like a steer got a thick skin an a short memory he what i call one o iy boys he paused long enough to permit this term taken from the police court reports to make a and then proceeded he so at home i hired him out to mis for fo dollars an a half a an more n he too i to see ef po white kin any out n him a po white kin out a ef anybody kin an down that he got had foolishness in he you see mis warn so fur f om wash n n think ef he kin to wash n n he done got in heaven well i hire him to mis i think she ll keep p straight an ef i don but one fo dollars an a half f om him hit s much but like he got to an some o free issue in an lame him mo p foolishness n i think able a full drink no mo the old fellow launched out into against the free issues who	46
he declared expected to be better than white folks like white folks ain been free sense de begin he however shortly returned to his theme well thing i one sunday i down in my house an come p all done fixed up a high collar on high as master s an a better breeches on n i wear in my life an a an a cane an a i he comes in de do an he in he han sort o so an he off he hat o an say good pa an ma he dot she manners she ain know no better but i ain like nobody to me an i say look boy don fool me i ain well to day an ef you fool me when i done you you feel well you self den he o let he feathers down an he say he warn me to him three dollars an a half i ax him what p b he warn do it i know i to him well money to a rat hole an he say lie warn it for a hi i i say p what air a i out you see like i ain what he meek correspondence to an he start to say a pa but i for a barrel by o amiable like an he stop like young mule see mud in road an say a a is you a a pole an rides hard as you kin an de pole at a ring an when he gets right i s him an i say p says i ta raised de o folks i s raised de at s in an i a fish an an but i ain witness like a a bard as he kin an of it a i you s bout a race i says s de on yes thing i a rides in you know sub be broke in suddenly you and i a seen many a race we come f om right down f om live p an we done see races at the se used to run could beat an so i bim i bim i nobody but a po folks call a race a an i bim i reckon de pole be bout de ry used to tune de boys backs didn ride cut him down might ly him o de i done out bim but be say nor tis a long pole you tb oo a ring an de one de be crown de queen i bim de on yes queen i bout a cow master bad de prize at de state in one year but be a queen and be warn dollars an a to get bim a new an to pay be part ov de supper den i bim ef be i give bim dollars an a for f be i big a fool as be be begin to act o i for i could ner women to be sullen me an i gi bim de ef i bim f p any i ride him tell he know he ain t a mule an i have ry pole too den i him he go long back to mis i done hire him to an when he see me pick up de barrel an start to roll up my sleeve he went an i he jim an s what me into all what got you in i inquired in some doubt as to his meaning p rid it i an what s mo he won de queen one o man bob s an when he come to crown her he crown her s ring was a subdued murmur of amusement in the group behind him and i could not but inquire how he came to perform so extraordinary a ceremony i don know but so information i had on it when i went down to mis s to get he s i received de on de way he had done an mis ring had by de same road at de same time correspondence me p might ly i hadn raised p no a ways as he was s son to be an i he but still i hadn respect him to steal mis ring she on her finger ev y day an too i want de bout de fo dollars an a half so i went long but soon as mis see me she began to i tell her i just come to de o de matter an i ain got tall to say bout p like on fire she n she so i her i ain had nobody to bout me i b to o an i ax her ef she de she say nor she ain know em nor she ain beam on em an she wished she hadn on me an my boy s p well tell then i mighty bout p but when she said she ain on the i ain altogether b p done her ring cause i ain know whether she got any ring though i know the he mean enough for anything an i her so an i her i raised quality she is p s ain know the i ain her no mo bout de bible say you is not to cast pearls an i had de corn house keys many a time an ann used to go in trunks same as herself right she a me ef she bad that p warn ann s son hut she ain know de an in she ain de servants so she don know it well sub she an she pitch yo a talk so in yo life an thing i knew she gone in de house she say she a gun an run me off but i ain wait for don nobody have to gun to run me off i my foot	46
in my ban an come long way by myself i think maybe a at could like a man shoot like a man too where did you go and what did you do next i asked the old fellow as he paused with a little nod of satisfaction at his wisdom i went home he said i de way p had done bob s de ring an he to wash n n but don i p come home to some things b f o he went so i come straight long him as my foot could me i didn was e much time he said with some pride he had done mighty nigh come me shot i stop long to cut me a bunch o right keen an i come long my foot when i got to my house i ain fine nobody but ve y pointing his long stick at her an i lay my on de bed an ax her is she see p she meek out she ain me she so i see her so but when i meek she to answer me an she she ain see him she see my blood up an she know trouble for p worry me might ly an i say ef you is done meek boy resent f om you is done act like a po white folks i say an you s got to de o his when i her she got mad she know she air not quality like me an ann but she right disturbed an she she ain lay her eyes on p s p she done so lar i to b her but all on a i some n i de come f om de bed an i over an in my bunch o an i say come out say s a cat an i say yes i say hit s a cat i skin too i stoop down an peep de bed an v p up cane an an all like a in a trap i him by de leg an him out an don you know had done put m shut on boy an ready to him in flight i her it p for her an her son after he had done mis ring to come to my own house an rob me like i a hen what reply did she make to that i asked to his narrative she ain possessed no reply to he said she glad by time to me to my excitement on p an so i did he tell say you could him two miles j he the old fellow gave a chuckle of satisfaction at the p and began to draw figures in the sand with his long stick suddenly however he looked up ef i had a intimated how much to get me in he would a come o chicken he him off he again became so i asked haven t you seen him since oh yes i seen him since he answered i seen him after i come out o jail but a right close thing i thought i gone gone i for him nor bout de murder murder yes murder o him o p but you did not murder him nor an de trouble ef i had a murdered him i d a he when wanted him but as when de time i unable to him and i come mighty nigh my life my exclamation of astonishment pleased him and he proceeded with increased gravity and of p you see dis way he laid his stick carefully down and spreading open the palm of one hand laid the index finger of the other on it as if it had been a map when i up an called p he did not he had an so had my shut ef t hadn been for de garment i wouldn a so much for i i d my ban s on him some time ly comes up when de all gone an i know ain t stop but i my garment an i gin a little direction bout but i went on my an whenever i come cross a right straight ry i too an laid it by grow mighty fine in s up like an one day i down in de bushes an mr de come down i an ax me p is hit come in my mind he warn p bout de ring an i tell him i air not aware p is and den he tell me he got warrant for me and i come on him i still in co se bout de ring an i say i ain had nut p tin to do it an he say what an i say de ring den he say h an he say tain bout de ring tis for murder well i know i ain murder nobody an i ax him who say i done murder an he ax me air p i tell him i don know p air i know i ain murder him well hit subsequently dis de thing i could a said when de trial come on major woods made mo o n anything else at all an hit like ef you s o murder er you n say you ain do it s n you u do it well i went long him i ax him to le me go by my house but he say nor he ain got time he done been an he me long to de house an lock me up in de jail an me in de dark on de rock an i all night long an i might a been now ef t hadn been de co te come on mr come in an ax me how i on an ef i warn anything i tell him i on ble an i ain warn but a little tobacco	46
i warn out p b but i knew i do de place i ever smelt in my life i tell you i ia done smell all de smells o an an but i ain smell like jail mr had to hole he nose while he in an he say he ll de to come an ac as ray council i tell him nor put me in an i reckon he ll me out when he ready i tell you i p ashamed for de a man to come in a place as but de come an he say it a shame to put a hu in place an lie d me which i say even ef he is a church member might be e you consider smell but when de meet wouldn gi me no say i done commit murder an i jim an mr an mis went in an de jury i had murder p an bury him down in de bushes an had de t bundle o fine in my house an me an say ef i ain murder him why n t i go long an him s a thing p tell you to go long and fine anybody an den lock you up in jail a couldn get out i agreed with him as to the apparent of this and he proceeded well at de trial come on april an had me in the house an set me down in de cheer de jury right in front o me an de up in he pulpit mighty de time i gin to feel maybe i sort o things i had done been so much lately in jail bout de doctor s master an ann an all de times in i sort o misty as i in de cheer an i sort o me an i warn altogether i warn back in den i em say de down an to die an ax me don i want a continuance i don know what mean say i have to go back to jail an sense i smell de fresh air i don warn do no mo so i tell em nor i ready to die an den made me up an read long paper to me bout how i done murder p say i had done him to death an had done shoot p s him an knock him de an kill him mo ways n a to kill him ef he had been a cat i had done had her bout right smart for p at least she she had he said with a sudden and a glance of some suspicion toward his an a whole o in black as a don you know jim say he hope would hang me an all he owe me two dollars an seventy three cents he ain warn pay me did you not have i inquired council tea a lawyer oh nor is i had council but not a la he replied with careful i had a some sort of a la yer but not much of a one i had thomas to me off he me he a man like we is but when he sick so i wouldn had no i it to de ax me at de didn i liad no la and i tell him nor not an he ax me p didn i had no money to get one an i nor i didn had none although i had at time forty three dollars an sixty eight cents in a rag in my waistcoat i had me down in de bushes an i thought i better hole on to an ain made no mention on so den de ax me wouldn i had a young man a right tall young man an i him yes i didn reckon hu t none so den he come an set by me an say he my counsel there was such a suggestion of contempt in his tone that i inquired if he had not done very well oh yes he slowly he done ble well he do de he kin i reckon he an mix me up some right smart but too strong for him he warn no mo to em n is to major woods de s attorney is a powerful la yer he so you kin him three mile an mis tell all bout de ring an how i to her day an her to death an jim he an bout how i beat p an how he him out in main road murder an had de t bundle o done fine in my house an had so much evidence i begin to think maybe i had done p an had it an i thought bout ann an all e an i wondered ef to hang me ef i wouldn fine her an i got so i hoped would sen me an den de went out an stay time an come back an say i guilty an sen me to de pen for six years i had followed him so closely and been so satisfied of his innocence that i was surprised into an exclamation of astonishment at which he was evidently much pleased what did your counsel do i asked he put his head on one side he he lean over an ax did i warn to i tell him i didn t know den he ax me ia i got any money at au i tell him nor ef i had i would a got me a la yer what happened the n i inquired laughing at his reply well den de me to up an ax me has got anything to say well p i know my chance an i tell him yes an he inform me to de relation an so i did i preceded an i em in de house ev y like i	46
of being too well known to require further discussion t to seed but what could mrs do she could not change the course of destiny one especially if she is a widow with bad eyes and in feeble health living on the poorest place in the state cannot stop the stars in their courses she could not blot out the past nor undo what she had done she would not if she could she could not undo what she had done when she ran away with jim and married him she would not if she could at least the memory of those three years was hers and nothing could take it from her not debts nor courts nor anything she knew he was wild when she married him certainly mrs had been careful enough to tell her so and to tell every one else so too she would never forget the things she had said mrs never forgot the things the young girl said either though it was more the way she had looked than what she had said and when mrs on the poverty of the she used to end with the declaration well it ain t any fault of mine she can t blame m for heaven knows i warned her i did mt duty which was true warning others was a duty mrs to bed omitted mrs never thought of her or any one not all her poverty ever drew one complaint from her sad lips she simply sat down under it that was all she did not expect she had given her jim to the south as gladly as any woman ever gave heart to her love she would not undo it if she could not even to have him back and god knew how much she wanted him was not his death glorious his name a for his on she could not undo the debts which the land nor the t which swallowed it up nor the suit which took it from her that is all but the old house and the two poor worn old fields which were her she would have given up those too if it had not been for her children jim and and for the little old on the hill under the big thorn trees where they had laid him when they brought him back in the broken pine box from no she could not undo the past nor alter the present nor change the future so what could she do in her heart mrs was glad of the poverty of the not merely glad in to seed the general negative way which the of most of us as we consider how much better off we are than our neighbors the lord i thank thee that i am not as are way but mrs was glad positively she was glad that any of the and the were poor one of her had been what mrs when she mentioned the matter at all called manager for one of the she was aware that most people did not accept that term she remembered old colonel the old colonel tall thin white grave she had been dreadfully afraid of him she had had a feeling of satisfaction at his funeral it was like the feeling she had when she learned that colonel had not forgiven nor left her a cent mrs used to go to see mrs she went frequently it was her duty she said she carried her things especially advice there are people whose visits are like of illness it took mrs a fortnight to get over one of these visits to mrs was a mother to her at least mrs herself said so in some respects it was rather akin to run to seed the substance of that name which forms in it was hard to swallow it even mrs s gentleness was and she had stood all the all the advice but when mrs with her lips di in after wringing her heart recalled to her the warning she had given her before she married she stopped standing it she did not say much but it was enough to make mrs s stiff bonnet bows tremble mrs walked out feeling down her a if colonel were at her heels she had meant to talk about sending jim to school at least she said so she with every one in the neighborhood on the wretched ignorance in which jim was growing up working like a common negro she called him that ugly boy jim was ugly mrs said very ugly he was slim red headed faced weak eyed he stooped and he stammered yet there was something about him with his thin features which made one look twice mrs used to say she did not know where that boy got all his from for she must admit his father was rather good run to seed looking before he became so and would have been if she had had any vivacity there were people who said had been a beauty she was careful in her mrs was some women will not admit others are pretty no matter what the difference in their ages they feel as if they were making against themselves once when jim was a boy mrs had the good taste to refer in his presence to his a term with which she sugar her insult jim grinned and his feet and then said s pretty it was true was pretty she had eyes and hair you could not look at her without seeing big brown eyes and brown tumbled hair was fifteen two years younger than jim in jim never went to school they were too poor all he knew his mother taught him and he got out of the few old books in the book case left by	46
the war odd volumes of the novels and the spectator don and a few others stained and battered he could not have gone to school if there had been a school to go to he had to to i work work as mrs had said like a common he did not mind it a bird born in a cage cannot mind it much the pitiful part is it does not know anything else jim did not know anything else he did not mind anything much ex i he even got used to them would just lie down and shake for an hour and i then go to again as soon as the j was over with the fever on him ha had to plough for corn was necessary he had this compensation he was worshipped by two people his mother and if other people thought him ugly they thought j him beautiful if others thought him dull i they thought him wonderfully clever if others thought him ignorant they knew how wise he was mrs s eyes were bad but she saw enough to see jim the light came into the with him sat and gazed at him with speechless admiration hung on his words which were few watched for his smile which was rare he repaid it to her by being jim he for her d for her when a boy waits for his little sister it is something played with her when he had run to seed time this also was something made traps for her caught her young was at once her slave and her idol as he grew up he did not have time to play he had to plough just like a common mrs said with an face in this she spoke the truth it is a curious thing that farming paid better shortly after the war than it did later lands fell times grew harder they were always growing harder with jim the land was worked out was necessary to make anything grow was bought on credit the crops would not pay several there was crops failed one of the two old that he had died jim with one then he broke his leg when he got about again he was lame the leg had they re the folks in the said mrs they can t blame me heaven knows i told etc which was true more than true jim on only slower than ever thinner than ever than ever one day something happened which him up it was a sunday they went to to seed church they always went to church old st ann s whenever there was service there was service there since the war only every first and third sunday and every other fifth sunday the and the had been from the time they had brought the bricks over from england generations ago they had sat one family in one of the front on one side the the other family in the other mrs after the war had her choice of the for all had gone but herself jim and she had changed the sunday after her marriage to the side and she clung to it ever after mrs had taken the other a cold she explained at first had made her deaf she always spoke of it afterward as our the from which mrs came had not been until mrs married carry who was a year older than used to sit by her mother with her big hat and brown hair jim in right of his sex sat in the end of his on this sunday in question jim drove his mother and to church in the horse cart run to seed the old carriage was a wreck slowly dropping to pieces the chickens in it the cart was the only vehicle remaining which had two sound wheels and even one of these a good deal and the cart was but straw placed in the bottom made it fairly comfortable jim always had clean straw in it for his mother and sister his mother and remarked on it looked so well they reached church the day was warm mr was dry jim went to sleep during the sermon he frequently did this he had been up since four when service was over he partially about half he was standing in the aisle moving toward the door with the rest of the congregation a voice behind him caught his ear what a lovely girl is it was mrs who lived at the other end of the parish jim knew the voice another voice replied if she only were not always so shabby jim knew this voice also it was mrs s jim yes but even her old dress cannot hide her she reminds me of jim to seed did not know what it to which mrs her but he knew it was something beautiful yes said mrs then added poor thing she s got no education and never will have to think that old colonel s s come to this i well they can t blame me they re clean run to seed jim got out into the air he felt sick he had been hit this was what people thought and it was true they were clean run to seed he went to get his cart he did not speak to his home came before his eyes like a photograph fences down gates gone houses barren it came to him as if stamped on the by a lightning he had worked worked hard but it was no use it was true they were clean run to seed he helped his mother and into the cart silently smiled at him it hurt him like a blow he saw every worn place every in her old dress and little faded jacket mrs drove past them m her carriage leaning	46
was hard the life was hard standing on top of rattling cars as they rushed along in the night around curves over bridges through with the rain and snow in your face and the tops as slippery as ice there was excitement about it too a sense of risk and danger jim did not mind it much he thought of his mother and there was a among the men all knew each other hated or liked each other nothing negative about it it was a bad road worse than the to seed age twice the amount of traffic was done on the single track that should have been done result was men were ground up more than on most roads more men were killed in proportion to the number employed than were killed in service during the war the de corps was strong men stood by their trains and by each other when a man left his engine in sight of trouble the authorities might not know about it but the men did unless there was cause he had to leave sam left his engine in sight of a broken bridge after he reversed the engine stopped on the track the officers never knew of it but and his both changed to another road when a man even got and began to run easy the might not mind it but the men did he had to go a man had to have not only courage but nerve jim was not especially popular among men he was reserved slow awkward he was pious that is did not swear he was stuck up did not tell funny things by which was meant vulgar stories nor laugh at them either and according to dick rail he was as h to these were not calculated to make him popular and he was not he was a sort of butt for the free and easy men who lived in their and obeyed their orders and owned nothing but their and their shiny sunday clothes he was good tempered though took all their and quietly and for the most part silently so few actually disliked him dick rail the engineer of his crew was one of those few dick him dick was big coarse coarse in looks coarse in talk coarse every way and when he had liquor in him he was mean jim him he said he made jim a life a burden to him he laid himself out to do it it became his occupation he thought about it when jim was not present laid plans for it there was something about jim that was different from most others when jim did not laugh at a hard story but just sat still some men would stop dick always told another harder yet and called attention to jim s looks his stock was inexhaustible his mind was like a spring which ran muddy water its flow was perpetual the men thought jim did not mind he lost three to seed pounds which for a man who was six feet and would have been six feet two if he had been straight who weighed was considerable it is astonishing how one man can create a public sentiment one woman can ruin a reputation as effectually as a one bullet can kill a man as dead as a if it him right so dick rail injured jim for dick was an authority he swore the biggest oaths wore the largest watch chain knew his engine better and sat it than any man on the road he had had a passenger train again and again but he was too fond of it was too dick affected jim s standing told stories about him made his life a burden to him he shan t stay on the road he used to say he s n carries his about with him i b he sleeps with one o them j in a goods box this was true at least about carrying his food with him the rest was dick s humor cost too much the first two months pay went to settle an old bill but the third month s pay was jim s the day he drew that he a good deal at least to seed he looked so it waa eighty two dollars for jim ran extra runs made double time whenever he could jim had never had so much money in his life had hardly ever seen it he walked about the streets that night till nearly midnight feeling the of notes in his breast pocket next day a box went down the country and a letter with it and that night jim could not have bought a of tobacco the next letter he got from home waa heavy jim smiled over it a good deal and cried a little too he wondered how looked in her new dress and if the el of flour made good bread and if hia mother s shawl waa warm one day he was changed to the passenger service the express it was a promotion paid more and relieved him from dick rail he had some queer experiences being ordered around but he swallowed them all he had not been there three weeks when mrs was a passenger on the train carry was with her they had moved to town mr was interested in railroad development mrs called him to her seat and talked to him in a loud voice had a loud voice tt to seed it had the carrying quality she did not shake hands carry did and said she was so glad to see him she had been down home the week before had seen his mother and mrs said we still keep our plantation as a country place carry said looked so well her new dress was lovely mrs said his mother s eyes were worse she and had walked	46
over to see them to show s new dress she had promised that mr would do what he could for him jim on the road next month jim went back to the freight service he preferred dick rail to mrs he got him dick was worse than ever his appetite was by he returned to his attack with renewed zest he never tired never he was perpetual he was he made jim s life a wilderness jim said nothing just along than ever than ever closer than ever he took to going on sunday to another church than the one he had attended a more fashionable one than that the went there jim sat far back in the gallery very far back where he could just see the top of buy to seed carry s head her big hat and her face and could not see mrs who sat nearer the gallery it had a curious effect on him he never went to sleep there he took to going up town walking by the stores looking in at the windows of and once he actually went into a shop and asked the price of a new suit of clothes he needed them badly the tailor unfolded many rolls of cloth and talked talked him dizzy jim looked wistfully at them rubbed his hand over them softly felt the money in his pocket and came out he said he thought he might come in again next day he did not have the money wrote him she could not leave home to go to school on their mother s account but she would buy books and she was learning she would learn fast her mother was teaching her and he was the best brother in the world the whole world and they had a secret but he must wait one day jim got a big bundle from down the country it was a new suit of clothes on top was a letter from this was the secret she and her mother had sent for the cloth and had made them they to seed hoped they would fit they had cried over them jim cried a little too he put them on they did not fit were much too large under dick rail s fire jim had grown even thinner than before but he wore them to church he felt that it would have been to his mother and not to wear them he was sorry to meet dick rail on the street dick had on a black coat a velvet and large checked trousers dick looked jim over jim flushed a little he was not so now dick saw it next week dick caught jim in a crowd in the yard waiting for their train he told about the meeting he made a double shot he said boys jim s in love he s got new clothes you ought to see em i dick was he wound up they hung on him like on his old mule i b he was too to buy em and made em himself there was a shout from the crowd jim s face worked he jumped for him there was a lying near and he seized it some one him but he shook him off as if he had been a child why he did not kill dick no one ever knew he meant to do it to seed for some time they thought he was dead he laid off fur over a month after that jim wore what clothes he chose no one ever troubled him so he went on in the same way sleepy thin sting y ill dressed lame he was made a preferred it to being a conductor it led to being an engineer which paid more he ran extra whenever he could up and double straight back he could stand an immense amount of work if he got sleepy he put tobacco in his eyes to keep them open it was bad for the eyes but him up was going to take music next year and that cost money he had not been home for several but was going at christmas they did not have any sight but the new meant to be thorough mr had become a had his eye on the jim was one day sent for and was asked about his eyes they were bad there was not a doubt about it they were he could not see a hundred yards he did not tell them about the extra and putting the tobacco in them dick rail must have told about him they said he to seed must go jim turned white he went to his little room close up under the roof of a little dingy house in a back street and sat down in the dark thought about his mother and and dimly about some one else wrote his mother and a letter said he was coming home called it a visit cried over the letter but was careful not to cry on it he was a real cry baby jim was just run to seed he said to himself bitterly over and over just run to seed then he went to sleep the following day he went down to the railroad that was the last day next day he would be off the train master saw him and called him a special was just going out the were going over the road in the officers car dick rail was the engineer and his had been taken sick jim must take the place jim had a mind not to do it he hated dick he thought of how he had pursued him but he heard a voice behind him and turned carry was standing down the platform talking with some elderly gentlemen she had on a travelling cap and she saw him and came forward a step run to seed	46
he knew anything he was so up we laid him out on the grass and that young lady took his head in her lap and cried over him she had come and seed i to seed him in the engine and said she knew his mother and sister down in the country she used to live down there they was that jim was all they had and when one of them old fellows who had been himself behind there come with his kid gloves on and his hands in his great coat pockets down and something about poor fellow couldn t he a jumped why didn t he jump i let him have it i said yes and if it hadn t been for him you and i d both been in h this minute and the president there said to some of them that was the dame young fellow who came into my office to get a place last year when you were down and said he had run to seed but he says gentlemen it was d d good seed how good it was no one knew but two weeping women in a lonely house a soldier of the empire f it was his greatest pride in life that he had been a soldier a soldier of the empire he was known simply as the soldier and it is probable that there was not a man or woman and certain that there was not a child in the quarter who did not know him the tall erect old with his white carefully moustache and his face with two cuts one of these cuts all knew had been received the summer day when he had stood a mere boy in the hollow square at striving to stay the fierce flood of the men on the white horses the other tradition said was of even more ancient date yes they all knew him and knew how when he was not over thirteen just the age of little the who was not as tall as he had received the cross which he always wore over his heart in the breast of his coat from the hand of iso soldier of the empire the emperor himself for standing on the hill at when his regiment broke and beating the long roll whilst he held the tattered colors resting in his arm until the men rallied and swept back the left wing of the enemy this the children knew as their fathers and mothers and and before them had known it and rarely an evening passed that some of the were not to be found in the old man s kitchen which was also his parlor or else on his little porch listening with ever new delight to the story of his battles and of the emperor they all knew as well as he the thrilling part where the emperor dashed by the old always rose reverently at the name and the little audience also stood one or two nervous younger ones sometimes up a little ahead of time but sitting down again in confusion under the contemptuous and of the rest where the emperor dashed by and up to ask an ofl what regiment that was that had broken and who was that that had been promoted to they all knew how on the grand review afterwards the beating his drum a of the with one hand while the other which been broken by a bullet was in a had marched with hia company before the emperor and had been recognized by him they knew how he had been called up by a whom the children imagined to be a fine gentleman with a rich uniform and a great like s uncle the drum major and how the emperor had taken from his own breast and with hie own hand had given him the cross which he had never from that day removed from his heart and had said i would make you a colonel if i could spare you this was the story they liked best though there were many others which they frequently begged to be told of march and siege and battle of over or escapes from red and fierce german and of how the mere presence o the emperor was worth fifty thousand men and how the soldiers knew that where he was no enemy could withstand them it all seemed to them very long ago and the soldier of the empire was the only man in the quarter who was felt to be greater than the rich and fine officers who flashed along the great soldier of the empire streets or glittered the and outside more than once when paris was stirred up and the quarter seemed on the eve of an outbreak a mounted orderly had galloped up to his door with a letter his presence somewhere it was whispered at the s and when he returned if he refused to speak of his visit the quarter was satisfied it trusted him and knew that when he advised quiet it was for its good he loved france first the quarter next had he not been offered what had he not been offered the quarter knew or fancied it knew which did quite as well at least it knew how he always took sides with the quarter against oppression it knew how he had gone up into the burning and brought the children down out of the garret just before the roof fell it knew how he had jumped into the river that winter when it was full of ice to save s little lame dog which had fallen into the water it knew how he had reported the for poor little aim e just for begging a man in the place de l op ra for a for her old grandmother who was blind and how he had	46
her released instead s a of of being sent to but what was need of instances he was the a soldier of the empire and there was not a dog in the quarter which did not feel and look proud when it could trot on t inside of the hy him thus the old came to be as the of order in the quarter and was worth more in the way of keeping it quiet than all the that ever inside its and thus the child all knew him one story that the told the girls liked to hear though the boys did not because it had nothing about war in it and and used to cry h when it was told that the stop and put bis arms around them and pen them until they only sobbed on his shoulder it was of how he had when a lonely old man met down in his little whose eyes were as blue as the sky and her hand as white as the flower from which she took her name and her cheeks as pink as the roses in the gardens of the he had loved her and she though forty years his junior had married him and had come not l i so m soldier of the here to live with him but the close walls of the city had not suited her and she had and before his eyes like a plucked lily and after she bore him had died in his arms and left him than before and the old soldier always lowered his voice and paused a moment said he was saying a mass and then he would add but she left a soldier and when i am gone should france ever need one will be here the boys did not fancy this for the reasons given and besides although they loved the they did not uke was not popular in the quarter except with the young girls and a few special friends the women said he was idle and vain uke his mother who had been they said a silly lazy thing with uttle to boast of but blue eyes and a white skin of which she was too proud to it by work and that she had married the for his and would have ruined him if she had lived and that was just like her the children knew nothing of the resemblance they disliked because he was cross and disagreeable to them and how m soldier of the ever their older sisters might admire his curling hair his dark eyes and delicate features which he had likewise inherited from his mother they did not like him for he always when he came home and found them th re and he had several times ordered the whole lot out of the house and once he had little for which had beaten him of late too when it drew near the hour for him to come home the old had two or three times left out a part of his story and had told them to run away and come back in the morning as liked to be quiet when he came from his work which said was gambling thus it was that was not popular in the quarter he was nineteen years old when war was declared they said was trying to rob france to steal and all paris was in an uproar the quarter ripe for any excitement shared in and enjoyed the general commotion it struck off from work it was like the at least so people said was the in the district he got work in the soldier of the empire officers went in and out of the and s drinking with the men talking to the women and stirring up as much as possible it needed little to stir it the quarter was troops were being in and the streets and were filled with the tramp of and the roll of the drums the call of the and the cheers of the crowds as they marched by floated into the quarter brass bands were so common that although in the winter a couple of strolling had been sufficient to lose temporarily every child in the quarter it now required a full band and a regiment to boot to draw a tolerable representation of all the of the quarter none took a deeper interest than the soldier of the empire he became at once an object of more than usual attention he had married in and could of course tell just how long it would take to whip the he thought a single battle would decide it it would if the emperor were there his little court was always full of and the stories of the emperor were told to now of and once or twice the had down thinking from seeing the crowd that a fight was going on they had stayed to hear of the emperor a hint waa dropped by the soldier of the empire that perhaps france j would conquer and then go on across i to to settle an old score and that night it was through the quarter that the invasion of russia would follow the capture of the emperor became more popular than he had been since the d half the quarter offered its the troops were being night and i day and morning after morning the soldier of the empire locked his door his coat tightly around him and with a stately air marched over to the park to see the where he remained until it was time for to have his supper the old s acquaintance extended far beyond the quarter indeed his name had been mentioned in the papers more than once and his presence waa noted at the by those high in authority so that he was often to be seen surrounded by a group	46
and before receiving a reply were shot dead at their sides the wounded were more ghastly than the soldier of the dead their faces growing suddenly from the shock as they were struck the lay in piles around their guns and still the worked furiously in the dense heat and smoke the sweat pouring down their blackened faces the fire was terrific suddenly an officer galloped up and spoke to the lieutenant of the nearest battery where is the colonel killed where is your captain dead there under the gun are you in command i suppose so well hold this how long forever and he galloped off his voice was heard clear and ringing in a sudden lull and the old clutching his shouted we will forever there was a momentary lull suddenly the cry was here they are in an instant a dark line of men appeared coming up the slope the guns were trained a of down on them but shot over their heads they were double and trained lower and forth they fell in yet still they came on at a run until they were almost up among the guns and tiie were leaving their pieces the old s voice to his men was as steady as if on parade kept them down and when the command given to fire kneeling they rose as one ma and poured a into the faces which sent them back down the hill leaving a broken line of dead and struggling men on the deadly crest just then a officer came along they heard him say that may stop them then he gave some order in an to the lieutenant in command of the and passed on a moment later the fire from the was heavier than before the guns were being knocked to pieces a piece of shell struck the on the cheek tearing away the flesh badly he tore the sleeve from his shirt and tied it around his head with perfect the fire of the was still growing heavier the smoke was too dense to see a great deal l a soldier of the empire but they were or were coming closer the lieutenant came back for a moment and spoke to the captain of the company who looking along the line called the and ordered him to go back down the hill to where the road turned behind it and tell general to send them a support instantly as the were knocked to pieces and they could not hold the hill much longer the announcement was astonishing to the old soldier it had never occurred to him that as long as a man remained they could not hold the hill and he was half way down the slope before he took it in he had brought his gun with him and he clutched it as if he could withstand alone the whole army he might have taken a younger man to do his trotting he muttered to himself as he stalked along not knowing that his wound had occasioned his selection but no must where he would have the opportunity to distinguish himself it was no holiday that the old soldier was taking for his path lay right across the track swept by the german and the whole distance was strewn a soldier of the with dead killed as they had advanced in the morning but the old got safely across he found the general with one or two members of his staff sitting on horseback in the road near the park gate receiving and answering he delivered his message go back and tell him he must hold it was the reply upon it depends the fate of the day perhaps of france or wait yon are wounded i will send some one else you go to the rear and he gave the order to one of his staff who saluted and dashed off on his horse hold it for france he called after him the words were heard perfectly clear even above the din of battle which was steadily increasing all along the line and they stirred the old soldier like a trumpet no rear for him he turned and pushed back up the hill at a run the road had somewhat changed since he left but he marked it not shot and shell were across his path more thickly but he did not heed them in his ears rang the words for france they came like an echo from the past it was the same cry he had heard at when the soldiers of france that summer day had soldier of the empire died for france and the emperor with a cheer on their lips for france the words were consecrated the emperor himself had used them he had heard him and would have died then should he not die now for her was it not glorious to die for france and have men say that he had fought for her when a babe and had died for her when an old man with these thoughts was mingled the thought of also would die for france they would save her or die together and he pressed his hand with a proud caress over the cross on his breast it was the emblem of glory he was almost back with his men now he knew it by the roar but the smoke hid everything just then it shifted a little as it did so he saw a man steal out of the dim line and start towards him at a run he had on the of his regiment his cap was pulled over his eyes and he saw him deliberately fling away his gun he was all the blood boiled up in the old soldier s veins desert not fight for france why did not shoot him i just then the coward passed close to him and a soldier of the	46
outside world it had formerly been their once splendid now fast falling to decay appeared to view from time to time set back far from the road in proud seclusion among groves of oak and now scarlet and gold with the early frost distance was nothing to this people time was of no consequence to them they desired but a level path in life and that they had though the way was longer and the outer world strode by them as they dreamed i was aroused from my reflections by hearing some one ahead of me calling turning the curve in the road i saw just before me a negro standing with a and a watering pot in virginia in his hand he had evidently just gotten over the worm fence into the road out of the path which led across the old field and was lost to sight in the dense growth of when i rode up he was looking anxiously back down this path for his dog so engrossed was he that he did not even hear my horse and i in to wait until he should turn around and satisfy my curiosity as to the handsome old place half a mile off from the road the numerous out buildings and the large and stables told that it had once been the seat of wealth and the wild waste of that covered the broad fields gave it an air of desolation that greatly excited my interest entirely of my the negro went on calling until along the path walking very slowly and with great dignity appeared a noble looking old orange and white gray with age and with excessive feeding as soon as he came in sight his master began yes you you deaf as well as i s pose me i reckon t yo come on the sauntered slowly up to the fence and stopped without even a look at the speaker who immediately proceeded to take the rails down talking meanwhile now i got to pull down de gap i s pose yo so yo hardly walk able to over it as i is like white folks think you s white and ts black i got to wait on yo all de time ne m mine i ain do it the fence having been pulled down sufficiently low to suit his he marched through and with a hardly perceptible movement of his tail walked on down the road putting up the rails carefully the negro turned and saw me he said taking his hat off then as if for having permitted a stranger to witness what was merely a family affair he added he know i don mean by what i he s s an he s so he long no he know im who is i asked and whose place is that over there and the one a mile or two back the place with the big gate and the carved stone pillars said the he s my young an places dis one s an de one back de rock gate s is i s don nobody live now de war some one or bought our place but his name done kind o slipped me i on im i think s half i don ax none on em no odds i lives down de road a little in virginia piece an i steps down of a and looks de graves well where is i asked hi don you know he went in de army i was im yo know he warn an sam will you tell me all about it i said instantly and as if by instinct the stepped forward and took my bridle i a little but with a bow that would have honored old sir he the reins and taking my horse from me led him along now tell me about i said hit s so long ago i d a most all about it ef i been him ever he born tis i remembers it like yo know an me we boys i older n he de same he n me i born corn time de spring big jim an de six got washed away at de upper ford right down b low de quarters he a de things home an he warn born tell to de my sister married l s bout eight years well when born de s at home you ever did see de folks all holiday like in de we didn call im tell born he de so well his face shine pleasure an all de folks mighty glad too cause all loved and did step right when was at em warn han on de place but what ef he wanted would walk up to de back an say he warn to see de an ev bout de young an de maids an de bout kitchen how de ever see an at dinner time de all on em holiday come de an ax how de an de young an come out on de an smile n a an rate boys an den he stepped back in de house sort o to f an in a minute he come out ag in de baby in he arms all wrapped up in an things an he is boys all de folks den went up on de to look at im hats on de steps an went up an n y down at we all en all packed down like a o sight o me he my name cause i use to hole he fur im sometimes but he didn know all de en by name so in virginia many on em an he come up so up i goes like an old ain you s son i well he i m to give you to yo young to be his body servant an he put de baby right in my	46
arms it s de truth i m yo an yo ought to a heard de folks boy u he won t i kin trust im and den he now sam from dis time you belong to yo young i wan you to on im long he lives you are to be his boy from dis time an now he carry im in de house an he walks me an opens de do s fur me an i im in my arms an lays im down on de bed an from time i was in de house to be s body servant well you see a grow so n y he up right big an he must have some so he im to school to miss down dis side o l s an i use to go long im an he books an we airs an when he to read an spell right good an got bout so o big miss she died an said he have a man to teach im an im so we all went to mr hall de school house de creek an we went ev y day sat d of co se an days din warn go an begged im off hit down took notice o miss anne mr hall he taught well boys an l he his daughter s miss anne tm about she a bit o when she come yo see her ma dead an miss she lived her an house for im an he so busy politics he didn have much time to so he miss anne to mr by a a note when she come day in de school house an all de looked at her so hard she tu n right red an tried to pull her long curls over her eyes an den put de backs of her little han s in her two eyes an begin to cry to f he was on de een o de bench nigh de do an he reached out an put he arm her an her up to im an he to her an her name an her an n y she took her han s down an begin to laugh well to a t fancy to each from time miss anne she warn but a baby hardly an he a good big boy bout thirteen years i reckon ever n y on each an yo me an l to like it bout well de yo in virginia see l s place j an it looked natural fur two to marry an it one plantation it did fur de creek to run down de bottom from our place into l s i don rightly think de en thought bout married not den no mo n i thought bout when she a little at l s bout de house fur miss s spectacles but good s from de start he use to miss anne s books fur her ev y day an ef de road muddy or she tired he use to her an hardly a day passed he didn her some n to school apples or y nuts or some n he wouldn let none o de en her one day one o de boys he finger at miss anne and school he im de school house out o sight an ef he didn im he de scholar mr hall an mr hall he mighty proud o im i don think he use to beat im much he did de he de head in all went on he in he lessons one day in summer fo de school broke up come up a storm right sudden an de creek one yo cross back yonder an he miss anne home on he back he ve y oft n did when de muddy but dis day when come to de creek it had done washed all de logs way still mighty high so he put miss anne down an he took a pole an right in hit took im long up to de shoulders den he back an took miss anne up on his head an her right over at she but he her he could swim an wouldn let her hu t an den she let im her cross she in his ban s i warn long day but he n y did thing he so pleased bout it he a pony an rode im to school de day he come so proud an how he to let anne ride im an when he come home he hi where s yo pony said i give im to anne says she liked im an i kin walk yes i s pose you s already done her yo se f an thing i know you ll be her this plantation and all my well about a fortnight or a matter i over an invited all o we all over to dinner an named in de note ned brought an dinner he made his bring s pony a little side saddle on im an a beautiful little a new saddle an bridle on im an he up in virginia an a t speech an presents im de little an den he calls miss anne an she comes out on de in a little frock an puts her on her pony an his an goes to ride while de grown folks is a an an cigars good times de sam ever see in didn t all to do to ten to de an de an what de tell em to do an when sick had things em out de house an de same doctor come to see em ten to de white folks when po ly warn no trouble nor well things a change he went to de bo din school he use to write to me constant use to read me de letters an den i d miss anne to read em ag	46
in to me when i d see her he use to write to her too an she use to write to him too den miss anne she off to school too an in de summer time d come home an yo hardly whether lived at home or over at l s he over constant always or down in de river or sometimes he go over an im an she d go out an set in de yard de trees she up out she some sort o ii bright some n de all up g her an her hat th owed back on her neck an he to her out books an sometimes d read out de same book one an den i use to see em when up like den he run for an l he put up to run g by de but he beat im yo know he do co se he made l mighty mad and each lar like had been all long den l he sort o got in debt an sell some o he an s de way de fuss begun s de from he didn like nobody to sell an l o his he writ an offered to buy his m an all her en cause she married our an don yo think l mo n th ee fur m old bought her de an on m an a whole o he went to de sale an bid for em but l he got some one to bid g knocked out to an den a big an to co t off an on fur some years till at de co t decided m belonged in virginia to i den so mad he for a little strip o down on de line fence he said belonged to im body hit belonged to ef yo go down now i kin show it to yo inside de line fence it done bin ever since long l born but l a us man an he wouldn let nobody run over im no he wouldn so down to co t about fur i don know how long till beat im all dis time yo know back an for to college an up a ve y fine young man he a ve y likely man miss anne she done up too her up like use to put hers up an t bright de s mane when de sun on it an her eyes t big dark eyes like her pa s on y bigger an not so fierce an none o de young ladies she she an still set a heap o by one but i don think easy each when he used to her home from school on his back he use to love de ve y she walked on in my his face light up whenever she come into ch or anywhere like de sun come th oo a on it suddenly den lost he eyes d yo ever bout didn yo well one night de big barn fire de stables yo know under de big barn an all de in hit to me like no time all de folks an de neighbors come an a water an a to save de po and got a heap on em out but de wouldn come out an a back an for inside de a an a like time come yo could em so pitiful an n y old said to ham he de driver go in an try to save em don let em bu n to death an ham he went right in an jest he got in de shed it fell in an de sparks shot up in de air an ham didn come back an de fire begun to out under de over de an all of a sudden tu ned an kissed who nigh him her face white a s an anybody what he do jumped right in de do an de smoke come po in out im well i to tell judgment a de folks set up she down on her knees in de mud an prayed out loud hit like her r heard for in a right out de same do ham in his arms come in ou virginia his do s all flung water on im an put im out an ef you b me yo wouldn a yo see he find ham done fall down in de smoke right by the he him an he to im back in his arms th oo de fire what done de front part o de stable and to keep de flame from down ham s th he off his own hat and it all over ham s face an he ham from bein so much bu nt but he bu nt dreadful his beard an all off an his face an ban s an neck terrible well he laid ham down an then he kind o staggered for ad an im in her arms ham he warn bu nt so bad an he got out in a month or two an a long time he got well too but he always stone blind that he could see none from night he home from college an he n y did faithful like a den he took charge of de plantation an i use to wait on im like when we boys an sometimes we d slip off an have a fox hunt an he d be like he in times got an miss anne over to our house an de trees out de same book he n y good to me made no bout he hit me a in his life an let nobody else do it i members one day when he a bit o boy done we all en not to slide on de straw an one day me an thought done gone way from home we watched him on	46
he an ride up de road out o sight an we out in de field a an a when up comes we started to run but he done see us an he called us to come back an a he did gi us he took an den he me up he hu t me but in co se i hard i could it cause i him stop he n open he long im but soon he commence me an i begin to he bu st out an right in an de stop yo sha n t im he b to me an ef you hit im another i ll set im free i wish yo see he warn mo n eight years an old in he raised up an in virginia red an in on to it an i b to im he raise de an den he it an broke out in a smile over he face an he de chin an tu n right an went away to f an i im an bout it so mighty long when got to bout de war a back an for ds bout it fur two or th ee years fo it come you know he was a an of co se he after he pa l he a he in favor of de war an and it a bout it all de time an soon l he went about ev an bout ought to an he picked up to talk im de way come to fight de i n y fur an he was cool yo see it happen so he a down at de deep creek tavern an he kind o got de of l all de white folks laughed an an l my i t ought he d a bu st he was so mad well when it come to his time to speak he light into he call im a traitor an a ab an i don know what all he cool ij till de l light into he pa soon he name i seen sort o up he head d yo ever see a he head up right sudden at night when he see to ds im from de side an he don know what tis l he went right on he said taught a ab dan he son i looked at an to f fo old l better an i got de out when l old o im out o he an piece o he s de i you bout well thing i i hit all happen right long like and thunder when they hit right at you i im say l what you say is false an yo know it to be so you have one of de an men ever made an but yo gray you well l he ra ed an he pitch d he said he wan too an he d show im so ve y well says de broke up den i in de out in de road by de een o de an i see an to mr an man and den he come out an got on de an galloped off soon he got in virginia out o sight he pulled up an we walked along tell we come to de road leads off to ds mr s he de big lawyer o de country he tu ned off all a to kind o to f now and den when we got to mr s he got down an went in in de late winter de folks to plough fur corn he stayed bout two hours an when he come out mr come out to de gate im an shake ban s he got up in de saddle den we all rode off late den good dark an we rid hard we could tell we come to de school house at l s gate when we got got down an walked right slow de house a little while an de do to see ef it he walked down de road tell he got to de creek he stop a little while an picked up two or three little rocks an em in an n y he got up an we come on home he got down he tu ned to me an de s nose said have em well fed sam i ll want em early in de night at supper he laugh an talk an he set at de table a long time went to bed he went in de an set on de bed by im to im an im bout de an e but he mention l s name when he got up to come out to de office in de yard he slept he stooped down an kissed im like he a baby in de bed an he d hardly let go at all i some n up an i called im early light like he me an he dressed an come out n y like he goin to church i had de ready an we went out de back way to ds de river we rode along he said sam you an i boys wa n t we yes i we you have been ve y faithful to me he an i have seen to it that you are well provided fur you want to marry i know an you ll be able to buy her ef you want to den he me he goin to fight a an in case he should shot he had set me free an me to o me an my wife long we lived he said he d like me to stay an o an long lived an he said it wouldn be very long he reckoned de on y time he voice broke when he said an i couldn speak a my th oat choked me so when we come	46
to de river we tu ned right up de bank an bout a mile or a matter we stopped a little elder bushes on one side an two big trees on de an de sky all red an de water down to ds the sun like de sky in virginia n y mr he come a box bout so big fore im an he got down an me to all de an go de bushes i tell you bout off to one side an fore i got l an mr an dr call come from t way to ds l s when tied de went up to mr an some mr step off bout fur cross dis road or it be a little an den i seed em th oo de bushes de an talk a little while an den an l walked up de in ban s an he stood his face right to ds de sun i seen it shine on him it come up over de low s an he look like he did sometimes when he come out of church i so i couldn say l could shoot rate an he never missed den i mr say is yo ready and of em ready so an he fire one two an he said one l raised he an shot right at de ball went th oo his hat i seen he hat sort o settle on he head de hit it an he his up in de a r an shot bang an de went bang he to l i you a present to yo ly well had some i didn t rightly what it but it like l he warn t satisfied an wanted to have shot de seconds an n y put de up an an mr shook ban s mr an dr call an come an got on an l he got on his horse an rode away de like he did de day when all de people laughed at im i b l wan to shoot anyway we come on home to breakfast i de box de me on de would you b me he said a bout it to or nobody didn fin out bout it for mo n a month an den how she did cry and kiss an he never say much he please he call me in de room an made me im all bout it an when i got th oo he gi me five dollars an a of breeches but l he did an miss anne she got mad too is us s like a you can n hole on em like in ou folks an when you m yo can n always hole em what me think so heaps o things dis he done gi miss anne her pa good i gi s sweet an she mad im if he bed kill im o sen in im back to her whole an b me she wouldn even speak to him don i member we fox bout six weeks or a matter de an we met miss anne long lady an two at her house always some one or co ting her well we meet em right in de road de time had see her de an he raises he hat he an she looks right at im her head up in de like she see im in her born days an when she comes by me she good sam i see like de look come on s face when she im like he gi de a pull im back down in de san on he he ve y lips white i tried to keep up im but no use he me back home n y an he rid on i to myself l don yo meet dis he ain bin de school house he an miss anne use to go to school to mr hall together fur he won no to day he come home night tell way late an ef he d been fox it ha been de red lives down in de he d been de way de up sweat an mire n y did hu t me he walked up to de stable he head down all de way an i se seen im go eighty miles of a winter day an into de stable at night fresh ef he over to l s to supper i seen a beat so i de from de fo lock an bad he he wan bad he didn over thing he did over it de war come on den an elected cap n but he wouldn it he said hadn an he by her den mr cap n i n y did wan to de place i he me im he wan sam an beside he look so po an thin i thought he die of co se she bout it an she met miss anne in de road an cut her like miss anne cut she proud anybody so we in virginia mo strangers dan ef we hadn live in a miles of each an he thinner an thinner an she come out an den he went to an an come back an he a private an he didn know r he could me or not he writ to mr ever an when he went i to go long an wait on him an de cap n too i didn yo know long i could go an i like mr well one night come back from de a say come at once so he to start he uniform all ready gray s an mine ready too an he had s sword de state gi im in de war an he trunks all packed ev in em an my was packed too an jim he em over to de in de an we to start bout light dis bout	46
de o spring you know night made dress up in he uniform an he n y did look splendid he long an he an he tall supper he come down an sam i wan you to dis note an it over to l s an gi it to miss anne yo own han s an bring me what she don let any one know bout it or know why you ve gone yes i yo see i miss anne s maid over at i s is my wife now an i i could it so i de an rid over an tied im down de hill in de an i to de back yard a right sort o night moon but de clouds so big it didn shine th oo a crack now an den i soon my an her two or three lies bout f i got her to go in an ax miss anne to come to when she come i gi her de note an a little while she t me an i her good by an she gi me a dollar an i come home an gi de letter to he read it an me to have de ready at twenty to twelve at de corner of de garden an he come out ef he to bed but he come an we all struck out to ds l s when we got to de gate de got sort o an i see some n or somebody inside an he off de an flung me de bridle and he walked up she spoke miss anne had done come out to meet an she cold a chill well i granted your favor i wished to relieve f of de obligations you placed me under a few months ago when you made me a in virginia present of my father whom you insulted an then prevented from satisfaction he didn speak fur a an den he said who is with you ev y no one she i came alone my god he you didn come all through those woods by f at this time o night yes tm not afraid she an dis i don b she de moon come out an i sight o her in in her white dress de cloak she had wrapped f up in off on de an she didn look like she feared o she us she stood de green bushes her an she a few flowers in her right and some leaves in her an de moon come out an down on her an her frock an like de light in off it she stood at her head tho d back like when she in de road to im an to me good sam he den her he come to say good by to her he way to de war i on her an i tho t when her she sort o started an looked up at im like she mighty sorry an like she didn quite so straight c tan j den he went on right to her an he her how he had loved her ever she a little bit o baby an how he de time when he to marry her he her it his love for her made im at school an an im good an pure an now he way wouldn she let it be like in times an ef he come back from de war wouldn she try to think on him she use to do when she a little he had done been so serious he done miss anne s han an down in her face like he list his eyes a miss anne she said an he her han an but if you love me anne when he said she tu ned her head way from im an wait a an den she said right clear but i don love yo th ee de fall right slow like dirt falls out a on a coffin when yo s anybody an to he let her hand an he f g de gate an he didn speak when he did speak all he i see you home safe i i didn know in virginia s voice tell i look at im right good well she wouldn let im go her she wrap her cloak her shoulders an long back by f more n look up once at g de gate in he s he eyes on de she said good by sort o an up shake ban s her an she done gone down de road soon she got de curve he followed her under de trees so not to be seen an i led de on down de road im he long her tell she safe in de house an den he come an got on he an we all come home we all come off to j ine de army an a an a all bout for a while an went long all de o de army an i went an clean he boots an look de tent an o him an de an he wan a bit like he use to be he so an all de time at when to be a fight den he d up an he rode at de head o de company cause he tall an hit wan on y in battles all his company he went but he use to whenever de l wanted anybody to fine out an so he didn like to one man go no sooner n yo know an ax d who d he to like to go an he use to me im whenever he could yes he n y a good he didn mine bullets no more n he did so many o rain but i use to be ful sometimes it use to like fun to im in camp he use to be so	46
he d hardly open he you d v tho t he he used to look so but le im into danger an he use to be like times jolly an like when he a boy when cap n got he leg shot off cap n on de spot cause one o de got de same day an one named mr wan no count an all de company said de man an he de same he didn never mention miss anne s name but i he on her constant one night he by de fire in camp an mr he de lieutenant got to bout ladies an he say all sorts o things bout em an i see kinder mad an de lieutenant mention miss anne s name he been miss anne bout de time fit de her pa an miss anne kicked im he mighty rich cause he warn but a an cause she like i believe she didn speak to im an mr he got in virginia drunk an cause l im not to come no more he got mighty mad an i se yo bout he an he mention miss anne s name i see tu n he eye on im an keep it on he face and n y mr said he some fun he didn mention her name time but he said all on em a of an her pa wan no man anyway an i don know what he say he said it fur he got far up an hit im a crack an he fall like he been hit a fence rail he to fight a an he de an fight but some on em im wan a present o him to his ly an he got somebody to k up de but he to fight an soon he de ny well i got one o de to write a letter for me an i her all bout de fight an how knock mr over fur o l an i her how a fur love o miss anne an she miss anne to read de letter fur her den miss anne she tells her pa an you mind tells me all dis an she say when l hear bout it he set tin on de an he set still a good while an den he to f well he earn he p bein a an den he up an walks up to miss anne an looks at her right hard an miss anne she done tu n away her an out she a rose bush g de an when her pa at her her face got de color o de roses on de bush and n y her pa anne an she tu ned an he do yo want im an she yes an put her head on he shoulder an begin to cry an he well i won between yo no longer write to im an say so we didn know bout dis den we a an a all time an come one day a letter to an i see im start to read it in his tent an he face hit an he ban s trembled so i couldn out what de matter im an he de letter up an out an way down de camp an stayed bout nigh an hour well i on de for im when he come back an fo ef he face didn shine like a angel s i say to f um m ef de glory o ain done shine on im an what yo he me im an he tell me in virginia he done a letter from miss anne an he eyes look like t big stars an he face like when de sun up over de low an i see im in de in he han at it an not but what it be de time an he done up he mine not to shoot l fur miss anne s sake what writ im de letter he de letter was in his han up an put it in he inside pocket right on de side an den he me he tho t we some warm in de two or th ee days an ef im he d a leave o absence fur a few days an we d go home well night de orders come an we all to over to ds an we rid all night till bout light an we halted right on a little creek an we stayed till time an i see set down on de a bush an read letter over an over i watch im an de battle a goin on but we had orders to stay de hill an ev y now an den de bullets would cut de limbs o de trees right over us an one o big shells what goes would fall right us but he didn mine it no mo n den it to closer an thicker and he calls me an i up an he sam we se goin to win in dis battle an den we ll go home an married an i se goin home a star on my collar an den he ef i m wounded me home yo hear an i yes well den boots an an we mounted an de orders come to ride de slope an s ny de an when we got we right in it hit de place ever dis got in an said charge em an my king ef ever you see bullets fly did day hit like hail an we down de slope i long de an up de hill right to ds de an de fire so strong a whole o s down de our lines sort o broke an stop de l was an i b bout to k all to pieces when rid up an de an me an rid	46
up de hill de can i seen im when he went de four good ahead o ev y like he use to be in a fox hunt an de whole right im yo ain hear thunder thing de roll head over heels an flung me up g de bank like yo a over g de foot o de corn pile an s what me from bein i she say she think providence but i think de bank o co se providence put de bank but how i virginia come providence saved when i look de by me stone dead a cannon ball gone th oo him an our men done on t side from de top o de hill mo n a de come back his mane an de rein down on one side to his knee says i fo i done kill an i promised to care on him i jumped up an run over de bank an a whole lot o dead men an some not dead one o de guns de still in he han an a bullet right th oo he body lay i tu n im over an call im but no use he done gone home i pick im up in my arms de still in he ban s an im back like i did day when he a baby an gin im to me in my arms an he could me an tell me to on im long he lived i d im way off de out de way o de balls an i laid im down a big tree till i could somebody to de for me he a while an i some money so i got some pine plank an made a coffin an s body up in de an put im in de coffin but i didn nail de top on strong cause i wan see im an i got a an set out for home night we reached de all night an all day hit like we so for when we got home she for us done up in her best es an n at de head o de big steps an in his big cheer we up de hill to ds de house i de an de long de over de saddle she come down to de gate to meet us we took de coffin out de an d it right into de big parlor de pictures in it use to dance in times when a an miss anne use to come over an go into her chamber an her things off in we laid de coffin on two o de cheers an said a she looked so an white when i had tell em all bout it i tu ned right an rid over to l s cause i what he d a wanted me to do i didn tell nobody i cause yo know none on em hadn speak to miss anne not de dull an didn know bout de letter when i rid up in de yard miss anne a in on de me i rid up i tied my to de fence an walked up de in virginia she by de way i walked some thin de an she mighty pale i my cap down on de een o de steps an went up she opened her right still an keep her eyes on my face i couldn speak den i my voice an i say he done got he her face was mighty an she sort o shook but she didn fall she tu ned an said me de all when de come she put on her bonnet an ready she got in she to me yo brought him home an we drove long i when we got home she got out an walked up de big walk up to de by f done fin de letter in s pocket de love in it while i way an she a on de de time cry when she find de letter an she n y did cry over it well miss anne she walks right up de steps up to in on de an falls right down to her on her knees an den flat on her face right on de at dress her two han s so stood for bout a down at her an den she down on de by her an took her in her arms r c tan i couldn see i so f an ev but went in a while in de parlor an de do an i em say miss anne she de coffin in her arms an kissed it an kissed an call im by his name an her an her in tell some on em went in an found her done faint on de she s my wife she tell me she miss anne when she she wear mo fur im i don know how is but when we buried im day she de one walked de coffin an she walked next to em well we buried in de de wrapped im an he face like it did down in de low s de new sun on it so peaceful miss anne she went home to stay she stay an long lived warn so mighty long cause he died fall when fur wheat i had married den an she warn long him we buried her by him next summer miss anne she went in de died an fo fell she come home sick de fever yo would a her fur de same miss anne she light a piece o an so white her eyes an her an she on in virginia an weaker she n y did her faithful but she got no de fever an s bein done strain her an she died fo de folks free so we buried miss anne right by in a place us to	46
de river when hit out he bank he ev y thing when he open he i he face pale an he tremble like a but he eyes an in a minute he he voice like a bell an he man an him out an when he set down all an so you couldn you ears royal den de vote an george got it an all all a few o mr darker s friends an mr darker he de second an den broke up an den george walked de crowd straight up to him i f virginia an him right in de eyes says to him you stole speech you made to night well you ought to a em hit like a mill dam you couldn an you couldn see but big as he george beat him an when pull him off do he face mighty pale he out em all him an all an as straight as an arrow an say speech written an printed years ago by somebody or in an this man stole it had he beat me only i should not have said one word but as he has beaten others i shall show him up he voice clear as a game i proud on him he did show him up too but mr darker ain wait to see it he night an george he de man at university he could handle students same as a man handle a well de next christmas we meet miss an mr invite we all to go down to christmas him at he home an a time as we had we got christmas eve night dis very night supper an to death he pursued dealing in his an we had time to a apple or two when supper was ready an come s in de hall i had done fix george up i tell you and when he walk down stairs in tail coat an leather on warn nay one could him he looked like he own em all i rest my mind i seen him when he shake hands em all an i say um m m he got em but he ain o none much tell miss come she didn live had come over de river from her home bout ten miles to christmas like we all an she come down de stairs as george finish hands i seen he eye light on her as she come down de steps her dim blue dress behind her an her little blue out so pretty an a little like a spider web in one hand an a blue fan in spread out like a tail an her arms an th oat white an her dark eyes up her face i say tis and when de i aside an em an george step for ard an meek he grand bow an she sort o swing back an gin her her dress sort o up her an her arms so white an her face sort o i say yes lord you george look like he think she done come down right from de top o de blue sky an bring piece on it her he ain in virginia took he eyes from her night to her an she well do she mighty rosy an look mighty she ain him hit look like nobody else fan an pick up o him an after supper when all s in de hall i don know how but do she as as a an her ankle as clean an she kin up her dress an out de way o ev else somehow or she help him her to save her life he al got her an when d fur apart ain as sure to come as water is you done run you hand an do he kiss ev else under de cause be sort o cousins he ain kiss her nor nobody else de l i down at de een de hall de black folks an i notice it lar cause i done meek de o she miss s maid a mighty likely young she den an as as a fly she see it too do she ain low it thing i know i seen a mighty likely by me her straight as white folks an a mighty good frock on an a clean apron an her hand like a lady only it brown an she keep on her eyes me an miss when i miss she me an when i steal my eye on her she miss an i sort o her an i say lady you mighty to night an she say she to be her look so good an i ax her which one an she tell me queen one over an i tell her s a king too she got her eye set for an when i say her to set her cap for george she fly up an say she an her don have to set cap for nobody got to set cap an all es for an den ain em cause ain study in bout no up country folks ain nobody know bout well so me i into right i tell her she ain been tall ef she don know we all we de of quality de ve y top de pot an den i tell her bout how we how de up night an day an thick as weeds an how he he ev y day when he wait on de table and george he won a coat mo n once or twice to save you life oh i cause i up for de an i meek out like use gold up home like folks use wood an sow silver like folks sow wheat an when i got all on em an she george he were ve y good ef for he but i ain in virginia myself none bout cause i know she an	46
think mr done got up em he de fox an he some n else besides in my cause when de ladies went upstairs night miss had to wait on de steps for a glass o water an couldn nobody it but george an den when she tell him over de he couldn say it good enough he got to kiss her hand an she ain do but peep upstairs ef anybody an when i come de do she her hand way an ran upstairs as as she could s george look at me sort o an say confound you couldn been very good to you an i say she le me my thirst her hand an he sort o laugh an tell me to keep my but ain de on y time i come on em al an de we come way i in de an sort o hide way miss she down an george he over her got her hand to he face right low an right sweet an she ain say an he on one knee by her an slip he arm her an try to look in her eyes an she so to look at him she got to hide her face on he shoulder an i out we come way next when bout it he didn to de notion at all cause her pa is he warn her own pa cause he had married her ma when she a after miss pa died an he politics warn same as why you kin never stand him he said to george we won t mix any mo n fire and water you ought to have found that out at college fellow darker is his son george he say he know but he on y de step of de young lady an ain got a o her blood in he veins an he didn know it when he meet her an anyhow hit wouldn meek any in virginia fence an when de see how george is on it she he side an fix it cause when warn to do a thing hit good as done i don how much he an say he ain do it you well go long an put on you hat you see him it as a lamb she him like she got bridle on him an he ain know it so she got him straight as a string an when de time come for george to go he mo bout it n george he ain say bout it but now he an mo questions bout he does an he horse an all an he gi him he two sunday an gi me a o boots an a hat cause i him to he an he water say ef he marry a he at least must go like a man an me an george had done settle it us cause we al set we traps on de same well we got em an when i ax out on de wood pile night she say bein as her own me an we got to be in de same estate she reckon she ain to be able to o me an den her oh she a beauty a gesture and completed the recital of his conquest s yes we got em he said presently couldn persist us we crowd em into de fence an run em off den come de an ev smooth as silk george an me over constant on y we did over bein when we up road all hit like ev in de at us one george say d you ever see as many p one way in you life when i a house he say i have all de way but when i see miss come out de parlor her sort o over her face an some roses on her an her eyes so soft an sweet an george long her so like she got chain him i say ain oh like holiday all de time an den miss come over to see an of co se she bring her maid her cause she to have her maid you know an de of all bout sunset come up in de big de trunk on de seat behind an she by an george inside by he rose bud cause he had done gone down to bring her up an in virginia he done been in he blue coat an ever dinner an up de road all de time an de he reckon ain an she try to him an she come out an in her stiff black silk an all an when de come in sight ev an when draw up to de do george he help her out an her to an an he start to meek her a bow an she put up her like a little to be kissed an got him an her right in her arms an kiss her twice an de servants all an ev you you see a cause all warn see de young good for george ain be married tell de next fall count o miss bein so young but she good as b to we all now an an as much in love her as george hi warn pull de house down an it over for her an ev y han on de place he to try to a look at he young he b to one all on em come de porch an send for george an when he come out brown he de speaker cause he got so much kin talk pretty as white folks he say warn to de young an pay to her an george lead her out on de porch s at her her face rosy as a wine sap apple an she meek em a beautiful bow an speak to em ev y one george de names an brown he meek her a pretty speech an	46
tell her we mighty proud to own her an one o ax her to gin her white frock when she married an when she say well what am i goin wear sally say lord honey george dress you in pure an she look up at him sparks out her eyes while he look like ain good for her an so when she went way sally got frock an proud on it i tell you oh yes he her tender hi when she go to ride in him de ain no horse block good for her george got to have her step in he hand an when he got de t over her all de time he so feared de sun kiss her an walk so slow down walks in de shade you got to sight em by a tree to tell ef tall she use to look like she used to it too i tell you cause she quality one de white ones an she d set in big cheers her little on de george al set for her he so feared d de like she on her throne an he d watch her as george an when she went way hit was hit look like daylight in virginia gone her i don know which i miss miss or den george was to de an darker run for de an george vote gin him and beat him an commence de fuss an den man gi me de an an he heart you see after george days warn no ev y sort o worms up one piece o paper d ain know what on in a didn but vote den an took an vote out loud like well george de parties as even balanced as an ax george who to be de he vote for de de old an beat him of co se an ain got sense to know he to vote he politics he he vote for i don ef he is miss pa much less her of co se de ain speak to him is george ax him to but who s pose women folks got to put in too miss she write george a letter him he set up all night letter an he mighty solemn i tell you an i right myself cause i bout down i s done gi my to an when ain no letters come hit hard to tell which one de me or george den i so long o it i ax aunt it she know all things cause she a years an seed evil an got up her an an she ax me what de an i tell her i ain able to eat nor to sleep an come long me when i sleep like as as ef i see her an she say i done de done me oh me you white folks don b like y all got too much sense cause y all kin read but ain know no better an i cause aunt say my coffin done de up de well i got so bad george ax me bout it an he sort o laugh an sort o an he tell aunt ef she don stop foolishness me he ll sell her an her house down well co se he an he ax me next day how d i like to go an see my sweetheart i got well so i set off next big as my pass in my pocket which i warn to show nobody i to cause george didn t warn nobody to know he le me go an den o in virginia i de shut off my back but ef george didn pay him de o it i done so good too when see me she was she come de in de back yard i in s do he de gardener her all done an out mighty fine an a clean ap on fringe on it out she so s to see me all a lie cause some on em done her i an she say hi what dis black an i say who you you faced thing you den we shake hands an i tell her george done set me free i done buy myself s de lie i done lay off to tell her an when i her she bust out an say well i better go long way den she don warn no free to be ny for her sort o set me back an i tell her she fo she i ain got her in my mine i got a at home bout me ve y minute an after i tell her all lies as she ax me ain i an ef didn her to gi me de m i kin e it now wheat bread off de table an an fat bacon tell i couldn put a n td my hat night i water for her an i tell s i all bout ev an she sweet as honey next do she done sort o some an ain so sweet you know how milk sort o an when she see me she gin to me say i to fool her an all de time got wife at home or ready to one for all she know an she ain know george ain as i is an mine she got plenty warn marry her an as to miss she got de whole mr darker he ain got nobody in he way now he all de time an ain west no mo well me so i tell her ef she say bout george i knock her an she got so i meek out i way an her an went up de barn an up thing i know i come across ar man mr darker soon as he see me he begin to me an he ax me what i on land an i tell him an	46
go an he ain even de bed i thought he die but i suppose he done he in virginia m days to be long in de land an save him but hit an he went off de plantation an he got older an older tell we all thought he die an one day come christmas bout nigh two year after die mr ride up to de do he had done come to george home to christmas him george warn out it but mr won no he say he he boy an he done name him after george he had marry george cousin miss an he george to de but he wouldn go do i did want him to go cause i miss was to marry mr darker an i warn know what done come o bright i used to know down an he say george got to come an for him an gi him a silver cup an a rattle so george he finally promise to come an spend christmas day an mr went way next an den hit in an rain so i feared we couldn go but hit oflf de day christmas eve an cold well we ain been for so long i as a young an den you know de same place we didn till supper time an a good one too cause seventy miles cold a weather hit a man s like a s t glad to see we all we rid by de back yard to gi de horses an we see an den we went to de house jest as some o de folks run in an tell em we come when george in de hall all clustered him like him faces pleasure an miss she up an him in her arms an him tell me in de kitchen been of miss over to spend christmas too but de river so high s pose couldn cross int me well after supper de had a dance hit down in de wash house an de table set in de carpenter shop by oh hit beautiful miss an miss had ev own hands so down ap up to an had de big silver out de house two on each table an some o s best an s bowl full o egg hit look big as a mill pond in de an had flowers out de on de table an some o de out de house an de room cheers set de room oh oh warn too good for times an de little right an an in de way you an de in virginia in de wood logs look like stock you saw an de fire so big hit look like you kill cause hit cold night dis ain it jack he had come cross de river to lead de an he say he had to put he fiddle he coat an he bow in he breeches leg to keep de strings from an de river would over ef so high but an he had hard to over in he an say he ain come out he boat house no mo night he done tempt providence often day den ev ready an de got an up an lively i tell you as thick in as on de bush cause ev y on de plantation her foot for some young buck an back for to go long a an jack he de for to wake em up i warn cause i done got an to de since de trouble done us up so rank but i tell you my for a on it an i had to come out to keep from em den too i had a o misery in my back an i lay off to a e o egg out big bowl drift on it from miss she al mighty fond o george so i t s slip into de carpenter shop an ax her i do for her an she laugh an say yes i kin drink her health an gi me a an den de white folks come in to de tables george in de lead an all fill up glasses an pledge health an all de servants an a merry christmas an den went in de wash house to see de an maybe to a hand cause white folks ain like you know got so much kin dance an fool de devil too an i stay a little while an den went in de kitchen to see how supper on cause i so when i got i ain able to eat at one time to it an de smell o de an de o mutton in de tin by to feed a right man an a whole parcel o an bout for life an faces as shiny as ef done e em an back in a cheer out de way her clean frock up off de i did feel curious i say hi name o d you come from she say oh ef ain free an ev laughed well we come out cause warn see de an we stop a while hind de out de wind while she tell me bout ev an she say s all a lie she tell me day bout mr jo in virginia darker an miss an he done gone way now for good cause he so low down an nobody stand him an all he warn marry miss for is to her but say miss could abide him he so she fine out what a lie he told bout george you know mr darker he done meek em think george me to fine out ef he done come home an den he fall on him he when he ain him an sort o out de way too an two to hold him while he beat him all cause he in love miss d you ever ever a lie an say do miss ain	46
b it all hit look so reasonable she done le de an her ma who on what she her to send back he things an ain know no better not tell after de die den fine out bout de me an all an den miss know i ain stay day an she say bout it but it too late den an miss do but cry bout it an she did cause she done lost george an done he life an she bout nobody else george say mr he on but miss she done tell him she ain marry nobody an done come she say cause had to go way round by de rope long o de s river bein so high an ain know tell done out de an in de house we all an say she glad ain cause she feared ef had miss wouldn a come den i tell her all bout george cause i know she to tell miss powerful cold out but i ain mine she done had to her arms up in her ap on an she meek no tall an dis ain bout cold den an den two ladies come out de carpenter shop an went long to de wash house an say miss now an miss an miss an we miss miss to go her she kin come right out an den a shout an we went in em george had done de fiddle an ef he warn hit down he up at de een o de room way from we all cause we at de do nigh miss she hind some on em her eyes on him mighty timid like she from him an ev y in de room on so warn a in room you couldn you on an you couldn a so proud o george for em well danced tell you couldn tell which de an which de back de whole in virginia house look like it an somebody say supper an stop em an a spell for a minute an george de fiddle in he hand he face away an he bout christmas so long ago an he face down on de fiddle an he he bow cross de strings an begin to whisper right hit begin so low ev had to stop an hold to it an george he ain know bout it he done gone back an in de hall it for miss done come down de steps her little blue an fan an in her dim blue dress an her arms an her eyes in he face so earnest he ain speak to no mo i see it by de way he look an de fiddle he it out as fine as a o miss s hit so sweet miss she couldn it she made to de do an while she george to keep him from her he look way an he eyes fall right into well de fiddle down on de an he face white as a limb say a in de head he had an jack say de whole fiddle warn de five dollars me an followed em tell went in de house an den we come back to de shop de s supper on an got we all supper an a o out big bowl an den we all to de wash house an got de big bush o from de an ef you ever see s de time well me an she had done lay off de whole christmas when come george want he horses i went but it me up an i wonder de name o george sen me cold night an as i got to de do george an mr come out an i know george home i seen he face by de light o de lantern an set rigid as a rock mr he him to stay he tell him he he life he s some mistake an be all right an all de answer george meek to swing up in de saddle an he look like he he mighty fool when he cold horse well we come long way an mr an two come down to de river to see us cross cause dark as pitch an fo i started i got one o de to my horses an i went in de kitchen to warm an an she say miss right now cause she think george cross de river count o her an she i virginia a little herself when i tell her good by but too late den well de river b an hit like a mill dam by an when we got george to me an tell me he reckon i better go back i ax him he an he say home den i you i says i mighty but me an george boys an he plunged right in an i after him cold as ice an we hadn got in horses for life he to me to de head up de stream an i did try but what s a to water hit pick me up an dash me down like i ain no mo n a an de thing i know i down de stream like a piece of bark an water all over me i den i gone an i for george for help i him answer me not to but to hold on but de an de water all over me like ice an den i washed off de back an got i member up an for help but i know den tain no use ain no help den an i got to pray to an den some n hit me an i went down an de next thing i know i in de bed an i em bout i dead or not an i ain know myself tell i taste de po down my an den tell me bout how when i s george	46
back an struck out for me for life an how as i went down de last time he me an on to me tell we wash down to de bank curve an de current so rapid hit him off back but he on to de reins tell de horse so he hit him he fo foot an he collar bone an den he had to let him go an on to me an den we wash up de bank an in a tree an de got quick as could an when us george on to me an had he arm a limb an we lodged in de an as dead as a nail an de she got out but he his foot in de rein an de saddle he side an ain know george ain dead too cause he not only but he arm broke up nigh de shoulder an say miss she de thing anybody know bout it when some de servants bust in de hall an an say george an me done washed way an an she down dead on de an when bring her to she low to miss she de on he death an say when de him in de house an de not to meek no an a little piece o blue silk out he breast somebody picked up an gin miss miss right in virginia down an some on em say she did for him an now when he upstairs dead hit too late for him ever to know it well i couldn it in george and dead an den somebody say george done to an gi me so much i went to sleep an next i got up an went to george room an see him in de bed he face so white an he eyes so tired an he ain know me no mo n ef he see me an i couldn it i down on de an bust out i couldn help it cause an george he gone an he came goin cause he had a strain an been so long in de water he heart done got an he got an all de time he thought he to cross de river to see miss an hit so high he hit pitiful to see him an not he tell it all mr an me could do to keep him in de bed an de doctors say he out much longer an all dis time miss she bout de house her face right white an say she don do all day long in her room but cry an say her rs for george s by count o not she love him an i tell how he all de time to see her an how he constant her name well so tell he done out an lay his face white as de pillow an he pitiful eyes bout so restless like he still for her he all de time her name an cross river to see an one bout sunset he to be he weaker n he been at all he ain able to no mo an so quiet an he say mighty wistful i m goin to night ef i don cross dis time i ll gin t up mr nigh de head o de bed an he say well by he shall see her so an he went out de room an to miss do an call her an tell her she got to come ef she don t he ll die night an thing i know miss bring miss in her face right white but as tender as a angel s an she come an by de side de bed an lean down over him an call he name george so an george he ain answer he look at her study for a minute an den he forehead got smooth ai he he eyes to me an say i m cross lady a story of the war tt n go when he a v v on de een o dis the speaker was standing in the bushes just below me for i was on the where the little foot path through the straggling pines and ran over it he was holding in his hand a newly fishing pole while a number more lay in the path at the foot of the old i watched for a moment in silence and then said uncle what are you doing poles for de boys he answered promptly and definitely we s em soon then he added won have none from else done ma tell how used to poles right on dis ridge an fling a line nay sort o poles at all he mo like n he like he pa sometimes i think he done come back he s he ve y spit an image who are the boys i asked taking a seat on the moss covered hi we all s boys lady s de fish run lady a story of tlie war good now an ll be up in new york now but me an got a letter from em you keep em long after de fish to run no you i bout his pole right now and a short laugh of delight followed the reflection how many are there fo on em de little an she like lady at her age to keep up her an do ev do lord hit me back so sometimes i de ain been no war nor yes tu ns de house down when comes like an lady um m making that peculiar sound so suggestive used to de to pieces you see after die an two she used to gi em head an all over de plantation lady de little white in her little white apron her curls all down in her eyes used to look white ns as a o blossoms de i don what do it	46
wouldn lay an her eyes i do b she laugh mo em n her she de light o dis plantation when she d come in you house like you d back de an let piece o de sun in on de you could see by her an he used to her i don o in virginia you see one she up at him her back out her big brown eyes an to do what he do when went footed she had to go footed too an she d him down to de mill pond th oo an ev her little white an in em but she ain mine so he ain her s de way tell went to college or you as well say tell he went in de army cause he home ev y an holiday all de time he at de an al got somebody or him you keep bees way after fine de bush an young used to be her constant hit look like ef she her hit all on em to pick t up so mr i tell i one on em be son in law but say de herself an em an ain love none on em hard as an so know her cap n ain come when cap n come know it an ef don know it when he come know it p when he go way we rich den quarters on ev y hill an mo n you could tell names used to be thirty in de an mo n you kin count den went in de war you too lady a story of the war i young to know bout say you s so this in ready acquiescence to my reply that every knew of the war well hit like when it start de ladies for it n de um rank at didn know what hit come so sudden one i was right by de po ch an ride up in de yard i see him time he de curve o de avenue i know he seat cause i him to ride hands set him up on de horse time he ever ae saddle when he little fat legs couldn to de httle well i call an lady an come out as he gallop up in de yard he speak to me an run up de t steps an him right in her arms an him an when she le him go her face look mighty an when went into de house i notice taller n he at christmas an he han em in stately like he pa he done come home to go in de army an he done stop in to he permission cause he feared he ma let him go it an he say mr an heap o de boys done an gone home to raise companies say grieve might ly when tain nobody see her an she got her do locked heap her for him but she ain say a bout he goin she nor lady ambitious bout it in virginia goes heads up till you know after you ain see but ready an an tents an an an n when up de folks winter es an when fetch he s o de home an put on he boots an spurs i done black an he seat on nay han on de place but what say to em ef come close enough well so he went off to de war an left hand went him to wait on him an ten to de horses and an lady ain had time to cry tell rid de curve an tu n an wave he hat to em in on de po ch an den tu n an walk in de house right quick her an lock f in her chamber an lady set down on de steps an cry by f de een o de times an ain had to de ground down in de oh yes he come back said he presently in answer to a question from me but de war had been on for mo n a year he did heaps o soldiers used to come d up de t road an de plantation sometimes an eat up ev on de place but he ain home he to stay to keep de back he l an he all time lady a story of the war he two or th ee balls th oo he an he cap he write we all bout it two bring de blood but not much he say sort o bark him oh him ev y chance d d plump at him same as when you d plump at de middle man but ain him but one when we ain from him in long time an think he up in de valley ride right up in de yard an face light up to see him tell she look like a young he say he ain got long to stay de army down de big road an he to right back to he bat ry he ride cross to see he ma an lady an all on us he say an he mighty cause he ain had to eat early de day an he want me to feed at de rack an lady she him bout in de house he ma he arm her an in he he a man an he ma don t she think it a fine all de girls say tis an bout ev an she come out an tend to him some n to eat her own hands an he n y did eat hearty an den he come way an he stoop down an kiss he ma an lady an tell em he to be a l one days an she ain able to say but look at him wistful as he went down de steps den she run down after	46
him an in virginia him after he on de an kiss him an out she say she ain him but she love him so much he kiss her mighty two or th ee times an den she let him go an he come an on he horse an rid way at a gallop out de back gate he cap on de side he head an went in de house an horse warn go up de stable right den de day we hear de way down de country like thunder right study an and lady set on de po ch an listen to em face mighty solemn all day long an night bout de crow left hand come home on de gray an knock at an say done shoot in de breast an he don t know he dead or not he say he warn dead when he come way but de doctor him an he had sent him after he ma to come to him at once an he had been hard all night long ever sunset an say he bat ry de on de an he post it on de o de woods in a oat like you know an he drive de enemy out an he see him when he lead he bat ry cross de oat he guns all six in a gallop an he and in de lead an shells all him an he de man in de he say an he fall as he jump he horse over an den he lay an fight he guns tell he faint an lady a story of the war say de l say he d been he bat ry day den a been president de states well she had jump out o bed de step o in de yard she hadn even off her es an she stand still like she ain good her face like she done dead lady she tell to tell me to de as soon as i kin an to tell her please to come quick an when day broke i at de gate de done feed my horses an a good bag o clean in de boot she come out lady an an her face n y i ain know tell i see de way she look how it hu t her but i been see dead folks look better n she look den all she sa try an me an i say yes m fm to ef ll le me i did her too ef i didn meek horses but dead i see as many in my life as i see an full on em an good as dead de road up em all know bat ry say hit de in de fight an it cut all to pieces an n y a man i ax as he gallop past me rein up he horse an say he in virginia know him well an he shot an left on de he done he cap when he see lady in de an he voice mighty low an he say shot bout fo o clock he bat ry an he did splendid he voice sort o passionate an he face so pitiful when he say i know tain no hope to save him an ef i in time s all drive on quick says an i on i done meek up my mine to she an lady to i for night ef ll le me an i did too mon i see de soldiers all long de road look at me an some on em to me i go way but i ain pay no to em i push on an n y a little ridge i see de house de man done tell me bout in de oat bout a half a mile ahead an i for it when th ee or fo in de road de ridge a little piece me say halt i ain pay no to em drive on so an halt ag in an when i ain stop den drive on right study a face run up an head an one done p int he gun right at me i say you le go de horse mon ain got no better sense n to horses horse way le go de horse head don you me lady a story of the war i ef i warn i bout to wrap my whip him when open de do an step out she say she wan go on say she do it den she say she her son in de house an she to him she talk mighty but mighty hke sort o reason her but she walk on by her head up an tell me to her an i did mon an em in de road gun de whole army couldn a keep her den i got to de house an drive up nigh as i could fur de t cross de yard look like folks been a man come to de do an ax is he live yet he say yes still alive an she say where an went right in an lady her an i say he open he eyes as she went in an sort o smile an when she kneel down an kiss him he whisper he ready to go den an he too he went night in he mother s arms an lady an at he side like i em i was do when i start home an he as peaceful as a baby he he ma when he he had try to do he duty an like times when he used to go to sleep in her lap in he own room her arms him sen me fur a lance night an we put him in de coffin in virginia next an start cause she home an lay him in de she kin watch him we travel all day an all night an home bout	46
sunrise and den we had to dig de grave an when we got home she had de coffin brought in and him in he own room while we and she set in all day long him and he look like a boy so young in he little gray jacket he s o de cross he we bury him in de and warn in de county to be he pall so de hands on de place him and it ease me might ly to arm him right good like when he a little chap me and me to go and de l write a letter and say de moan he loss and he meek him a l in de oat de day he shot and hit s on he now you kin go in de an read it and we hang he s o de on de wall in he own room over de fireplace and it hang now for to show to de boys what a soldier he well after things n y went bad de house looked i couldn to look at it ev i see look like done put it down or after it lady in deep mo of co se and it look lady a story of the war like de house in mo too and her got and de on y thing to gi her any peace o mine in room she used to set all day for de soldiers she ain let nobody room hit al sort o secret to her after and lady she took de plantation an her head man s de way for two years tell in de summer den hit happen one day i come out house after dinner to de stable i warn bout i bout how ev when i somebody and come two cross de hill from de quarters hard as could flying one o de maids in de yard de first to de and she say de and fo de warn out her de whole top o de hill black em yo could see em and de s o des at de house heart jump right up in but i step back in house and got axe and when i come out de black folks all run out houses in de back yard and and some say in de house and lady and some de beds and some em and ain do i long by em right quick and in virginia went cross yard to de house and i put head in and say de down de hill you ought to a seen face lady hands in her lap and she looked at so anxious she me but do her face tu n mighty white t warn mo n a minute she right quiet and her head as straight as lady she says to her hadn you better stay here no says she i will go with you come on says she and walked out de do and locked it her and put de key in her pocket as she got rid into de yard an in a minute it as full of em as a bait go d is o g one an an an an outside de yard an de stables ain ax nobody no odds bout an as to key ain got no use fur bu st a do down quicker n you kin it in de smoke house an de quicker n i been you bout it but ain nor lady in de front do as study as ef fur somebody come to dinner come up de steps an say th oo de house there is no one in there said lady a story of the war what are you on de po ch says one sort o like a thing on he shoulder i always receive my visitors at my front says don t you invite em in says he sort o an by her den i a an we tu n an de hall right full on em had come in de back do right an walk into de house right quick lady long her right straight th oo em all she walk an up to room do she her back g it de side all over de house by dis time an ev want an didn want an what didn up but soon as see at do come right up to her i want to go in says one de same one had spoke so to de on de po ch you do it says well fm goin to says he you are not says at him right study her head up an her eyes i had my axe in my han an i mighty but i know ef he had lay his han on de i was split him wide open he know better n to her do he sort o like he warn her an all de stop an listen in virginia who s in says he no one says well what s in says he the memory of my blessed dead says she speak so solemn hit to kind o stall him an he give back an some n n y do one come up nigh de do an say to where is you son we want him beyond your reach says her voice o an lady bu st out his grave is in de she says her to her eyes i couldn no mo i a grip on my axe an i ain know what a happen but he took he hat an tu n way an den a nigh de do i thought must be some on em got to one i somebody s voice an and em thieves an hounds an in a minute i de like he on barrel head an i see a s o de like wheel an de men in de hall an as de one jump off	46
de po ch a young man an walked in de do he s o de back in he when he got t in he off he cap an bout half way up to we all he say i madam for out lady a story of the war ages officers ought to be shot for it it is against all orders i don t know it is our first says we are much to you though t i myself says he up a little closer to we all an bow very grand i think i may claim to be a at least of my young southern cousin here a bow to lady at him fm half myself i am captain the son of colonel of de army says he it is impossible says low n him was a do he lived at de he my husband s cousin an my dear friend he come from new york or an he had been co tin same time co t her i know him well he gi me a satin a likely man too but beat him you know he do but you cannot be his son nor a never virginia but i am says he sort o an i have as a boy often hear him speak of you we claim no among virginia s enemies says lady fur de time her eyes an of han an i virginia t f up mighty straight she by her ma i tell you had de same de don fly fur de stump but he so likely in de t hall he bow an he cap n i think she d a gi n in ef it hadn been fur blue uniform an s o de by he side de seemed to hut him ous do an he raise he head up mighty like we all folks when she add on to lady an answer he quest bout dinner he had come to possession says she de whole place his an he could give what orders he please on y she an lady would quest to be excused an she took lady han an a t bow start to sweep by him but ain ahead o him de out he meek a low bow f an say he beg he intrude on ladies an he sort o back right stately to de front do an bow done gone he down de steps i i right sorry fur him an i b an lady too cause he n y did favor when he r ar he head up so tall an back out do so lady mine her good cause she tu n to me an tell me to go and tell to see ef he couldn get him some n an call him an n y she come in de room f after set de place do an went out to look fur him lady a story of the war a soldier at ev y po ch right an one at de an when we come to fine out guards cap n done to p de house but he done gone long so i w he to de guards well took all de corn our folks done out de corn house an after a while on em bridle up an went long an den at de guards went long hind de an de one hadn hardly got to de een de avenue when come over de hill some o our men long de road way lady in de yard looking mighty at de way done do de place cause had done it all to pieces an her eyes light up at de sight o our men an she sort o wave her at em an down de hill side de creek right study when as would have it we a horse foot an right way right down de avenue he horse in a come same young man cap n our see him at de same time an start to down de hill to him he ain mine em do he gallop up to de gate an pull a letter out he pocket lady she so bout him she sort o went him to him to do pray go way he ain mine he set still on he nick tail bay an hole he paper her right patient tell she run down de walk close up to him him to go way den he he cap an in virginia ben over an present her de paper he got an tell her hit a letter he got gen l he come back to gi her lady she so busy him to go way an save f she to thank him she fur him to go an hit like de mo she beg de mo he at de gate at her not our a sort o smile on he face tell as our gallop up in one side de yard an call to him to s render he say good by an tu an lay he t big bay horse foot to de shoot at him an ride after him an lady she to em not to shoot him but she needn f as well try to shoot de win or ride to a bud de way horse run he a he run like he start an de cap n done ride him thirty miles dinner to paper gen l fur lady well night de plantation live soldiers our all night long like an all over de t road de camp fires look like stars an fo daylight long down de road an bout dinner time hit begin an from time tell in de night right down way de whole you d a thought de open an sometimes ef you d listen right good you could em like folks in de after a lady a story of the war de day we know we all	46
done scotch em an begin to bring de wounded an put em in folks houses bring em in an tell ev y room in de house full up on y an lady room an room an de up o sheets an linen an things fur an you ever see an lady even cut up under es fur cause you know to have linen an an lady up under es tell got out had to go long afterwards an gi em some done done gi her well so de house full like a an doctors in an out an back an for an off legs an arms an hardly got time to tu n mighty hard on lady but she had to it hi de ve y after de battle a doctor come out de room a wounded man an sight o lady th oo de hall an say i want you to help me an she say what you want me to do an he say you ve got to hold a man s arm an she say to it an he say no to cut it off an she say she do it an he say she kin an she must den she say she ll faint an he say ef she do he ll die an he ain got a minute to now den ef she ain walk right in an hole he arm tell de doctor cut t off an dress it an den a she say is you done an he say in virginia yes an she walk out an cross de yard to her house right quick an fall right dead down on de i wan but n y bout thing an you know she ain let know a bout it not she so feared she d her s de blood she an times folks wa n t kind well same de day after de battle lady she ax one de doctors ef many o de into de fight an he say she d think so ef she d been de had meek some splendid charges sides de had charge th oo a o pines on de left up g our an a young cap n in de front o all he cap on he s o de on a nick tail bay had led em an had spur he horse jam up to our line an had fall up g de i tell you he n y pleased him he say he see a he had made a p int to try an save him an he d like to a had horse too but he was shot so bad he fear d tain much show fur him as he sort o knocked out he senses when he fall as well as shot an he say he a likely young an meek a splendid charge i a letter out he pocket to him an tis now he says cap n he says it to lady when he say lady ain say an she tu n an walk in lady a story of the war room right quick an de do easy den n y she come out an ax lady to have de an den she walk up to de doctor an ax him won he go down her to de place he young cap n an bring him to her house an she say he her husband cousin an she obligations to him so went honey down to de battle all de road an n when we all went down to de after de road so full of wounded an when we fine him right at gap he fall right an had ed him over de hill an do all say he to die mist is she had him up an right to her house an when we got home she lead de way an went straight long th oo de hall an she opened de do f an him right in an lay him right down into some say hit cause he s but she know an she say hit cause bout i ain know tis but into put him an he stay good an an lady to him same like he f a spell do i tell you all de well an gone he know he dead or live after de battle an all de sort o let down ag in had to keep her room right constant and all de an fall on lady an an loo in virginia n y did do part faithful by all on em till one an den went away cause you know we couldn tell when de to come an drive our back an our soldiers didn want to be an moved way an n y warn none but cap n an he still in de an he eyes wide open an ain know de doctor say he wound better but he got fever an he hole out much longer say he d been dead long ago but he so strong an one night he went to sleep an de doctor come over camp an say he wan wake no mo he reckon a chance ef he ain an he ax lady kin she keep him sleep she reckon an she say she ll try an she did mon she sick in an ain nobody to him lady an she set by all night an fan him right easy all night long all night long she fan him an sun up he open he eyes an look at her she gone in de tire to death an she say as she tip in he open he eyes an he look at lady so by him den he he eyes a little while an sleep a little mo den he open em an look an sort o smile like he know her an den he went to sleep good an she	46
de fan an de to her own room to yes she did thing she did an i him say w a lady a story of the war loi afterwards when he wake up all he could think bout he done to heaven well after lady she him to an an n y he able to be out on de big po ch an up a shawl an things in a big arm cheer an cause she took to her an keep her room right constant lady she got to entertain him oh she n y did him to him out o books an by him on de po ch you see he done he pay an she to on him den cause she kind o for him an he n y satisfied he gray eyes her study ev she tu n like some pictures up in de parlor i members de day he walked he done her and she try to him but he in he mind when he done meek it up and she got to gi in like women folks after done some and he up and walk down de steps and cross de yard to a rose bush nigh de gate red roses on it she by he side sort o anxious when he talk a little while den he one and gi t to her and come back well he hadn back to he cheer come two or th ee th oo de place one on em a l and ride em our and stop at de gate to de way to de tree ford down on de river in virginia and lady she went down to de gate to ax em to light and to tell em de way down by de pond and when she de sun from her eyes a fan and de rose in her hand cause she ain got on no hat de general say you have a wounded soldier yes he s a wounded officer on she says and he say off he hat ain many soldiers wouldn envy him he prison and den she bows to him sort o like and her face as de rose de cap n done gi her what she and when done rid long an ain stop she ain gone back to de po ch she come out and gi me a whole o directions bout de border i t all de rose done in her bosom you d think de way lady read to him on de big po ch she done he her ner and virginia enemy she ain do she as rapid to up for de as he come i b she she call f rebel but she ain le him name it i member one she come in out de an jump off her horse an set down by him in her frock and she call f a rebel an n y he name us so too an she say he sha n t call em so an he laugh an call em so ag in an she up an walk right straight in de house head up in de air he tell her de lady a story of the war but she ain to notice he up a book an pose f but he ain read much den he try to sleep but de flies to him den come out an he ax her is she see lady in say nor an den he ax her won she please go an ax her to step a minute an ain and went an lady say no she won cause he done her an den he write her a little note an ax to gi t to her an she look at it an send t back to him any answer den he mad he in he cheer might ly but tain do him no good she ain come back all day not tell he had to he pencil an write her a letter den n y she come out on de po ch right slow dressed all in white and tell him sort o he ought to be o f an he sort o laugh an look like he ain o de n y good long den and he watch over her like she got her pay o him one day a party o after come in th oo de place an down to de stable and had horses out i know i run in de house and tell lady de cap n he in he room and he me and he come out he cap on on s o de he done down off de wall and he order me to i in virginia come long and tell lady not to come out and down de steps he stride and cross de yard out th oo de gate in de road to de horses at de fence he face right set he ax em one or two questions bout from den he tell em who he is and trouble de man horses see de cap n mighty pale an weak and he laugh an up de ready to go an call de to come long well de cap n eye flash he ain say a he out s o de an clap it up man side an him once you ought to a seen him le go now says de cap n you men go on you de road i know you an ef i of you anything i ll have you ev y one hung as soon as i get back now go an i tell you mon gone quick enough oh i tell you he n y had de favor o our folks he ain waste no when he ready he quick to r ar an rank when he got up like all our or ain stand no s jack robinson so lady sort o got	46
used to on him an her he sort o when to her sometimes d in de boat on de pond an she d row him while he d steer cause he shoulder lady a story of the war ain le him row i see em of a sort o down de trees nigh de bank or cow water flowers she ain got no hat on or maybe a soldier s cap on her head an hear em cross de water so sleepy an sometimes he d meek her laugh as clear as a bud war n no den all dis time do she as good a rebel as he come de would come an haul corn an she d tend to for de soldiers all night long same on y she ain talk to him bout it an he sort o he eye and read he book like he ain see it she ain le cap n nor cap n else meek no bout she lar to him cause he her cousin s all an got he pay we all white folks al set heap o by one s all she got in her mind i begin to some n f but she say i ain but a fool i ain know bout white folks ways an she done prove f hit come long de o fall bout wheat time de weather been mighty warm like summer an ev sort o smoky like folks an one day d come de post office a letter for de cap n an he face look sort o when he open it an he put it in he pocket an lo in virginia n y he say he got to go home he got he lady ain say but after while she ax kind o is he well enough yet to go he ain meek no answer an she ain say no mo den stop right good well come out and set on de po ch awhile she her done den he say some n to her an up an went to walk an he walk to red rose bush an pull two or th ee roses den went right long down dis way he de roses in he han mighty handsome n y i to come down in de an when i was back to de house to feed i strike for dis an i long right slow cause i had a misery in dis hip an as i come th oo de bushes i somebody an right at de gap an he her hand right study down at her an she way him ain so ble de roses done all over in her lap an on de i ain know which way to tu n an i him say he wan her to wait an le him come back ag in an he call her by her name an say won t you an she wait a little while an den pull her hand away right slow den she say sort o she he say some n den so hoarse i ain t out an she say still way him on de she marry a union soldier den he le go lady a story of the war her hand an f up sort o straight an say some n i ain meek out hit would a been kinder ef she had let him die when he wounded o him all he life when he say she sort o way from him like he done hit her an say her back him he ought not to talk way she know she been mighty wicked but she ain know bout it an maybe i ain know what she say cause she start to right easy an he her han ag in an kiss it an i slip an come home an em at de gap she an he her han i drive him over to de night an he gi me a five dollars in gold an say i must o de ladies i se main an i tell him i is an he ny sorry to tell me an say she done tell me all long de ain herself bout no soldier don how pretty an tall he is an how straight he hole he head an she sorry he gone cause he her cousin i ain know so much bout do what al say she tell me well ef after hit like whip o will sing all over de place ev i tu n i ain see him i didn know till he gone how we all on him cause i ain de on y one miss him she io in virginia bout him she miss him an lady she right study her close but she her eye on me she miss him an she signify it too she tell bout he done ax her to marry him some day an to le him come back an ax what she say an she tell her an up out her cheer an went over to her an kiss her right and say she in de an she em she say she broke out an say she know she ought to hate him but she don t an she she hate an herself an she try to comfort her an she up de plantation in but she ain never look like she look he come an walk in de hall so straight up he s o de an when she ain claim kin him back out an say he intrude on her an den ride thirty mile to paper an come an set on he horse at de gate so study and our up in de yard to get him she mighty study and ride over de plantation mighty lar cause de war us so low all to feed she to tu n right swift to em an es but she	46
ain look like she look an she n y do rose bush nigh de gate but de een o de good times hit like winter all de good luck done gone way de place de weather so severe an we done gi de de feed done gi lady a story of the war out an rank i tell you an lady sent to an sell bonds an some buy things to eat an de rest gin de ment an ate money for em she say she ain think hit right to an she bonds an sell em fur ate stock or some n i use to em bout it den de come an got my oh ef didn hu t me i ain over it when we lady tell me to hide de horses hit as well she reckon de time come all down in de river an ain see em but now up at de house an so many been i used to sleep in de at night to watch em so i em all down in de pines on de river an i down as s cure as a in de when come and an em ev y one an black done show em de horses is an lead em he always a mean po white folks an a pity ain sell him long ago ef i couldn a him all to pieces day i b lady mo bout de de horses is den she is bout em he ain show he face no mo he went off em an so did two or th ee mo o de boys de folks see em when no in virginia th oo quarter an to say gone off so tell em de em off but but a lie i know ain me off de ax me ef i don wan go but i tell em nor things ous scant after an me an lady had hard to meek and tongue meet i tell you we had to might iy winter well one night a thing happen we had done got mighty lean what our an an all an de ain come in an de team done gone an de fences done bu nt up an things mighty down i tell you and night i out in de yard done finish and bout to bed de sky sort o thick an mine on my horses an n y i one on em right long de cross de an i thought to myself i know gallop i set right still an he come cross de branch and stop to drink a an den he come up de hill i say horse got heap o s he know he hot an he ain hu t f don how he is he up to de stable now i say an i got to go up an le him in but o he tu n by de an come de house to i an stop an i well ef don beat lady a story of the war any horse ever in de how he know i when somebody say good i n y disappointed a man in de dark on a t black horse an say he wan me to show him de way th oo de place he ax me ef i warn sleep an i tell him nor i den he ax me a whole o questions bout and an all an say he kin to em an he used to know a long time ago den i ax him to light an tell him we d all be mighty glad to see him but he say he to right on an he keep on how an how been an ef sick an all an so n y i ain tell him no mo all well an den he ax me to show him de way th oo an when i start he ax me he go th oo de yard de he warn go an i tell him yes an le him th oo de back gate an he ride cross de yard on de as he ride by de nigh de gate he lean over an i thought he a off an i tell him not to lady bush she set mo by den all de an he say tis a rose bush an he come long to de gate a rose in he hand he ax me which is room and i tell him de one by de po ch an he say he s pose don use much now de so small an i tell him nor lady room right next to dis side an he stop an look in virginia good den he come long to de gate an when i ax him which way he he say by de tree ford an blessed ef de ain bring up things i done up to de gate an lady her eyes de rose de cap n done gi her off same bush an de l say he envy him he prison i see him plain as ef he me an him de way to de tree ford but den i some n an he lean over an some n heavy in my hand an i ken say a he gone in de dark and when i back to de light i find six t big gold pieces in hand look like t o butter an ef t hadn been for i d a believe a dream but de money an de horse track an de limb done pull off lady rose bush i hide de money in a de j ice and i p int to tell lady bout it but she say i ain know who tis s and so i ain den and i folks bout th oo de yard at night and so i ain say but when i lady bout somebody done her	46
rose bush an steal one of her roses i mighty nigh tell her who i b an i would on y i don t you know t do to lady a story of the war well no t while after de war broke de spring bout corn time on y we ain plant much cause de team so weak an together done clean us up an an lady had to gi a deed o on de to buy a new team spring we could up de corn land an we hadn mo n half done fo fall an de folks all free den de army th oo an some on em come by home an ev y blessed s horse an mule on de place one mule george an won have him times an ef lady an didn cry not cause de horses an we done get use to an meek em mad and high spirited but cause done fall an l lee surrendered ef didn cry when fall but say ain meek no l lee whip em but when l lee done surrender gin up wouldn b it but n y grieve bout much as when die she ain she al sickly and in bed like after and lady and use to her after de year or so o de folks went away lady she tell em better go l fine kin do mo for em en she kin now heap on em say ain way but after we so po went i ou virginia way do lady sell some diamonds to buy em some n to eat while well so ve y long after dis or maybe after fall get a letter de l s cap n he done l den her he want her to le him come down an see her an lady an he been love lady all de time he wounded in de war an al will love her an won she le him help her any way he owe an lady he life em read it de letter might ly an she put it in lady ban s an tu n way a lady say set right still a minute an look mighty solemn den she look at sort o sideways an den she say tell him no an went over an kiss her right an i de letter write to de office well so much time after begin to sue on s debts we her in de co t an she to her bed lar so much trouble an say she hope she won live to see de place sold an lady she got to ev she used to sing to an read to her an try to her up out tain meek no hit did do an she know it cause we po now an po er n an me cause de lady a story of the war ain got nobody to it an no team to it an we ain know who it b to an hit all done all grow up in bushes an ev y year hit grow up mo an mo an we po er an po er she to have flour ain been use to but de bread as white as you t an she so sickly now she got to have heap o things tell lady at her wits een to em s all i ever see her cry bout when she ain got to buy what want she use to cry bout do but ain know bout she think lady got heap mo n she is bein up in her room now all de time de doctor say she got an lady all she kin to keep t her how po we is an fur her she f out it her fur her to her hit used to hu t me sometimes to de of a things she use to sing in times like she got ev on same as de war an i know she to ease an maybe she right now den i went an de rest o de money de cap n gi me night de j ice i had done spend right smart chance on it things b i meek it on de farm an i put it in hat an it to lady cause it sort o hers an her face sort o light up when she see de gold cause she n y had use in virginia for it an she ax me i so much money i tell her somebody gi t to me an she say what i do it an i tell her it an she say how an i tell her i owe it to her for rent an she bu st out so she me she say she owe us ev in de an she know we em cause helpless an things an she cry so i an her how i come by de money an she stop an listen good den she say she a cent o money an she mon tell i tell her i wan buy de mule an she say she consider him mine now an ef he ain she gi t to me an i say nor i wan buy him den she say how much he an i say a dollars but i ain got much right now i kin owe her de an she out like when she a little girl an would begin to laugh ef you please her de tears on her face an dress sort o april like hit gratify me so i keep on at it but she say she ll twenty dollars for de mule an no mo an i say i ain mule no price den n y we on forty dollars an i pay it to her an she me up to next day to things for an she al meek it a p	46
int after to feed george a little some n ev y day den she de school did you know bout de school house right down de road a little piece i reckon you see it as you come long i ain b it when i em say lady lady a story of the war teach it i say she teach she ain not my young but she laugh at me an an say she been de colored n all her life ain she an she wan an me to ease bout it ef she say anything i n y was posed to it do an de colored she been b to her but she al so on what she do she meek you b she right don what tis an i tell her n y all right but ef to her le me know an come down an em out so she went lar walk right long dis ve y her books an her little basket an sometimes bring de mule for her to ride home ef she been up de night but she wouldn ride much cause she think george got to tell long in de spring lady she done down what school an up an bein so po for an her face real white o pink like blossom as it used to be on y her eyes bigger an prettier n ever look tired when she come out o an lean g de do out down de road an de doctor come from to see cause de ain no doctor in de neighborhood de war tell when way de time tain no hope for she gone an she better look mighty good after ii in virginia lady too he say she sick as an thing she know she ll be gone too might ly well so tell in de spring i had done plant corn an it done come up right good bout eight acres right below the barn de strong i couldn put in no mo cause de mule he mighty an come a man down one riding a sway back horse an say sell de place in bout a mon lady gone to school an i ain le him see nor tell him lady is i de message an call so as she kin it straight an when lady come home i tell her she n y did tu n white an night she ain sleep a wink after she put her ma to sleep she come out to her house an fling herself on bed an cry an cry as ef her heart she say kill her ma an hit did she to bout it cause lady to it to her now and at it like she got better on it she mo o ev an her eyes look bright and shiny she ain know not bout how hard lady been had to she say she keep on after her to f some new es a dress an things an she an lady would smile tired like an say she now and don want no mo n she got an her smile meek me sorry like she lady a story of the war so hit went on tell de sale an one day lady she done her ma in her cheer by de she done fix her good pillows an she done gone to school an come out i de mule on de ditch bank an say wan see me i gi de lines an i went in an knock at de do an when i went an knock at de do an she tell me to come in an i ax her how she is an she say she ain got long to stay us an she wan ax me some n and she wan me tell her de truth an she say i been mighty faithful an kind to her an an she hope will me an for it an she wan me now to tell her de truth when she talk way hit n y hu t me an i her i n y would tell her faithful den she went on an ax me how we on an ef we ain been mighty po an ef lady ain done f more n she ever know an i tell her all bout it ev like it de fatal truth cause i done promised her an she n y was grieved i tell you an the tears roll down an off her face on de pillow an n y she say she hope would forgive her an she out her breast little rocks gi her when she married been an she say she gin up all the but she keep to gi lady when she married an now she feared pride an done punish her her in virginia starve but she ain know hit an ance he forgive an she went on an talk bout an times when she come home a bride an bout an lady tell she mo my heart an de tears rain down my face on de she n y talk beautiful den she gi me de diamonds an shine like a handful of an she tell me to em an on em an gi em to lady some time after she gone an not le nobody else have em an would n me an good o her an stay her and not le her so hard an i tell her we n y would do den her voice gin out an she mighty tired but hit look like she got some n still on her an n y she say i come close she mighty tired an i sort o ben her an she say she wan me after she gone as soon as i kin to get the to lady s cousin wounded o de war she dead an ef he kin help her an	46
be her she know he ll do it an i ain to le lady know bout it not t all an to tell him he been mighty good to her an she him her den she so faint i run an call an she come an gi her some an tell me to de mule an go after lady an so i did when she got do done speechless done her in de bed which wan t no trouble she so lady a story of the war light she know lady do an try to speak to her two or th ee times but ain meek out much mo n would bless her and on her an she die right easy an lady ax me to pray an i did she n y die peaceful an she look like she after she dead she n y ready to go well and lady lay her out in her frock an she ly look younger n i ever see her look fell ef she ain look younger n she look de war an de neighbors de few s left an de black folks an we bury her de after in the right side her born we know she wan be an her she went in de house after to stay at night in the room lady an i sleep on the front po ch to de house cause we n y bout de she ain sleep an she ain eat an she ain cry none an say ain reasonable which taint cause cry sort o but so de time she cry she come in house an fling f on de bed an cry so grievous cause sell de place an kill her ma she ain cry no mo well after we done bury as i we n y bout lady hit look like what de doctor say n y so an she right after her ma in virginia i try to meek her ride de mule to school an tell her i ain got no use for him i got to thin de corn but she t she say he so po she don like to gi him no mo n necessary an s de fact he mighty po bout den cause de feed done gi out an de grass ain come good an when mule an he mighty hard to up but he been a good mule in he time an he a good mule so she d go to school of a an me or one d go to meet her of a to her books cause she hardly able to f den an she do right well at school de all love her when she got home she so den her mind sort o itself an she set down an think an study an look so grieved hit n y did hut me an to see her at de o her head on her han an out out all de so and she look beautiful too say she herself to death well went on for mo n six weeks and de ev y night all by f de moonlight all over her her look so pale she tell me one night i got to do some n an i say what tis an she say i got to de say to de cap n de need a an i say how and she say i got to write a letter den i say i neither read nor write but i can get lady to write it lady a story of the war an she say nor i cause ain done lady ain to know bout it den i say i kin somebody at de to write it an i kin pay em in eggs an she say she ain have no po white folks an bout business den i say how i do den an she study a little while an den she say i got to de mule an go fine him i say hi good how i fine him de cap n live way up in new york or or an s further n g an i ll ride de mule to death i besides i ain got to feed him but got to all she say i got tongue in head an i kin fine de way an as to de mule to death i kin down an le him or i kin lead him an i kin him side de road ef nobody le me him in den she study little while an den say she got it now i must go to an sell de mule an de money an on de an fine him i know she it cause she al a powerful han to anything but it n y did hu t me to part mule he a ambitious mule an i tell i ain done corn an she say ain meek no she de corn after i gone and de so she feared she ll die an what good corn do den she mo n she in virginia say so i to go to but one light an she wash t day an cook while lady at school well i knock off right early bout two hours be sun cause i wan rest de mule an after him for a while in de yard i put him in he stall an gi him a half o meal cause de night i feed him and soon as i went in de meal he ch his tail an f like he kick me s de way he do when he got anything g you cause you a fool or anything cause mule got a heap o sense when you know em well i think he cause i sell him an i at him right ambitious like i cut him in two to fool him ef i kin an meek him b tain	46
de matter an den i a horse long right brisk an i stop an listen an de horse come long de right study an up de stable i say hi who an when i went to de stall do a man on a strange horse two white an a beard on he face an he hat pulled over he eyes to keep de sun out n em an when he see me he ride on up to de stable an ax me is lady at de house an how she is an a whole o questions an he so p in he i ain had time to study ef i ever see him but i don think i is he a mighty straight lady a story of the war fine man do he face right brown like he been an i ain able to fix him no ways den he tell me he o death an he come cross de ocean an he wan see lady lar an i tell him she at school but it time for her come back an he ax an i show him de an he down an ax me ef i feed he horse an i tell him of co se do knows i ain got to feed him but i ain le him know so i ax him to walk to de house an a seat on de po ch tell lady come an i de horse and him in de stable like i got de corn house full o corn an when i come out i look an he way cross de long de lady well i say hi now he to meet lady an i ain know he name what he want an i study little while i should go an fin or hurry f an meet lady not i b he speak out de way to lady cause he n y quality i see i know hit time i look at him so straight on he horse me of and he voice hit easy when he name lady name and but i ain know but what he somebody wan to buy de place an i know lady ain wan talk bout an ain wan see strangers no way so i lip out cross de th oo a in virginia way to hit de at dis ve y place de gap an i thought lady mighty apt to ef she tired or an i hurry long right swift to de white man kin an all de time i tu in i anybody got voice sound deep an cl ar like an ax questions ef lady well anxious an i it an by time i done got right to de tu n in de out o an as i tu round o bushes i see lady right on de de gap use to be her books by her side on de her hat off at her feet an her head for ard in her ban s an her tumble down an de sun it th oo de bushes an hit all come to me in a minute as clear as ef she on de gap de rose leaves done all on de by her an cap n her han to comfort her an her she le him come back some time to love her an i say fo ef i ain know him soon as i lay eyes on him de done come den i know mule act so an den he come long down de he hat on de back o he head an he eyes on her right an he face look so tender hit look right sweet she think hit me an she ain move nor look up tell he call her name den she jump out her lady a story of the war seat and look up right swift an give a sort o cry an her face light up like she tu n t to de sun an he out he han s to her an i slip back so he couldn see me an come long home right quick to tell i tell her i know him soon as i see him but she tell me i lie cause ef i had i d a come an tell her bout hit an not gone down white folks an she say i ain have no sense bout not folks he couldn fool her an i don b he could a tho i ain low to cause hit don do to too much mighty up by it an den ain al want it well she went in de house an ev an fix all de furniture straight an set de table for two a thing ain been done not sick an den i see her lady rose bush mighty busy an when she me in de room a whole o flowers she done put in a blue dish in de middle o de table an she as bout thing as ef a fifty cents somebody done gi her well den she come out an a as she ef she ain got more an on fire den i been see fur i don know how long it do me good well n y come mighty aged like an i think it all right an went up on de po ch an shake hands a long time an den in virginia you know he tu n an come down de steps an she gone in de house her to her eyes i call right quick an say hi good a mighty what de now an she look den a d she tu n an walk right straight long de to de house an went in th oo de room an into de hall an she fine de done fling herself down on her face on de sofa like her heart broke an she ax her what de matter an	46
she say an say what he been to you an she say an say you done sen him way an she say yes den she tell her what tell me de day she die an she say she stop sort o but she hold de pillar right tight like she in agony an she say n y please go way an come way an come s an de cap n when he come down de steps he went to lady rose bush an pull a rose off it an put t in a little book in he pocket an den he come down we house an he face mighty pale an an he n y glad to see me an he laugh a little bit at me for him fool me but i tell him he done got so likely an agreeable de reason i ain know him an he ax me to he horse an den come out de house an she ax him he an he he home an he don reckon he ll lady a story of the war ever see us no mo an he say he thought when he come maybe be an he had hoped maybe he d a been able to prove to lady some n he wan prove an get her to le him o her an we all s what he come ten thousand miles fur he say but she got some n in her mine he say she over an now he got to go way an he say he want us to on her an stay her al and he meek it right an he he name in a man an gi me he dress an i come up ev y month an what he and report how we all is an he say he ain got to do now but to try an reward us all fur all our kindness to him an keep us easy but he wa n back he guess cause he got no mo hope now he know lady got on her mine he over an he look down in de the when he say an he voice sort o broke she him th oo right study an he face look mighty sorrowful an he voice done gin out when he say lady got that on her mine he over den she an him he n y ain got much sense ef he come all way he say an way lady de been f her ma die she ain know what she wan an got in her mine an ef he ain got de to meek her know he i in virginia better go long back he came an he better ain never set he foot an she say he n y done gone back he out de do he s o de an on he horse at de gate so study an she say ef man he d be married dis oh she was real to him cause she n y an she tell him what tell me de day she ev y like i tell you an she say now he can go long cause ef he ain be to de de plenty mo to be her all de time an she have t all to do em s all she tu n an gone in her house like she ain him an he he look like day done broke on im i see darkness roll off him an he tu n an stride long back to de house an went up de steps th ee at a time an say when he went in de was on de sofa still her head in de pillow cause she n y did care for him all de time an ever he open he eyes an look at her so by him him all night to keep him when he wounded in de war an de on y thing is she ain been able to get her to marry him cause he g we all an cause she got t in her mine don wan her to marry him for account an now he gone she in de t lady a story of the war hall on de sofa to f so she ain him come up de steps tell he went up to her and kneel down by her an put he arm her and talk to her she went in th oo de n y to peep an see ef he got any sense an when she come back she ain say much but she me to de spring an set to mighty an she say he to de to marry him tomorrow she tell me mo de seem mighty an she don know she marry him or not cause she her say she ain marry him at all an she marry him to morrow cause she got her school an she ain got no dress but she place heap o in him say an he gone on mighty sensible like he marry her or no an he he done got her head on he shoulder an talk to her as as ef she b to him an she ain say he kiss her but i done notice lar she ain say he ain an she say de n y is might satisfied an all she an i better go long an feed white folk s horse o long business an so i did an i gi him de o meal got in de barrel an when i come back to de house done in de supper an on de table an opposite one an she po in in ou out he tea an he her things to make her laugh an look cross flowers in de blue bowl em hit me feel right young well after supper come out an went to walk bout de yard an n y	46
th oo de house an de l he so impatient he set still he he bit so he up an walk bout in de hall an he n y look handsome an young like he did day he stand he cap in he hand an lady say she ain claim no kin him an he say he intrude on ladies an back out de front do he head straight up an ride to her de letter an now he in de hall to marry her an all on a sudden fling de do wide open an lady walk out ef i didn think a angel she white as snow her head to way back down on de her an her veil done fall her like white mist an some roses in her han ef it didn look like de sun done come th oo de do her an blaze all over de an de l he look like she him an an she while we way day done fine dress an veil an all down to de lady a story of the war fan an little slippers bout big as two little white ears o pop corn an de dress had sort o all over it say was lace an hit fit lady like put it in de trunk for her well when de l done tell her how beautiful she is an done meek her walk bout de hall her train an she over her shoulder at it an den at de l to see ef he proud o her he gin her he arm an den i walk up her an things out pocket an de l her arm an back an i put em her an on her arms an gin her de an put em on her ears an shine like stars but her face shine n an she mo put arms neck her eyes over an den de l gi her he arm an went in de parlor an an me em an picture an when he a little boy down at em married an when de preacher to part ax who give dis woman to de man he sort o wait an he eye sort o to me like he ax me ef i know an i don know but i think bout an when he ax me an all dead an all de we done been th oo an how de ain got no body to her part now me an now in virginia when he wait an look at me way an ax me i to speak up i step for ard an say an den de sun crawl de an on her like it light all over her an night when de preacher was gone he wife an done off to sleep i in de do pipe an i em on de front steps voices in low like bees an de moon sort o over de yard an i sort o got to an hit like de plantation live once mo an de ain no mo an de times done come back ag in an i horses in de an de place all cleared up ag in an fence all de an i smell de wet blossoms right good an an lady done come back an all me up on knees me an me to go while somehow lady an de l on de steps voice low like water in de dark an he broke off rising from the ground on which we had been seated for some time he mo like n he like he lady a story of the war pa an he ain so but he ain fur him i said he s named go way he said who name man after a a little awe little e ef you tl don come long boy an rock dis i ll you open screamed the high pitched voice of a woman breaking the stillness of the summer evening she had just come to the door of the little cabin where she was now standing anxiously the space before her while a baby s plaintive wail rose and fell within with monotony the log cabin set in a in the middle of an old field all grown up in was not a very inviting looking place a few about the new hen house a brood of half grown chickens picking in the grass and watching the door and a pig tied to a were the only signs of yet the face of the woman cleared up as she gazed about her and afar off where the gleam of green made a pleasant spot where the corn grew in the river bottom for it was her home and the best of all was she thought it belonged to them a of distant thunder caught her ear and she stepped down and took a well worn garment from the clothes line stretched between two forks and having after a keen glance down the path through the bushes satisfied herself that no one was in sight she returned to the house and the baby s voice rose louder than before the mother as she set out her table raised a like hymn which she partly from habit and partly in self defence she carefully the ragged shirt she had just taken from the line and then after some search finding a needle and cotton she drew a chair to the door and proceeded to mend the garment dis de on shut got she said as if in apology to herself for being so careful the cloud slowly gathered over the pines in the direction of the path the fowls carefully tripped up the path and after a prudent pause at the hole disappeared one by one within the chickens picked in a gradually circuit and finally one or two stole to the cabin door and after a brief came in	46
and fluttered up the ladder to the where they had been born and yet once more the baby s voice prevailed and once more the woman went to the door and looking down the path screamed awe little awe little ma m came the not very distant answer from the bushes why n t you come long boy an rock dis in ou virginia yes m i came the answer she waited watching until there emerged from the bushes a queer little headed by a small who staggered under the weight of another apparently nearly as large and quite as black as himself while several more of various degrees of struggled along behind ain t you me you boy you better come when i call you til you all to pieces pursued the woman in the of keys her countenance however appearing the head of the stooped and deposited his burden carefully on the ground then with a look of mingled alarm and he slowly approached the door keeping his eye on his mother and picking his opportunity slipped in past her just enough to escape a blow which she aimed at him and which would have him flat had it struck him but which in truth was intended merely to warn and keep him in wholesome fear and was purposely aimed high enough to miss him allowing for the certain the having stifled the with which he was prepared flung himself on to the foot of the rough plank cradle and began to rock it violently and using one leg as a and singing an accompaniment of which the only words that rose above the noise of the were by a by don t sir acted you cry go to sleep little baby and sure enough the baby stopped crying and went to sleep watched his as she scraped away the ashes and laid the thick of on the hearth and the hot ashes upon it supper would be ready directly and it was time to her he himself of a message say you must bring he shut he say he to night how he say he is inquired the woman with some interest he ain say say he want he shut he is he down in de then having relieved his mind went to sleep in the cradle down in de quoted the woman to herself as she moved about the room i ain bout is a man he say he used to live on dis plantation an he al bout de house an de fine used to have an bout he to buy him back de ain been no house on dis place not i know bout it de house man live i say aunt tell him de house used to be on de hill oak tree is in de pines bu nt down de year he born an he had to live in virginia de house an hit break he heart an all he an s de way he come to to we all but man ain know bout house cause hit bu nt down i wonder he did come from she pursued an what he name he couldn been named so ain no name tall ef he ain tain nobody is he ain even know he own name she continued presently say he him when he come ain know de folks is free say he buy him back in de summer an him home an bout de money he gi him ef he got any money i wonder he live down in evil hole and the woman glanced around with great complacency on the picture walls of her own by no means furnished house money she repeated aloud as she began to in the ashes he ain got i got to him piece o dis bread now and she went off into a dream of what they would do when the big crop on their land should be all in and the last payment made on the house of what she would wear and how she would dress the children and the appearance she would make at meeting not reflecting that the sum they had paid on the property had never even with all their amounted in any one year to more than a few dollars over the rent charged for the place and that the eight hundred dollars yet due on it was more than they could make at the present rate in a lifetime ef had a mule or even somebody to help him she thought but he ain got de ain big to do but eat he ain got no an he took way an sold down de same time my dead buy him s what i al em say an i know he s dead long dis cause i em say virginia earn hit long hit so hot hit em up an i reckon he die he i say die of a heart after he an sell em he face i aunt say an he might ly on he servants on named little an used to wait on him dis a been a place days to what say she went on say he live strong rich as cream an he blue coat an brass buttons an lived in house up de pines is now an bu nt down like he owned de an now look at it man own it all an all de woods off it he don know bout black folks ain been up em who ever he name fo he come an buy de place an move in de house an charge we all eight hundred dollars for dis land cause it got little piece o bottom on it an forty eight in virginia dollars rent besides he wife even gi way an expression of mingled disgust and contempt concluded the tion she took the ash cake out of the ashes it first on one	46
side then on the other with her hand it with her apron and walked to the door and poured a of water from the over it then she divided it in half one half she set up against the side of the chimney the other she broke up into smaller pieces and distributed among the children dragging the sleeping limp and soaked with sleep from the cradle to receive his share her manner was not rough was perhaps even tender but she used no caresses as a white woman would have done under the circumstances it was only toward the baby at the breast that she exhibited any her nearest approach to it with the others was when she told them as she out the ash cake ain t got else but she have plenty o good meat next year when done pay for he land hi who out she said suddenly run to de do son an see who and the whole tribe rushed to inspect the new comer it was as she suspected her husband and as soon as he entered she saw that something was wrong he dropped into a chair and sat in moody silence acted the picture of fatigue physical and mental after waiting for some time she asked indifferently what de matter man what he done do now the was sharp with suspicion he say he ain let me have my land he s a half said the woman with sudden anger how he help it ain you got on it she felt that there must be a defence against such an outrage he say he ain wait no longer i to have tell christmas to finish for it an i ain do it an now he done change he tell dis christmas said his wife with the of one accustomed to yes but i tell you he say he done change he the man had evidently given up all hope he was dead beat de s said she affected by his surrender but prepared only to compromise he say he all for de rent and he drive too he ain but po white it expressed her supreme contempt he say he ll gi me one week mo to pay him all he ax for it continued he forced to a by her intense feeling and the instinct of a man to in virginia defend the absent from a woman s attack and perhaps in the hope that she might suggest some escape he ain po white she repeated how you raise eight hundred dollars at once nobody do he ain got good sense you ain see com lately is you he asked hit as rank you can see it ef you look at it good s strong land i know when i buy it he knew it was gone now but he had been in the habit of calling it his in the past three years and it did him good to claim the a little longer i wonder is said the woman he was the son of her former owner and now finding her proper support failing her she instinctively turned to him he wouldn let him turn we all out he ain got an ef he is he get it in a week said you it in de co t s he say he have it ef i don out said her husband her last defence was gone ain you she inquired what you got i kill a chicken for you it was her nearest approach to tenderness and he acted knew it was a mark of special attention for all the chickens and eggs had for the past three years gone to swell the fund which was to buy the home and it was only on special occasions that one was spared for food the news that he was to be turned out of his home had fallen on him like a blow and had stunned him he could make no resistance he could form no plans he went into a rough estimate as he waited le me see i done for it three years dis christmas done gone how much does meek an fo dollars an five dollars an two dollars an a half last christmas from de chickens an all ducks i done sell he wife an de i beer for em how much is his wife s what i say his wife endeavored vainly to remember the amount she had been told it was but the for washing changed the sum and destroyed her reliance on the result and as the chicken was now approaching perfection and required her attention she gave up the and applied herself to her duties also abandoned the attempt and waited in a reverie in which he saw corn stand so high and rank over his land that he could scarcely distinguish the and a stable and barn and a mule or may in virginia be it was a possibility and two cows which his wife would milk and a green wagon driven by his boys while he took it easy and gave orders like a master and a patch and wheat and he saw the yellow grain waving and heard his sons sing the old harvest song of cool water while they swung their and you say he turn out too inquired his wife breaking the spell the chicken was done now and her mind to the subject yes say he tired o on he place an no rent good a mighty pay rent for pile o logs ain t he been he shoes an harness for rent all years kill man to tu n him out house said he ain stay away from a hour he come assented his wife then she added in reply to the rest of the remark den we ll see what he got in to a woman that was at least	46
some compensation s thoughts had taken a new direction he al feared he d come for him while he way he said in mere continuance of his last remark he sen me he to night an he want he shut said his wife as she handed him acted his supper s face expressed more than interest it was tenderness which softened the rugged as he sat looking into the fire perhaps le thought of the old man s loneliness and of his own father torn away and sold so long ago before he could even remember and perhaps very dimly of the beauty of the sublime devotion of this poor old creature to his love and his trust holding steadfast beyond memory beyond reason after the knowledge even of his own identity and of his very name was lost the woman caught the of his sympathy de say he mighty an he down in de she said rose from his seat you i go to see bout him he said simply ain you finish i dis to him well i kin cook you when we come back said his wife with ready acquiescence in a few minutes they were on the way going single file down the path through the along which little and his followers had come an hour before the man in the lead and his wife following and according to the custom of their race carrying the bundles one the surrendered supper and the other the neatly folded and well patched shirt in which in virginia hoped to meet his long expected loved ones as they came in sight of the little hut which had been the old man s abode since his sudden appearance in the neighborhood a few years after the war they observed that the bench beside the door was deserted and that the door stood two circumstances which neither of them remembered ever to have seen before for in all the years in which he had been their neighbor had never admitted any one within his door and had never been known to leave it open in mild weather he occupied a bench outside where he either shoes for his neighbors accepting without question anything they paid him or else sat perfectly quiet with the air of a person waiting for some one he held only the communication with anybody and was believed by some to have intimate relations with the evil one and his tumble down hut which he was particular to keep closely was thought by such as took this view of the matter to be the temple where he practised his rites for this reason and because the little cabin surrounded by dense pines and covered with vines which the popular belief held was the most desolate abode a human being could have selected most of the in that section gave the place a wide berth especially toward nightfall and would probably have suffered but for ou sir acted the charity of and his wife who although often wanting the necessaries of life themselves had long divided it with their strange neighbor yet even they had never been admitted inside his door and knew no more of him than the other people about the settlement knew his advent in the neighborhood had been mysterious the first that was known of him was one summer morning when he was found sitting on the bench beside the door of this cabin which had long been and left to decay he was unable to give any account of himself except that he always declared that he had been sold by some one other than his master from that plantation that his wife and boy had been sold to some other person at the same time for twelve hundred dollars he was particular as to the amount and that his master was coming in the summer to buy him back and take him home and would bring him his wife and child when he came everything since that day was a blank to him and as he could not tell the name of his master or wife or even his own name and as no one was left old enough to remember him the neighborhood having been entirely deserted after the war he simply passed as a harmless old lunatic laboring under a delusion he was devoted to children and s small brood were his chief delight they were not at all afraid of him and whenever they got a chance they would slip off and i virginia steal down to his house where they might be found any time about his feet listening to his accounts of his expected visit from his master and what he was going to do afterward it was all of a great plantation and fine carriages and horses and a house with his wife and the boy this was all that was known of him except that once a stranger passing through the country and hearing the name said that he heard a similar one once long before the war in one of the where the man at will having been bought of the by the gentleman who owned him for a small price on account of his infirmity is you in asked the woman as they approached the hut hi yes tain hu t you an you say say he in de he replied his mind having evidently been busy on the subject an mighty she corrected him with born of apprehension well i feared he sick i ain been in she persisted ain de been in say folks hu t man hu t nobody he tame as a i wonder he ain feared to live in house by i stay in a sir acted at once i ain wonder folks say he sees in place she came up by her husband s side at the suggestion i wonder he don go home he got any	46
home to go to heaven said what was you name said he simply they were at the cabin now and a brief pause of doubt ensued it was perfectly dark inside the door and there was not a sound the bench where they had heretofore held their only communication with their strange neighbor was lying on its side in the weeds which grew up to the very walls of the cabin and a suddenly ran over it and with a little rustle disappeared under the ground sill to the woman it was an ill omen she glanced behind her and moved nearer her husband s side she noticed that the cloud above the pines was getting a faint yellow tinge on its lower border while it was very black above them it filled her with dread and she was about to call her husband s notice to it when a voice within arrested their attention it was very low and they both listened in awed silence watching the door meanwhile as if they expected to see something supernatural spring from it wait tain so long now he ll be said the voice s what he in virginia say come an buy me back den we home in their endeavor to catch the words they moved nearer and made a slight noise suddenly the low earnest tone changed to one full of eagerness who was called in sharp inquiry tain nobody but me an said pushing the door slightly wider open and stepping in they had an indistinct idea that the poor creature had fancied them his longed for loved ones yet it was a relief to see him bodily who you say you is inquired the old man feebly me an i done bring you shut home said the woman as if her husband s reply hit all clean an i done patch it oh i thought said the voice sadly they knew what he thought their eyes were now accustomed to the darkness and they saw that the only article of furniture which the room contained was the wretched bed or bench on which the old man was stretched the light through the in the roof enabled them to see his face and that it had changed much in the last hours and an instinct told them that he was near the end of his long waiting how is you asked the woman st r acted ain my name answered the old man promptly it was the first time he had ever dis owned the name well how is you what i to call you asked she with feeble i don know he kin tell you who who he know it ain know it but ain he know it got it set down in de book i for em now a hush fell on the little audience they were in full sympathy with him and knowing no way of expressing it kept silence only the breathing of tho old man was audible in the room he was evidently the end i mighty tired of he said look out and see ef you see anybody he added suddenly both of them obeyed and then returned and stood silent they could not tell him no presently the woman said don you warn put you shut on what did you say my name was he said she paused at the look of pain on his face shifted uneasily from one foot to the other and into embarrassed silence ll know it ll know me any name he appealed wistfully to them both the woman for answer unfolded the shirt he moved feebly as if in assent in virginia i so tired he whispered done gin out an he come but i thought i little to day there was a faint inquiry in his voice yes he he the languid form became instantly alert the tired face took on a look of eager gi m y shut quick i it wait go over son and me money he ll be they thought his mind wandered and merely followed the direction of his eyes with theirs go over quick don t you me and to humor him went over to the corner indicated up an run you hand in de second it s all in he said to the woman twelve dollars s what went for i night an day forty year to save money for you know all he land an all he an tu n him out in de old i put tin he come you ain know he dis is you help me on shut i in an maybe push de do open so you kin see forty year ago he murmured as the door back and returned to his side forty year ago come an on me did cry he said i right down in de summer to buy you back an bring you home he s too me a lie in he life dis make this in tremulous eagerness to the woman who had involuntarily caught the feeling and was now with eager and ineffectual haste trying to button his shirt an exclamation from her husband caused her to turn around as he stepped into the light and held up an old filled with something you apron said the old man to who gathered up the lower corners of her apron and stood nearer the bed po it in this to who mechanically obeyed he pulled off the string and poured into his wife s lap the heap of glittering coin gold and silver more than their eyes had ever seen before hit s all said the old man as if he were rendering an account i been it ever took me way i so busy it i ain had time to eat but i ain now have plenty	46
when i home he sank back exhausted be glad to see me he asked presently in pathetic simplicity you know we up i been so long i feared done me you reckon is he asked the woman no ain you she said comfort i know ain he said reassured g i o in virginia what he tell me he ain me the reaction had set in and his voice was so feeble now it was scarcely audible he was talking rather to himself than to them and finally he sank into a a painful silence reigned in the little hut in which the only sign was the breathing of the dying man a single shaft of light stole down under the edge of the slowly passing cloud and slipped up to the door suddenly the with a start and gazed around hit mighty dark he whispered faintly you reckon ll fo dark the light was dying from his eyes said the woman softly to her husband the effect was you exclaimed the dying man eagerly she repeated the rest was drowned by s joyous exclamation i it he cried suddenly rising upright and with beaming face stretching both arms toward the door come now watch em smile all y all stand back de one you for s little and with a smile on his face he sank back into his son s arms the evening sun dropping on the instant to his setting the room with light but as sir acted i i gently him down and drew his arm from around him it was the light of the morning that was on his face his master had at last come for him and after his long waiting had indeed gone home ii no it was a ghostly place in broad daylight if the glimmer that stole in through the dense forest that surrounded it when the sun was directly overhead deserved this name at any other time it was why we were afraid even to talk about it and as to venturing within its gloomy borders it was believed among us that to do so was to bring upon the intruder certain death i knew every foot of ground wet and dry within five miles of my father s house except this plantation for i had hunted by day and night every field forest and marsh within that but the swamp and ma that surrounded this place i had never invaded the hunter on the plantation would call off his dogs and go home if they struck a trail that crossed the boundary line of no jack my and evil only those woods and the earnest advice of those whom we children acknowledged to know most about them was don t you never go nigh honey hit s de evil place in dis had not big william and and followed their dogs in there one night and cut down no i i a tree in which they had with their own eyes seen the and lo when it fell de warn no mo n a dog and the next tree they had in not only had no in it but when it was cut down it had fallen on and broken his leg so the very woods were haunted from this time they were abandoned to the jack my and ghosts and another shadow was added to no the place was as much cut off from the rest of the country as if a sea had divided it the river with banks swept around it in a wide on three sides and when the it up it washed its way straight across and out a new bed for itself completely the whole plantation the owners of it if there were any which was doubtful were and in my time it had not been occupied for forty years the declared that it was gin up to the ha an evil and that no living being could live there it had grown up in forest and had wholly to original marsh the road that once ran through the swamp had long since been choked up and the trees were as thick and the as dense now in its track as in the adjacent ma sh only one path remained that it was believed by the entire portion of the population who on the subject was kept open by the evil spirits in virginia certain it was that no human foot ever trod the narrow line that ran through the as as the noiseless that curved through the where the rats played and the slept yet there it lay plain and well defined month after month and year after year as no itself stood amid its surrounding all undisturbed and even the slaves who occasionally left their homes and took to the and woods impelled by the cruelty of their or by a desire for a vain of freedom never tried this swamp but preferred to be caught and returned home to its awful shades we were brought up to believe in ghosts our fathers and mothers laughed at us and endeavored to reason us out of such a superstition the fathers with much of ridicule and satire the mothers giving sweet religious reasons for their argument but what could they avail against the actual testimony and the blood experiences of a score of witnesses who their personal observations with a degree of thrilling and a that any arguments our childish reason could grasp the old and who were our companions and comrades believed in the existence of evil spirits as truly as in the existence of hell or heaven as to which at that time no question had ever been no raised so far as was known in that world the bible was the standard and all were resolved into an appeal to that authority the single question as to any point being simply	46
of his life it was said among other things that he preserved his wonderful strength by drinking human blood a tale which in a certain sense i have never seen reason to question making all his life was a blot upon civilization at length it a brutal temper by passions after a long period of license and came to a climax in a final of ferocity and fury in which he was guilty of an act whose surpassed belief and he was brought to judgment in modern times the very of the crime would probably have proved his security and as he had destroyed his own property while he was a crime of appalling and horror he might have found a defence in that standing refuge of extraordinary insanity in virginia this defence indeed was put in and was pressed with much ability by his counsel one of whom was my father who had just then been admitted to the bar but fortunately for the cause of justice neither courts nor were then so sentimental as they have become of late years and the last of no paid under the law the full penalty of his hideous crime it was one of the curious incidents of the trial that his all lamented his death and declared that he was a good master when he was not drunk he was hanged just at the rear of his own house within sight of the spot where his awful crime was committed at his execution which according to the custom of the country was public a horrible coincidence occurred which furnished the text of many a sermon on justice among the the body was near the pond close by the thicket where the were buried but the declared that it preferred one of the stone chambers under the mansion where it made its home and that it might be seen at any time of the day or night about the place they used to dwell with peculiar zest on the most details of this wretch s dreadful crime the whole in the final act of fury when the gigantic monster dragged the and corpse of his victim up the staircase and stood it up before the open window in his hall no in the full view of the terrified slaves after these the continued of the murderer and his victim was as natural to us as it was to the themselves and as night after night we would hurry up to the great house through the darkness we were ever on the watch lest he should appear to our vision from the shades of the filled yard thus it was that of all ghostly places no had the distinction of being invested to us with horror and thus to us no less than because the had given way and the had turned again to swamp and it was that no was abandoned and was now by any foot but that of its ghostly tenants the time of my story was the spring previous continuous rains had kept the river full and had the low grounds and this had been followed by an dense growth in the summer then public feeling was greatly excited at the time of which i write over the discovery in the neighborhood of several of the railway or as they were universally considered in that country of the devil they had been run off or had disappeared suddenly but had left behind them some little excitement on the part of the slaves and a great deal on the part of their masters and more than the usual number of ne in virginia had run away all however had been caught or had returned home after a sufficient interval of freedom except one who had escaped permanently and who was supposed to have accompanied his on their flight this man was a well known character he belonged to one of our neighbors and had been bought and brought there from an estate on the lower he was the most brutal negro i ever knew he was of a type rarely found among our who judging from their and general characteristics came principally from the coast of africa they are of moderate stature with dull but amiable faces this man however was of immense size and he possessed the features and expression of a in character also he differed essentially from all the other slaves in our country he was alike without their and their and was as fearless as he was brutal he was the only negro i ever knew who was without either superstition or reverence indeed he differed so widely from the rest of the slaves in that section that there existed some feeling against him almost akin to a race feeling at the same time that he exercised considerable influence over them they were dreadfully afraid of him and were always in terror that he would trick them to which awful power he laid well known claim his curses in his strange dialect used to them no beyond measure and they would do anything to him he had been a continual source of trouble and an object of suspicion in the neighborhood from the time of his first appearance and more than one that the declared had wandered into the of no and had cut his an in de ma sh had been suspected of finding its way to this man s cabin his master had often been urged to get rid of him but he was kept i think probably because he was valuable on the plantation he was a fine butcher a good work hand and a first class moreover ours was a population in which every man minded his own business and let his neighbor s alone at the time of the visits of those secret agents to which i have referred this negro was discovered to be the leader in	46
the secret meetings held under their and he would doubtless have been taken up and off at once but when the fled as i have related their convert disappeared also it was a subject of general in the neighborhood that he was gotten rid of and his master instead of being on the loss of his slave was congratulated that he had not cut his throat no idea can be given at this date of the excitement occasioned in a quiet neighborhood in old times by the discovery of the mere presence of such j virginia characters as it was as if the tions of the whole social fabric were it was the sudden darkening of a shadow that al ways hung in the horizon the slaves were in a large majority and had they risen though the final issue could not be doubted the lives of every white on the must have paid the whatever the right and wrong of slavery might have been its existence demanded that no outside interference with it should be so much was certain self preservation required this i was at the time of which i speak a well grown lad and had been for two to a where i had gotten rid of some portion i will not say of all of the superstition of my boyhood the spirit of adventure was beginning to assert itself in me and i had begun to feel a sense of enjoyment in the fears which once mastered me though i must confess i had not entirely shaken off my belief in the existence of ghosts that is i did not believe in them at all in the day time but when night came i was not so certain about it duck hunting was my favorite sport and the on the river were fine ground for them usually but this season the weather had been so singularly warm that the sport had been poor and though i had every canal in the marsh and every bend in the river as far as no no as the stretch of drifted timber and treacherous marsh was called that marked the boundary line of that plantation i had had bad luck beyond that point i had never penetrated partly no doubt because of the training of my earlier years and partly because the marsh on either side of the would have a cat often as i watched with envious eyes the wild duck rise up over the dense trees that surrounded the place and cut straight for the deserted in the i had had a longing to the mysterious domain and crawl to the edge of no and get a shot at the fowl that floated on its black surface but something had always me and the long reaches of no were left to the wild fowl and the ghostly finally however after a spell whose high temperature was rather suited to august than april in desperation at my ill luck i determined to gratify my curiosity and try no so one afternoon without telling any one of my intention i crossed the mysterious boundary and struck through the swamp for the unknown land the marsh was far worse than i had anticipated and no one but a duck hunter as experienced and zealous as myself and as indifferent to mire and all that make a swamp could have penetrated it at all even i could never have gotten on if i had not followed the one path that led in virginia into the marsh the of the evil spirits and as it was my progress was both tedious and dangerous the track was a mysterious one for though i knew it had not been trodden by a human foot in many years yet there a veritable it lay in some places it was almost completely lost and i would fear i should have to turn back but an overhanging branch or a vine swinging from one tree to another would furnish a way to some spot where the narrow trail began again in other spots old logs thrown across the gave me an uncomfortable feeling as i reflected what feet had last crossed on them on both sides of this trail the marsh was either an impenetrable or a mire apparently i shall never forget my sensations as i finally emerged from the woods into the clearing if that desolate waste of cane and swamp growth could be so termed about me stretched the over which a lurid and straight ahead the gaunt mansion a rambling pile of sombre white with vacant windows staring at me from the trees about it only one other of trees appeared above the and brush and that i knew by was the i think i should have turned back had not shame impelled me no my progress from this point was even more difficult than it had been hitherto for the trail at the end of the wood terminated abruptly in a of the swamp however i managed to keep on by walking on pushing through of bushes and as best i could it was slow and hot work though it never once struck me that it must be getting late i had become so accustomed to the gloom of the woods that the more open ground appeared quite light to me and i had not paid any attention to the black cloud that had been for some time gathering overhead or to the darkening atmosphere i suddenly became sensible that it was going to rain however i was so much engrossed in the endeavor to get on that even then i took little note of it the nearer i came to the house the more it arrested my attention and the more weird and it looked and bushes grew up to the very door the window shutters hung from the hinges the broken windows glared like the had fallen	46
away from the wall while the wide door stood slightly giving to the place a singularly ghastly appearance somewhat akin to the color which sometimes on the face of a corpse in my progress through the swamp i had gone around rather to the side of the house toward where i supposed the itself to lie in virginia was now quite near to it and striking a little less ground as i pushed my way through the bushes and which were higher than my head i became aware that i was very near the thicket that marked the just beyond which i knew the pond itself lay i was somewhat startled for the cloud made it quite dusky and stepping on a long piece of rotten timber lying on the ground i parted the bushes to look down the pond as i did so the rattle of a chain on me and glancing up through the cane before me appeared a heavy upright timber with an arm or cross beam stretching from it from which a long chain almost away i knew by instinct that i stood under the gallows where the murderer of no had his dreadful crime his corpse must have fallen just where i stood i started back appalled just then the black cloud above me was parted by a vivid flame and a peal of thunder seemed to the earth i turned in terror but before i had gone fifty yards the storm was upon me and instinctively i made for the only refuge that was at hand it was a dreadful alternative but i did not hesitate outside i was not even sure that my life was safe and with extraordinary swiftness i had made my way through the broken iron fence that lay in the swamp had traversed the yard all grown up a no it was to the very threshold had ascended the sunken steps crossed the and entered the open door a long dark hall stretched before me extending as well as i could judge in the gloom entirely across the house a number of doors some shut some opened on the hall on one side and a broad dark ascended on the other to the upper story the walls were black with mould at the far end a large bow window with all the glass gone looked out on the waste of swamp unbroken save by the of trees in the and just beside this window was a break where the dark staircase descended to the apartments below the whole place was in a state of advanced decay almost the entire had fallen with the damp and the hall presented a scene of desolation that beggars description i was at last in the haunted house the rain driven by the wind poured in at the broken windows in such a that i was forced in self defence to seek shelter in one of the rooms i tried several but the doors were swollen or fastened i found one however on the side of the house and pushing the door which opened easily i entered inside i found something like an old bed and the great open fireplace had evidently been used at some earlier time for the ashes were still up in the hearth and the l o in virginia ends of the logs of wood were lying in the chimney corners to see still as fresh and natural as though the fire had but just died out these of domestic life that had survived all else of a similar period struck me as ghastly the however though rude was convenient as a seat and i it accordingly myself up against one of the rough posts from my position i commanded through the open door the entire length of the vacant hall and could look straight out of the great bow window at the head of the stairs through which appeared against the dull sky the black mass of the trees and a stretch of one of the or of the swamp around it which gleamed white in the glare of the lightning i had expected that the storm would like most thunder storms in the latitude shortly itself or as we say blow over but i was mistaken and as the time passed its violence instead of increased it grew darker and darker and presently the startling truth dawned on me that the gloom which i had supposed simply the effect of the cloud had been really nightfall i was shut up alone in no for the night i hastened to the door with the intention of the storm and getting away but i was almost blown off my feet a glance without showed me that the with which the swamp was traversed in every no i l direction were now full to the brim and to attempt to find my way home in the darkness would be sheer madness so after a wistful survey i returned to my wretched perch i thought i would try and light a fire but to my consternation i had not a match and i finally abandoned myself to my fate it was a desolate if not despairing feeling that i experienced my mind was filled not only with my own but with the thought of the distress my absence would occasion them at home and for a little while i had a fleeting hope that a party would be sent out to search for me this however was for they would not know where i was the last place in which they would ever think of looking for me was no and even if they knew i was there they could no more get to me in the darkness and storm than i could escape from it i accordingly propped myself up on my bed and gave myself up to my reflections i said my prayers very fervently i thought i would try	46
and get to sleep but sleep was far from my eyes my surroundings were too vivid to my apprehension the awful traditions of the place do what i might to banish them would come to mind the original building of the house and its blood stained foundation stones the dead who had died of the that had raged afterward the bodies by scores and buried in the earth of the whose trees loomed up through the in virginia broken window the dreadful story of the dead about the swamp in their and above all the gigantic whose ferocity even murder could not and who had added to murder awful he had dragged the corpse of his victim up those very steps and flung it out of the very window which just beyond me in the glare of the lightning it all passed through my mind as i sat there in the darkness and no effort of my will could keep my thoughts from dwelling on it the terrific thunder a thousand at times engrossed my attention but it always to that scene of horror and if i the of the loose blinds or the terrific fury of the storm would suddenly me once as the sounds subsided for a moment or else i having become familiar with them as i was sinking into a sleepy state a door at the other end of the hall and then with violence bringing me bolt upright on the bed clutching my gun i could have sworn that i heard footsteps but the wind was blowing a and after another period of and dreadful recollection nature and i fell asleep i do not know that i can be said to have lost consciousness even then for my mind was still by the horrors of my situation and went on clinging to them and dwelling upon them even in my slumber no i was however certainly asleep for the storm must have died temporarily away about this hour without my knowing it and i subsequently heard that it did i must have sl t several hours for i was quite stiff from my constrained posture when i became fully aroused i was awakened by a very peculiar sound it was like a distant call or although i had been fast asleep a moment before it startled me into a state of the highest attention in a second i was wide awake there was not a sound except the and roll of the thunder as the storm once more began to renew itself and in the of the circle that i could see along the hall through my door and indeed out through the yawning window at the end as far as the black of trees in the just at the bend of the canal which i commanded from my seat whenever there was a flash of lightning there was only the swaying of the bushes in the swamp and of the trees in the yet there i sat bolt upright on my bed in the darkness with every nerve strained to its utmost and that cry still sounding in my ears i was to reason myself into the belief that i had dreamed it when a flash of lightning lit up the whole field of my vision as if it had been in the of a sun glass and out on the canal where it curved around the was a boat a something in virginia small black with square ends and with a man in it standing upright and something lying in a lump or mass at the bow i knew i could not be mistaken for the lightning by a process of its own photographs everything on the in detail and i had a vivid impression of everything from the foot of the bed on which i crouched to the gaunt arms of those black trees in the just over that ghostly and his dreadful freight i was wide awake the story of the dead in their was i am unable to state what passed in the next few minutes the storm had burst again with renewed violence and was once more itself on the house the thunder was again rolling overhead the broken blinds were swinging and madly and the dreadful memories of the place were once more me i shifted my position to relieve the it had occasioned still keeping my face toward that fatal window as i did so i heard above or perhaps i should say under the storm a sound more terrible to me the repetition of that weird this time almost under the great window immediately succeeding this was the sound of something under the wall and i was sensible when a door on the ground floor was struck with a heavy it no was pitch dark but i heard the door pushed wide open and as a string of fierce oaths part english and part french floated up the dark muffled as if sworn through teeth i held my breath i recalled the unknown tongue the ghostly murderer employed and i knew that the murderer of no had left his grave and that his ghost was coming up that stair i heard his step as it fell on the first stair heavily yet almost noiselessly it was an sound dull like the tread of a foot accompanied by the sound of a body dragging step by step he came up the black in the pitch darkness as steadily as if it were and he knew every step accompanied by that sickening sound of dragging there was a final pull up the last step and a dull heavy as with a strange wild laugh he flung his burden on the floor for a moment there was not a sound and then the awful silence and blackness were broken by a crash of thunder that seemed to tear the foundations asunder like a mighty earthquake	46
eyes and the same soft white look though was for she was a great and used to run wild over the place with bob climbing cherry trees and fishing in the creek and looking as blooming as a rose with her hair all tangled over her pretty head until she grew quite large and the colonel got her a he thought of sending her to a boarding school but the night he the subject he raised such a storm and was in such a tempest of tears that he gave up the matter at once it was well he did so for and charity cried all night and was so overcome that even next morning he could not bring the colonel his water and he had to with cold water for the first time in twenty years he therefore employed a most people said the child ought to have had a and one or two single ladies of forgotten age in the neighborhood delicately hinted that they would gladly teach her but the colonel swore that he would have no women around him and he would be condemned if any should interfere with so he engaged mr and invited bob to come over and go to school to him also which he did for his mother who had up to that time taught him herself was very poor and was unable to send him to school her husband who was the colonel s fourth cousin having died largely indebted and all of his property except a small farm adjoining the colonel s and a few having gone into the general court bob had always been a great favorite with the colonel and ever since he had been a small boy he in virginia had been used to coming over and staying with him he could a chicken as well as which was a great accomplishment in the colonel s eyes for he had the best game chickens in the county and used to fight them too them against those of one or two of his neighbors who were inclined until grew up and made him stop he could tame a quicker than anybody on the plantation moreover he could shoot more in a day than the colonel and could beat him shooting with a pistol as well though the colonel laid the fault of the former on his being so fat and that of the latter on his spectacles they used to practice with the colonel s old pistols that hung in their over the of his bed and about which used to tell so many lies for although they were kept loaded and their brass mounted peeping out of their covers used to look ferocious enough to give some apparent ground for s story of how he and the colonel had shot judge through the heart the colonel always said that behaved very handsomely and that the matter was arranged on the field without a shot even at that time some people said that bob s mother was trying to catch the colonel and that if the colonel did not look out she would yet be the mistress of his big plantation and all agreed that the boy would come in for something handsome at the colonel s death for bob was his cousin and his nearest male relative if was his niece and he would hardly leave her all his property especially as she was so much like her mother with whom as everybody knew the colonel had been desperately in love but who had treated him badly and notwithstanding his big plantation and many had run away with his younger brother and both of them had died in the south of yellow fever leaving of all their children only this little and the colonel had taken and charity and had travelled in his carriage all the way to to get and bring back it was christmas eve when they reached home and the colonel had sent on a day ahead to have the fires made and the house for the baby and when the carriage drove up that night you would have thought a queen was coming sure enough every hand on the plantation was up at the great house waiting for them and every room in the house had a fire in it had told the so many lies that he had had the men cutting wood all day although the regular supply was cut and when charity stepped out of the carriage with the baby all up in her arms making a great show about keeping it wrapped up and walked up the steps as slowly as if it were made of gold you could have heard a pin drop even the colonel fell ou virginia back and spoke in a whisper the great chamber was given up to the baby the colonel going to the wing room where he always stayed after that he spoke of sitting up all night to watch the child but charity assured him that she was not going to take her eyes off of her during the night and with a promise to come in every hour and look after them the colonel went to his room where he slept until nine o clock the next morning but i was telling what people said about bob s mother when the report reached the colonel about the widow s designs he took on his knees and told her all about it and then both laughed until the tears ran down the colonel s face and dropped on his big and on s little blue frock and he sent the widow next day a fine short to show his contempt of the gossip and now bob was the better shot of the two and they taught to shoot too and to load and the pistols at which the colonel was as proud as if one of his young had whipped an	46
old but they never could induce her to shoot at anything except a mark she was the tenderest hearted little thing in the world if her taste had been consulted she would have selected a for it did not make such a noise and she could shoot it without shutting her eyes besides that she could shoot it in the house which indeed she did until she had shot the eyes out of nearly all the gentlemen and bare long ladies on the walls once she came very near shooting s eye out also but this was an accident though declared it was not and tried to make out that bob had put her up to it s de boy ever made he said to charity fortunately his eye got well and it gave him an excuse for staying half drunk for nearly a week and afterward like a dog that has once been lame in his whenever he saw and did not forget it he up that eye and tried to look miserable was quite a large girl then and was carrying the keys except when she lost them though she could not have been more than twelve years old for it was just after this that the birthday came when the colonel gave her her first real silk dress it was blue silk and came from and it was hard to tell which was the or charity or or the colonel got drunk before the dinner was over drinking de to de young in de sky blue robes what stands de throne you know he explained to charity after the colonel had ordered him from the dining room with promises of prompt sale on the morrow bob was there and it was the last time ever sucked her thumb she had almost gotten out of the habit anyhow and it was in a moment of in virginia fulness that she let bob see her do it he was a great and when she was smaller had often worried her about it until she would fly at him and try to bite him with her httle white teeth on this occasion however she stood everything until he said that about a girl who wore a blue silk dress her thumb then she his jaws the fire flew from his eyes but hers were even more sparkling he paused for a minute and then caught her in his arms and kissed her violently she never sucked her thumb after that this happened out in front of her s house within which was delivering a powerful on and strange to say charity took bob s side while s and afterward said she ought to have a stick and knocked bob s head off this fortunately did not do and when bob went to the university afterward he was said to have the best head in his class she just turned around and ran into the house with hei face very red but she never bob after that not long after this he went off to college for mr the said he already knew more than most college did and that it would be a shame for him not to have a university education when the question of ways and means was the colonel who was always ready to lend money if he had it and to borrow it if he did not swore he v ould give him all the money he wanted but to his astonishment bob refused to accept it and although the colonel abused him for it and asked if she did not think he was a fool which did for she was always ready to take and spend all the money he or any one else gave her yet he did not like him the less for it and he finally persuaded bob to take it as a loan and bob gave him his bond the day before he left home he was over at the colonel s where they had a great dinner for him and presided in her silk dress she had three then and when bob said good by she slipped something into his hand and ran away to her room and when he looked at it it was her ten dollar gold piece and he took it he was at college not quite three years for his mother was taken sick and he had to come home and nurse her but he had stood first in most of his classes and not lower than third in any and he had the carpenter on hill who was the bully of the town so that although he did not take his degree he had gotten the start which enabled him to complete his studies during the time he was taking care of his mother and until her death so that as soon as he was admitted to the bar he made his mark it was his splendid defence of the man who shot the at the on election day that brought him out as the candidate for the constitutional con in virginia where he made such a reputation as a speaker that the declared him the rising man of the state and even the admitted that perhaps the party might find a leader to redeem it was just fifteen when she began to take an interest in politics and although she read the papers diligently especially the which her uncle never failed to abuse yet she never could exactly satisfy herself which side was right for the colonel was a while most people must have been as bob was elected by a big majority she wanted to be on the side and made him explain everything to her which he did to his own entire satisfaction and to hers too she tried to think but when bob came over to tea which he very frequently did and the colonel and he got into a discussion	46
her uncle always seemed to her to get the worst of the argument at any rate he generally got very hot this however might have been because bob was so cool while the colonel was so hot tempered bob had grown up very handsome his mouth was strong and firm and his eyes were splendid he was about six feet and his shoulders were as broad as the colonel s she did not see him now as often as she did when he was a boy but it was because he was kept so busy by his practice he used to get cases in three or four now and big ones at that she knew however that she was just as good a friend of his as ever indeed she took the trouble to tell herself so a compliment to him used to give her the greatest happiness and would bring deeper roses into her cheeks he was the greatest favorite with everybody thought that there was no one in the world like him he had long ago forgiven him his many and said he was the man in the county him and the colonel and that he always handled to he by which made reference to regular made to him by the man and particularly to an especially large then lately conferred it happened one evening at the colonel s after dinner when several guests including bob were on the of various ladies who were visiting in the neighborhood that summer the praises were to s mind somewhat too liberally bestowed and he had attempted to console himself by several visits to the but when all the list was disposed of and s name had not been mentioned endurance could stand it no longer and he suddenly broke in with his judgment that they didn t none on em a candle to his young de ve y pink an flow r on em all the colonel immensely pleased ordered him out with a promise of immediate sale on the morrow but that evening as he got on his horse bob in virginia slipped into his hand a five dollar gold piece and he told that if the colonel really intended to sell just to send him over to his house he wanted the benefit of his judgment of course did not understand his allusion though the colonel had told her of s speech but bob had a rose on his coat when he came out of the window and the long pin in s was not fastened very securely for it slipped and she lost all her other roses and he had to stoop and pick them up for her perhaps though bob was simply referring to his having saved some money for shortly afterward he came over one morning and to the colonel s disgust paid him down in full the amount of his bond he attempted a somewhat formal speech of thanks but broke down in it so that two were ordered out by the colonel to easy relations between them an effect which apparently was not immediately produced and the colonel confided to next day that since the fellow had been taken up so by those he was not altogether as he used to be why he don t even drink his clear the old man asserted as if he were charging him with at the least of treason however he added softening as the excuse presented itself to his mind that may be because his mother was always so opposed to it you know never would grow there he pursued to who had heard him make the same observation with the same astonishment a hundred times strangest thing i ever knew but he s a clever fellow though he continued with a sudden of the old time affection i like him and as s face turned a sweet added oh i forgot didn t mean to swear if i did it just slipped out now i haven t sworn before for a week you know i haven t yes of course i mean except then for with softly fading color was reading him the of lectures on his sin and an over s failing of the day before come and sit down on your uncle s knee and kiss him once as a token of forgiveness just one more squeeze as the fair girlish arms were about his neck and the sweetest of faces was pressed against his own rough cheek do you remember asked the old man holding her off from him and gazing at the girlish face fondly do you remember how when you were a little scrap you used to climb up on my knee and squeeze me just once more to save that rascal how you used to say you were going to marry bob and me when you were grown up s memory apparently was not very good that evening however it seemed much better when dressed all in soft white and with cheeks in virginia reflecting the faint tints of the sunset clouds she was strolling through the old flower garden with a tall young fellow whose bat sat on his head with a air and who was so very careful to hold aside the long branches of the rose bushes they had somehow gotten to recalling each in turn some incident of the old boy and girl days bob knew the main facts as well as she but remembered the little details and circumstances of each incident best except those about the time they were playing together then bob recollected most he was positive that when she cried because he shot so hard he had kissed her to make it well curiously s recollection failed again and was only distinct about very modern matters she remembered with remarkable suddenness that it was tea time they were away down at the end of the garden and	46
her lapse of memory had a singular effect on bob for he turned quite pale and insisted that she did remember it and then said something about having wanted to see the colonel and having waited and did so strangely that if that rose bush had not caught her dress he might have done something else but the rose bush caught her dress and who looked really scared at it or something ran away just as the colonel s voice was heard calling them to tea bob was very silent at the table and when he left the colonel was quite anxious about him he asked if she had not noticed his depression had not that s just the way with you women said the colonel a man might die under your very eyes and you would not notice it i noticed it and i tell you the fellow s sick i say he s sick he with a little habit he had acquired since he had begun to grow slightly deaf i shall advise him to go away and have a little fling somewhere he works too hard sticks too close at home he never goes anywhere except here and he don t come here as he used to do he ought to get married advise him to get married why don t he set up to sally or he s a likely fellow and they d both take him fools if they didn t i say they are fools if they didn t what say i didn t say anything said quietly going to the piano her music often soothed the colonel to sleep the next morning but one bob rode over and instead of his horse to the fence as he usually did he rode on around toward the stables he greeted who was in the and after some preliminary observations from him respecting the misery in his back he the further facts that miss was going down the road to dine at the of which he had some ou virginia intimation before and that the colonel was down on the river farm but would be back about two o clock he rode on at two o clock promptly bob returned the colonel had not yet gotten home he however dismounted and tying his horse went in he must have been tired of sitting down for he now walked up and down the without once taking a seat bob walk to death observed charity to from her door presently the colonel came in bluff warm and hearty he ordered dinner from the front gate as he dismounted and from the middle of the walk greeted bob with a which that gentleman in vain tried to imitate and was down in his great split chair wiping his red head with his still handkerchief and the weather the crops the newspapers and his before bob could get breath to make a single remark when he did he pitched in on the weather that is a safe topic at all times and it was astonishing how much comfort bob got out of it this afternoon he talked about it until dinner began to come in across the yard the blue china dishes gleaming in the hands of and her numerous corps of and mahogany and brought out the with the looking as if it were growing in the great silver with work all over the sides dinner was rather a failure so far as bob was concerned perhaps he missed something that usually that table perhaps only his body was there while he himself was down at miss s perhaps he had gone back and was an impertinent rose bush from a white dress in the summer twilight perhaps but anyhow he was so silent and abstracted that the colonel rallied him good which did not help matters they had to the porch and had been there for some time when bob the subject of his visit colonel he said suddenly and wholly to everything that had gone before there is a matter i want to speak to you about a ah we a little matter of great importance to ah myself he was getting very red and confused and the colonel instantly the matter and secretly flattering himself and to crow over said to help him out you rogue i knew it come up to the scratch sir so you are caught at last ah you sly fox it s the very thing you ought to do why i know half a dozen girls who d jump at you i knew it i said so the other night bob was utterly off his feet by this time i want to ask your consent to marry he out desperately i love her the devil you do exclaimed the colonel he o in virginia could say no more he simply sat still in speechless helpless blank amazement to him was still a little girl climbing his knees and an emperor might not to her yes sir i do said bob calm enough now growing cool as the colonel became excited i love her and i want her well sir you can t have her roared the colonel rising from his seat in the violence of his refusal he looked like a lion whose had been invaded bob s face and a look came on it that the colonel recalled afterward and which he did not remember ever to have seen on it before except once when years ago some one shot one of his dogs a look made up of anger and of dogged resolution i shall he said throwing up his head and looking the colonel straight in the eyes his voice perfectly calm but his eyes blazing the mouth drawn close and the lines of his face as if they had been carved in granite ru be	46
to bid bob good by and never see him again she had made up her mind to this on her knees so she knew she was right the pain it cost her satisfied her that it was right she was firmly resolved when she set out that afternoon to see old who was in everybody s judgment except her own quite and whom dr pronounced entirely well she wavered a little in her resolution when descending the path along the which were now she caught sight of a tall figure easily up the meadow and she abandoned that is she forgot it altogether when having doubtfully suggested it she was suddenly in a pair of strong arms and two gray eyes lighting a handsome face strong with the self confidence which women love looked down into hers then he proposed it her heart almost stood still at his boldness but he was so strong so firm so reasonable so self and yet so gentle she could not but listen to him still she refused and she never did consent she forbade him ever to think of it again then she begged him never to come there again and told him of her uncle s threats and of her fears for him and then when he laughed at them she begged him never never under any circumstances to take any notice of what her uncle might do or say but rather to stand still and be shot dead and then when bob promised this she burst into tears and he had to hold her and comfort her like a little girl it was pretty bad after that and but for s out door exercise he would undoubtedly have it seemed as if something had come between her and her uncle she no longer went about singing like a bird she suffered under the sense of being misunderstood and it was so lonely he too was oppressed by it even shared in it and his assumed a cast terrific in the last degree it was now december one evening it the weather had been too bad for to go out and she was sick i in virginia finally was sent for who to use charity s expression was till she was and refused to keep her bed or to take the prescribed charity backed her got drunk the colonel was in a and declared his intention to sell next morning as usual and to take charity and and go to europe this was well enough but to s consternation when she came to breakfast next morning she found that the old man s plans had into a scheme to set out on the very next day for and new where he proposed to spend the winter looking after some she had and showing her something of the world remonstrated it was all in vain had seriously frightened the old man about her health and he was preparations were set on foot the brown hair trunks with their lines of staring brass were out and the colonel got into a fever ordered up all the in the yard and gave instructions from the front door like a major general his troops got charity and all the others into a wild flutter attempted to s matters made her promises of gifts became and told marvellous stories of his old days which and so excited and the plantation generally that from old who came from the far quarters for the purpose of taking it in down to the little dot on the place there was not one who did not get into a wild whirl and talk as if they were all going to new the next morning with joe on the boot had after a stout resistance surrendered to her fate and packed her modest trunk with very mingled feelings under other circumstances she would have enjoyed the trip immensely but she felt now as if it were parting from bob forever her heart was in her throat all day and even the excitement of packing could not drive away the feeling she knew she would never see him again she tried to work out what the end would be would he die or would he marry every one said she would just suit him and she d certainly marry him if he asked her the sun was shining over the western woods bob rode down that way in the afternoon even when it was he had told her so he would think it cruel of her to go away so and never even let him know she would at least go and tell him good by so she did bob s face suddenly when she told him all and that look which she had not seen often before settled on it then he took her hand and began to explain everything to her he told her that he had loved her all her life showed her how she had inspired him to work for and win every success that he had achieved how it had been her work even i in virginia more than his then he laid before her the life plans he had formed and proved how they were all for her and for her only he made it all so clear and his voice was so confident and his face so earnest as he pleaded and proved it step by step that she felt as she leaned against him and he clasped her closely that he was right and that she could not part from him that evening was unusually silent but the colonel thought she had never been so sweet she him until he swore that no man on earth was worthy of her and that none should ever have her after tea she went to his room to look over his clothes her especial work and would let no one not even her help	46
stood three days before christmas the whole plantation was plunged in gloom it would be the first time since miss was a baby that they had not had a big christmas s countenance one morning seemed to shock the colonel out of his he asked how many days there would be before christmas and learning that there were but three he ordered preparations to be made for a great feast and a big time generally he had the wood pile as usual got up his presents and the christmas operations himself as he used to do but it was sad work and when and charity retired christmas eve night although had and the tables were all spread for the great dinner for the servants next day there was no peace in s discourse it was all of wrath and judgment to come he had just gone to sleep when there was a knock at the door who out called charity you better go long to bed the knock was repeated who out i say charity t you go long way from do was hard to wake but at length he got up and moved slowly to the door grumbling to himself all the time when finally he the latch charity who was in bed heard him say well name o good a mighty and burst into a wild explosion of laughter in a second she too was outside of the door and had in her arms laughing jumping and kissing her while executed a series of around them bob asked both finally in a breath in virginia how are you charity called that gentleman cheerily coming up from where he had been the horses and charity suddenly of her peculiar appearance and the frosty air into the house conveying her young mistress with her presently she came out dressed and invited bob in too she insisted on giving them something to eat but they had been to supper and was much too excited hearing about her uncle to eat anything she cried a little at charity s description of him which she tried to keep bob from seeing but he saw it and had to however when they got ready to go home insisted on going to the yard and up on the pot ch and when there she actually kissed the window blind of the room whence issued a muffled suggestive at least of some degree of forgetfulness she wanted bob to kiss it too but that gentleman apparently found something else more to his taste and her entreaty was drowned in another sound before they their horses carried bob to the where she around in the darkness for something to bob s complete doesn t it smell sweet in here she asked i don t smell anything but that bed you ve been walking on he laughed as they rode off leaving and charity stand ing in the road the last thing said was now be sure you tell him nine o clock i know he sell me den said in a tone of conviction as the horses away in the frosty night once or twice as they galloped along bob made some allusion to the bed on which had stepped to which she made no reply but as he helped her down at her own door he asked what in the world have you got there said she with a little low pleased laugh by light next morning it was known all over the plantation that miss had returned the rejoicing was clouded by the fear that nothing would come of it in charity s house it was decided that should break the news was doubtful on the point as the time drew near but charity s mind never wavered finally he went in with his master s water having first tried to establish his courage by sundry at a black bottle he three times to deliver the message but each time his courage failed and he hastened out under pretence of the water having gotten cold the last time he attracted charity s attention name o you to she asked the next time he entered the colonel was in a of impatience so he had to fix the water he in virginia set down the can and about with industry the colonel was almost through retreated to the door as his master finished he put his hand on the and turning it said miss come home night sh say she breakfast at nine o clock came the can against the door just as he out and the roar of the colonel followed him across the hall when finally their master appeared on the and charity were watching in some doubt whether he would not carry out on the spot his purpose he strode up and down the long porch evidently in great excitement he s dis said he th owed de whole o b water at me pity he didn seal you to death said his wife she thought s awkwardness had destroyed s last chance resorted to his black bottle and proceeded to talk about the lake of and fire up and down the strode the old colonel his horse was at the rack where he was always brought before breakfast for twenty years he had probably never missed a morning finally he walked down and mounting rode off in the opposite direction to that whence his invitation had come charity looking out of her door inserted into her against all drunken fool a to the effect that ef meet bob dis de don be a hide nor left o one on em an lamb over maybe got for him too was so much impressed that he left charity and went out of doors the colonel rode down the plantation road his great gray horse quivering with life in the bright winter sunlight he gave him the rein and he turned down	46
a cross road which led out of the plantation into the main road mechanically he opened the gate and rode out before he knew where he was he was through the wood and his horse had stopped at the next gate the gate of bob s place the house stood out bright and plain among the yard trees lines of blue smoke curled up almost straight from the chimneys and he could see two or three running backward and forward between the kitchen and the house the sunlight on something in the hand of one of them and sent a ray of dazzling light all the way to the old man he knew it was a plate or a dish he took out his watch and glanced at it it was five minutes to nine o clock he started to turn around to go home as he did so the memory of all the past swept over him and of the wrong that had been done him he would go in and show them his contempt for them by riding in and straight out again and he actually the gate and went in in virginia as he rode across the field he recalled all that had been to him from the time when she had first stretched out her arms to him all the little ways by which she had brought back his youth and had made his house home and his heart soft again every scene came before him as if to mock him he felt once more the touch of her little hand heard again the sound of her voice as it used to ring through the old house and about the grounds saw her and bob as children about his feet and he gave a great as he thought how desolate the house was now he sat up in his saddle than ever d him he would enter his very house and there to his face and hers him for his and he pushed his horse to a trot up to the yard gate he rode and his horse to the fence and the gate fiercely behind him stalked up the walk with his heavy whip clutched fast in his hand up the walk and up the steps without a pause his face set as grim as rock and purple with suppressed emotion for a of memories was overwhelming him the door was shut they had locked it on him but he would burst it in and ah what was that the door flew suddenly open there was a cry a spring a vision of something swam before his eyes and two arms were clasped about his neck while he was being smothered with kisses from the sweetest mouth in the world and a face made up of light and laughter yet tearful too like a dew bathed flower was pressed to his and before the colonel knew it he had amid laughter and sobs and caresses been borne into the house and pressed down at the little breakfast table eyes ever saw set for three persons and loaded with steaming dishes and with a great fresh by the side of his plate and was standing behind his chair and bob was helping him to while with face was attempting the of pouring out his coffee without moving her arm from around his neck the first thing he said after he recovered his breath was where did you get this broke into a peal of rippling delicious laughter and the arm about his neck just one more squeeze said the colonel and as she gave it he said with the light of it all breaking on him if i don t sell you or if i can t sell you til give you away that is if he ll come over and live with us that evening after the great dinner at which had sat in her old place at the head of the table and bob at the foot because the colonel insisted on sitting where could give him one more squeeze the whole plantation was with christmas and him in ou virginia self against the delivered a discourse on peace on earth and good will to men so powerful and so eloquent that the colonel delighted rose and drank his health and said i ever sell him again list of books of fiction published by charles s sons new york william an romance l mo a story of l mo the story is full of clear cut little of italian manners customs and the movement throughout is spirited the of times mr has written a romance which will the reputation he made by w i the new york a wheel of fire l mo paper cloth the novel with character rather than incident and is from one of the most terrible of moral problems with a not unlike that of one cannot all the fine points of artistic skill which make this study so wonderful in its insight so rare in its combination of dramatic power and tenderness the critic h illustrated l mo gun q mo paper cloth tales from two l mo on the hill top and other stories l mo queen l mo mr s stories possess a sweetness a tenderness and a that are fascinating and yet they are no more attractive than they are strong tht home journal h c the story of a new york house illustrated by a b frost l mo the l mo paper cloth pine and other stories l mo paper so cloth it is mr s delicacy of touch and appreciation of what is literary art that give his writings quality everything mr shows the happy appreciation of an author who has not alone mental but the artistic appreciation the author and the artist both one another in this excellent story	46
of a new york the new york times s brief list of fiction that o s paper cloth illustrated l through one tion l i louis ana l mo a fair t mo paper v ag a bon a a love story l mo paper l surly tim and other mo i s earlier series earlier stories second series l mo each paper the pretty sister of by c s little lord vo or what happened at miss s vo little saint elizabeth and other l mo illustrated hy r b mrs gracious secrets in rough and forbidding natures the sweetness that often their bitterness the soul of goodness in things evil she seems to have an perception of character if we apprehend her personages and i think we do clearly it is not because she describes them to us but because they reveal themselves in their actions mrs s characters are as veritable as s richard henry butler a tale of the imperial city mo under a veil made transparent the author a running fire of good natured at contemporary social follies there is a delicate love story running through the book the author s style is highly finished one might term it old fashioned in its exquisite and precision the new york journal of commerce george w cable the l mo paper cloth l old days l mo cloth in two parts l mo cloth each paper each dr l mo paper cloth a prose pastoral of l mo paper the set there are few living american writers who can for us more perfectly than mr cable does in his best moments the speech the manners the whole social atmosphere of a remote time and a peculiar people a delicious flavor of humor his stories the new york s brief list of fiction richard and other stories t mo paper the ten stories this volume the appearance of a new and strong individuality in the field of american fiction they are of a wide range and deal with very varied types of character and situation but each proves that mr l his new york as well as did his i edward the circuit rider illustrated each l mo dr s fresh and vivid of a phase of life and manners hitherto almost in literature its boldly contrasted characters and its hearty religious spirit took hold of the public imagination the christian union the illustrated to the madame thi r the of the invasion of france in illustrated a miller s story of the war illustrated the national novels each i s the set s fr end l mo paper cloth field a l book of profitable tales l mo this pretty little volume promises to examples of a wit humor and pathos quaint and rare in their kind genial and mr field has already made a mark in the literature of the day which will not quickly wear out new york s brother s wife l mo the l mo paper in the valley illustrated l mo mr s new tale takes a wide range many characters and embraces a field of action full of dramatic it is almost reasonable to assert that there has not been since s day a better american novel dealing with a purely historical theme than in the valley boston illustrated by a b frost l mo paper cloth this remarkable novel shows an extraordinary grasp of dramatic possibilities as well as an exquisite delicacy of character drawing miss french has with this work taken her place among the very foremost of american writers of fiction boston s brief list of fiction james the two chiefs of du an irish of tho l h the narrative is full of vigor spirit and dramatic power it will unquestionably be widely read for it presents a vivid and study of character with romantic color and adventurous incident for the background r new york robert grant face to face l cloth this is a well told story the interest of which turns upon a game of cross purposes between an accomplished english girl as a free and easy american miller and an american somewhat given to the manners of the english the express edward hale philip friends l mo cloth there is no question we think that this is mr hale s and best novel the characters are for the most part well drawn and several of them are admirable the atlantic monthly a of virginia l mo cloth l mo i with the best intentions a episode l mo cloth fiction has afforded no more charming glimpses of old virginia life than are found in this delightful story with its quaint pictures its admirably drawn characters its wit ai d its frankness th daily times free joe and other l mo paper cloth the author s skill as a story writer has never been more illustrated than in this volume the title story is meagre almost to in incident but its quaint humor its simple but characters and above all its touching pathos combine to make it a of its kind the new york sun the ring a romance of mount desert l paper the conception of the story is excellent the boston traveller s brief list of fiction e r iv weird tales with portrait l mo knew how to a ghost story quite as as and with a good deal more sense of reality all those who are in search of a genuine literary sensation or who care for the and supernatural will find these two volumes fascinating reading t ie christian union dr j g holland	46
ing poles for de boys he answered promptly and definitely we s em soon then he added won have none from else at all lady done ma tell how used to poles right dis ridge an fling a line nay sort o pole at all he mo like dan he like he pa sometimes i think he done come back he s he ve y t an image who are the boys taking a seat on the moss covered hi we all s boys lady s de fish good now an ll be up in new york now but me an got a letter from em you keep em long after fish to run no you i bout dis pole right now a short laugh of delight followed the reflection how many are there fo on em de little an she like lady at her age to keep up her an do ev do lord hit me back so sometimes i de ain been no war nor yes tu ns de house down when comes like an lady urn m making that peculiar sound so suggestive used to de to pieces you see after lady die an two she used to gi em head an all over de plantation lady de little white in her little white apron her curls all down in her eyes used to look white ns as a o blossoms de i don what do it wouldn lay an her eyes i b li ve she laugh mo em n her she de light o dis plantation when she d come in you house like you d back de an let piece o de sun in on de you could see by her an he used to her i don you see one she up at him her back out her big brown eyes an to do what he do when went she had to go footed too an she d him down to the mill pond th oo an ev her little white an in em but she ain mine so he ain her s de way tell went to college or you as well say tell he went in de army cause he home ev y christmas an holiday all de time he at de an al got somebody or him you keep bees way after lady fine he bush an young used to be her constant hit look like ef she her hit all on em to pick t up so mr i tell i one on em be son in law but say de herself an em an ain love none on em hard as an so know her cap n ain come when cap n come knows it an ef don know it when he come know it p when he go way we rich den quarters on ev y hill an mo n you could tell names used to be thirty in de an mo n you kin count den went in de war you too young to know bout say you s so this in ready acquiescence to my reply that every knew of the war well hit like when it start de ladies for it n de um rank at didn know what hit come so sudden one i was right by de po ch an ride up in de yard i see him time lady he de curve o de avenue i he seat cause i him to ride hands set him up on de horse time he ever de saddle when he little fat legs couldn to de little well i call an lady an come out as he gallop up in de yard he speak to me an run up de t steps an him right in her arms an him an when she le him go her face look mighty an when went into de house i notice right smart taller n he at christmas an he han em in stately like he pa he done come home to go in de army an he done stop in to he permission cause he feared he ma let him go an he say mr an heap o de boys done an gone home to raise companies say grieve might ly when tain nobody see her an she her do locked heap her for him but she ain say a bout he goin she nor lady ambitious bout it de goes heads up till you know after you ain see but ready an an tents an an an n when up lady de folks winter es an when fetch he s o de home an put on he boots an spurs i done black an he seat on nay han on de place but what say to em if come close enough well so he went off to de war an left hand went him to wait on him an ten to de horses an lady ain had time to cry tell rid de curve an tu n an wave he hat to em in on de po ch an den tu n an walk in de house right quick her an lock f in her chamber an lady set down on the steps right in de sun an cry by f de een o de times an ain had to de ground down in de oh yes he come back said he presently in answer to a question from me but de war had been on for mo n a year he did heaps o soldiers used to come d up de t road an de plantation sometimes an eat up ev on de place but he ain home he to stay to keep de back he l an he all de time lady he two or th ee balls th oo he an he cap he write we all bout it two bring de blood but	46
not much he say sort o bark him oh p him ev y chance d d plump at him he de main man same as when you d plump at de middle man but ain him but one when we ain from him in long time an think he up in de valley ride right up in de yard an face light up to see him tell she look like a young he say he ain got long to stay de army down de big road an he to right back to he bat ry he ride cross to see he ma an lady an all on us he say an he mighty cause he ain had to eat sense early de day an he want me to feed at de rack an lady she him bout in de house he ma he arm her an in he sense he a man an he ma don t she think it a fine all de girls say tis an bout ev an she come out an tend to him some n to eat her own hands an he n y did eat hearty an den he come way an he lady stoop down an kiss he ma an lady an tell em he to be a l one o days an she ain able to say she look at him wistful as he went down de steps den she run down after him an him after he on de an kiss him an out she say she ain him but she love him so much he kiss her mighty two or thee times an den she let him go an he come an on he horse an rid way at a gallop out de back gate he cap on de side he head an went in de house an horse warn go up to de stable right den de day we hear de way down de country like thunder right study an and lady set on de po ch an listen to em face mighty solemn all day long an night bout de crow left hand come home on de gray an knock at an say done shoot in de breast an he don t know he dead or not he say he warn dead when he come way but de doctor him an he had done him after he ma to come to him at once an he had been hard all night long ever sunset an say he bat ry de on de an he post it on de o de lady woods in a oat like you know an he drive de enemy out an say he see him when he lead he bat ry cross de oat he guns all six in a gallop an he and in de lead an shells all him an he de man in de say an he fall as he jump he horse over an den he lay on de he say an fight he guns tell he faint an say de l say he d been he bat ry day den a been president de ate states well she had jump out o bed de step o in de yard she hadn even off her es an she stand still like she ain good her face like she done dead lady she tell to tell me to de as soon as i kin an to tell her please to come quick an when day i at de gate de done feed my horses an a good bag o clean in de boot she come out lady an an her face n y i ain know tell i see de way she look how it hu t her but i been see dead folks look better n she look den all she say lady try an me an i say yes m fm to ef ll le me i did get her too ef i didn meek horses but dead i sec as many in my life as i see an full on em an good as dead de road up em all know bat ry say hit de in de fight an it cut all to pieces an n y a man i ax as he gallop past me rein up he horse an say he know him well an he shot an left on de he done off he cap when he see an lady in de an he voice mighty low an he say shot bout fo o clock he bat ry an he did splendid he voice sort o passionate an he face so pitiful when he say i know tain no hope to save him an ef i in time s all drive on quick says an i on i done meek up my mine to she an lady to i for night ef u le me an i did too mon i see de soldiers all long de road look at me an some on em to me i go away but i ain pay no to em i push on an n y a little she talk mighty but mighty terminated like lady ii ridge i see de house de man done tell me bout in de oat bout a half a mile ahead an i for it when th ee or fo in de road de ridge a little piece me say halt i ain pay no to em drive on so an halt an when i ain stop den drive on right study a run up an head an one done p int he gun right at me i say you le go de horse mon ain you got no better sense n to horses horse way le go de horse head don you me i ef i warn i bout to my him when open de do an step out she say she wan go on say she do it	46
den she say she her son dying in house an she to him she talk mighty but mighty terminated like sort o reason her but she walk on by her head up an tell me to her an i did mon an em in de road gun de whole army couldn a keep her not den i got to de house an drive up nigh as i could fur de t cross de yard lady look like folks been a man come to de do an ax is he live yet he say still alive an she say where an went right in an lady her an i say he open he eyes as she went in an sort o smile an when she kneel down an kiss him he whisper he ready to go den an he too he went night in he mother arms an lady an at he side like i em i was do when i start home an he as peaceful as a baby he he ma when he he had try to do he duty an like times when he used to go to sleep in her lap in he own room her arms him sen me fur a lance night an we put him in de coffin next an start cause she home an lay him in de she kin watch him we travel all day an all night an home bout sunrise an den we had to dig de grave an when we got home she had de coffin brought in and him in he own room while we and she set in all day long him and he look like a boy so young in he little lady i gray jacket he s o de cross he we bury him in de and warn in de county to be he pall so de hands on de place him and it ease me might ly to arm him right good like when he a little chap me and me to go and de general write a letter and say de moan he loss and he done meek him a l in de oat de day he shot and hit s on he now you kin go in de an read it and we hang he s o de on de wall in he own room over de fireplace and it hang now for to show to de boys what a soldier he well after things n y went bad de house looked i couldn to look at it ev i see look like done put it down or after it and lady in deep mo of co se and it look like de house in mo too and her got and de on y thing to gi her any peace o mine in room she used to set all day for de soldiers she ain let nobody room hit al sort o secret to her after and lady she took de plantation an her head man s de way for two years tell in de summer den hit happen one sunday i come out house after dinner to de stable i warn bout i bout how ev when i somebody and come two cross de hill from de quarters hard as could flying one o de maids in de yard de first to de an she say de and fo de warn out her de whole top o de hill black em yo could see em and de s o des at de house heart jump right up in but i step back in house and got axe and when i come out de black folks all run out houses in de back yard and and some say in de house and lady and some say de beds and some em and ain do i long by em right quick and went cross de yard to de house and i put bead in room and say lady i de down de hill you ought to a seen face lady hands in her lap an she looked at so anxious she me but do face tu n mighty white t warn mo n a minute she right quiet and her head as straight as lady she says to her hadn you better stay here no says she i will go with you come on says she and walked out de do and locked it her and put de key in her pocket as she got rid into de yard an in a minute it as full on em as a bait go d is o one an an an an outside de yard an de stables ain ax nobody no odds bout an as to key ain got no use fur bu st a do down quicker n you kin it in smoke house an de quicker n i been you bout it but ain nor lady in de front do as study as ef fur somebody come to dinner come up de steps an say th oo de house i lady there is no one in there said what you on de po ch says one sort o like a thing on he shoulder i always receive my visitors at my front do says don t you invite em in says he sort o an by her den i a an we tu n an de hall right full on em done come in de back do right an walk into de house right quick lady long her right straight th oo em all she walk an up to room do she her back g it de side all over de house by dis time an ev want an didn want an what didn up but soon as see at do come right up to her i want to go in says one de same one done spoke so to de on de po ch you do it	46
says well i m goin to says he you are not says at him right study her head up an her eyes i had lady ty my axe in my han an i mighty but i know ef he had lay his han on de i was split him wide open he know better n to her do he sort o like he warn her an all de stop an listen who s in says he no one says well what s in says he the memory of my blessed dead says she speak so solemn hit to kind o stall him an he give back an some n n y do one come up nigh de do an say to where is you son we want him beyond your reach says her voice o an lady bu st out his grave is in de she says her to her eyes i couldn no mo i a grip on my axe an i ain know what a happen but he off he hat an tu n way an den a nigh de do i thought must be some on em got to one i somebody s voice an and em thieves an hounds an in a minute i de like on lady head an i see a s o de like wheel an de men in de hall an as de one jump off de po ch a young man an walked in de do he s o de back in he when he got t in he off he cap an bout half way up to we all he say i madam for out ages officers ought to be shot for it it is against all orders i don t know it is our first says we are much to you though t i myself says he up a little closer to we all an bow very grand i think i may claim to be a at least of dis my young southern cousin here a bow to lady at him i m a half myself i am captain the son of colonel of de army says he it is impossible says low n him was a do he lived at de he my husband s cousin an my dear friend he come from new york or an he had been co tin same time lady co t her i know him well he gi me a satin a likely man too but beat him you know he do but you cannot be his son nor a never virginia says but i am says he sort o an i have as a boy often hear him speak of you as our we claim no among virginia s enemies says lady fur de time her eyes an of han an f up mighty straight she by her ma i tell you had de same de don fly fur de stump but he so likely in de t hall he bow an he cap n ob de army i think she d a gin in ef it hadn been fur blue uniform an s o de by he side de seemed to hut him ous do an he raise he head up mighty like we all folks when she add on to lady an answer he quest bout dinner he had come to possession says she de whole place his an he could give what orders he please on y she an lady would quest to be excused an she took lady lady han an a t bow done start to sweep by him but ain ahead o him de out he meek a low bow f an say he beg he intrude on ladies an he sort o back right stately to de front do an bow done gone he down de steps i i right sorry fur him an i b an lady too cause he n y did favor when he r ar he head up so tall an back out do so lady mine her good cause she to me an tell me to go an tell to see ef he couldn him some n an call him an n y she come in de room f after set de place do an went out to look fur him a soldier at ev y po ch right an one at de an when we come to fine out guards cap n done to p de house but he done gone long so i give he to de guards well all de corn our folks done out de corn house an after a while on em bridle up an went long an den at de guards went long hind de an de one hadn hardly got to de een de avenue when lady come over de hill some o our long de road way lady in de yard looking mighty at de way done do de place cause had done it all to pieces an her eyes light up at de sight o our men an she sort o wave her to em an down de hill side de creek right study when as would have it we a horse foot an right way right down de avenue he horse in a come same young man cap n our see him at de same time an start to down de hill to him he ain mine em do he gallop up to de gate an pull a letter out he pocket lady she was so ned bout him she sort o went him to him to do pray go way he ain mine he set still on he nick tail bay an hole he paper her right patient tell she run down de walk close up to him him to go way den he off he cap an ben over an present her de paper he got an tell her hit a letter he got gen l	46
he done come back to gi her lady she so busy him to go way an save f she done to thank him she fur him to go an hit like de mo she beg de mo he lady at de gate down at her not our a sort o smile on he face tell as our gallop up in one side de yard an call to him to s render he say good by an tu in lay he t big bay horse foot to de shoot at him an ride after him an lady she to em not to shoot him but she needn t f as well try to shoot de win or ride to a bud de way horse run he a he run like he start an de cap n done ride him thirty miles dinner to paper from gen l fur lady well night de plantation live soldiers our all night long like an all over de t road de camp fires look like stars an fo daylight long down de road an bout dinner time hit begin an from time tell way in de night right down way de whole you d a thought de open an sometimes ef you d listen right good you could em like folks in de after a de day we know we all done scotch em an begin to bring de wounded an put em lady in folks houses bring em in an tell ev y room in de house full up on y chamber an lady room an room an de up o sheets an linen an things fur an you ever see an lady even cut up under es fur cause you know to have linen an an lady up es tell got out had to go long afterwards an gi em some done gi her well so de house full like a an doctors in and out an back an for an off legs an arms an hardly got time to tu n mighty hard on lady but she had to it hi de ve y after de battle a doctor come out de room a wounded man an sight o lady th oo de hall an say i want you to help me an she say what you want me to do an he say you got to hold a man s arm an she say to it an he say no to cut it off an she say she do it an he say she kin an she must den she say she ll faint an he say ef she do he ll die an he ain got a minute to now den ef she ain walk right in an hole he arm tell de lady tor cut t off an dress it an den a she say is you done an he say yes an she walk out an cross de yard to her house right quick an fall down right dead on de i wan but n y bout thing an you know she ain let know a bout it not she so feared she d her s de blood she an times folks wa n t kind well same de day after de battle lady she ax one de doctors ef many o de into de fight an he say she d think so ef she d been de had meek some splendid charges sides de yankee had charge th oo a o pines on de left up g our an a young yankee cap n in de front o all he cap on he s o de on a nick tail bay had lead em an had spur he horse jam up to our line an had fall up g de i tell you he n y pleased him he say he see a he had made a p int to try an save him an he d like to a had horse too he say but he was shot so bad he fear d tain much show fur him as he sort o knocked out he senses when he fall as well as shot an he say lady he a likely young an meek a splendid charge i a letter out he pocket to him an tis now he says cap n he says it to lady when he say lady ain say an she tu n an walk in room right quick an de do easy den n y she come out an ax lady to have de an den she walk up to de doctor an ax him won he go down her to de place he young yankee cap n an bring him to her house an she say he her husband cousin an she obligations to him so went honey down to de battle all de road an n when we all went down to de after de road full of wounded an when we fine him right at gap he fall right you an do all say he to die she had him up an right to her house an when we got home she lead de way an went straight long th oo de hall an she opened de do f an him right in an lay him right down into some say hit cause he but she know an she say hit cause bout lady i ain know tis but into put him an he stay good an an lady to him same like he f a spell do i tell you all de well an gone he know he dead or live after de battle an all de sort o let down ag in an had to keep her room right constant and all de an fall on lady an an n y did do part faithful by all on em till one an den went away cause you know we couldn tell	46
when de to come an drive our back an our soldiers didn want to be an moved way an n y warn none but cap n an he still in de an he eyes wide open an ain know de doctor say he wound better but he got fever an he hole out much longer say he d been dead long ago but he so strong an one night he went to sleep an de doctor come over camp an say he wan wake no mo but once he reckon a chance ef he ain an he ax lady kin she keep him sleep she reckon an she say she ll try an she did mon she sick in an oh she y did him to him books an by him on de po ch lady ain nobody to him lady an she set by all night an fan him right easy all night long all night long all night long she fan him an sun up he open he eyes an look at her she gone in de tire to death an she say as she tip in he open he eyes an look at lady so by him den he he eyes a little while an sleep a little mo den he open em an look ag in an sort o smile like he know her an den he went to sleep good an she de fan an de to her own room to yes she did thing she did an i him say afterwards when he wake up all he could think bout he done to heaven well after lady she him to an an n y he able to be out on de big po ch an up a shawl an things in a big arm cheer an cause she took to her an keep her room right constant lady she got to entertain him oh she n y did him to him out o books an by him on de po ch you see he done he an she to on him den cause she kind o for him an he n y sat lady he gray eyes her study ev she tu n like some pictures up in de parlor i members de day he walked he done her and she try to him but he in he mind when he done meek t up and she got to gi in like women folks after done some and he up and walk down de steps an cross de yard to a rose bush nigh de gate red roses on it she by he side sort o anxious when he talk a little while den he one an gi t to her and come back well he hadn back to he cheer come two or th ce th oo de place one on em a l and ride em our and stop at de gate to de way to de tree ford down on de river and lady she went down to de gate to ax em to light and to tell em de way down by de pond and when she de sun from her eyes a fan and de rose in her hand cause she ain got on no hat de l say you have a wounded soldier an she say yes he s a wounded officer on and he say off he hat lady ain many soldiers wouldn envy him he prison and den she bows to him sort o like and her face as de rose de cap n done gi her what she and when done rid long an ain stop she ain gone back to de po ch she come out and gi me a whole o directions bout de border i t all de rose done in her bosom you d think de way lady read to him on de big po ch she done he her ner and virginia enemy she ain do she as rapid to up for de as he come i b she she call f rebel but she ain le him name it so i member one she come in out de an jump off her horse an set down by him in her frock and she call f a rebel an n y he name us so too an she say he shan t call em so an he laugh an call em so ag in an she up an walk right straight in de house her head up in de air he tell her de but she ain to notice he up a book an pose f but he ain read much den he try to sleep but de flies to him might ly den come out an he ax her is she see lady in say o lady nor an den he ax her won she please go an ax her to step a minute an ain and went an lady say no she won cause he done her an den he write her a little note an ax to gi her an she look at it an send t back to him any answer den he mad he in he cheer might ly but tain do him no good she ain come back all day not tell he had to he pencil an write her a letter den n y she come out on de po ch right slow dressed all in white and tell him sort o he ought to be o f an he sort o laugh an look like he ain o n y good long den and he watch over her like she got her o him one day a party o after come in th oo de place an down to de stable and had out i know i run in de house and tell lady de cap n he in he room and he me and he come out he	46
cap on on s o de he done down off de wall and he order me to come long and tell lady not to come out nd down de lady steps he stride and cross de yard out th oo de gate in de road to de horses at de fence he face right set he ax em one or two questions bout from den he tell em who he is and trouble de man horses see de cap n mighty pale an weak and he laugh an up de ready to go an call to de to come long well de cap n eye flash he ain say a he out s o de an clap it up man side an him once you ought to a seen him le go now says de cap n you men go on you de road i know you an ef i of you anything i ll have you ev y one hung as soon as i get back now go an i tell you mon gone quick enough oh i tell you he n y had de favor o our folks he ain waste no when he ready he quick to r ar an rank when he up like all we or ain stand no s jack robinson so lady sort o got used to on him an her he sort o when to her lady sometimes d in de boat on de pond an she d row him while he d steer cause he shoulder ain le him row i see em of a sort o down de trees nigh de bank or cow water flowers she ain got on no hat or maybe a soldier cap on her head an em cross de water so sleepy an sometimes he d meek her laugh as clear as a bud war n no pay den all dis time do she as good a rebel as he come de would come an haul corn an she d tend to for de soldiers all night long same on y she ain talk to him bout it an he sort o he eye and read he book like he ain see it she ain le cap n nor cap n else meek no bout she lar to him cause he her cousin s all an got he pay we all white folks al set heap o by one s all she got in her mind i begin to some n f but she say i ain but a fool i ain know bout white folks ways an she done prove f hit come long de o fall bout wheat time de weather been mighty warm ah he her hand right study lady like summer an ev sort o smoky like folks an one day d come de post office a letter for de cap n an he face look sort o when he open it an he put it in he pocket an n y he say he got to go home he got he lady ain say but after while she ax kind o is he well enough yet to go he ain meek no answer an she ain say no mo den stop right good well come out and set on de po ch awhile she her done den he say some n to her an up an went to walk an he walk to red rose bush an pull two or th ee roses den went right long down dis way he de roses in he han mighty handsome n y i to come down in de an when i was back to de house to feed i strike for dis an i long right slow cause i had a misery in dis hip an as i come th oo de bushes i somebody an right at de gap an he her hand right study down at her an she way him ain so ble de roses done all over her lap an down on de i ain know which way lady to tu n so i still an i him say he want her to wait an le him come back ag in an he call her by her name an say won t you an she wait a little while an den pull her hand away right slow den she say sort o she he say some n den so hoarse i ain t out an she say still way him on de she marry a union soldier den he le go her hand an f up sort o straight an say some n i ain out a been kinder ef she had let him die when he wounded o him all he life when he say she sort o way from him like he done hit her an say her back him he ought not to talk way she know she been mighty wicked but she ain know bout it an maybe i ain know what she say cause she start to cry in right easy an he her han ag in an kiss it an i slip an come home an em at de gap she an he her han to comfort her i drive him over to de night an he gi me a five dollars in gold an say i must o de ladies i se main an i tell him yes i know i is an he ny sorry to tell me good by lady an say she done tell me all long de ain herself bout no yankee soldier don how pretty an tall he is an how straight he hole he head an she sorry he gone cause he her cousin i ain know so much bout do what al say she tell me well ef after hit like whip o will sing all over de place ev i tu n i ain see him i didn know	46
till he gone how we all on him cause i ain de y one done miss him she bout him she miss him an lady she right study her close but she her eye on me she miss him an she signify it too she tell bout he done ax her to marry him some day an to le him come back an ax what she say an she tell her an up out her cheer an went over to her an kiss her right and say she in de chamber an she em she say she broke out cry in an say she know she ought to hate him but she don t an she she hate an herself an she try to comfort her an she up de plantation ag in but she ain never look like she look he come lady an walk in de hall so straight up he s o de an when she ain claim no kin him back out de do so an say he intrude on her an den ride thirty mile to paper an come an set on he horse at de gate so study and our up in de yard to get him she mighty study and ride over de plantation mighty lar cause de war done us so low all to feed she to tu n right swift to em an es but she ain look like she look an she n y do rose bush nigh de gate but de een o de good times hit like winter all de good luck done gone way de place de weather so severe an we done gi de ev de feed done gi out an rank i tell you an lady sent to an sell bonds an some buy things to eat an de rest gin de ment an ate money for em she say she ain think hit right to an she bonds an sell em fur ate stock or some n i use to em bout it den de come an got my lady horses oh ef didn hu t me i ain over it when we lady tell me to hide de horses hit as well she reckon de time come all down in de river an ain see em but now up at de house an so many been i used to sleep in de at night to watch em so i em all down in de pines on de river an i down as s cure as a in de when come and an em ev y one an black done show em de horses is an lead em he always a mean po white folks an a pity ain sell him long ago ef i couldn a him all to pieces day i b lady mo bout de de horses is den she is bout em he ain show he face no mo he went em an so did two or th ee mo o de boys de folks see em when th oo quarter an to say gone off so tell em de em off but but a lie i know ain me off ax me ef i don wan go but i tell em nor things ous scant after an me an lady lady had hard to meek and tongue meet i tell you we had to might ly winter well one night a thing happen we had done got mighty lean what our an an all an de ain come in an de team done gone an de fences done bu nt up an things mighty down i tell you and night i out in de yard done finish and bout to bed de sky sort o thick an mine on my horses an n y i one on em right long de cross de an i thought to myself i know gallop i set right still an he come cross de branch and stop to drink a an den he come up de hill i say horse got heap o sense he know he hot an he ain to hu t f don how he is he up to de stable now i say an i got to go up an le him in but o he tu n by de an come close de house to i an stop an i well ef don beat any horse ever in de how he know i when somebody lady say good um h i n y a man in de dark on a t black horse an say he wan me to show him de way th oo de place he ax me ef i warn sleep an i tell him nor i den he ax me a whole o questions and an all an say he kin to em an he used to know a long time ago den i ax him to light an tell him we d all be mighty glad to see him but he say he to right on an he keep on how an how been an ef sick an all an so n y i ain tell him no mo all well an den he ax me to show him de way th oo an when i start he ax me he go th oo de yard de he warn go an i tell him yes an le him th oo de back gate an he ride cross de yard on de as he ride by de rose bush nigh de gate he lean over an i thought he a off an i tell him not to lady rose bush she set mo by den all de an he say tis a rose bush an he come long to de gate a rose in he hand he ax me which is room and i tell him de one by de po ch an he say he s pose don use much now de so	46
lady small an i tell him nor lady room right next to dis side an he stop an look at de good den he come long to de gate an when i ax him which way he he say by de tree ford an blessed ef de ain bring up things i done l up to de gate an lady her eyes de rose de cap n done gi her off same bush an de l say he envy him he prison i see him plain as ef he me an him de way to de tree ford but den i some n an he lean over an some n heavy in my hand an i ken say a he gone in de dark and when i back to de light i find six t big gold pieces in hand look like t o butter an ef t hadn been for i d a believe a dream but de money an de horse track an de limb done pull off lady rose bush i hide de money in a de j ice and i p int to tell lady bout it but she say i ain know who tis and so i ain den and i folks bout th oo de yard at night and so i ain say but when i lady bout somebody done lady her rose bush an steal one of her roses i mighty nigh tell her an i would on y i don t you know t do to women folks well no t while after de war broke de spring bout corn time on y we ain plant much cause de team so weak an yankee together done clean us up an an lady had to gi a deed o on de to buy a new team spring we could up de corn land an we hadn mo n half done fo fall an de folks all free den de army th oo an some on em come by home an ev y blessed s horse an mule on de place one mule george an an won have him times an ef lady an didn cry not cause de horses an we done get use to an meek em mad and high but cause done fall an l lee surrendered ef didn cry when fall but say ain meek no l lee whip em but when l lee done surrender gin up wouldn b it but n y lady grieve bout much as when die she ain she al sickly and in bed after and lady and use to her after de year or so o de folks went away lady she tell em better go l fine kin do mo for em en she kin now heap on em say ain way but after we so po went way lady sell some diamonds to buy em some n to eat while well so ve y long after dis or maybe after get a letter de l s cap n he done l den her he want her to le him come down an see her an lady an he been love lady all de time he wounded in de war an al will love her an won she le him help her any way he owe an lady he life em read it de letter might ly an she put it in lady ban s an tu n way a lady say set right still a minute an look mighty solemn den she look at sort o sideways an den she say tell him no an went over an kiss her right lady an i de letter write to de office well so much time after begin to sue on s debts we her in de co t an she to her bed lar so much trouble an say she hope she won to see de place sold an lady she got to ev she used to sing to an read to her an try to her up out tain meek no hit did do an she know it cause we po now an po er n an me cause de ain got nobody to it an no team to it an we ain know who it b to an hit done all grow up in bushes an ev y year hit grow up mo an mo an we po er an po er she to have flour ain been use to but de bread as white as you t an she so sickly now she got to have heap o things tell lady at her wits een to em s all i ever see her cry bout when she ain got to buy what want she use to cry bout but ain know bout she think lady got heap mo n she is bein up in her room now all de time de doctor say she got lady tion an lady all she kin to keep t her how po we is an fur her she f out it her fur her to her hit used to hu t me sometimes to de of a things she use to sing in times like she got ev on same as de war an i know she to ease mine an maybe she right now den i went an de rest o de money de cap n gi me night de j ice i had done spend right smart chance on it things b i meek it on de farm an i put it in hat an it to lady cause it sort o an her face sort o light up when she see de gold cause she n y had use for it an she ax me i so much money an i tell her somebody gi t to me an she say what i do it an i tell her it an she say how	46
an i tell her i owe it to her for rent an she bu st out so she me she say she owe me an her ev in de an she know we em cause helpless an things an she cry so i an her how i come by de money an she stop an listen good den she say she a cent o money an she mon tell i tell her lady i wan buy de mule an she say she consider him mine now an ef he ain she gi him to me an i say nor i wan buy him den she say how much he an i say he a dollars but i ain got much right now i kin owe her de an she out like when she a little girl an would begin to laugh ef you please her de tears on her face an dress sort o april like hit gratify me so i keep on at it but she say she ll twenty dollars for de mule an no mo an i say i ain mule no price den n y we on forty dollars an i pay it to her an she me up to next day to things for ah she al meek it a p int after to feed george a little some n ev y day den she de school did you know bout de school house right down de road a little piece i reckon you see it as you come long i ain b it when i em say lady teach it i say she teach she ain not my young but she laugh at me an an say she been de colored n all her life ain she an she wan an me to ease bout it ef she say anything i n y was posed to it do an de colored n she been teach lady in b to her but she al so on what she do she meek you b she right don what tis an i tell her n y all right but ef to her le me know an i ll come down an em out so she went lar walk right long di ve y her books an her little basket an sometimes i d bring de mule for her to ride home ef she been up de night but she wouldn ride much cause she think george got to tell long in de spring lady she done down what school an up an bein so po for an her face real white o pink like blossom as it used to be on y her eyes bigger an prettier n ever look tired when she come out o chamber an lean g de do out down de road an de doctor come from to see cause de ain no doctor in de neighborhood de war tell when he went way de time tain no hope for she gone an he her aside an tell her she better look mighty good after lady too he say she sick as an thing she know she ll be gone too might ly an sometimes bring de mule for her to ride home ef she been up de night lady well so tell in de spring i had done plant corn an it done come up right good bout eight acres right below the barn de strong i couldn put in no mo cause de mule he mighty an come a man down one a sway back horse an say sell de place in bout a lady gone to school an i ain le him see nor tell him lady is i de message an call so as she kin it straight an when lady come home i tell her she n y did tu n white an night she ain sleep a wink after she put her ma to sleep she come out to her house an fling herself on bed an cry an cry as ef her heart she say kill her ma an hit did she to bout it cause lady to it to her now and at it like she got better on it she mo o ev an her eyes look bright and shiny she ain know not bout how hard lady been had to she say she keep on after her to f some new es a dress an things an she an lady would smile tired like an say she now and don want no mo n she lady got an her smile meek me sorry like she so hit went on tell de sale an one day lady she done her ma in her cheer by de she done fix her good pillows an she done gone to school an come out i de mule on de ditch bank an say wan see me i gi de lines an i went in an knock at de do an when ain i went an knock at de chamber do an she tell me to come in an i ax her how she is an she say she ain got long to stay us an she wan ax me some n and she wan me tell her de truth an she say i al been mighty faithful an kind to her an an she hope will me an for it an she wan me now to tell her de truth when she talk way hit n y hut me an i her i n y would tell her faithful den she went on an ax me how we on an ef we ain been mighty po an ef lady ain done f more n she ever know an i tell her all bout it ev like it de fatal truth cause i done promised her an she n y was grieved i tell you an the tears roll down an off her face on de	46
pillow an n y she say she hope would lady her an she out her breast little rocks gi her when she married been an she say she gin up all the but she keep to gi lady when she married an now she feared pride an done punish her her starve but she ain know bout hit an ance he forgive an she went on an talk bout an times when she come home a bride an bout an lady tell she mo my heart an de tears rain down my face on de she n y talk beautiful den she gi me de diamonds an shine like a handful of lightning an she tell me to em an on em an gi em to lady some time after she gone an not le nobody else have em an would n me an good o her an stay her and not le her so hard an i tell her we n y would do den her voice gin out an she mighty tired but hit look like she got some n still on her an n y she say i come close she mighty tired an i sort o ben her an she say she wan me after she gone as soon as i kin to get the to lady s cousin wounded o de war she dead an ef he kin help her an be o lady her she know he ll do it an i ain to le lady know bout it not t all an to tell him she him her den she so faint i run an call an she come running an gi her some an tell me to de mule an go after lady an so i did when she got do done speechless done her in de bed which wan t no trouble she so light she know lady do an try to speak to her two or t ee times but ain meek out much mo n would bless her and on her an she die right easy an lady ax me to pray an i did she n y die peaceful an she look like she after she dead she n y ready to go well and lady lay her out in her frock an she ly look younger n i ever see her look fell ef she ain look younger n she look de war an de neighbors de few s left an de black folks come an we bury her de after in the right side her born we know she wan be an her she went in de house after to stay at night in the room lady an i sleep on the front po ch to de house cause we lady n y bout de she ain sleep an she ain eat an she ain cry none an say ain reasonable which taint cause cry sort o but so de time she cry she come in s house an fling f on de bed an cry so grievous cause sell de place an kill her ma she ain cry no mo well after we done bury as i we n y bout lady hit look like what de doctor say n y so an she right after her ma i try to meek her ride de mule to school an tell her i ain got no use for him i got to thin de corn but she t she say he so po she don like to gi him no mo n necessary an s de fact he mighty po bout den cause de feed done gi out an de grass ain come good an when mule an he mighty hard to up but he been a good mule in he time an he a good mule so she d go to school of a an me or one d go to meet her of a to her books cause she hardly able to f den an she do right well at school de un all love her lady when she got home she so den her mind sort o itself an she set down an think an study an look so grieved hit n y did hut me an to see her at de o chamber her head on her han an out all de so and she look beautiful too say she herself to death well went on for mo n six weeks and de ev y night all by f de moonlight all over her her look so pale she tell me one night i got to do some n an i say what tis an she say i got to de say to de cap n de need a an i say how and she say i got to write a letter den i say neither read nor write but i can get lady to write it an she say nor i cause ain done lar lady ain to know bout it den i say i kin somebody at de to write it an i kin pay em in eggs an she say she ain have no po white folks an bout business den i say how i do den an she study a little while an den she say i got to de mule an go fine him i lady say hi good how i fine him de cap n live up in new york or or an s n g an ru ride de mule to death i besides i ain got to feed him but got to all she say i got tongue in head an i kin fine de way an as to de mule to death i kin down an le him or i kin lead him an i kin him side de road ef folks so nobody le me him in den she study little while an den say she got it now i must	46
go to an sell de mule an de money an on de an fine him i know she it cause she al a powerful han to anything but it n y did hut me to part mule he a ambitious mule an i tell i ain done corn an she say ain meek no she de corn after i gone an de so she feared she ll die an what good corn do den she mo n she say so i to go to but one light an she wash t day an cook while lady at school well i knock lady right early bout two hours be sun cause i wan rest de mule an after him for a while in de yard i put him in he stall an gi him a o meal cause de night i feed him and soon as i went in de meal he ch his tail an f like he kick me s de way he al do when he got anything g you cause you a fool or anything cause mule got a heap o sense when you know em well i think he cause he know i sell him an i at him right like i cut him in two to fool him ef i kin an meek him b tain de matter an den i a horse long right brisk an i stop an listen an de horse come long de right study an up de stable i say hi who an when i went to de stall do a man on a strange horse two white an a beard on he face an he hat pulled over he eyes to keep de sun out n em an when he see me he ride on up to de stable an ax me is lady at de house an how she is an a whole o questions an he so p in he i ain had time to study ef i ever see him but i don think i is he a mighty straight fine lady man do he face right brown like he been an i ain able to fix him no ways den he tell me he o death an he come cross de ocean an he wan see lady lar an i tell him she at school but it time for her come back an he ax an i show him de an he down an ax me ef i feed he horse an i tell him in co se do knows i ain got to feed him but i ain le him know so i ax him to walk to de house an a seat on de po ch tell lady come an i de horse an him in de stable like i got de corn house full o corn an when i come out i look an he way cross de long de lady well i say hi now he to meet lady an i ain know he name what he want an i study a little while i should go an fine or hurry f an meet lady not i b he speak out de way to lady cause he n y quality i see i know hit time i look at him so straight on he horse me of an he voice hit easy when he name lady name and but i ain know but what he somebody lady wan to buy de place an i know lady ain wan talk bout an ain wan see strangers no way so i lip out cross de th oo a way to hit de at dis ve y place de gap an i thought lady mighty apt to ef she tired or an i hurry long right swift to de white man kin an all de time i tu in mine i done anybody got voice sound deep an like an ax questions ef lady well anxious an i it an by time i done got right to de tu n in de out o an as i tu round o bushes i see lady right on de de gap use to be her books by her side on de her hat off at her feet an her head for ard in her ban s an her tumble down an de sun it th oo de bushes an hit all come to me in a minute as as ef she on de gap de rose leaves done all down on de by her an cap n her han to comfort her an her she le him come back some time to love her an i say fo ef i ain know him soon as i lay eyes on him de lady done come den i know mule act so an den he come long down de he hat on de back o he head an he eyes on her right an he face look so tender hit look right sweet she think hit me an she ain move nor look up tell he call her name den she look up right swift an give a sort o cry an her face light up like she tu n t to de sun an he out he han s to her an i slip back so he couldn see me an come long home right quick to tell i tell her i know him soon as i see him but she tell me s a lie cause ef i had i d a come an tell her bout hit an not gone down white folks an she say i ain have no sense bout not folks he couldn fool her an i don b he could a tho i ain low to cause hit don do to too much mighty up by it an den ain al want it well she went in de house an ev an fix all de straight an set de table for	46
two a thing ain been done not sick an den i see her de rose bushes mighty busy an when she me in de room a whole s lady o flowers she done put in a blue dish in de middle o de table an she as bout thing as ef a fifty cents somebody done gi her well den she come out an a as she ef she ain got more an on fire den i been see for i don know how long it do me good well n y come mighty aged like an i think it all right an went up on de po ch an shake hands a long time an den king you know he tu n an come down de steps an she gone in de house her to her eyes i call right quick an say hi good a mighty what de now an she look den a d she tu n an walk right straight long de to de house an went in th oo de room an into de hall an she fine de done fling herself down on her face on de sofa like her heart broke an she ax her what de matter an she say an say what he been to you an she say an say you done sen him way an she say yes den she tell her what tell me de day she die an she say she stop sort o but she hold de lady pillar right tight an she say please go way an come way an come s an de cap n when he come down de steps he went to lady rose bush an pull a rose off it an put t in a little book in he pocket an den he come down we house an he face mighty pale an an he n y glad to see me an he laugh a little bit at me for him fool me but i tell him he done got so likely an agreeable de reason i ain know him an he ax me to he horse an den come out de house an she ax him he an he he home an he don reckon he ll ever see us no mo an he say he thought when he come maybe be an he had hoped maybe he d a been able to prove to lady some n he wan prove an get her to le him o her an we all s what he come ten thousand miles fur he say but she got some n on her mine he say she over an now he got to go an he say he want us to on her an stay her al and he meek it right an he g he name in a man an gi me he dress an i come up ev y month an what he an report how we all is an he say o lady he ain got to do now but to try an reward us all fur all our kindness to him an keep us easy but he wan back he guess cause he got no mo hope now he know lady got on her mine he over an he look down in de the when he say an he voice sort o broke she him th oo right study an he face look mighty sorrowful an he voice done gin out when he say lady got that on her mine he over den she an him he n y ain got much sense ef he come all way he say an way lady de been f her ma die she ain know what she wan an got on her mine an ef he ain got de to meek her know he better go long back he come an he better ain set he foot an she say he n y done gone back he out de do he s o de an on he nick tail horse at de gate so study an she say ef man he d be married dis oh she was real to him cause she n y an she tell him what tell me de day she ev y like i tell you an she say now he can go i long cause ef he ain be to de de plenty mo to be her all de time an she have t all to do em s all she tu n an gone long in her house like she ain him an he he look like day done broke on im i see darkness roll off him an he tu n an stride long back to de house an went up de steps th ee at a time an say when he went in de was on de sofa still her head in de pillow cause she n y did for him all de time an ever he open he eyes an look at her so by him him all night to keep him when he wounded in de war an de on y thing is she ain been able to get her to marry him cause he g we all an cause she got t in her mine don wan her to marry him for an now he gone she in de t hall on de sofa to f so she ain him come up de steps tell he went up to her and kneel down by her an put he arm her and talk to her she went in th oo de chamber n y to peep an see ef he got any sense an when come back she ain say much but she me to de lady spring an set to ag in mighty an she say he to de to marry him tomorrow she tell me mo de seem mighty an she don know she ll marry him or not cause	46
hung on her arm the house was a large brick edifice with a roof covered with moss small windows with pillars somewhat out of repair a big high hall and a staircase wide enough to drive a up it if it could have turned the corners a grove of great forest oaks and shaded it and made it look rather gloomy and the garden with the old covered with at one end was almost in front while the side of the wood a forest from which the place took its came up so close as to form a strong dark background during the war the place like most others in that my cousin suffered greatly and only a sudden exhibition of spirit on cousin s part saved it from a worse fate after the war it went down the fields were poor and grew up in and and the house was too large and out of repair to keep from decay the of it divided between cousin and other members of the family cousin had no means whatever so that it soon was in a bad condition the rest of the family as they grew up went off compelled by necessity to seek some means of and would have taken cousin too if she would have gone but she would not go they did all they could for her but she preferred to hang around the old place and to do what she could with her and old her s husband who alone remained in the quarters she lived in a part of the house up the rest and from time to time visited among her friends and relatives who always received her she had an old piece of a mare which i think she had bought from with one eye three legs and no mane or tail to speak of and on which she without the least perceptible result care enough to have kept a stable in condition in a of humor she named this my cousin animal fashion after a noted of the old times which had been raised in the county had beaten the famous boston in a great race she always spoke of with a tone of real tenderness in her voice and looked after her and discussed her which were always numerous as if she had been a delicate child mounted on this beast with her bags and bundles and and umbrella and a long stick or pole she used occasionally to make the tour of the neighborhood and was always really welcomed because notwithstanding the trouble she gave she always stirred things up as was said once you could no more have remained dull where she was than you could have with a down your back her retort was that a might be used to rouse people from a she had an old maid s tongue by the younger members of the family she was always welcomed because she furnished so much fun she nearly always fetched some little thing to her host not her hostess a fowl or a pat of butter from her one old cow or something of the kind because she said had established the precedent and she was a woman of good understanding she understood that feeding and flattery were the way to win men my cousin she would sometimes have a chicken in a basket hung on the off of her old saddle because at times she fancied she could not eat anything but chicken soup and she did not wish to give trouble she used to give trouble enough for it generally turned out that she had heard some one was sick in the neighborhood and she wanted the soup carried to her i remember how mad joe got because she made him go with her to carry a bucket of soup to old mrs cousin had the marks of an old maid she was thin we used to call her though i remember now she was quite erect until she grew feeble her features were fine her nose was very straight her hair was brown and her eyes which were dark were weak so that she had often to wear a green shade she used to say herself that they were bad eyes they had been so ever since the time when she was a young girl and there had been a very bad attack of scarlet fever at her home and she had caught it i think she caught a bad cold with it sitting up nursing some of the younger children perhaps and it had settled in her eyes she was always very liable to cold i believe she had a lover then or about that my cousin time but her mother had died not long before and she had some notion of duty to the children and so discarded him of course as every one said she d much better have married him i do not suppose he ever could have addressed her she never would admit that he did which did not look much like it she was once spoken of in my presence as a sore eyed old maid i have forgotten who said it yet i can now recall occasions when her eyes being better appeared unusually soft and had she not been an old maid would sometimes have been beautiful as for instance occasionally when she was playing at the piano in the evenings before the candles were lighted i recollect particularly once when she was singing an old french love song another time was when on a certain occasion some one was talking about marriages and the reasons which led to or prevented them she sat quite still and silent looking out of the window with her thin hands resting in her lap her head was turned away from most of the people but i was sitting where i could	46
see her and the light of the evening sky was on her face it made her look very soft she lifted up her eyes and looked far off toward the horizon i remember it recalled to me young as i was the speech i my cousin had heard some one once make when i was a little boy and which i had thought so ridiculous that when she was young before she caught that cold she was almost beautiful there was an expression on her face that made me think she ought always to sit looking out of the window at the evening sky i believe she had brought me some apples that day when she came and that made me feel kindly toward her the light on her hair gave it a look quite presently she withdrew her eyes from the sky and let them fall into her lap with a sort of long sighing breath and slowly her fingers the next second some one fired this question at her well cousin give us your views and her expression changed back to that which she ordinarily wore oh my views like other people s vary from my practice she said it is not views but experiences which are valuable in life when i shall have been married twice i will tell you while there s life there s hope eh some one for an old maid in any way was held perfectly legitimate yes indeed and she left the room smiling and went up stairs my cousin this was one of the occasions when her eyes looked well there were others that i remember as sometimes when she was in church sometimes when she was playing with little children and now and then when as on that evening she was sitting still gazing out of the window but usually her eyes were weak and she wore the green shade which gave her face a making her look old and giving her a pained invalid expression her dress was one of her peculiarities perhaps it was because she made her clothes herself without being able to see very well i suppose she did not have much to dress on i know she used to turn her dresses and change them around several times when she had any money she used to it buying dresses for s girls or for some one else she was always neat being quite she said that cleanliness was next to in a man and in a woman it was on a par with it i remember once seeing a picture of her as a young girl as young as dressed in a soft white dress with her hair down over her ears and some flowers in her dress that is it was said to be she but i did not believe it to be sure the flowers looked like it she always would stick flowers or lo a cousin leaves in her dress which was thought quite ridiculous the idea of flowers with an old maid it was as hard as believing she ever was the young girl it was not however her dress old and often queer and as it used to be that was the chief grievance against her there was a much stronger ground of complaint she had nerves the word used to be strung out in it with a curve of the lips as ner i don t remember that she herself ever mentioned them that was the part of it she would never say a word she would just close her thin lips tight and wear a sort of ill look as if she were in actual pain she used to go up stairs and shut the door and windows tight and go to bed and have on her temples and the back of her neck and when she came down after a day or two she would have bright red spots burnt on her temples and neck and would look ill of course it was very hard not to be exasperated at this then she would creep about as if merely stepping her would put on a heavy blue veil and wrap her head up in a shawl and feel along by the chairs till she got to a seat and drop back in it gasping why i have even seen her sit in the room all up and ii h cousin with an old over her head to keep out the light or some such nonsense as we used to think it was too ridiculous to us and we boys used to walk heavily and over chairs accidentally of course just to make her jump sometimes she would even start up and cry out we had the proof that it was all put on for if you began to talk to her and got her interested she would forget all about her and would run on and talk and laugh for an hour until she suddenly remembered sank back again in her and pains she knew a great deal in fact i recall now that she seemed to know more than any woman i have ever been thrown with and if she had not been an old maid i am bound to admit that her conversation would have been the most entertaining i ever knew she lived in a sort of atmosphere of romance and literature the old writers and their characters were as real to her as we were and she used to talk about them to us whenever we would let her of course when it came from an old maid it made a difference she was not only easily the best french scholar in our region where the ladies all knew more or less of french but she was an excellent latin scholar which was much less my cousin common i have often lain down before the fire when i was learning	46

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