A Daughter of Maryland — page 111: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

92 A DAUGHTER OF MARYLAND. po’ nigger, but I hope yo’ll forgib him fo’ whut he couldn’t hel’.”’ ‘‘What do you mean, S’posen Jones? What has happened now ?’’ ‘‘Tuddy ! is’t possible she has cl’an fergit by dis time,’’ he said aside. ‘‘Wharfo’ didn’t I know jess erbout ’nough to hol’ my brack mouf?’’ Then, to Aurian, he continued: ‘*‘T hope to die, Missus Orry, if I c’u’d hel’ yit. He jess made me lead dat dar hoss right off fro de wilderness, an’ he nebber let him nor me res’ all de night, till I git him ‘way ober in de free States. He seems berry much glad den, an’ I jess rid like de win’ fo’ Sylvany. Yo’ berry mad, missus?’’ x ‘*T should think I had reason to be,’’ replied Aurian, knowing it would not do for her to let the negro under- stand that she was nearly overjoyed with his success. ‘‘ But I won’t say any more about it on the condition that you never speak of it again to me or any one else. ’’ ‘“Can’t I tell dat ha’nt story ennymo’?’’ he asked, with a crestfallen countenance. - **T don’t care how much you tell that, only look out and tell it the same every time. ’’ ‘*Golly! hain’t I tol’ yit de same fo’ ebery single time? How I pull de wool ober dem nigs’ eyes! Golly! I’se jess fot ob sum’fin’ same’s I hain’t tol’ yit. I’se goin’ to gib yit to dem brack coons afore I fergits yit. T’ank yo’, missus, I’se gone suah,’’ and with his usual shuffling and ducking he shambled toward the smokehouse, the words coming back-to her as he departed, ‘‘Cracky! I’se reckon dis darky’s cuteness jess pulled de wool ober her eyes. ”’ Aunt Debby in her loneliness felf a strong desire to pay a visit to her. former home, and bring away such things of hers, prized on account of their associations rather than their real value, as could be found after the disastrous adventure of that stormy night. Aurian was nothing loath to arrange a trip to the deserted homestead, promising to c ‘ ~ o- ; 7 wy ee ‘ a fe 4 - . ¥ Pe. > 4" a oo Be . # . = a uh st i Gs . A pl eee wee ya ney x ory 4 Fog Y fag