The Clarke County courier. (Athens, Ga.) 1???-19??, January 25, 1913, Image 3

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UNCLE NOAH’S FREEDOM . A Lincoln “Day Story By CLARISSA MACKIG "Huccoma yoh ain’t laid nuffln to oje tsaraa about it?” demanded Aunt Heaia aa aba tossed a smoking section et boecake on to her husband’s plate. Uncle Noah sighed and shook his white, woolly head. “I dunno, Hessa. Somehow I cnln't git da right lnsplra. Con to ’preach da kuunel on dat sub- Jac’.’’ fDan I specs I’s got to go alone. Deinorf la a col’ place In winter, I’re bean , heatin’, an’ It'll be mighty lone some for dls nigger woman jvldout her husband erlong, but mebbe I’ll cotch da brownkltta er somethin' er rather an’ dlel Do yoh reckon dey buries po’ dad nigger folkses up dere, Noah?" Hessa’s voice ended In a plaintive moan. Noah shivered. "Of co'se dey buries abarybody, old woman, only what's de use of goto’ If yoh’s so suab yoh'lLdlel .What's de matter wld Ylrglnny tor awhile?” The old man almost ducked under the table at the darning wrath In Hessa’s •yea She pointed a'scornful finger at him “I knowed It—I knowed It! Soh’d rather stay heoh In slavery den to go norf an’ be free an' earn sights of munney an’ some day be tidin' In yoh own kerrldge. Dey's big., wages fob black folkses up dere, an’ I’m goln’ dona tomorrer et yoh’s too chicken llv- ered to come erlong tool” ‘I'd like to go mightily, Hess, only 1 dunno whut de kunnel an’ ole miss will do wldoot' us,” protested Noah * weakly. “Now, de kunnel has only one arm left”— "Shucks I” exploded Aunt Hessa im patiently, and forthwith she proceeded to convince her wavering husband that, although they had both been bom and raised on Colonel Parttogo’s plantation and had lived happily all through the years of a kind master’s supervision, now that President Lincoln had pro claimed that all slaves should be eman cipated on and after the 1st day of January, 1863, It was their bounden duty to take advantage of the liberty that had come to them and hasten northward te- the land of plenty of money. All the other slaves on the Fartldge plantation had run away during the colonel's absence on the battlefield. Only Uncle Noah, the family butler, and Hessa, the cook, had remained faithful. But relatives who were pre- - parlng-to take advantage of their new ly acquired freedom were working upon Hessa’s feelings. ->'• V * • ■ * - *> ■ * ’ Colonel Partidge and bis wife sat Is tbs', small study adjoining the sitting robm. It was a warmer room and more easily heated by the pine logs , in the wide fireplace. Outside It was crisp *fid cold, with a light fall of snow on the .ground. Within the study it was warm and cozy and comfortable. There was a crimson glow oyer the polished mahogany tables and chairs and over the rows of books on the . shelves. The heavy damask curtains and . table covers had vanisbed. They were serving as blankets for soldiers in the: Confederate army. “What are you thinking about, Rich ard?” asked Mrs. Partidge after awhile She was knitting woolen socks for the soldiers, and her delicate white fingers . worked as willingly ns. they had ever done on dainty embroidery. She was a woman past middle age, and the strenuous time she was passing through was leaving Its blighting im print upon her. She had sent three sons to the war and had received them back again—to be buried in the family tomb. Her husband had gone forth strong and hole and vigorous, and he had come back minus one arm and quite broken in health, with old age pressing heavily upon his grief smitten heart With the desertion of his slaves the revenue from his plantation dwin- dlad to a mere nlttance. If Uncle Noah and hla wlto bad not remained faithful It would have gone bard with the Partldgoe. Tbe old but ler bad not ecorued to become man of *11 work about the place, and la addi tion to tbe little vegetable garden be maintained there had been one cow aalvaged from the large herd that once grazed on tbe pastures. “What ere you thinking of, dear?” naked. Mrs. Partidge after awhile. The colonel looked up from hie aad contemplation of tbe hissing fire. “I w*” wondering what we would do U l,—.i end Hessa should decide to go away,” -be answered quietly. “Ob, Blchard, bave they spoken to you?” Mrs. Partldge’s gray eye* filled with tsars. He shook bis bead. "No, but Blythe ■ays that nine of hla negroes are going tomorrow, and ono ot them told him that our Heasa and Noah were going too.” “Without a word to us? Blchard, I hardly think they would do It,” falter ed hie wife. ”It U their right, Catherine. Perhaps they are afraid to apeak to me 1 with they would go openly. I want to gtv* them something for a how start in Ufa. They era old, Catherine, Just as wo ere, but they are u Inno cent children In the face of the world they will meet. Bob’— The colonel bowed his white bead and covend hla tyta with Us hand. Thar* was a heavy shuffling atop In the hall, end the two looked up to ace Heesa’e lumbering 'form filling tho doorway. Her black fingers nervously smoothed the crisp folds et her white apron, and tbe anow turtwi that sur mounted her dusky face ifook tremu- lously. Something In the old aervhnt’s atti tude-something In the frightened un certain? of her round fkoe-nvealod KttMUgWtJWtliH ■"Ut tut Htw ot liessa’i''erfirtia; It'OS comS'Jt last—tbe final blow—the desertion of these two faithful retainers. S "Comd In. Hessa,” said Mrs. Par tidge gently, Hessa leaned for support ognlnat thd door lintel and rolled her dark eyes at Colonel Partidge. "Scuso me, Marso Kunnel,” she said hurriedly, “but tomorrow am do day when Marse Llnkum pernouncea all niggers free and ekwlll-and-Noah and ma'am goln' norf I” She hid her. face In her apron, and there wu e convulsive movement of her fat sboul- It Became an Important Factor In a Man’a Ufa By EDWARD L. STANTON 'Do you want to go, Hesaa?” asked the colonel quietly. “We gotta go, olo mariel” (he waU- ed. “We’a free, an’ we gotta go. Dey’s all goto’ tomorrer mobnln’.’’ "Very well, Hesaa. Walt a mtnate, please.” Colonel Partidge opened a drawer to the mahogany desk and draw ont a canvas bag. He emptied Its contenta oo tbe table, and Heasa'a eyes snap ped at the pile of gold pieces. The colooel carefully counted tbe gold Into two plies and, gathering one Into a heap, tossed it Into the canvas tjag and knotted tbe string around It “Hessa, here Is a sum-of money for you and Noah. It la half of what I have got Take good care-of lt t be cause you will meet many dishonest people, who will try to take.lt away from you. You have both been faith ful servants. ■ Nay, you have been friends to mo and my family. Nny, even more than that, Hessa—you bave -been one of us. If there. Is anything we can do, If there Is anything you want to make you comfortable, let us know. Come and bid us goodby be fore yon go.” Tbe colonel’! voice broke queerly. Heasa was standing there staring from mastefjo mistress. The bag of gold pieces hung limply from ber band. She looked frightened, but some pur- pose within Impelled her to go on.' “I’a mighty Borry, but we’s gotta j. I’s cooked up a sight of vtttels, Ulss Catherine. Dey’s a col’ ham an’ fo’ plea an’ a big fruit cake, an’ Noah toted all de wood Inter de cellar an’ filled all de wood boxes an’—er”— Hessa suddenly vanished, and pres ently they heard the outer door close loudly. They did not look at each other after that The blow had fallen. The great clock In the hell chimed 8 and 0 and 10 and 1L The colonel sat with hla eyes fixed on a book, but not once daring the honrs did the turning of e leaf break the silence. Mrs. Partidge knitted unceasingly, only pausing to unravel her work and reknit the skipped stitches. Just after midnight there was the noisy rattle of wagon wheels on the highway, accompanied by negro voices lifted In song and excited chatter. It was undoubtedly the freed negroes on their way north, and they were going to stop for Hessa and Noah. There must hare been several box wagons, for there was a din of confusion out side the Partidge gates. Then there came laud talk from the negro quar ters, and the colonel and his wife heard Hessa’s commanding tones rais ed above tbe tumult After awhile the wagons want away, and all sound ceased. Erc-i too neg lected fire had dwindled Into sound less breaking embers, and the candles were burning low. It seemed as though an end had coma to everything. “Catherine!” said the colonel kindly. “Blchard!” Her voice trembled as their eyes met Her hands flew up to her face, and her tears fell unrestrained. The colonel knelt beside her, his one arm around her slender shoulders. “They were all we had left that made It Beem like old times,” she sobbed. “I know, I know,” he soothed gently. It was some time before they looked up to see to tho dying candlelight Hes sa’s great balk to tbe doorway. Over her shoulder peered Noah’s rolling eyes “Ah, Hessa, yon have come to say goodby?” said tbe colonel, lifting his frail wife to her feet and leading her to the emancipated slaves. “No, no, Uarse Kunnel; we come ter say ‘Howdy* all over agtol Huccome dam niggers stopped heeh, bnt Noah an’ me we couldn’t go away an’ leabe yob on’ Miss Catherine!” "Dls am all de home wo got to de worl’. Dere won’t any place eber look Jea’ lak dls yere one,” sobbed Noah, linking to hla knees beside Hesaa and laying the bag of gold at tba colonel’s feet “I gntsa dat Muaa Aba linknm didn’t mean na nlggara to break our hearts goto’ norf, so I gtoss ho won’t care ao’a we’a happy. Noah, yoh lazy ole nigger, yoh mend da flah an’ make a blaze to de bedchamber while I glta moh candle* an’ makes a milk puneb I declare *f It ain’t tomorrer mornln’ already!" Heist acolded everybody back Into smllea once more. Aa they went to their cabin after be loved master and mistress were abed and sleeping Noah pinched hla wife’s fat arm. “Ole woman, yoh’s free! Docs yob feel any dlffe’ntV’ he demanded doubt fully. Hla own face beamed content ment — Hesaa shook her arm free. “Ob, go erlong. do,. Noah! Whut time I got to bo finkin' erbout foolishness when I dunno ef den’s any eggs to' waffles to de mohnto'?” —O ELECTRICIAN AND MECHANIC. Is a practical magazine for every one who wanta to learn about elec tricity, or who uses tools. Its arti cles tell yoa how to make flying machines, wireless telegraph ap- paratas, dynamos, engines, furni ture, models, et«. Every number full of valaaUe (hop-kink*, and practical hints, well illustrated. The only, magazine of it* kind in the world,. Send your name on the postcard for a free sample copy. Write it today. The three latest numbers will be lent for 2S cents. $1.60 a year. Sampson Publish- I believe that too two mozt desirable blessings on* can bava are youth and health. Thera te a third that Is equal ly Important, though much more tpt to bo Ignored-tbat Is, absence of worry.! I have bad an experience to toe last of too three, or Its reverse, which Is toe subject ef tola story. If ever a child was bom Into toe world to a perfectly normal condition. I was that child. I grew to manhood without an ache or n pain, and seeing others taking medicine* and consulting doctors I Would say to them; “Oat your mind away from your ache* and pains. Don’t worry end you will be as well as I am. As for tbe doctors, they are only good for serious matters; In small sick nesses they are humbugs.” One morning wben taking my bath 1 discovered a email lamp on my right aide. I rubbed it and polled at It, and I didn’t like It at all. For three days 1. tried not to. think about It, than gave np toe task and went to a doctor fa-, moos for too treatment of all aorta of “growths.” I waited two hours for a consultation, daring which time I .was: to an increasing state of terror. “Doctor," I laid- when admitted to; toe conanltlag room of toe great ape-, clallst, “a little lamp.baa come to my, aide. I fear It bode* something seri ous.” The doctor directed me to remove anfilclent clothing tor him to make an examination. After he had finished he apeot some time putting away toe Implements he had used, bnt said noth ing. I Inferred toe worst, and It was toe worst that ha finally communicat ed to me. "That lump,’’ ho said, “Is a malignant growth which wo medical men call”— he gave a long Latin name which 1 didn't remember five minutes— 1 “and my duty Is to tell yon that If you have any affairs that need to be settled yon had better go to work upon them.” I sank down to a chair and covered my face wlto my bands. Tbe doctor remained allent Presently, notwith standing toe shock under which I snf fared, I remembered tbat an anteroom .wan full of patients who were waiting to consult the great man, and I pro ceeded to make certain Inquiries. “How long have 1 to live, doctor?' I asked. “I don't know. Tbe records of such coses as youre have usually proved fatal within three to four months.” “Shall 1 suffer much?” "No; the disease will eat Into an ar tery, when the end will be painless.” I could think of no other Information tbat 1 would need, so. rising from my cbulr, 1 staggered unt of tbe room, glv- lng place to the next patient, who was to gain comfort or despair from tbe eminent specialist Ho sent.me a bill of $100 for telling me that I bad hot four months at most to live, but under tbe circumstances tbe money was noth ing to me, and since toe doctor was living at the rate of $30,000 a year It was a good deal to him. For toe first week after learning my doom 1 gave myself up to meditation upon my fate. At toe end ot that time 1 made up my mind tbat It wouldn’t need a malignant something or other to kill me or four months In which to do toe work. 1 was preying upon myself at a much more rapid rate. I resolved to throw off the mental octopus tbat had me to Its clutches and make toe most of toe brief period that remained to me. I had $100,000 to 0 per cent bonds, worth $150,000. There was no relative who needed the money, and I resolved to spend the moat of It to purchasing whatever would keep my mtod off my coming demise. I would need company -eome one to be with mo most of too time—and cast about for an associate. I would spend a part of my tlmo' with a man friend and tho reat wlto a woman friend. For toe man I chose Arthur Atherton and for tho woman Adel* Sturgia, with both of whom 1 was on familiar terms. I told them that I pro posed to spend $100,000 within four months and that to consideration of their devoting their time to me for that period I would divide toe remaining $50,000 between them. Atherton was out of business at to* time and had no fortune. He looked very sympathetic when I mad* my proposition, but 1 thought he was trying to conceal a good deal of happiness. In a third ot a year he would earn $25,000 besides en joying luxuries that wouldn’t cost him anything. Aa to Adale, she said she would think toe matter over. After doing so she told m* that She would accept my prep osition with an amendment that toe amount I would spend should b* re duced by $25,000 and added to to* amount ot hat portion. Furtoarmore. tola portion wu not to b* given to her, but left to charity by will. This did not seem to suit to* require- manta of too cue, but Add* wu to* only girl I knew that I thought would b* able to lift m* out of myeelf, and 1 assented. I began by meeting Arthur about’0 o’clock ovary morning and spending to* time with him till about 1 to too afternoon. W* played billiards and want wherever anything intonat ing wu going on. later to to* after noon i took Adele ont to my car, and two or three tones to toe week w* would go either to the opera or too the ater. The other evening* I would spend mostly with Arthur or wlto any one 1 happened to dnd to go about with me Beside* this I gave theater parties, dinners, tuppen-ln abort, took in far more ways ot diverting my mtod from my trouble than I could catalogue. But, despite all I could do, my doom bung heavy over me. One afternoon whan I was with Adele I gave way to tonTTvasuol valid Jg Euch'tfOHi tea money I wag sr-endlng. There was a real sympathy In ber far* when share- piled: ‘There Is another way. of getting ont of yourself which you bave not tried.” . “What Is ltr I.aslied eagerly. "Interest yourself,In tbe welfare of others.” “I never thought of that Do you suppose It would work to mvjjsef “i think it would fete yidrj!th- - • _ We were riding la toy c.r, . , y W stood on toe sidewalk wlto newspapers I ' under hi*',arm be v-« ( trying to sell. His feet were bare; bis sblrt was open to front for want of buttons and for a profusion of tatters; bis coat and tree seri were toto. 1 drew up near him and bought a paper, handing him a five dollar .bill. He looked at It despondent ly, thinking that he would lot* the sale of a paper, for be conld not change It “Never.mtod toe, change," I said, and aa we moved away I saw .him look at toe. bill, et me and. at the bill again, while too expression on bis face was a delight to me. “By Jovel" I exclaimed, “it work* first rate. I’m going back to get toe poor little chap end do some more of tt” . • ;■ I returned: to too bey, took him. toto my car, and.we drove to a atore, where I spent money for clothes for him aa lavishly as.I bad tiean spending It on myself. I couldn't .keep my eyes off toe expression offender, of delight that perpetually hovered on his fea tores. I didn’t know what be needed, but Adele did and thought of many thing* that would add to hla comfort 'Now we raust-t^k* him home," ebe said when' be was' warmly dressed, aud, loaded down with packages, we went to the car.and presently drew np at a tenementhohse, where we tatou- Isbed hie mother and bla brothere and slstera by presenting blm to tbem In hla new habiliments. I bad a rail of bills to my. pocket which I distributed among the children, left a check for toe mother, and Adals and I drove away, followed by tbe blessing* ot toe family. I had often returned to my room at midnight to fee I the doom that hung over me by contrast with tbe gayety I bad experience^ more keenly than before going. Tbs evening of my new departure I spent with Adele, listen, tog to plana ah* prepared for more glvlog.toe next day, and whea 1 went to bed felt greatev'ellef than at any ton* since I bad I rerued that I must die within the year. For the first time since I heard tha announcement I went to aleep with no room for It to my mtod for thinking ot tbe happiness 1 had created. . I seed not repeat the details ot my charities, ot which this was toe be ginning. 1 gained something In strength ae well as spirits. I could not see tbat to* lump tbat was to kill me was Increasing, and 1 hoped that 1 might be permitted to live toe full time toe doctor had allowed me. One thing I noticed—I had leas use for Ar tour Atherton and more for Adele Sturgis. I spent my morning* recall tog the pleased expressions of those 1 had benefited and my afternoons go- tog about getting rid of my money wlto Adele. The evenings I usually spent with ber, (hiking over oar char ltable work for toe next day. One night when I was going to bed 1 .looked #t my lamp. It was appreciably smaller. 1 felt of It, aad, whereas It had been hard. It was now soft I won dered If after all the great specialist had not been mlataksn to my cate. Tbe next morning I went to him agtto. He examtued my symptom, aud I aaw at once by bis expression that it was not aa be bad expected. I aaw also tbat what he was thinking about was bow be should admit to me that he had been mistaken without Injury to bis professional dignity. "This lump," he laid at laat, "la what I told you to the drat place. But,” he waited a moment before going on to give me time to be Impressed—“but It la a variety that Is harmless. I think It will subside.” , . ! bad a $100 check to my pocket ready tor blm and, banding It to him, got out as quickly aa possible, fearing tost he would change his oplnlou again before I could make an exit I flew to Adel* to announce tbe good news, and wben I did so I met wlto tbe astonish ment of my life. Sb* tried to congest, ulate me, but words would not come Then her relief found vent to tears, and before I realized what I was doing 1 had taken her to my arms and waa soothing her. ‘Ton have taught m* how to forget death aa well as to Uva,”I said to bar, "and If you consent wo will togathar pursue happiness aa w* have begun It. . Thanks to yon, more than half ot my fortune remains, fend we will lay ont a certain part of our Income to be glean to those to distress." There an blesslpge to disguise which we cannot control, but there are also bleuinga w* can control. Betty act ot loving kindness ty such a blessing to ourselves, though we are apt to coo- alder It a sacrifice and fail to aa* It to Its true character) The most fortunate expenditure I evry mad* was toe fee 1 paid the graft epeclallxt for telling me to prepare tor death, for to preparing for death I prepared tor life Besides, he was Instrumental to giving me my dear wife YOU ■■ 1 J Will get more real joy and pleasure out of the long winter evenings if you have electric light. It js so flex ible, so adaptable that you can always place the light just where it will be most convenient and the easiest to work by. €JIf your house is not wired you can have it done by any contractor and have a whole year in which to pay for it. "“If your home is modern its electrified” Athens Railway & Electric Go. MEN OF MARK Men who are keen—college men and young men in tbe business world—men whojkeep posted on styles, who know correct clothes, who appreciate fine tailoring,;who have investigated clothes values—are all agreed upon that we carry The Best of Ready-to-Wear Clothes That’s Obtainable Thore’s a distinctiveness of style, a thoroughness of workmanship and precision in the making, of details that produce the character, and certain aloofness that make our lines the MOST EE9IREE for men who want to feel and look young. Also' models for younger men. The con servative dignified styles for the banker, lawyer, doctor, or merchant—refined and elegant, yet lacking nothing in smartness. Furnishings Everything for men and boys, in the newest effects. It ia impossible to describe the endless variety. JL8T COME AND LOOK. To sell good clothes at reasonable prices—that’s the mission of this - store. Come and look—all are welcome whether you purchase or not. CHAS. Clayton Street STERN COMPANY, Athens. Ga. Farmer Needs GAINESVILLE MIDLAND. Mixed trains arrive in Athena daily except Sands?, at 1:85 in the morning and at I o’clock in tha evening i on Sand** only thetraina will arm a at 10U4O a. m. and at 7:55 p. m. Mixed ttaina will leave -Athasi every day except Sunday at 7:80 in the morning and at 4:80 in the afternoon; tihr only the pas senger* leave ■ 7 t :45 a. m. and at MO g. mu “ nra Co. 408 Pope Bailding, Boetoa, ' tH^oaro-yltolft me and,coatsros* WANTED—Order* for fine Froat Proof CabbagirpSfcla at 11.25 per 1,000, all varieties, cheaper in larger lota. Belief*otl<n guaranteed. P. B, Cannon, Maggette, S. C. m & loti ttirtDt, —i— It Is Free Ask for It Today~A Postal Will Do It tells you how you may connect your Tele phone line with the Bell system, and get the same high-class local and long distance service now enjoyed by more than 5,000,000 people. If you haven’t a Telephone this book will tell you how to get service at very small cost. You do not obligate yourself by sending for it. Address nearest Bell Telephone Manager, or Farmers’ Line Department SOUTHERN BELL TELEPHONE AND TELEGRAPH COMPANY 103 S. Pryor Street, Atlanta, Ga. Jtop* Established $868. PaW In Capital StockVJO,000.00 4-4K — j* xm. Nov have ovwtwvnSythswuttnd»Atis. PrtfwaonCatbA** Good Farm For Standing Rent. Three horse crop for rent for 1913. Over a hundred acre* cleared. Two mile* from elec trio care. Address Wm. Jno. Russell, 140 C. St„ S, E., Washington, D. C. JAS. P. WALDREP, M. D. Phykcuk and Soaono*. Office over E. H. Done?. Offioe Phono 805-2. Reeidence 632-J Conkey’s flhlokan Remadlea in stack. H. B. Palme? ft Sou. i