A Meeting [pp. 51]

1886.] A Meeting.ii 51
all alone in the world now; I haven't got She came,'n' never wor mortal man more
anybody but you," she half sobbed. proud dan I of dat vision so beautiful. He
"Praise de Lord!" I shouted. seemed sort o' struck,'n' surprised, too, but
"0, no; don't say that exactly," she say, pleased. Den he asked her de question,.
smilin' through her tears. "They wor very plump.
good to me, though I couldn't feel near to "Objection! No! If it's the truth, I'm'
them. They seemed to love me, and be proud of it, since my good, faithful Dan is:
proud of me,'n' they went out of the city, the same," she said, bless her! "Why,.
because they were afraid I should take the what do I care, so he loves me and I love:
fever. I didn't, but they did, poor dears! him?"
They carried it with them,'n' both died. Den de man turn away,'n' I could see big
They didn't know me, though I was there tears in his eyes.
all the time,'n' they had good nursing, too. "You're not orphans, either of you," he
They were always talking about me to the says, after a minute,'n' his voice was broken
last. They were my relations, of course, and like. "This boy Dan has been like a son to
wanted to do right by me, but why did they me. He saved my life, and deserves my gratleave me so long alone in the world? And itude. You shall be like my daughter. You
now, I've come to be taken care of." are not left penniless by several thousands,
Bless her sweet soul'n' body!-as if I'n' I'll look out for Dan." This he said to
hadn't thought of dat! I went straight to her.
my employer, as he had told me to call him, Dat day week we were married.
about it. He looked grave. And he, God bless him,he did all he prom "It wasn't fully decided," he muttered,'n' ised, and more. He got me in a good busden he said, cautious like, "I don't see any iness, gave us a house nicely furnished, makobjections. Your'e a goodlad," he went on; in' conditions dat he should have a room
"she's-an orphan of color! "-he laid em- dere,'n' take his Sunday dinners with us as
phasis on dat word, color. "Will she have long as he lived.
any objections, do you think, to becalled an We didn't forgit Hanner, either. She
orphan of color? They're gone that would gladly come on to live with us,'n' made us
have objected." one of de best of servants.
I'll ask he;," I said. Again, I say, when I think how all our
"No, call her in." troubles are over, God bless him!
Afqry A. Denntison.
A MEETING.