S. 6. and £. L. ELBERT
ft
t
MARY COCHRAN THURMAN.
Sketches
IN
Ebony and gold
BY
MARY COCHRAN THURMAM
Broadway Publishing Company
MONTREAL NEW YORK LONDON
Copyright, 1902,
by
MARY C. THURMAN,
in the
United States
and
Great Britain,
Entered at
Stationers' Hall, London.
All Rights Reserved.
Sketches in Ebony and Gold.
MY FATHER.
TO THE MEMORY OF ONE WHO TAUGHT MY MIND TO
READ THE GOOD OF LIFE, MY HEART TO HELP
IT ON, I, IN LOVE AND ADMIRATION DEDI-
CATE THIS HUMBLE TRIBUTE.
CONTENTS.
PAGE
Sketches in Ebony and Gold 3
George Washington, Jr 45
Bagged Mountain Pete 97
"Little Missus" 119
"Hallelujah Jane" 129
"The General" 137
SKETCHES IN EBONY AND GOLD.
I.
"One I love, Two I love, Three I love, I
say : Four I love with all my heart and Five
I cast away," sang one of earth's sweetest
voices.
Not a voice of much pathos to be sure, for
the "Five I cast away" was repeated with
almost an exultant little thrill. The voice
of a care-free maiden, it seemed to be, a
voice wThose every note danced with joy and
rang out as clear as a bell, while the minor
chords of sympathy were only hinted at.
For why should dirges be sung while the
world was full of sunshine? So thought
3
4 Sketches in Ebony and Gold.
the happy owner, and surely it would have
been an ill accompaniment to the picture
she then made, as down the wooded patn
she gayly tripped, swinging a spray of dew-
bespangled wild roses in one fair hand,
while with the other she daintily caught up
her "Dolly Varden" skirts.
A study, one might have called her, in
pink and gold as her little ruffled sun-bon-
net of pink fell back, disclosing a wealth of
sun-kissed hair, while the pink and white
roses in her hand were reflected on her
cheeks.
Golden buckles, on high curved insteps,
gleamed through the lace meshes of her pet-
ticoat.
A picture she made in truth, a picture
that an artist would come far to sketch, a
lover still farther to possess.
Soon the singing ceased and the voice
Sketches in Ebony and Gold. 5
called out clearly but softly, "Mammy,
mammy, where are you, anyway?" and the
answer came back in full, melodious tones :
"Here I is, honey, shellin' peas under de
ole hick'ry tree. Ef you wants me ter,
little missus, I'll kum ter once."
"No, you needn't, mammy, for I am
coming right there myself," said Madeline
Douglass, as she pulled back the honey-
suckle vines from across her path and burst
upon the scene like a ray of sunshine.
"I've a great secret to tell you, mammy,"
she continued, as the old darky hustled
around to dust off a corner of the long
bench, on which she had been sitting, for her
mistress, declaring all the time that "It
warn't flttin' for my pet to res' upon."
"Oh, never mind that," laughed the young
girl. "I'll excuse it this time, because I am
in a hurry to tell you my secret."
6 Sketches in Ebony and Gold.
The old colored woman's ebony counte-
nance fairly gleamed at tlie promise of a
mystery, but she shook her head ominously,
and said:
"You'se too young, honey, fur secruts.
What's wuth knowin' you should shere
wid oders, and what ain't, you shouldn't
persess. But go 'long, chile, yo' ole mam-
my is allays ready ter hear."
"I knew you would be," replied Madeline
with a smile. "Well, what would you think,
mammy, if I were to tell you that I was
going to be married?"
"Gwine ter get married," repeated the old
negress half incredulously. "I'd say, sugar,
that you warn't half as smart as some young
gemmun must be. But law, honey, 'tis yo'
proper callin', an' 'tain't fur me to be ar-
gufyin' agin matrimony wid nobody, me as
has had three ole men already, and de Lord
Sketches in Ebony and Gold. 7
knows as how I'll have anudder ef Isaac
pegs out afore I does, soon as eber de mourn-
in' time be ober. Now, tell me, honey, who
it am you'se thinkin' ob givin' yo' pretty
self to? Mister Dudley, I hopes, ef anybody,
fur den you kin stay rite at home, and I'd
feel easy in givin' you into his hands, 'cos he
am a good man cert'ny, and lubs you ter
distracshun. Enny fool kin see dat in dose
dark, solemn eyes ob his'n."
"Oh, mammy," interrupted her young
mistress, "you are such an old goose about
Mr. Dudley. Of course, he is a nice man,
but don't you know that I never would do
for a minister's wife? I am much too frivo-
lous and spoilt. The poor man would spend
all his time preaching his sermons at me,
and I would spend all mine crying over
them. In fact we both would be miserable.
No, no, I can't marry Mr. Dudley, not even
8 Sketches in Ebony and Gold.
to please you. Besides/' she continued
with a merry twinkle in her eyes, "how do
you know that he has ever asked me to?"
"How does I know?" was the quick re-
ply. "How does I know dat de sun am riz
terday? 'Cos, I done seen it. An' cayrn't I
see how dat po' young preacher am a-wear-
in' his tongue an' his heart strings out er
askin' you? Pshaw, chile, I'se too ole an'
'sperienced ter git fooled on co'tin' signs,
Dey's plain as de tail on er peacock, any-
way."
"Well," broke in Madeline again, "sup-
pose he has, and suppose I told him No,
that I loved Mr. Allen better, and was going
to marry him, what would you say then?"
"I'd say," Mammy 'Liza solemnly replied,
"dat you ain't done cut yo' wisdom teeth
yit. An' honey, you mustn't git riled ef I
talks plain-like, fur God knows I don't mean
Sketches in Ebony and Gold. g
no offence. I'se de only mudder you'se eb-
ber knowed since you was a tiny, weansy
baby, when yo' own angel mudder crossed
de ribber an' lef you in my kere. Ter be
sho', massa done his best by you, fur he
lubed you better'n he lubed his life, but den
he was in fur spilin' you, sho', 'cos he
wouldn't cross you in nuffin'. He just say
he couldn't scole you, fur it would feel like
scoldin' missus herself, an' dat he'd sooner
cut out his tongue dan do. As fur Mister
Allen, he am a likely 'nuff young gemmun,
but not de kind fur you. What you needs
am a good stron' religionist ter keep you in
de rite track, an' Mister Allen jes' got 'nuff
'ligi'n fur hisself, no more ter spare dan a
dancin' 'Piscopalean, an' he'd 'low you ter
do as you please widout any advisement
whatsomever. 'Tain't his fault, honey, 'tis
de raisin' he's had. An' you wouldn't help
io Sketches in Ebony and Gold.
him no mor'n he'd help you. You'd just
drif inter his ways, an' his ways am his
people's ways, an' dere ways is to do as dey
please, make all de money dey kin an' let
dere po' souls lookout fer demselves. Dey
thinks de Lord owes dem a good time, an'
dey don't owe Him nothin'. Cayrn't I tell
dat by de way he do about goin' to church?
He wouldn't go 'tall ef it warn't fur keepin'
de odder gemmuns off of you, an' when he
gits dere, instead ob payin' 'tention ter de
prayers an' singing, he jes' gawps and bats
his eyes 'round all de time. He do well 'nuff
fur courtin' days, little missus, but when de
road 'ill get rocky, 'twon't be him as can
comfort you, 'cos he hain't got no balm of
Gilead in his soul. What dat you say about
his lubbin' you 'nuff ter make up fur dat?
Chile, der ain't nuffln' dat kin take its place
on dis earth ! 'Cos he lubs you, honey, but
Sketches in Ebony and Gold. n
do de honey-bee desarve credit fur lubbin'
de rose? An' his lub ain't a sarcumstance
to Mister Dudley's, fur he lubs you wid his
soul, same as his mind an' body, while Mis-
ter Allen ain't so sure he got a soul. An',
honey, soul-lub is de only kind dat kin stand
rubbin'. Ter-be-sho, he kin send you 'nuff
candy ter kill, an' flowers ter smudder you
under, but what am dat when his daddy
pays de bills? Doan't count as much as de
little wild flowers in yer han' what Mister
Dudley riz 'arly in de mornin' ter git fur
you, while de dew-drops was on 'em. Hear
me talkin', chile, 'tis powerful easy ter fling
'round dollars when de ole folks do all de
gatherin' ob dem, but 'tain't so easy ter rise
wid de sun allays. I ain't 'ere sayin' Mis-
ter Allen wouldn't lub you same as Mister
Dudley ef he knowed how, but he doan't
know how, an' you can't nebber teach
12 Sketches in Ebony and Gold.
him. Listen ter yo' ole black mammy;
honey, an' take de man as has his foot
planted on de Rock ob Ages, &n' wiken de
clouds git black an' de waves do beat, he'll
jes' fold you in his strong arms and wipe de
tears away. But, laws hab mercy, while
I'se rattlin' on here, you is gwine ter sleep,
an' all my dinner is spilin'. Go 'long, chile,
an' res' yo' pretty head afore de beaux begin
ter come ter call, an' jist remember dis, dat
no matter who you marries, I'se gwine ter
bake de finest cake in de country fur de
weddin' supper, so dar now!"
Sketches in Ebony and Gold. 13
II.
rA night in June.
The air was redolent with the perfume
of rose and honeysuckle, moonbeams danced
athwart the lawn and played "hide and
seek" among the trees.
Within the dense foliage of some massive
oak, a nightingale was singing love songs
to her mate.
Through the long vista of elms and
maples the home of Colonel Douglass rose
like some fairy castle, a blaze of sparkling
lights.
Servants in velvet jackets and knee
breeches were noiselessly hurrying hither
and thither, while before the open portals
14 Sketches in Ebony and Gold.
a pair of well-fed, well-groomed horses
stood restlessly champing their bits and
pawing the ground, harnessed to a high-
swung family coach.
Flowers were strewn everywhere! And
wedding bells pealed through the air, for
to-night "My Lady of Broad Oaks" was to
become Mistress Allen!
Picturesque Grace Church, about a mile
distant, stood ready for the ceremony.
Into a veritable bower of roses it had
been transformed, whose every niche was
filled with waiting, anxious friends.
The organist, to quiet their eagerness,
was playing some sweet, almost plaintive
strains which set the dear old ladies in
silken gowns and lace caps, to romancing,
while old men shut their eyes to dream over
again their honeymoon days.
Suddenly, "Hush!" fell upon the au-
Sketches in Ebony and Gold. 15
dience. Old people straightened up and
held their breath. Young people craned
their necks, but held not their tongues, for
here and there could be caught the whis-
pered :
"Here she comes."
"Isn't her dress pretty?"
"My, but she looks frightened."
"Oh, but she's a beauty," etc., etc.
Then the organ gave a broken sigh, and
began to peal the joyful wedding march,
while the bridal procession slowly filed up
the aisle.
First came little boys, in silk knicker-
bockers and silver buckles, holding the rib-
bons, followed by dainty little maidens, who
scattered daisies and lilies of the valley for
high-heeled shoes to crush.
Then came groomsmen and bridesmaids,
the latter wearing sheer white muslins, and
1 6 Sketches in Ebony and Gold.
carrying garlands of flowers, while last, but
by no means least, came the radiant bride,
clad in exquisite robes of misty white,
orange blossoms in her hair and a single
spray of white wild roses in her hand, lean-
ing on the arm of her stately father. Never
had Madeline Douglass looked more lovely,
and every inch she seemed a queen.
As she left the door of the church, Mam-
my 'Liza, in white 'kerchief and a black
silk dress, "one ob ole missus' verjy bes',"
smoothed out her train, saying as she did
so:
"Now, honey, doan't look to de right nor
yet to de lef, but keep in de middle ob de
road."
Then she hastily brushed aside a stray
tear, and hurried off to a corner of the
church especially reserved for the servants
where, amongst others, sat little Julius
Sketches in Ebony and Gold. 17
Csesar Hopkins, her grandson, with eyes
big as saucers, and his coal black face fairly
shining from the soap and scrubbing it had
received for the occasion.
"Uncle" Isaac's rhine-stone shirt stud
seemed really jealous of "the flash" it gave.
The groom was at the altar ready to re-
ceive the bride. A handsome man he was,
and so faultlessly attired that even Mammy
'Liza admitted she was proud of his "quali-
fications."
But the minister, an important personage
on all such occasions, seemed of unusual in-
terest to the congregation, as he stood wait-
ing the bride in his long, white robes. A
giant he appeared in stature, with dark,
piercing eyes and brow of marble white,
from which long raven locks were careless-
ly brushed. A striking looking man he cer-
tainly was.
1 8 Sketches in Ebony and Gold.
Over in a corner someone was heard to
whisper: "Presiding at his own funeral/'
and the town joker replied: "Well, he's
marrying her, anyhow ;" but if any thoughts
were racking the brain or any emotions stir-
ring the heart of the young divine, not a
muscle of his face betrayed them. There
were strongly drawn lines there, but im-
movable they seemed in the rigidly pale
countenance.
Miss Mehitabel Baezly, the village gossip,
declared she heard a dry, broken sob as he
pronounced the couple "man and wife," but
all the fair young bride saw was a smile of
wondrous sweetness, and heard the words
"God bless you both forever" as he held her
hand in parting benediction.
Mammy 'Liza found him afterwards in
the vestry room, where she ran to control
Sketches in Ebony and Gold. 19
her emotions before returning to "de decep-
tion up at de house/' with his head buried
in his arms and from the edge of his closed
Bible, one little wild rosebud was peeping.
20 Sketches in Ebony and Gold.
III.
June of another year; but the town air
seemed stifling, and the scene had shifted
from Southern romance to Western bustle.
In the heart of the city there stood a
handsome) residence; brilliantly lighted it
was, but not for sounds of revelry, for ropes
were stretched and gloomy silence hung o'e?
all.
Grim death was knocking at the door,
and weary watchers were faintly begging
for one moment more.
Within the palatial walls, a chapter
from "Life's Book" was closing. The hero-
ine's race was run. Panting, she lay upon
her silken couch, for even death's chill could
Sketches in Ebony and Gold. 21
neither cool that raging fever nor calm
those wild, frightened eyes.
At the bedside her husband knelt, hold-
ing one poor little emaciated hand in his,
knelt, as if at the shrine of some beautiful
idol, but helpless and hopeless. Between
the sighing and sobbing, he heard those ever
repeated words, pleading and imploring:
"Can no one show me the way? Please,
please take my hand. Oh, where, where is
the road? It used to run by the little
church, but I haven't been to church for so
long, and I've forgotten wThat the minister
said. There! there! why am I talking of
ministers and churches? Everybody out
he*re says they are stupid, and I am going
to the play to-night instead. Dancing and
singing! Dancing and singing! Oh, how
gay it all is. But," and the sufferer strug-
gled to rise in her terror. "Look! Look!
22 Sketches in Ebony and Gold.
the players are grinning skeletons and all
they sing is 'Lost! Lost!' Oh, take me
back! Take rne back to the light!" she
screamed, clutching the very air for help.
"For God's sake, doctor," cried her hus-
band, springing to his feet, "can nothing
ease her brain?"
The old doctor sadly shook his head, say-
ing as he turned aside, "All has been done,
but the struggle will not be long."
"Madeline," implored the young man,
sinking once more to her side, "speak to me,
darling. Don't you know me now? Say 'I
love you' just once more."
"I love, I love," came from the thin lips,
"what do I love? Oh, yes, let me look at
you," she said, fixing her beautiful wild eyes
upon his face. "I used to know you, long
ago. We started out together, didn't we?
And the road was pleasant, but you said
Sketches in Ebony and Gold. 23
you knew another prettier one, and I went
with you, but it's getting dark, so dark, and
I hear the river roaring. Do you know
where heaven is? Your friends said there
was no such place, and I began to believe
them, but now7 1 know there is. I feel it and
you do, too, don't you, dear? Of course you
do," she continued, putting out her arms to
him, ".for you — you are my husband."
But before she heard his eager answer,
the wild look came once more into those
beautiful eyes, and the poor, tired brain
again began its struggle for freedom.
Outside in the hall, Benjamin, the punc-
tilious butler, was making a dignified effort
to prevent a strange looking figure from en-
tering the house of mourning.
In answer to continued raps on the mas-
sive portals, he had found standing on the
doorsteps an old negro woman, clad in neat,
24 Sketches in Ebony and Gold.
clean, homespun gown, long, white apron,
black silk sunbonnet, and a red bandanna
'kerchief crossed upon her bosom.
In her hand she carried a bright colored
carpetbag.
"Morning sah," she said, making Benja-
min a curtsey. "Wouldn't hab pestered
you, but couldn't fin' no kitch'n do' sabe my
soul. Am dis where Miss Mad'lin libs?"
"Miss Madeline who?" asked Benjamin
in a superior manner, edging the carpetbag
from the door with the tip of his shoe.
"Miss Mad'lin Douglass, in co'se. Laws
hab mercy, chile, 'pears like you city folks
am powerful ignorant. Eb'rybody in
Scottesville knows who Miss Mad'lin is, wid-
out any splainin'."
"This," interrupted Benjamin, preparing
to close the door, "is the residence of Mrs,
Gordon Allen."
Sketches in Ebony and Gold 25
"Well," exclaimed his visitor, "she am de
bery same, an' I wants ter see her."
"Impossible," was the reply, "Mrs. Allen
is very ill."
"Doan't I knows dat she am sick? Ain't
dat fur what I'se come all dese miles 'hind
a turrible engine? Lemme in, son, I'se no
time ter was'. Dar, dar," she excitedly
whispered, as Madeline's delirious voice
rose upon the air, "dar's my chile er
callin'. Lemme me pass, critter ! Doan'
yer tech me wid yo' han's," she fierce-
ly added, as Benjamin, in sheer des-
peration, tried to push her from the door,
and before he could recover from his con-
sternation, she had followed the raving
voice down the corridor, and was entering
her mistress's room.
The watchers started to their feet, but
she heeded them note
26 Sketches in Ebony and Gold.
Swiftly passing to the bedside of the now
thoroughly delirious Madeline, she gently
drewT the raving form upon her bosom,
smoothed the golden curls from off the mar-
ble brow, and softly murmured :
"Hush, honey, doan't worry so. Here's
yo' ole Mammy done come to 'tend ter you.
Black Liza 'ill show yer de way. Doan't
yer see de honeysuckle vines and de paf
where de wiP roses bloom? Dere's de little
stream er tricklin' down de hill an' de birds
is singin' 'bout Par'dise ter cum. Go ter
sleep, baby, an' I'll tell yer de res' when
yo'se awake."
The wild eyes gazed wistfully into the
black face, two little tears stole down the
burning cheeks, and with "Mammy, take me
home" upon her lips — the tired brain was
at rest.
Sketches in Ebony and Gold. 27
IV.
Through the city's crowded thorough-
fare, an old black woman was hurrying her
way, gazing eagerly into the faces of the
passers-by and mumbling to herself "Bonn'
I'll fin' a preacher somewheres. Think I'se
goin' ter let dat lam' die widout prayers
and consolashun? Dar's dose po' fools er
po'in' medicine down her when what she
needs am de rod ob faith. What would ole
massa an' missus say, beens dey erlive,
ter see der chile dyin' in er strange lan'
'mongst heathens, fur dat's what dey is, no
more ner less."
By this time her soliloquy was finished.
28 Sketches in Ebony and Gold.
Mammy 'Liza had reached the depot
which she had only recently left.
A swarm of incoming passengers almost
ran over her as she stood hesitating as to
what further step to take.
Bewildered she turned, and in that sud-
den movement ran headlong into the tall
figure of one of the passengers.
" 'Scuse me, niarsa," she said.
Then looking up, she almost shrieked
in her joy :
"Fo' de Lawd sake, ef 'taint Mister Dud-
ley ; 'cuse me, marsa, but de Lawd done an-
swered my prayer better'n I knowed fur."
"Why, Aunt Eliza," exclaimed the young
man, recovering from his first shock of sur-
prise, "how under Heaven did you get so
far from Virginia? I thought you were
never going to leave Old Albemarle."
"Dis am de fust time/' replied the old
Sketches in Ebony and Gold. 29
woman solemnly, "an' praise Gawd, it'll be
de las'. But come along, marsa, doan't
stan' here, fur po' little missus is awaitin'
fur you ter row her 'cross de ribber."
"What," was the startled exclamation of
Preston Dudley, as his cheeks suddenly
grew ashy white, he realizing full well the
darky's metaphor. "Is your little mis-
tress ill and in trouble? I pray God not.
Here, get into this carriage and as we
drive along you can tell me the whole
story," he continued, as he ordered the
driver to take them to the Allen home as
rapidly as possible.
In a few simple words mammy had told
him the story of her young mistress's ill-
ness.
"I cayrn't help er thinkin', marsa," she
added, "dat it am de heart-ache dat am
a-killin' de po' little lam'. De folks in dis
30 Sketches in Ebony and Gold.
here country ain't like her own people. I
'lowed, do', she thought she were happy wid
dem an' liked der ways 'till trials and tribu-
lashuns done kum an' den der warn't a one
ob de pleasure seekin' folks as could get her
no consolashun. How could dey tell her
how ter die when dey doan't know how ter
live demselves? I knows, young niarsa,
dat I am er speakin' powerful plainlike, an'
may Gawd Almighty furgive me fur jedgin'
ob my feller man, but it do rile me ter see
people as what calls demselves quality doin'
what only po' white trash an' niggers am
'scusable fur doin', such as spendin' de
Lawd's Day er drivin' roun' de kentry,
'stead ob prayin' an' singin', an' er goin' ter
de shows an' de like ob sich. An' would
yer believe it, de young ladies laffs when
yer tells dem 'bout hell an' de debbil? an'
says as how dere ain't no sich place. Jis'
Sketches in Ebony and Gold. 31
wait 'till dey sees de horns an' de pitch fork
an' den maybe dey will berlieve what wiser
heads already knows."
Just in the midst of mammy's discourse,
a small boy's voice was heard on a corner
of the street, "Posies for sale. Fresh from
the country, and only five cents a bunch."
Preston Dudley glanced carelessly in
his direction. Then, as if suddenly seized
by some uncontrollable impulse, called to
the driver to stop, and hastily springing to
the sidewalk threw a quarter to the street
urchin and returned to the carriage with a
fragrant bunch of wild roses in his hand.
32 Sketches in Ebony and Gold.
V.
Once more the scene opened in the sick
room.
The same beautiful woman lay on the
brink of the life to come, and still the piti-
ful ravings kept on.
"Tired, oh, yes, so very tired," she was re-
peating, "but I can't find the way home.
Why doesn't father come to lead me back?
It's been so long since I have seen him and
no one tells me of mother now. Oh, but
that water is cold and the river is black,"
she suddenly broke in, hiding her golden
head in the pillow. "I thought I saw the
Sketches in Ebony and Gold. 33
roses, but they are all gone, all gone again.
Can't somebody pray? Just one little pray-
er— I used to know, 'Now I lay me/ but I
have forgotten it now."
"Madeline, darling," her husband whis-
pered, returning from the door where he had
hastily tipped, "would you like to see an
old friend, an old Virginia friend, — Preston
Dudley?"
"An old friend," his dying wife repeated.
"Yes ! yes ! old friends are best ; but Dudley,
Dudley — I can't remember, dear. Let me
see his face," she eagerly added, as Mammy
'Liza led a tall, grave faced man into the
room.
Madeline Allen gazed long into the dark,
sympathetic eyes of her old lover and child-
hood's friend, then passed her little hand
slowly over her perplexed brow as if to
brush some passing clouds away and, as
34 Sketches in Ebony and Gold.
Preston Dudley knelt by her side and laid
a bunch of wild roses on the covers, breath-
ing aloud some simple prayer, a glad smile
broke over her troubled face, and with a sob
of joy, she cried :
"I know now. You will show me the way,
Gordon tried to, but he couldn't. Poor boy,
poor boy," she added, laying her hand ca-
ressingly on her husband's head. "He lost
the path too. We were both silly children,
but you will show him the right way, won't
you, Mr. Dudley? Oh, just sing for me
as you used to do, about the 'Kindly light/
please."
The young minister rose to his feet, hesi-
tated one moment to steady his voice, and
then began in tones which, though soft and
mellow, seemed to rise from the depths of
some long pent up soul :
Sketches in Ebony and Gold. 35
"Lead, kindly light, amid the encircling
gloom,
Lead thou me on;
The night is dark, and I am far from home,
Lead thou me on,"
and then, as the last lines of the hymn broke
the stillness of the death chamber :
"And through the gloom those angel faces
smile,
Which I have loved long since and lost
awhile"
A look of infinite calm settled upon the
face of his long-lost sweetheart.
"Yes," she murmured, "the river is all
bright and mother and father are coming
over for me. How beautiful it is." And
then taking her husband's hand she laid it
in that of her friend's, falling asleep as she
repeated, "Show him the way, too."
36 Sketches in Ebony and Gold.
Three days later Madeline Allen crossed
the river as she lay in old Mammy 'Liza's
arms listening to her sing "Sweet and low."
They laid her baby boy on her breast to
waken her, but she was past all earthly
calls. As they closed her beautiful eyes for
the last time Preston Dudley sang in clear,
firm tones:
"The strife is o'er, the battle done!
The victory of life is toon;
The song of triumph has begun.
Alleluia!"
Sketches in Ebony and Gold. 37
VI.
Five years have passed.
An old negro Mammy sits before her
cabin door in "Ole Virginny," shelling peas
and singing :
"One mo' richer, an' dat one ribber am
Jordan,
One mo' ribber, der's one mo' ribber ter
cross."
A little golden haired boy comes running
up with his month screwed into a pucker.
Mammy sees him, and emptying her lap,
calls out: "What's de matter? Come here,
honey, ter yo' ole black mammy an' tell her
what ails yer."
38 Sketches in Ebony and Gold.
"I'se stumped my toe," the little fellow
answers, climbing into her ample lap, "but,
mammy, 1 didn't chy a little bit, 'tause
Chiram says if I chys, dar won't be any
chears lef ' in heben for little dirls, and little
dirls does love so to chy. But my toe was
hurted, hurted real bad," he added, shaking
his golden curls in serious emphasis, "but
I weckon it'll be all wight if you tisses it,
an' waps it up."
"Dat I'll do, my honey," the old woman
says, preparing to doctor the foot. "An'
how kum yer ter git it hurt, chile? I 'lows
dat good fer nothin' nigger, Hiram, done
hed yer where yer oughtn't ter be."
"No, he didn't, mammy," her little master
replied, " 'tause I wented away all by my-
self to look for the baby fishes in the cheek,
and one bad little one twied to bite my foots,
and when I runned away I stumped my toe
Sketches in Ebony and Gold. 39
on a great big wock, dat's what I did ! Does
you reckon there is any wocks in heben,
mammy? Chiram says the ribbers is made
out of milk and honey, and I don't see how
the little angel boys ever learns how to
swim. I weckon dere mammies just lets
them eat all day long, don't you? Chiram
says angel boys don't never have the stom-
ickache. Oh, dear, I wish Dod would give
me a angel stomick, and you would let me
eat just as many gween apples as Chiram
does, now wouldn't you, mammy?" he cried,
giving her a big hug, as she gave the final
affectionate pat to his foot.
"Go 'long, chile," the old woman smiling-
ly answered. "I sees yer only jes' wants one
ob yo' mammy's big apples, now, an' yer kin
hab it, too. Yo' mudder afo' you warn't
nebber defused nothin', an' you has jes' her
persuashun ways as well as favorin' her
40 Sketches in Ebony and Gold.
in looks. Poor little missus/' she solilo-
quized, "gone dese five years, an' it seems as
do' I could see her now. I ketches myself
time an' agin lookin' up dat path fur her
ter kum down, laughin' an' singin' like her
little heart would bust wid joy an' gladness,
an' den ter tink it war sorrow dat broke it
at las'. Howsomeber, she must be happy
now, sittin' in glory wid ole marsa an'
missus, an' seein' all de good Marsa Allen
am a-doin' on earth, fur de Lawd knows
dere ain't a better gemmun libin' dan he has
been since little missus died, a-workin' out
his own salvashun wid tears an' 'pentance.
Brought little missus home an' hain't neb-
ber lef her side since. Took Mr. Dudley
ter lib wid him an' de baby in de ole house,
an' tergedder dey does mo' good dan sibin-
teen camp-meetin's. Eberybody in de coun-
try knows an' lubs 'em — from poor, cripple
Sketches In Ebony and Gold. 41
Jake ter Hallelujah Jane. An' bless yer
soul, dey ain't nebber forgit little missus;
allays er walkin' by her grave, an' jis' dis
mawnin' I seen Marse Allen a-smoothin'
down der grass as he war passin'. Seems
like he won't hab a pebble or sich nowhar
near it, an' while he war kneelin' dar Mister
Dudley walk a little way off an' kum back
pretty soon wid er bunch ob wild roses in
his han', an' when he han' dem 1>o Marse
Allen I heerd him say, 'Perhaps she would
like these, Allen,' an' Marse Allen, he jis'
grab his han' an' hold it tight fur one min-
ute 'fo' he put de flowers ober little missus's
breast. But, Lawd hab mercy, here I am
a-talkin' away, while my dinner is a-spilin',
an' my po' little baby has a-fallin' asleep
hold'n fas' ter his apple. Hiram, Hiram,"
she called, looking vainly up and down the
42 Sketches in Ebony and Gold.
road, "kuni here, yer good fur nothin' young
African. How much time yer want fur tri-
flin? when de cream am er waitin' ter
freeze?"
GEORGE WASHINGTON, Jr.
43
GEORGE WASHINGTON, Jr.
I.
VIRGINIA.
It was July time in ole Virginny. — Dear
old Virginia with her battle scarred face
and blessed memories!
Conquered, she had been — oh, yes! But
not humiliated. For out of the graves of
her buried hopes, and from the ashes of
glory now past her proud spirit still rose
triumphant. Xo grim remorse reproached
her, for she had nobly struggled for what
she thought was right, and then only when
she felt the struggle inevitable.
4b
46 George Washington, Jr.
But now the chapter was closed. The
tear-stained leaves were turned. Over the
bloody chasm the North and the South had
once more clasped hands, and Dixie Land
had started out on a new era of prosperity,
an era which will some day be crowned with
glorious success.
Slow the journey was at first, for ban-
daged feet and lean purses make but poor
traveling companions. Prosperity, how-
ever, beckoned on, and Nature, the South's
own godmother, was tenderly soothing the
wounds that Fate's blows had struck.
Humming birds were sipping nectar from
honeysuckle cups. Bees were drowsily
crooning their love songs to the jessamine
vines. Rose petals and luscious fruit lay
scattered over the ground ; and down by the
shimmering, bubbling brook the ubiquitous
small boy could be seen pursuing the fra-
George Washington, Jr, 47
grant "June apple." As he swiftly scaled a
tree, and swung from limb to limb with
squirrel-like agility, one could almost be-
lieve in the mortifying theory of evolution,
provided one was not born a Virginian !
For, while others may debate over the
exits and entrances of their ancestors, a
Virginian has no doubt on earth of his!
Or, if he had a misgiving on that score, he
would also have too much pride to speak of
it.
No monkeys or tadpoles chatter or grin
from his family tree !
But we have digressed! Let us return
to our scene.
On a hillside overhanging the brook was a
little log cabin, picturesquely covered by
an ivy vine.
Two or three sunflowers raised their bold,
bright faces and peered in at the open front
48 George Washington, Jr.
window, while on the opposite side of the
little steps a row of hollyhocks had only re-
cently held proud sway, decked in their
gorgeous robes of many colors.
At the door of the cabin there presently
appeared the ample figure of an old negro
"mammy." Over her calico dress hung a
large checked apron. A white kerchief en-
circled her neck, and lay in folds over her
motherly bosom, while on her head a red
silk bandanna was twisted in turban fash-
ion.
This latter was her special pride, for had
not "that ole Koman gemmum when he war
a-vis'tin? *narsa given it to her with a box
of snuff, savin' as he did: 'Mammy, you
mus' take this an9 Gawd bless you, fur you
puts me in 'membrance ob de ole nuss I onct
had in Lynchburg afore I was tooken to der
Buckeye State.' Dem's his denticle words ;
George Washington, Jr. 49
and den I made him a curt'sy low, an' says
perlite an' 'spectabul like : 'Thankee, massa,
thankee! Fse proud ter ha' knowed you;
an' I hopes when Gabriel blows his trumpet
dis po' ole nigger will find you a-marchin'
in de fro' ranks, keepin' step wid de qual'ty,
where you belongs.' "
In speaking of herself "Mammy" was at
times apparently very humble and took the
privilege of using the word "nigger," but
woe unto him who should ever usurp that
right ! For it was a term of ignominy only
allowed within the family circle!
In spite of the prized bandanna, however,
on this July day her chocolate countenance
wore a worried look. It was evident she
was searching for some one, for, after gaz-
ing up and down the road and calling louder
and louder :
50 George Washington, jr.
"George Washington! George Washing-
ton! Wher' is you, you young fool?"
George made no more reply than would
the "Father of his country" have done at
the same juncture.
Mammy hastily grabbed up her skirts
with both hands, and waddled her way
through the tall grasses down towards an
old orchard ( for she knew her "young hope-
ful's" failing), saying to herself as she
went :
"I nebber seed sich a triflin' nigger as
dat boy am! — Unless it war his daddy, fur
Abe didn't sweat his brow fur nobody!
How as likely a gal as I war ebber married
sich a lazy coon as he war am beyond
my compreheushun !" (Mammy was very
proud of her vocabulary.) "Dem quilting
bees wer' cert'ny ter blame, for Lawd hab
George Washington, Jr. 51
mercy! How po' Abe could play de jews-
harp, while we gals war a-sewin' !"
Then, either at the thought of his noble
talent now perished, or else to illustrate the
inconsistency of her sex, Mammy Jinnie
shed two tears to the memory of the de-
ceased Abraham Isaac.
Just then a low, moaning sound brought
her soliloquy to an abrupt close, and pa-
rental fears almost made her heart cease
beating, for surely that moan came from
George Washington. But only for an in-
stant was she in doubt as to his trouble, for
soon she heard the following words :
"What's de use ob livin', nohow? Wish I
mout die!" Another groan. "Water mil-
lyon crap er failure. Sweet pertater vines
a dried up. Lordy ! Lordy ! Lordy !" And
taking a mouth-harp from his pocket George
Washington began to play:
52 George Washington, Jr.
UI would not live alway,
I ask not to stay"
which plaintive strain was suddenly inter-
rupted by the form of his mother appearing
in wrathful indignation. At the sight of
her the young Ethiopian's lantern jaw
swung open — his eye balls rolled in their
sockets until only the whites were visible,
making a marked contrast to his mahogany
complexion.
In very early life George Washington, Jr.,
(his mother had named him "Junior," by
the way, to "pervent his gittin' confounded
wid de gemmun he war named arter") had
once had fits, and now whenever he felt that
well-deserved punishment was swiftly fol-
lowing on his heels, he simulated those fits
as nearly as possible, knowing his mother
would rather see a rattlesnake than a genu-
George Washington, Jr. 53
ine spasm. But this time she was not to be
fooled.
"Y011 needn't be a-rollin' yo' orbits at me!
You lazy young puppy !" she exclaimed, giv-
ing him a ringing box on his ears. "I'se
cotched you at las' in yo' trifling good fer
nothin' ways! I'll teach you ter mind yo'
betters instid ob layin' in de shade a-think-
in' ob vittals all day long! Here, I'se bin
a-waitin' fur de water ter bile wid, fur de
Lord knows how long! — while you is pos-
sessin' yo' soul in patience under de apple-
trees! An' you knowed I p'intedly wanted
ter go ter Bro' Hezekiak Hopkins' inter-
ments at three o'clock. Ain't bin ter a fun-
eral fer nigh onto a month, an' ter-day I
war ter be chief mourner, fur Hezy didn't
hab no kin, an' I war de las' pusson as laid
eyes on him a-fore de light'nin' struck!
Lord ! Lord ! It do 'pear like chilluns dese
54 George Washington, Jr.
days doan't kere 'bout dere parients habin'
no pleasure at all! You'se a disgrace ter
to' po' ole mudder! An' you'll lan' in de
pentensherry or po' house afore you die!
Doan't I see yo' fadder's ways stickin' out
all ober you now? I'se a great min' ter tan
yo' hide fer you ! Hick'ry ile am what you
needs, anyway! Come home wid me ter
onct !"
Seizing her dutiful son by the collar the
old woman marched him homeward.
All this time George, Jr., had remained
apparently perfectly dumb, for, like his
father, he knew when "silence was golden"
and preser-Ted it.
He did wriggle a little in mortification on
his journey back when he saw Tirzah Ann's
bushy head peeping oTer the fence, and a
gleam of white teeth told only too plainly
that she took in the whole situation.
George Washington, Jr. 55
Tirzah Ann was George Washington's
"tender plant/' as lie delicately called her;
and he couldn't bear for her to gee him in
undignified positions. Then and there he
decided on a plan over which he had been
cogitating all day — to leave home and ma-
ternal rule and seek fame and glory in for-
eign fields; but he would wait until his
mother had spent all her present righteous
wrath before broaching the subject. So he
meekly went home, brought the water with
a surprising show of energy, promised to
take care of Mary Jane's twins ( Mary Jane
was his oldest sister — he had been blessed
with seven) and make himself generally use-
ful, while his mother was absent.
As he saw her disappear up the road with
her funeral expression and Sunday-go-to-
meeting clothes on? he turned to look at his
charges, the twins, Snow Flake and Dew
56 George Washington, Jr.
Drop, who in turn, set up such a howl that
George, Jr.'s, heart sank within his boots,
and he wondered why it was that some peo-
ple drowned kittens when they had "too
many ter onct," and didn't do the same with
babies! In fact, George, at that moment,
was inclined to think that the kittens were
entitled to preference, for "dey doan't make
so much fuss, an' can take ker' ob dem-
selves."
Now, this young heathen philosopher had
been regularly sent to Sunday school, but;
alas ! He often fell by the wayside, and as
yet his morals were rather crude.
Be it said to his credit, however, that he
tried every known and gentle means to quiet
his nephews, until at last patience reached
its limit, and he began to upbraid them
roundly for what he considered base in-
gratitude.
George Washington, Jr. 57
"You, Snow Flake an' Dew Drap!" he
cried, "you kin jes' split yo' gizzard strings
afo' I'd take you up agin. Here I'se been
a-tendin' you all ebenin' instid ob gwine
a-flshin'; an' all you does is ter screch like
night owls ! Wish ter Gawd I hed er green
persimmon an' den I'd git yo' moufs closed
up, fur sho' !"
But reproof made no impression on the
twins, and George Washington was in de-
spair until a brilliant thought struck him.
Placing the bronzed cherubs in a tub, which
stood n^ar by, large and empty, he put them
out on the hillside, where they could do no
damage, and he could get a bird's-eye view
of them (which was all he cared to have)
from a neighboring apple-tree.
He then stuffed his ears with cotton, and
hied him to the tree, where he could eat
green apples and watch Tirzah Ann to his
58 George Washington, Jr.
heart's content. But his "tender plant"
only flaunted herself around on the other
side of the fence in apparent indifference
to all his frantic signs.
" 'Pears ter nie you'se puttin' on mighty
high-flutin' airs dis eb'nin'," he muttered to
himself, "an' jis' 'cos you 'lowed I was gwine
ter git a-lickin' dis niornin' ! Xebber min' !
I'll make you turn yo' glances in dis terrect-
shun — see if I doan't!" with which threat
George Washington Junior began to sing
at the top of his voice :
"Fse got a girl in Baltimore,
Street cayrs run right by her do'"
It was enough ! The green-eyed monster,
jealousy, stopped Tirzah Ann in her dis-
dainful career. She at once began to cast
sheep's eye glances towards the apple-tree,
George Washington, Jra 59
and then taking courage, she boldly called
out:
"Ef you'll jis' stop makin' dat noise,
George Washington, I'll come ober an' tell
you summin' I hearyd ter-day."
Her Romeo, either from the cotton in his
ears, or because he saw a suspicious cloud
of dust coming down the road, was then deaf
to all entreaties. He hastily "skinned-the-
cat" out of the tree, seized the twins, who
were now sleeping from sheer exhaustion,
placed them tenderly in their crib, and when
his mother and Mary Jane opened the door
he was sitting beside them with a look of
resignation and patience on his face beau-
tiful to behold!
Seeing that his behavior had scored a
point in his favor, George, Jr., determined
the much cherished secret to divulge while
times were auspicious.
60 George Washington, Jr.
"Mammy," he said, after the supper
things were cleared away, "Fse got summin'
on my min' !"
"Well," replied the old woman quietly,
"doan't let it set dar till it hatch goose
eggs."
"No'am, I ain't," continued the undaunt-
ed young man, " 'cos I'se gwine away purty
soon now."
"Huh!" exclaimed his maternal parent
contemptuously, "I'd like ter know whar
you's gwine to !"
"Norf," replied the hopeful, "Norf ter
'x'cise my liburty."
"Excise lib'ty, 'deed! What you want is
ter linger whar you is, an' 'xcise yo' mus-
cle," was the discouraging retort; "you'se
gittin' pow'ful sot up since you'se bin gwine
ter school. Now I knows what ole miss
meant when she said 'a little larnin' war
George Washington, Jr, 61
daing'rous.' Go to bed, George Washin-
ton Junior ! You'se been fool 'nuff for one
day!"
"But mudder," pleaded the irrepressible
George, "my books didn't larn me nuffin'."
(And there was more truth than poetry in
that statement, for George, Jr., rarely got
beyond the covers.) "Mister Cheapshanks,
he done said as how I could make my for-
tun' if I go Norf wid him."
At the mention of that worthy's name all
the wrath, indignation and contempt of
Mammy Jinnie's soul seemed to reach a cul-
minating point. Casting one withering
glance of scorn at her young olive branch,
she gave vent to her feelings in language
more forcible than polite.
"An' so you'se bin keepin' com'ny wid
dat po' white trash! Mister Cheappants,
indeed! I 'lowed as how he had summin'
62 George Washington, jr.
ter do wid all yo' devilment. I ain't nebber
liked dat critter since he fust come a-spark-
in' roun' little missus! Couldn't I see he
wouldn't make no suitable orn'ment fur
our parlors." ( Darkies of the old school al-
ways considered themselves as joint part-
ners in all their "ole marse's" belongings.)
"Tarleton Alexander done tole me so, his-
self, an' what de 'kurnel' doan't know 'bout
fust class goods ain't wurth knownin' ! He
nebber war no cornfield nigger. All his
life he war 'sociated wid de bes' ladies an'
gemmuns ob de lan'. Linden Hall war al-
lays circumlocuted wid dem? an' de number
ob genruls, presidents an' gubnors dat
<Bro' Alexander' entertained at his ole
marsa's war a sight to behol'. An' he allays
done his marsa, proud; moreover, de ole
gemmun sot great store by de genrul — Tar-
leton war sometimes called by dat titul, 'cos
George Washington, Jr. 63
when he fust jined de army as body sarvent
ter his young Marsa John, he war 'Genrul,'
but den he got his permoshun, an' he left ar-
ter de war was ober as 'Kurnel.' No wonder
folks say Tarleton had a 'stinguished look
an' han'sorne manners — he war intituled
ter bof ! An' den be conversed in sich buti-
f ul language ! But, as I sot out ter say, ole
marsa, too, knowed dat Mister Cheapshanks
didn't b'long ter fust quality time he sot
his eyes on him. He didn't say much, but
he sniffed de air like a thoroughbred do
when he see a common plug cum on de race-
trac'. Howsomeber, dat sleek Yankee
didn't keer, he knowed his bizness an' he
lay low bidin' his time. Purty soon he seed
little missus interustin' herself in him;
a-listenin' ter 'his soft speeches an' 'miratin'
ober his sto' clos', and den he knowed his
game was won ! Po' little Miss Alice ! She
5 1 George Washington, Jr.
were no rnor'n er chile. An innocent lam'
fur dat sheepskin wolf! An' she calculated
as hew she rnus' be in love; so she tole her
pa — ole marsa. He spoke his niin' purty
plainlike, but it war no use. Little missus
only fired up an' said he war prejudiced 'cos
Cheapshanks war a Yankee. Ole marsa
'lowed as dat war not de truf, an' he said as
how der war plenty ob honorary gemmuns
in de Norf dat he had profoun' dispect for,
but dat mongrel cur was not ob de number,
Den he argumented frum oder sides ob de
case; how Miss Alice was too young ter
'pinionate on 'er husban's qualificashuns,
an' all de like ob dat? but laws ob mercy!
What's de good ob wastin' yo' bref in argu-
fyin' an' sputifyin' wid young fools when
dey thinks dey's in lub? It's jes' like get-
tin' horses outer a burnin' barn; de more
you tries to help 'em out de furder dey runs
George Washington, Jr. 65
back in de flame ! Well, when de nex' morn-
in' break, cool an' pleasant like, little missus
war gone ! Gone frum de roof what had shel-
tered an' protect her — gone frum de arms
dat had nussed an' soothed her — broken de
hearts dat still lubbed her !"
Here poor mammy's voice failed, and tak-
ing one corner of her apron she wiped a
stray tear away.
George Washington, Jr., too, gave a snif-
fle of sympathy, but more because he didn't
know what else to do than from any other
reason — while his mother, encouraged by
the impression she was making, immediately
took up the thread of her narrative :
"Yes — gone. An' all fur dat low-lived
scoundrel! Marsa, he didn't say nuffin',
but jes' shet his lips tight-like, an' takin' de
little tear splashed note she had lef ', he went
in ter break de news to her mudder. 'Sweet-
66 George Washington, Jr.
heart/ he says, as he bent ober ter kiss her
gentle-like, 'we is alone now, an' mus' be
all in all ter one anudder. I thought de cup
was drened, but it seems de dregs remain.'
His voice war kinder husky, an' I seen his
han' tremble as he gabe ole missus de little
note, for I done followed him, an' stood
a-waitin' at de do', skeered ter def, 'cos I
feared po' missus mought hab er faintin'
spell, but she didn't. She knowed marsa
had all he could beai:. She only put out her
han', seem as if ter clutch summin' what
had lef ' her, an' dough her face was as white
as de lace at her froat, she look up at marsa
an' tried ter smile. 'Perhaps, dear,' she
whispered low, 'it is not as bad as we fear.'
Den what should yo' ole mudder do? — big
fool dat I war — but break rite down an'
commence ter bellow like a calf ! Dat night
as I pass de liberry do', I seen ole marsa
George Washington, Jr. 67
standin' afore de pictur' ob Miss Alice —
de one wid de white dress on an' all de
roses aroun', an' I heard him say slow an'
solemn : 'I'd ruther hab' buried you, little
one, but the Lord's will be done.' Arter dat
he nebber let nobody say a word agin'
Cheapshanks. He 'lowed as he war his
darter's husban' an' on dat account he war
entitle ter some dispect; so nobody said
nothin'. We did hear dat he had a leetle
blue blood in his veins, which war some
cons'lashun, fur blood boun' ter crop out
some day, an' he claims, he did, dat one
ob he's gran'daddies war a king. Well, I
hope if he spoke de truf , it war one ob dem
as got der heads chopped off, fur Gawd
knows he desarve it, fur habin' sich er
gran'chile. 'Sides, I nebber seed any good
tree wid sich rotten limbs befo'. Hear
68 George Washington, Jr.
me talk. Dar war suramin' wrong — clear
wrong."
Just then the twins set up a dismal howl,
and mammy stopped long enough to put
both across her knees, flat on their little
stomachs, while she beat a sort of tattoo
with her feet and patted their backs.
Mary Jane having gone out to a meeting
of the "Darters ob Kebecka," George Wash -
ington took advantage of the brief interval
to shuffle towards the door, for the evening
winds were wafting him sweet sounds of
Tirzah Ann's "meliflous" voice warbling:
"I lub my lub in the mornin',
I lub my lub at night," —
but before he could make his goal his moth-
er began again. When she "got the floor"
she usually held it, and poor George didn*£
dare interrupt.
George Washington, Jr. 69
"As I was gwine ter remark," com-
menced the speaker of the house, "ole miss
nebber were berry pert-like, an' arter de
perlopement she jes' seem ter pine an' pine
away, until one day she call me inter her
room an' says : 'Mammy Jinnie, Fse soon
goin' home ter res' an' I wants you ter
promise ter take good kehr ob yo' marsa
until he can follow, too, — an' — an' — if yo'
little missus should ebber come bac' agin
you mus' be berry kind ter her fur my sake.
I knows de po' chile is sorry !' In coas' she
war sorry. Ebberybody else war sorry,
too, but dat ole Cheapshanks, who had de
'surance ter write marsa 'bout onct er
niont' dat he would like ter hab a leetle
more money ter keep 'dear Alice' respect-
ubly on, (an' den de war had hardly lef a
shirt tail to our backs ! ) . But laws ! Mar-
sa would go widout bread befo' Miss Alice
70 George Washington, Jr.
should want ice cream, an' so he sont money
an' sont money, 'cos I heard him tell ole
miss so when dey didn't know I war aroun'.
Well, as I war a-tellin' you, arter po' ole
missus done gib me her disjunctions she
had a sinkin' spell, an' she kep' a-callin' fur
her baby. Marsa didn't waste no time
sendin' fur her, but ole Cheapshanks sont
word bac' dat she was too poorly ter trav-
el. Den po' marsa war nigh crazy! He
went in ter tell missus, but de anguls was
a-callin' her den. She jes' stretch out her
han's ter say 'good-bye', an' fell bac' in
marsa's arms dead wid a smile ob glory on
her face. ■
"We laid her ter rest in de vi'let bed un-
der de lilac bushes, an' ebbery day you see
how ole marsa takes er bunch ob flowers an'
de good book in his han' an' goes ter read
ter hisself by her grave.
George Washington, Jr. 71
"When de obsequies war ober, marsa
hurried on ter see 'bout little missus, for he
done hear she war mighty sick in a New
York hospital. Lord! It do seem as if
city folks cayrn't take kehr ob dere own
sick dese days, but has ter hurry dem off ter
some place wher' strange han' smooths de
pillows. Like who would want ter git
well when it looks as if dere own kin had
desarted dem! Well, I 'most filled mar-
sa's bag an' pockets wid gingercakes, pop
corn an' shiny red apples, fur I knowed
how little missus han's would clap when
she saw 'em! Marsa seemed sort dazed-
like all de time he war a-preparin' ter go,
but he went straight on, an' luck it were
he did, fur he jis' got der in time ter see
his pet. She 'most went wild when she
sot eyes on him. 'Oh, daddy, daddy,' she
say (like she used ter call him when she
72 George Washington, Jr.
wanted candy) , Tse so glad you'se come!
An' you'll take me home, won't you, daddy,
dear?' But afore he could hardly answer,
de anguls done already took her home to
her mudder!"
By this time mammy was fairly sobbing,
and even George Washington's face was
getting a much needed washing in salt
water.
"What were lef ob his darlin'," Mammy
Jinnie continued, between her sobs, "mar-
sa brought home in a bu'ful white coffin, all
lined wid silk. When I look in at her she
seem jes' as peaceful, like she'd drapped off
ter sleep, but her po' little ban's had done
got so thin it seem as if dey mought break
by techin' dem! We buried her side ob
ole missus, an' her grave war mos' full ob
lilies-ob-de-valley an ebbery kind ob white
flowers befo' dey let her down gentle-like
George Washington, Jr. 73
in it. De preacher read some soothin'
words, an' prayed we mought all meet be-
yond de ribber, an' Miss Marg'ret Lewis,
her wid de sweet voice, sang a gran' hymn
what keeps sayin' :
u 'I'm nearer home ter-day, ter-day,
Than e'er I've been befo';'
an' all de time de tear draps war chasin'
demselves down her sof cheeks. Truf is,
we all war a-cryin' easy-like, so as not ter
break marsa down. He jes' stood dere wid
his eyes fixed on de coffin like he war made
outer marble, but when de fus' clod struck
he look same as if a knife had done gone
clear through his heart.
"Arter all war ober, we niggers what had
lubbed po' little Miss Alice ebber since she
war born, commenced ter sing, Borne,
Sweet Home,' as de white robed min'ster
74 George Washington, Jr.
gabe raarsa his arm an' led him away.
Coas' ole Cheapshanks war dere, too, but
nobody paid much Mention ter him. I
reckon marsa gabe him 'nuff money to get
bac' Norf so as ter sket ob him soon. An'
now you says he am bac' here again, tryin'
ter bring mo' sorrow an' tribulation on de
place ! Doan't you nebber let me hear you
breve his name agin! It will bring a
plague on you. Cert'n as sunrise."
"But, inudder," expostulated George1, Jr.,
forgetting everything told him that after-
noon in his one desire to "exercise his lib-
erty," "he do say as how I kin make big
money beens I go Norf wid him."
"Huh !" scornfully ejaculated his mother.
"It wouldn't be him as would be de gib-
er, den, fur wheneber he gets his han' on a
dollar, he squeezes it so tight it makes de
eagle holler! 'Sides, what on Gawd's
George Washington, Jr. 75
earth would dem Yankee folks make outer
yo' nigger ways? Better stay wher' you'se
comprehended, an' if you doan't git rich,
ole marsa will see you nebber starve."
George Washington subsided into the
silence of defeat for a while, but just as his
mother was dozing off over her pipe, he
broke forth in one final appeal :
"Mammy, oh, mammy! But de water-
millyon crap am failed an' I wants ter go
whar' I ken disremember !"
"Shet yo' mouf! You young fool! be-
fo' I lam'baste de hide off you fur doin'
like you'se had no raisin' !" was all the ap-
preciation he obtained from his doting
parent.
The next morning when Mammy Jinnie
climbed the loft steps and looked under the
"log-cabin quilt" for George Washington's
nappy head, she found that her threats,
76 George Washington, jr.
warnings and arguments had all been in
vain, for the bird had evidently flown dur-
ing the night.
Her suspicions were confirmed when she
discovered that the bright red and green
carpetbag, a family heirloom, had also tak-
en to itself wings, and pinned on the bed-
spread was a yellow piece of wrapping
paper bearing evidence of George, Jr.'s ad-
vanced "eddication."
Mammy's "book larnin' " was sufficient
to convince her that this must be a note, so
she loudly called for Mary Jane to "come
here ter onct, an? see ef you kin make dis
out. George Washington Jr., done
runned away from his po' ole mudder, an'
dis am all de cons'lashun he done lef."
After much labor and many drops of
perspiration Mary Jane managed to de-
cipher this much:
George Washington, Jr. 77
"Good by to my lubbed mudder an' kine
frens and relashuns. I is goin Norf to
xcis my liburti, an' will kum bac' ridm'
behind six horses. Take good ker of yoselfs
an' doan't fergit yo deer sun an brudder,
"Georg Wash. Junior.
"P. S.— An mammy I tuk yo' $5.00 as I
knowed yo' wood want me ter travil like
quality. Georg."
That evening all mammy's friends rose
up to comfort her. The "Darters ob Re-
becka" appeared in a body, for Mammy
Jinnie was a pillar of the order. Each
wore a long face and each had some word
of condolence.
Aunt Polydora Jackson was the first to
speak. She " 'lowed as how dey was pow'ful
sorry an' discommoded to hear tell on Mam-
my Jinnie's tribulation, but to trus' in de
j8 George Washington, Jr.
Lord an' He would pull her fro' de fiery
furnace."
At which mammy groaned her apprecia-
tion, and all the sisters said amen.
"Yes," piped up Sukey Jane Schanks,
"don't you pester yo' soul, Sister Johnsing,
for chickens will allays come home to*roost,
George Washington knows wher' his bread
is butter'd," which sage remark made all
the elder members of the order look around
in admiration and wonder at such a dis-
play of wordly wisdom on Sukey's part, for
she was considered frivolous and giddy —
a wreak sister, in fact, but they little knew
that resentment had sharpened Sukey
Jane's wits, for had she not overheard the
wayward Greorge telling Tirzah Ann one
day that "dat dere Sukey Jane Schanks
war as jimber-jawed as er cat fish, an' her
tongue went like a njill clapper"?
George Washington, Jr. 79
"Yes," groaned Mammy Jinnie again,
"an' I thanks yer all fur yo' conforcashuns.
De Lord, knows bes', but think dat arter
as good er mudder as Pse been, George
Washington should hab abluted wid dat live
dollars I'd bin a-savin' fur er luck piece
ebber since Mary Jane were a baby !"
8o George Washington, Jr.
It was just one month after George
Washington, Jr.'s, departure. The birds
were carolling as joyfully as ever, and the
watermelon patch had turned over a new
leaf, and was not a failure after all. Every
now and then you could see a kinky little
black head bobbing up amongst the green
leaves, and hear a chorus of voices melo-
diously singing (for the children of Ham
all have some music in their composition) :
"Wfrite folks mus' be foolish, or! else (ley's
got no sense,
To leave dar melon smilin' on de vine/' etc.
George Washington, Jr. Si
On Mammy Jinnie's doorstep Snow Flake
and his contemporary were sprawling, but
fleetingly contented, one with a sugar rag
and the other sucking a chicken bone.
Their grandmother was dolefully chant-
ing at her washtub :
"Dis time anudder year I may be gone.
Buried* in de grave yard. Oh, Lord! How
long!"
Tirzah Ann was hanging out clothes on
the other side of the fence, but no song
broke from that dusky damsel's lips', for
Tirzah Ann was "seekin\" Ever since
George Washington had deserted his post
and left his native heath, his "Tender
Plant" had not felt it in her heart to war-
ble, wrap her hair or cross her feet, so she
came to the conclusion that it was a fitting
time "ter git religion," and every night at
82 George Washington, Jr.
the Mt. Zion revival she sat on the "mourn-
er's bench" while those who had already
"come through" sang for her edification :
"Baptist bred and Baptist born!
An' when Fse dead Fm Baptist gone."
Suddenly Mammy Jinnie heard a barking
and scuffling sound, and looking up the
road she saw a whirlpool of dust, out of
which there first emerged Fido with a sam-
ple of hastily plucked pants in his mouth,
and then a plaintive voice calling:
"Mammy ! Mammy ! Doan't yo' know yo'
lubbin' chile?"
For there stood poor George Washing-
ton, Jr. ! A bundle of humiliated rags ! So
dirty, so tired, laud so dejected that
mammy's heart immediately melted and she
ran out to clasp the prodigal to her heart,
George Washington, Jr. 83
while even Fido turned aside to shed a
tear !
After the first greetings were over (and
George, Jr., did not forget to give the twins
a generous and feeling hug apiece, declar-
ing he "Nebber agin would go so fur frum
dem dat he couldn't hear 'em call"),
George rolled his eyes around the room and
mildly suggested that if his mother would
first give him a little cornbread and butter-
milk he would then feel equal to relating his
travels. "But fust tell me," he added,
" 'bout old marsa. Is he bery mad wid my
triflin' ways? Las' night I dreamed he war
a-callin' me, an' I thought I couldn't run ter
him fas' 'nuff. Jes' as soon as I gits a
leetle sleeked up I'se gwine ober ter see him
— him an' Tirzah !"
This latter was said in a very low voice
and sheepish way, so mammy did not catch
84 George Washington, Jr.
it, but she told him all about "marsa," as she
bustled around to lay "the fatted calf" be-
fore her long lost son. George did not con-
fine himself to corn pone and buttermilk,
but did ample justice also to the fat bacon
and "roas'in' ears/' and when his mother
put half of a luscious green and red water-
melon before him, tears of overflowing joy
ran down his cheeks.
"Laws ob Mercy/' was all he could say.
"Ain't I glad I'se home agin."
Later he went "up ter. de house ter say
'Howdy' ter massa." The old gentleman
gave him a kindly welcome, sound lecture
and good outfit of clothes.
Tirzah Ann had most mysteriously dis-
appeared, for though he hunted high and
low George Washington could find no trace
of her; so he returned to the cabin where
George Washington, Jr. 85
the neighbors were fast congregating, hav-
ing heard the news of his arrival.
George meekly shook hands all around,
but when he found he was something of a
hero, evidently, in the eyes of his "breth-
ren" he began to swell out with pride and
watermelon, but it was the "pride that
cometh before a fall," for just as there was
a lull in the pow-wowing Sukey Jane's
voice could be heard, clear as a bell :
"George, what did you do wid dem six
horses you war gwine ter ride home be-
hin'?"
George suddenly thought he "heered de
twins a-cryin'," and ran in to quiet them.
When he returned all the guests were
seated around on benches, grass and fence,
waiting to hear how George Washington,
Jr., "had done ex'cised his liburty in de
Yankee Ian',"
86 George Washington, Jr.
"Well," commenced George, looking in
vain for his "Tender Plant" amongst the
audience, "it war de like ob dis. I 'lowed
when I lef' here I'd go Norf wid Mister
Cheapshanks, be his vally, see de city
sights an' cut a swell. But when I gets
der, Mister Cheapshanks says ter me as
how he didn't need no vally, but he would
git me a fine place wid big money at a frien'
ob his'n what kep' boarders ; an' dar's wher'
he lef me. I ain't nebber laid eyes on him
sence, an' I hope ter Gawd I nebber will.
Dat frien' of his'n said I were jes' de kind
he wanted, but he couldn't pay me much
at fust, as Mister Cheapshanks' 'mission
hed ter be tooken outer my wages. I tole
him as how if I had ter pay missionaries I'd
like dem ob my owrn choosin'. He jes' laff
at dat an' say I didn't comprehend his
meanin', but I would arter I'd bin dere a
George Washington, Jr. 87
while. I thot ter myself as how I warn't
gwine ter spen' my life larnin' his language,
but I lay low and helt my tongue, cos' I
didn't warn't ter be sassy. 'Well, in de fus'
place,' he says, 'I 'spect you ter begin work
at five o'clock in de mornin', sharp. An'
be ready ter do whatsomebber I see fit
ter call on you ter do, an' yo' kin' hab
ebbery Sunday ebenin' off.' I didn't think
as dat look like I could see de city much,
an' befo' I knowed it I says: 'Am dat all?"
'Dat all?' he perplied, 'sprised like. 'Does
you want de erf? We Norvenors knows de
value ob time, an' you must learn', our ways.'
So I sot to work ter larn. Dere war a Ohi-
neeman a-workin' in de same 'stablishment
an' he taught me er powerful sight! Eb-
bery time he look at me he lafif fit ter kill,
an' say he 'reckee I were made in de darkee'
— 'en he say: 'Likee see a trickee?' Wid
88 George Washington, Jr.
dat he take a nickel, put it up one sleebe>,
an' would you b'leeve it? come outer de
udder sleebe a dime! I thinks ter myself ,
'Dis am a chance ter git rich/ so I tak's all I
had lef in my pocket, an' axed him ter 'do de
same wid dat.' Well, he put it in one sleebe,
but may light'nin' strike me dead, if ebber
I seed anythin' come outer de udder! He
'lowed as how de bad witches hed done
carry it off, an' say if I look fur it dey
would hurt me shure! Arter a while Sun-
day ebenin' come along, an' I war mighty
glad, for I war gittin' sorter tired an'
lonesome. I were afeared ob dat witch
besot, punkin^-skinned Chineeman's corn-
pan's, an' I says ter myself: <Jes' as soon
as ebber I goes out I'll git 'quainted an'
keep movin' in de bes' sassiety until dey
is boun' to reco'nize me as a blue blood.'
So dat ebenin' I sot out ter perambulate
George Washington, Jr. 89
towards er church. Purty soon I heered
some one say, 'An' how does you do, John-
nie?' I look up an' seed a dandy nigger
wid a stove pipe hat on an' a flashlight in
his busom. 'You hab made a mistook/
says I. 'My name am George Washington,
Jr., ob Virginny, but I'se pleased ter meet
you.' 'Oh, dat's all right,' says he, 'I
knowed yo' name warn't Johnnie. I war
jis' a-foolin' ; but, come on, let's promenade
tergedder, Mr. Washington.' 'Doan't keer
ef I do,' says I, an' wid dat wTe perceed on
our way. Arter a while I seed some ob de
nicest, yallowest apples a-sittin' on a table
on a street corner! 'Laws ob mercy,' said
I, 'ef dar ain't some Albermarle pippins.'
'Help yerself!' says de dandy nigger.' 'I
tole 'em you was a-comin', Mister Washing-
ton, an' dey put 'em out ter please you. Jes'
help yerself.' An' I warn't wastin' no time
90 George Washington, Jr.
a-doin' it, when all on er sudden dere jump
from behin' dat stan' de baddest lookin'
Dago you ebber sot yo' eyes on, an' he yell
like de debbil had him. Den er fellow from
udder side grab me an' say, 'Jes' walk dis
way, my frien'.' I look fur dat dandy nig-
ger to 'splain de situwashun, but all I could
see war his coat tails a-sailin' roun' de
corner. Den I tried ter demonstrate ter de
gemmun in brass buttons dat I would like
ter 'comp'ny him, but I war gwine ter
church an' arter dat I had my work ter do
at home. 'Oh,' says he,, 'maybe ef you'd
gone ter church earlier you wouldn't hab
got in trubble, but don't worry about yo'
work ; we'll give you plenty ob dat ter do at
de City Hotel.' Tin obliged,' said I, 'fur I'd
like ter change my boardin' house' — But,
would you b'lieve it, dat City Hotel war
nuffln' more or less dan a city jail, an' de fine
George Washington, Jr. 91
genimun war a perliceman? Lawd! I war
dat skeered you could hab heered my teef
clatterin' er mile away ! But I drew mysel'
up an' says, says I : 'I doan't comp'rend dese
sarcumstances, sah; ef you thinks I stole
dem apples you'se under a belushion. 'Dat's
all right/ says der perliceman. 'Jis' res'
here ter-night an' ter-morrow you kin do
yo' talkin'.' Well, de nex' mornin' dey took
me inter court. De Jedge axed me my
name an' when I says, 'George Washing-
ton, Jr., ob Virginny,' de fellows all aroun'
commence ter snicker, but de Jedge, he jis'
say solemn-like, Tse afeered you am an
unworthy namesake ob yo' country's
father.' I 'lowed lie war favorin' me wid
a compliment, so I says, 'Yes, thankee,
marsa., I'se proud ter say I is.' At dat all
dem blamed fools aroun' commence ter laff
agin, but de Jedge frowned hisself an' call
92 George Washington, Jr.
out, 'Order.' Den he said, 'George Wash-
ington, Jr., what has you ter say? Is you
guilty or not guilty?' 'I doan't understan'
yo' phrasiology, yer Honor/ says I. 'Well,
did you take dem apples or not?' 'splained
he. 'Of coase, I took dem,' says I, 'but I
'lowed dey war mine, cos' dat dandy nig-
ger'— but befo' I could 'elude my discos'
de Jedge up an' said, 'Nebber min' yo' 'pola-
gies, Mister Washington. Ten days in jail
will gib you time ter write 'em up.'
"As soon as I got outer dem walls," con-
tinued George , skipping hastily over those
humiliating ten days, "I axed de bery fus'
man I seed wher' de road ter Virginny war,
an' here I is. Praise Gawd! nebber ter
leave agin."
Just then there was a commotion in the
little gathering, for Tirzah Ann appeared
with arms extended, eyes twice their nor-
Goorge Washington, Jr. 93
mal size, and shouting at the top of her
voice :
"Done foun' 'ligion! Blessed Jesus!
Done seed my Lord a-coniin' down de
stairs."
At which joyful news some of the old
"sisters" began to shout and sing, while
the "breth'ren" loudly called "Amen!
amen !"
Tirzah Ann wildly threw her arms
around each person, laughing and crying at
the same time. As she reached George
Washington she seemed almost exhausted,
for she hung on his neck unusually long,
while George silently prayed she "mout git
'ligion ebbery day."
In the midst of it all "Ole Marsa" made
his appearance. Having heard the noise he
came to find out the cause of so much com-
94 George Washington, Jr.
motion, and when told he said, while a re-
spectful silence fell on all around :
"My old and young colored friends and
faithful servants, I greatly rejoice with you
in the glad tidings of this day. To-morrow
night there will be a watermelon feast and
cakewalk held in the big barn to celebrate
George Washington's return and Tirzah
Ann's finding religion. You and your
friends are all expected to come."
And so ended the most eventful chapter
m George Washington, Jr.'s, short life.
RAGGED MOUNTAIN PETE.
Ml
RAGGED MOUNTAIN PETE.
I.
Pete.
Ragged mountains they are called, pre-
sumably so from the condition of their in-
habitants'wardrobe, but in reality from their
being the rough and ragged foothills of the
picturesque Blue Ridge. As to how Happy
Hollow derived its nickname no one just
knew; some said 'twas because its denizens
were unusually happy, while others avowed
that it was rather because they knew so lit-
tle of happiness that they never felt its loss.
So much for my introduction.
98 Ragged Mountain Pete.
Slowly along the rough reservoir road an
aged figure was wending its way.
"Father Time," you might have called
him, as you involuntarily turned to look for
his scythe only to find an empty bean bucket
and an ancient wicker egg basket, from
which stuck at various angles some store
purchases or "trades."
Though his beard and hair were flowing
white, the old man's form was erect, while
his eye was surprisingly bright.
Suddenly across a pine snake fence a
pair of broad shoulders, surmounted by a
sandy head, appeared, and a cheery "Good
raornin', Daddy Shiflett," was heard.
"Mornin', Pete," came the response, as the
first figure put his basket down to lean on
the knotty fence. " 'Pears like you've got
a pert-looking patch of corn thar. You must
sure be a Jacob wrestler to have 'suaded
Ragged Mountain Pete. 99
them rocks to leave ye. Sartain. Thar ain't
nothing growed on that are site since I was
a boy, lessin it be locust an' wild honey.
I'm proud to know ye, Pete. I'm proud ter
know ye."
"That bein' the case, daddy," was the
good-natured, pleased rejoinder, "I'll jes'
drop in arter camp meeting comin' Sunday,
and if Mother Shiflett has an extry chicken
leg to spar' I'm yo' man. My, but thar's a
sight of religion gettin' up here, whar ther*
warn't nothin' but rabbit meetings befo'.
Did you hear any incommon news in town,
daddy?"
"Nothin' of special sarcumstance, 'cepn'
a power of good luck I run across. Would
ye believe it, boy? A quality lady insisted
on givin' me t'opence a quart for my black-
berries, cause'n I'd walked ten miles befo'
her breakfus' ter bring 'em, an', Pete, she
ioo Ragged Mountain Pete.
bought ten quarts for presarves ! I'ni only;
feared she die in the po'house, 'cause 'tis
writ that a fool and his money soon parts.
Peace to her soul. Wall, I must be a-roovin'
on," the old man said, slowly picking up
his tools o' trade; "but befo' I go I mout
as well tell ye, Pete, that I had a thought
ter-day, another thought fur sure ! You see,
I heerd in town that the Legislatur war still
a-sittin', an' it 'peared ter me, Pete, that it
done sot so long it must be hatchin' goose
eggs. Leastwise they ain't done nothin' that
I can see 'bout this pesky reservoir dam,
tho' I did hear one man say as how they was
allays 'spectoratin' on some dam question.
What you sayin', Pete? This dam ain't
none o' thar consarn. Why, man, you talk
like a fool. Ef this bizness once busted
'twould be thar consarn ter swim outer
Richmond ! But, lad, f er Gawd's sake don't
Ragged Mountain Pete. 101
let Yankee Jim up in Raccoon Hollow know
what I says ! He mout 'low I was traitoriz-
ing my country, talkin' side of them as is
in authority! Wall, good-bye ag'in, son.
I'll tell the ole woman you'll be thar Sun-
day— likewise 'Mandy."
"Be sure 'bout 'Mandy," Pete broke in
with a broad grin.
But the last remark was lost on the old
man, for gazing up the road, he suddenly
exclaimed :
"Wall, I'll be gosh donged, if there ain't
that youngun a-comin' now. Whar you
goin', gal' this time o' day? Why, it's nigh
'leven o'clock. You surely ain't goin' to set-
tlement?"
"Yes, I am, pap," the girl in the sunbon-
net replied, " 'cause ma done forgit ter tell
you 'bout a spool o' cotton, an' she boun'
ter finish that sewin' this week."
102 Ragged Mountain Pete.
"In course," interrupted the quick-wit-
ted Pete, "this are the most convanientest
time. Ain't I jes' fixin' to cotch that mule
fer town? Boun' ter go this minute on
'portant business, and 'Mandy can ride be-
hind the mule bein' willing otherwise I'll
walk 'long sides."
"Suitin' me, suitin' yourselves," Daddy
Shiflett ejaculated, starting up the road
alone.
Ragged Mountain Pete. 103
It
THE RIDE.i
K rope bridle, a sheep-skin saddle and a
little "moral 'suasion" was all the prep-
aration Rock of Ages, the mule, needed.
(Pete had so named his steed in reverential
awe after a week's possession, " 'cause he
was allays standin' firm.")
Over a-straddle Pete swung first, then
'Mandy mounted "like a lady" behind (the
mule behavin' likewise) .
Down "Devil's Featherbed" they trotted,
their teeth chattering as they jogged along
in silence.
But as the road grew smoother Pete
104 Ragged Mountain Pete.
cleared his throat and exclaimed without
changing position :
"Look mighty purty ter-day, 'Mandy."
"Jes' like I did yesterday, Peter Sykes,"
was the stoical reply.
"Maybe you be right, 'Mandy, but I warn't
thar ter see/' came from the ever ready
swain.
"Wall," was the mountain coquette's re-
tort, "I don't see how you kin do so much
jedgin' of ter-day, seein' you ain't looked me
square in the face since we started."
"Amanda," was the dejected but digni-
fied reply, "I don't pose fur no many headed
beast with eyes befo' and aft, but I 'low I
kin make the best o' sarcumstances," — and
Rock of Ages took his stand !
Once more the ride was resumed amidst
longer silences than ever, then Pete again
cleared his throat, this time thrice.
Ragged Mountain Pete. 105
" 'Mandy," he said, "yo' pa is gettin' most
too old ter work, ain't he?"
"Yes, Pete/' was the slow reply, "an' dad
are an uncommon man. 'Pears like every
day he has a thought, some kind or other ;
ef he jes' had a little mo' book larnin' he
could write a 100 page or mo', I'll be boun' !
But ma, she don't lay no store by his reason-
ings ; she says as how such arguf yings don't
never git butter outen milk or flour into
bread, so thar's the end! But then ma do
get pretty tuckered out, Pete. She have
worked a long spell in her day, an' some-
how things don't get no easier fur her now
— 'pears like they don't."
"No, I reckon not," answered Pete, sym-
pathetically, "seem' as how she ain't got
no son ter lean on. Don't you reckon;
'Mandy, ef me an' you pulled together we
would ease her up a bit?"
106 Ragged Mountain Pete.
"I don't reckon nothin' 'tall 'bout it,
Pete/' was the deliberate and longed-for re-
sponse— and Rock of Ages took his stand
once more.
rX mile further down the road Pete sud-
denly called out :
"Whoa, you spindle-legged donkey; I'll
be gosh blamed ef I ain't bar'headed. Well,
'Mandy, my gall, we'll jes' turn back a piece
an' travel that blessed road onct more even
ef we don't find no hat, an' Rocky won't
need no guidin' this time."
Ragged Mountain Pete. ^07
III.
THE TOWN.
Arriving in town Rock of Ages was left
standing firm at a convenient distance be-
hind a hay wagon, while 'Mandy went to
trade the few remaining eggs which the
Featherbed had left intact for a spool of cot-
ton, and Pete to attend to his business ; i. e.,
"swap crap news an' borry a chaw o' ter-
backer."
'Mandy's shopping over, she called to her
lover, who, taking her hand in his, pro-
ceeded to swing arms down the street, "see-
ing sights" and furnishing a few.
The gaudy posters of V the coming circus
io8 Ragged Mountain Pete.
were extravagantly admired, Pete declar-
ing that them "bar 'back ladies was jes'
grand, if they didn't have nothin' but sam-
ple collars on."
" 'Mandy, I'll take you to that show," he
added, "ef it costs me my whole year's crap."
Then, hearing the sound of music, they
both turned with eyes, ears and mouth wide
open. Pete was the first to show his collec-
tion of senses by exclaiming :
"Wall, I'll be blowed to thunder ef that
ain't 'chinery talkin' ! It must be the fune^
graph I heerd Bill Scroggs 'lowrin' he done
seen on the corner, an' fur onct in his life
Bill warn't lyin\ Now, Mandy, ain't it ele-
gant? Ef we only had one fur yo' dad to
talk his thoughts into it would save
mother, an' he needn't write no book. We
could jes' keep yo' pa on tap all our lives
like sorghum molasses."
Ragged Mountain Pete. 109
Haying spent an hour or more before the
phonograph, Pete offered to treat to "sody"
on his bottommost nickel."
"Just one?" asked the dapper drug clerk.
"Sartain," replied our mountain gallant ;
"when you has a good-lookin' gal two straws
is all you eber needs, an' wThile we are
a-suckin', sir, I 'low you kin give us the law
p'iints on dog tails. You see it was like of
this (taking a draw) . Sam Thacker 'lowed
to me jes' now that my pig bit off his dog's
tail, an' I reckon (another draw) that his
dog didn't have no bizness arter my pig
(draw No. 3), but he come back ag'in at
me 'lowing that the pig must have been
arter his dog, beenst it was the dog's tail
wrhat got bit. Now, what be your under-
stand^' of the sarcumstance, sir? You
looks like a lawyer."
no Ragged Mountain Pete.
IV.
THE HOME-COMING.
The new moon was just peeping through
the trees as our mountain couple slowly
turned Cove's Bend.
Mandy was trying to see it over her left
shoulder, and Pete was saying :
"Be sure ter wish for a Christmas wed-
ding gal, 'cause 'lowing fur a crap an' no mo'
dam leaking I'll be ready, sure. Ain't I
done save nigh onto $13 'gainst the day al-
ready? Ev'ry night I counts it over an'
puts it under my pillow."
Suddenly Bock of Ages gave a halt
("fur no reason we done give him," Pete
Ragged Mountain Pete. in
afterwards said) . Looking around the don-
key's ears the prostrate figure of a man was
discovered by Pete.
"Must be Jim Sprouse with too much ap-
ple sap on board/' was his first comment,
but, jumping down, this philosophy gave
way to an exclamation of alarmed surprise.
"Why, 'Mandy," he called, "he be a sure-
'nuff gemman, an' his face is as white as
moonshine. I'm feared he's mortal
wounded, tho' maybe it's only a bad sprain,
he groans so loud. How cn Gawd's earth
he got here I can't say. Oh!" catching
sight of a camera on the roadside, "now I
see, 'Mandy. He am an argunot, an' his
flying machine done drapped. Wall, gal,
you watch while I goes ter fetch help an' a
doctor. Yes, let his head rest in yo' lap,
Sugar ; 't ain't no time fur mean f eelin's on
my part in the shadow of death. I'll hurry
H2 Ragged Mountain Pete.
to get him to my house, an', Gawd bein'
willing nuss him back to life. He's welcome
to all I'se got an' mo', too. But, 'Mandy,"
and Pete turned to hide a lip quiver, "thar
can't be no weddin' Christmas. That ain't
none o' our consarnin' tho', honey ; the good
Lord sont him our way an' we ain't goin' to
pass by on t'other side."
Ragged Mountain Pete. 113
V.
CHRISTMAS EVE IN HAPPY HOLLO W,
Close around Daddy Shiflett's log fire a
little group was gathered listening to the
winds howl about the cabin windows and
talking over the stranger now gone, but
who was Pete's guest so long — unconscious
most of the time — Pete, poor fellow, was
rather silent.
He was thinking of what to-morrow
promised to be, and what it was to be.
"Craps no good 'cause thar was nursing
inside ter do an' no time fur diggin' an'
dammin' outside."
H4 Ragged Mountain Pete.
Not that Pete grudged a minute of his
time or a penny of his hard earned money
as little by little it slipped from the old
stocking to purchase "extras fur the po'
sonseless stranger, who couldn't tell whar
he was from or whar he was goin'."
No, Pete gave with a cheerful heart, but
he was only thinking of his "might-have
beens," tho' fervently adding aloud, "The
Lord's will be done," when a thundering
knock was heard at the door and Dave Daw-
son came blustering in, followed by great
whirls of snow.
"Wall, I calk'lated I'd be savin' time com-
in' here inste'd of yo' house to find you. You
see 'twas like this : I was hangin' roun' the
post office ter-day tryin' to swap cattle,
when I heard Mr. Postman call out, 'Dave
Dawson, do you know aught of a man by
the name of Peter Sykes in your neighbor-
Ragged Mountain Pete. 115
hood?' 'Know him?' says I, 'I reckon I
knowed him befo' he knowed hisself.' 'See-
in' you be so intimate/ sez he, Til ax you
to deliver him this letter what has waited
his call fur a week or mo'.' So here it be,
Pete. I'm feared it means mo' taxes."
Pete's face fell a little, but he could not
disguise the fact that a letter was a pleasant
novelty from anyone, and, calling 'Mandy
to help him "make out the hand-writ," to-
gether they studied the envelope fully five
minutes for some solution before it occurred
to them that the mystery might possibly be
solved on the inside. Then, and not till
then, did they break the seal. Finding that
their correspondent had been considerate
enough to use a typewriter, they made bet-
ter progress, Pete holding the tallow can-
dle while 'Mandy read aloud at his request :
u6 Ragged Mountain Pete.
New York, December 15, 18 — .
Peter Sykes, Esq. — Dear Sir: En-
closed you will find a check for $500 as a
Christmas gift for yourself and dowry for
your bride-to-be, Miss Amanda Shiflett, in
memory of the many acts of kindness ten-
dered me by both while I was a stranger
and afflicted among you. It is in no sense
meant as a vulgar attempt at remuneration,
and you need have no hesitancy in accept-
ing this token of esteem, for I have taken the
liberty of putting a few of your prospective
father-in-law's thoughts, as well as your-
selves into print, for which the public has
generously rewarded me. Wishing you — "
But Pete had fallen to the floor, sobbing
like a child, while 'Mandy was kneeling be-
side him, calling :
"Don't, Pete, don't, please, kerry on so.
To-morrow you kin marry a hero-lady
what's in a book."
"LOTUS MISSUS."
117
"LITTLE MISSUS,"
You say you nebber knowed her, marsa?
But 'cose you didn't, case you jes' now
'lowed you nebber bin in lub, an' I knows
you ain't no common liar I kin
jes' see her now when I shets my eyes ! Gawd
Almighty done hisself proud when He made
her in his likeness, for she sure was "de lily
ob de valley," "de bright an' mornin'
star." An' her face warn't no purtier den
her ways. Eberybody and eberything lubbed
her. Even de flowers in ole missus' garden
'peared ter bow an' smile when she went by,
119
120
" Little Missus."
case dey knowed dey warn't no brighter nor
sweeter den my little missus. Did she mar-
ry? No, sah, she nebber did, but 'twarn't
case she couldn't. Lord, no ! It all happen
like ob dis : You see 'twar in de troublous
war times, when yo' ole marsa corned home
one day shot all ter pieces. Ole miss had
already took to her bed grievin' ober him,
frettin' her very life away. An' when lit-
tle missus seen how her daddy looked, her
own heart strings nearly snapped in two,
but she didn't even faint. She knowed bet-
ter den ter faint wThen der war sommin' else
ter do. She jes' sot ter work ter nuss ole
marsa back to life, try in' ter look chirpy all
de time fur his sake and her ma's. While
she was smoothin' out his pillow one day
we heard sech a-chatterin' an' trampin' in
the yard dat Hiram, my ole man, speculated
as how he'd better look out de front do',
" Little Missus/1
121
an' when be got dar, hope Gawd might
strike me dead, ef he didn't run into twenty
sure 'nuff Yankees. Hiram 'lows ter dis
day it war de whole army ; but den you see
I ain't seen dat nigger so skeered in all his
life befo', lessin' 'twar de day he war mar-
ried. His knees shuck so tergedder dat I
heard 'em clatter way in de kitchen, but
when one ob dem sojers holler out gruff
like, "Am yo' master in?" Hiram war ready
ter lie his tongue out 'clarin' he ain't nebber
seen him since de war begun, but 'twarn't
no use, fur all ob er suddin little missus
step in der hall, tellin' Hiram ter tek her
place while she answer all questions, an' den
she took her stan' rite in de front do', look-
in' as white an' brave as de aingul Ga'brel
hissel. "Yes," says she, "yo' victim am here,
mortal wounded, but you cayrn't see him,
Couldn't you let us bury our dead in
122
"Little Missus."
peace ?" Well, sah, some ob dem sojers war
fur gwine on in anyhow, 'dough dey knowed
it would hab ter be over her dead body. But
de gen'rul (I 'lowed he war dat 'count ob
his fine close an' looks,) tole 'em all ter
"step back, he would guard de pris'ner,"
an' den he teched his hat ter little missus,
tellin' her he would be 'bliged ter stay roun'
'bout, but dat she need not fear obstru-
sihuns. De po' chile knowed er gemmun
when she seed one, so she said she com-
prehend an' thanked him fur his manners.
Arter dat po' marsa kept er wastin' away,
an' de gen'rul soon diskivered dot 'dough
he'd come ter watch de daddy, 'twar de
daughter what he'd got his eyes set on. Lub?
you see, don't know no fightin' lines. At
fust little missus didn't pay no mo' tenshun
ter him den ef he'd been de dead, but when
she seed how many circumlocushury he
44 Little Missus."
123
showed ole marsa she eased up er little bit,
an' 'twar de gen'rul what laid po' marsa ter
rest at last. Ole missus didn't stay wid us
long arter dat. She jes' followed Marsa
Tom rite on up ter glory. ('Scuse me, sah,
dese here onions does make my ole eyes
smart, an' I'se 'bleeged to wipe 'em.) On
cose, den de gen'rul had ter git ready ter
leab us. He knowed his prisoner warn't
gwine ter rise from his grave fur a whole
reg'men' of Yankees den. An' so it happun
dat one day he war sayin' good-bye ter lit-
tle missus, an' tryin' ter make her fergit
dat he eber seen de roof, when all ob er sud-
din de very debbil ran, yellin' fur "Rebel
blood an' Yankee traitor." Gawd Almighty,
I thought de Jedg'men' Day done come! But
de gen'ruPs voice sound like de cannon roar
itself when he 'manded them ter "stan'
back," an' stan' back dey did. 'Cep' one po'
124 " Little Missus."
drunken debbil who tried ter grab little
missus roun' de wais'. Dat war too much.
De gen'rul seen it, an' wid one swope ob
de arm he sent dat feller er spinnin' roun'
de room a-seein' stars sich as he'd nebber
seen befo'. But de wust was yet ter come.
Dat blow dune struc' de rascal's pistol what
he war cary'in' in his han', an' de ball went
straight fur de gen'rul's heart. Seem like
I cayrn't recollect no mo' arter dat. I war
clean outer my head fur two weks. When
I cum to, little missus was nussin' me, but
lookin' mo' like er ghost aingul den flesh
an' blood. De gen'rul war answerin' de
las' roll call from de foot ob marsa's grave.
Would you like ler hear de res', marsa?
Seems like my ole heart gits de chills when
I thinks erbout dat moon-cold night we
foun' mammy's baby layin' twix marsa an'
" Little Missus." 125
missus wid her head on de gen'rul's grave.
De doctor called it heart trouble, same as
ef we didn't know dat widout sendin' fur
him.
"HALLELUIAH IANE."
HALLELUJAH JANE."
I first saw her standing on a James River
wharf waiting with her basket of "snacks"
for the down-east passengers.
A tall, quaint, raw-boned figure, bare
footed and clad in a short Turkey-red petti-
coat, with a Dolly Varden overskirt.
A discarded bit of "Meh Lady's" ward-
robe was the latter garment, but never had
it covered a prouder form than it did the
day Hallelujah Jane donned it for the first
time to attend "the big doin's" at Bit. Zion
Church,
m
130 " Hallelujah Jane."
And that was two years long ago, the cap-
tain of our boat was telling rae as he made
fast his knotted rope to the stump of an
old pine tree while the gangplank (Farmer
Harper's old barn door) was being lowered.
"Hello, Jane!" he cried, as the awkward
figure came shuffling towards us, balancing
her pie tray on top of her "wrapped nigger
kinks." "Here is a pow5ful hungry stranger
fur you! Jes' show him how them tarts
do taste. As for myself, I prefer a leg of
my old friend, the rooster, same as I have
been a-eatin' for the las' ten years. Ha!
ha !" he added, seeing my look of consterna-
tion. " 'Tain't no place like Virginny fur
old friends stickin' by you. Jes' make you'-
self easy, an' take this season's apple pie,
colonel. An' Jane, you can tell us whether
you've 'found religion' or not.',
"Poor fool," he whispered aside to me,
" Hallelujah Jane." 131
"went clean daft on the subject nigh two
years ago at Parson Jones' revival. Don't
ever smile now 'cept'n' when the church
bells ring."
At the word "religion" Hallelujah Jane's
hitherto expressionless countenance seemed
suddenly fired with animation. Her eyes
snapped and rolled, while her lean fingers
twitched convulsively.
"Not yit, Cap'n Jim," she gasped; "not
yit. I ain't cross my feet fur Gawd knows
how long, but las' week I laffed out loud,
an' den I had ter begin all ober again
a-seekin'. 'Pears like no matter how much
I tries, I cayrn't git de debbil's singin' an'
a-laffin' outer my soul sometimes, but, nebber
min', Marsa Jim, nebber min', I'll see my
Lord fo' nex' baptism day. Praise Jesus!"
A moment later our boat whistled, and
we left the weird looking, pathetic figure
132 " Hallelujah Jane."
standing alone on the wharf, gazing wist-
fully over the waters and softly chanting :
"My Lord war tvalkin' in de garden!
He take me by de han\
He say, 'My chile, come wid me er while,
Fll show you de Promise Lan\' "
That was in June. The following August
I was again at the same landing, and Halle-
lujah Jane was standing apparently just
as I'd left her, but the wharf itself was teem-
ing with life, for a Sunday school picnic
was holding its gala day. Children and
dogs of all sizes and conditions were scur-
rying hither and thither, looking for lunch
baskets and watermelons. Above the din
of the crowd that same soft, melodious voice
could be heard rising and falling in smooth
cadences :
" Hallelujah Jane." 133
"Blessed Jesus! take me as I is!
Jordan's wide, but wid you beside,
Fse always sure to riz"
Suddenly, a mother's shriek of anguish
was carried on high, and we heard those
terrible words, "Child overboard!" strike
our very hearts cold. We all, with one ac-
cord, rushed to the edge of the wharf, but
there every man seemed rooted to the spot
as a baby's white face rose above the water.
It was only a moment.
"Clear de trac' !" was heard in the rear,
and a gaunt figure broke through our ranks.
Springing into the river like some great
wild deer, the chubby little hand was
grasped as it sank for the last time, and a
limp little body was held up towards its
mother outstretched aching arms.
"Thank God ! Alive !" we cried — but the
134 "Hallelujah Jane."
rescuer? 'Ah! her strength was gone!
And when, at last, a dozen willing arms laid
her tenderly under the shade of the trees.
Hallelujah Jane had "seen her Lord!"
"THE GEN'RAL."
135
"THE GEN'RAL."
The following sketch is composed of ac-
tual facts from the life of the general, with
reminiscences of his, as well as the author's
imagination generously thrown in.
To the reader is left the art of discrim-
inating. Be it, in all justice said, how-
ever, that in conversation the real general
shows (for he still lives at the age of 91)
more polish and less dialect than this article
would seem to evince.
At the unveiling of Lee's monument sev-
eral years ago one of the most noticeable
certainly, and distinguished apparently, fig-
ures in the long procession of veterans was
137
138 "The Gen'ral."
that of an aged darky, with a lithe, agile
form, which years instead of bending, had
only lent a respectful incline to a head heavi-
ly fringed with long, silky, silvery locks
which bushed out at the ends in semblance
of a halo — all matched by a flowing mus-
tache and Van Dyke beard — Beauregard in
bronze, one might have called him, with
his air distingue — " 'cause he done lib wif
quality all his life an' knowed how ter kerry
hisself. Manners is like measles — pow'ful
ketchen."
An old mammy was heard to explain as
he passed bowing and musically saluting
in exulting, but well modulated tones, the
thronging, surging crowds in response to
their oft repeated cheers, for it was he —
not General "Fitz" — the Colonel thought
that the whole Confederacy recognized and
honored.
"The Gen'ral." 139
"Didn't Gen'l Lee specify hisse'f : 'This
am an ole frien' of de dark days, what I
do myse'f proud to shake ban's with!'
For didn't me an' Marsa John go fru the
whole war gettin' braver an' braver till
Mister Gen'l Lee thought there warn't none
like us in his 'tire army ! Most certain we
did! Hy! Aye! An' how come I was
permoted frum gen'ral to kurnel if 'twarn't
'cause I allays tole our boys to look dem
Yankees straight in the eye befo' they run.
Tho' 'twarn't good to let an evil eye res'
on you too long! Lawd a'mighty! warn't
dem times to disremember? 'Pears like
jus' the other day our comp'ny gets orders
to 'treat down the road double quickstep.
Praise Gawd ! An' when Marsa J ohn come
to look fer me I was down the hill helpin'
a likely lookin' widder squeeze some black-
berry juice! Well, I managed to climb
140 44 The Gen'ral."
the hill an' commence to march, but eider
that widder's wine warn't as fresh as I
feared it might be, or else 'twas the widder
herself, fur my ole legs kep' steppin' back-
wards 'till Marsa John's great patience
done expirated, an' grabbin' me by the col-
lar, fur 'suasion, he says: 'Coine on! you
ole fool! The Yankees will ketch you if
you doan't look out.' Then it was I dis-
recholected the widder intirely, but some-
how my po' legs got weaker an' mo' mixed,
so out I yell: 'Shoot me, Marsa John!
Shoot me ! But for Gawd's sake doan't let
them Yankees get me !"'
But to return to our description of the
Kurnel! He carried in one hand a stove-
pipe hat or beaver, daily polished for a
week previously, with an old silk bandanna
of Marsa Jimmie's ("same as I seen nex'
Pres'dent Boman Thurman use when I
The Gen'ral." 141
greeted him at the TTniversary cel'bra-
shun") ; in the other he held a heavy ivory
headed cane — one old marse had left him.
His coat was a Confederate gray, the entire
front covered with "badges of honor."
"Ain't jus' satisfied in my own mind 'bout
this orange an' blue one," he explained,
"Some young fellers put it on at Charlottes-
ville Junction (when I stopped to see my
ole home an' friends), but they 'lowed it
meant 'vic'try/ what was all % lacked
'bout de wah. Where did I get my pants?
Well, I pleased to tell you how it am. You
see I nebber like to show parshal'ties on the
boys what I raised, so that's Kow comes
I have on Marsa John's hat, Marsa Howe's
waistcoat, Marsa Henry's shoes, Marsa
Jimmie's trousers an' so on. I reckon you
nebber witness placket holes on the side be-
fo\ Hi eigh !"
142
" The Gen'ral."
On one end of his watch chain was a
quaint looking fob with a seal setting.
"Our family's seal/' he said, wTith one of his
characteristic, courtly bows. For was he
not joint partner in all that belonged to
ole niarsa?
On the other concealed (?) in his vest
pocket was a small sized clock the alarm of
which had a way of going off in the midst
of one of the general's most grandiloquent
speeches.
"Jus' brought this pesky thing along
'cause my gold watch was being fixed up
first time since the surrender. Jew'ler said
it needed a leetle cleaninV Thus our hero
marched along, leaving the file of old vet-
erans for that of the spick and span Monti-
cello guards.
"I was propelled to do the same at Gen-
eral Long's obsequies," he ejaculated.
"The Gen'ral." 143
"Seems like these vet'naries got mighty
small ambition nbout lookin9 proud an*
keepin' step to music."
After the processional exercises were over
a little group gathered round this quaint,
living memory of by-gone days, to offer a
drink in exchange for a condensed history
of his life.
"Gentlemen," exclaimed the general, first
waving one of his courteous bows, then
drawing himself up with all his natural dig-
nity— "Gentlemen, Miss Mary has signed me
honorable member of the W. C. T. XT. (God
bless her!) but on excasions like these,"
he added, reaching for the "firewater," "the
good Lawd himself might 'scuse me fer
cePbratin'! Here's to the health of Gen'l
Lee! May he live in the min's of them Yan-
kees forever!" he added, drawing in one
draught the very moisture from the bottom
"The Gen'ral."
of his cup. "My Men's a,n' feller country
men," he continued, with another stately bo w,
"more'n than three score years an' ten ole
marsa bought your humble servant on the
auctioneer block in Staunton for to look
after young Marsa John. An' him I'se
minded ever since through peace an' wah.
May my Heabenly Marsa show the same
consumin' pashunce with me in the world
to come, for I was a high strung fool
if I was as smart as you make 'em !" Here
he gave one of his musical chuckles, which
can best be described as a laughing trill.
"W'y, sahs! I could drive ole marsa's four-
in-han' cross the Blue Ridge easy as these
here freed niggers can push a wheel bar-
row ! An' as fur waitin' on the table ! that
devil-at-the-barn-door in New York doan't
know a sarcumstance compared to me!
Hear me talkin'! When Mister Tom Jef-
"The Gen'ral." 145
ferson wanted to have special circumlocu-
tions at Mont'celler he allays begged ole
marsa to lend him that 'yeller buck' for a
day. Jes' why he didn't send fur me when
Gen'l Tarleton, what I am namesake for,
comes to see him, I doan't memorize. Maybe
'twas 'fo' I got to Albemarle. Anywise they
say as how he didn't stay long. You see
we allays had comp'ny at Linden Hall —
elegant gentlemen and beautiful ladies.
One of our guests warn't out of the gate 'f 0'
another was comin' in the do', an' so it went
on. I welcome 'em all, too. Onct I got
kinder perplexieated when a Paris lady ar-
riv', but I jus' made her a grand bow an'
repeat: 'Parley frances, we no speak,' an'
she 'peared to feel easy after that. Hi, eigh !
An' didn't I help en'tain Mister and Mis-
tress Pres'dent Hayes? But that was long
after my ole marsa was laid to rest. How-
146 "The Gen'ral."
someber, Marsa John's wife came from
Chill-an'-Coffee, Ohio, an' she was 'quainted.
So on her 'count I calls to pay my respects,
I bow my very best to Marsa Pres'dent, an'
said that do' I differentiated from him on
pol'ties, I was glad to welcome him as a
friend an' fellow cit'zen! Then I present
Madam Hayes with the grandest bouquet I
could circumvent, while I excited a piece
of poetry of my own decomposition, fav-
orin' her to the japonica which grew in the
Garden of Eden an' flourish like John the
Baptist in yonder banquet hall. I tell you
what ! she was that proud an' compliment-
ed! You see I learned myself 'bout lan-
g'age of flowers when I excorted Marsa
John a-courtin' of Miss Mary. In course
I com'panied him! He was as han'some
an' fine a sure 'nuff gen'man as ever you did
see, but if I hadn't kept on ?couragin' him he
" The Gen'rai."
147
would have backed out long ago! He was
kinder bashful 'bout courtin' an' Miss Mary
was the teasingest, prettiest widder lady
that ever you laid eyes on. They say as how
every man in Ohio done been on his knees
to her one time or another, so she jus' came
to Virginny for a change, but I knowed she
was fixin' to say 'Yes' to my Marsa John in
the end, fer she liked his looks, an' seen
what a good son and brother he had been,
an' you couldn't fool Miss Mary on hus-
bands. She had already picked two good
ones, an' was going to keep on long as the
Lawd gave her time! Gawd a'mighty!
Here I is expectoratin7 on family 'fairs
when my train is leavin' for Staunton. I
thank you all, gentlemen, for your kind
'tention. If you ever comes to the valley
Marsa Jimmie an' me will extenuate the
hospitalities of Folly Farm to you, for we
148 "The Genral."
am allays happy to see company an' curiosi-
ties. No, sah! I have no 'jections to one
more small drink befo' I go. This is to my
Miss Mary's health !"
In speaking of the Confederate reunion
at this time, even the far-away French
papers specially mentioned our hero,
"General" Tarleton Alexander.
THE END.
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