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Darkey Ned

Darkey Ned image
Parent Issue
Day
1
Month
December
Year
1881
Copyright
Public Domain
OCR Text

Don't you know dat Babyion has fallen, Babyion has fallen, And we darkius 's gwlne tr occupy delau' !' The extra word 'darkies' had a jolly ring in it, and the little singer emphasized the sentiment by pulling au unusually large handt'ul of weeds from among the onions, and Ihrowing thera at púas, who scampered away wifch lier tail in the air, noteven stopping to look back, until she liad reached the stonewall at the foot of the garden. 'Hi Dat cat's a good runner ! She'd ought'er ine the 'iederates. She'd do for old liaasa Jim's company ! Dey was do sojers to run when de battle begin !' and the boy went into a convulsión of aughter at the memory of how Massa Jim's soldiers proved oowards in the ;imeof actiou. It was only Ned, the doctor' boy. Black lied,' and 'Darkey ÏTed' the street joys called him, and true enough, ho was black. AVith a face that would líame ebony, eyes that glisteued, and eeth like bits of polished ivory was íed born, a full-blooded negro and a lave. For twelve years had the boy ompecl with other babies like himself, ipon the plantation of 'ole Massa Jim Carrol,' wny down on the borders of jake Pontchartrain in Louisiana. But ;he war carne. íTed was made a 'conraband,' aad when the Union forcea ntered and took possession oL Jiew Oreans, and the surrounding country, he ined the army,' became servant to )r. Haskiu, and with him returned to .ve in a quiet little inland towu in the tate of Maine. Here he was office and hore boy, running errands and wor leng in the garden in summer, and atending school in the fall and winter. Every day was a happy one to Ned. A parent's love he had never faiown, 'or both his father and mother were old in the years gone by, bef ore he was ld enough to remernber them ; but the octor was all in all to him, and the atachment which the boy liad for the rind-hearted inaster was almost wonerful. But mistress puss liad disap)eared, the onion-bed was weeded, and nilking-time had come. ífed sprang o h,s feet and hurried away in the diection of the barn. Ten o'clock at ight. The little village was dark aad till. Only the twinkling stars lighted he belated traveler ou his homeward way, lor gas was as yet unknown to the imple country i'olk. Ned's bed-chamer was at the back of the house, ' ooking the yard and barn. As was his ■ ustom, the boy had gone upstairs withut a candle. 'Kin see jea' as well in lie dark, 'cause my eye3 is big, you cnow !' he usedto say. Leaning oh the vindow-sill, he gazed vvonderingly out ito the calm, clear night. 'Dem stars isworlds, eh! Dat's what de teacher say. I reckon dey's a right mart piece from here. Wish i could go to 'em! Maybe dey's differ'nt from is, Hi! What dem men doing' ?" and u an instant the little f ellow's attention was drawn to the dark forins of fcwo talwart men, who were advancing 'rom the orchard toward the barn. 'Keckon l'd better git down dar! Maybe dey's looking 'round f ur sömething to lift!" Lift was Ned's word for steal. Hurrying on his clothes, he crept noiselessly out of the house just in time to see the two men entering the barn. Following, he stationed himself outside where a wide crack in the boards gave him a good view of all that was going on within. The door was carefully closed, and then one of the intruders pulled a dark lantern and a b;ig from under his coat. 'Hi! Dey's going for de gram!' thought NeA, but he was mistaken. Advancing to the horse, the other man offered him a cob of corn, then loosed and led him froin the stall, and quietly, but rapidly, harnessed him to the doctor's covered buggy; while the fellow with he lantern, meantime, drew from his rdg a sinall tin can, attached a cord to t, and set it on the floor in the corner. 2Jot a word had been spoken as yet, and joth men were muffled alinost to the eyes, so that Ked could f orm no idea oí who they were. 'All ready, Torn V' Yes, light the f use.' Ned heard the fuse oí a match, and saw one of the men set flre to the end of the string which was attached to the can spoken of, and then the lantern was quickly concealed, the barn door opened again, and the two came forth, quietly leading tho horse, whose feet had been muffled, so as to make no noise, and who was hitched to the buggy. 'O, dat's what dey's gwine to lift - 111 watch em!' and, suiting the action to the word, Ned stole along in the shadow of the fence toward the road. Suddenly he remembered the string in the barn. 'Never'll do to leave dat! Dey mean to burn de things up.' Eetracing his steps he entered the building by a side door. The gleaming spark was creeping along the floor toward the can. iNed ran forward; therewas a flash, a slight report, a moment of light and heat, and tlien all was dark again. The boy passed his hand over nis face in amazement. 'Dat was powder! But it was wet, I reckon. How lucky! If dat can had trast, Ned 'd be a dead boy, now!' and, reaching out his hand, he seized the dangerous can, and carying it out of doors, examined it caref ully. 'Yes, dat' s powder, shore, but she's wet!' and he tossed it from htm. Xow for the men, the thieves. Listening carefully, he heard the light rattle ol the buggy moving slowly up the village street. If he stopped t waken his master they vvould be gone. Na raust follow them at once. His bare, nimble feet feil noiselessly in the dusty roaJ, and soon he was close in the rear of the buggy. It was a covered one, with a narrow, flat boot or shelf, bebind. 'Why not ride? thought Ned, and with a quick spring he tossed himself to the offered seat. AVhen the outskirts of t he tovvn vvere reached the horse was whipped to a faster gait, and soon the road became an unknown one to the boy. On, on they went, over hills and vaüeys, through bits of woods and open, misty plaüw; by farm-houses, where sleepless watch-dogs barked vigorously, through silent villages, where the buildings echoed back the horse's heavy tread; for hours they rode, until t!ie eastern sky grew faint and rosy with the coming mom, and lights began to gloam froin Windows, and smoke to curl from chimneys as tliey approaehñd a large town. Ned liad not slept. He could only keep on by clinging to the narrow seat, and lie must be awake to do it. As the broad, glad sun peeped down ppon the dusty boy they entered the ulace and were soou rattling over its paved streets iu company with ntany other early corners, hended toward the market of the town. 'Whip behiut! whip behint, mister I There's anaygerridin' onbehiiit!' cried a liarsh, childish voice. Quick as tliought, the stock of the heavy whip carne arouud. Ned had heard the cali, and was preparing to jump down, but was an instant too late; ho was struck upon the temple and knocked senseless to the ground! 'He's coming around all right,' said the kind-hearted ward surgeou; 'it was an ugly blow, however.' ííed openel his eyes. lie lay 011 a clean white bed, just iike thirty others in the room, He knew where he was, for he had'seen slich places during the war; it was a hospital. He raised his hand to his head. 'Carer'ul, my boy. Are you better, now ?' Yes, sir, l'se all right now, I reckon. I must go, too, for dey's bisness for me to 'tend to;' and the boy atterapted to rise, but sank back, fainting with pain: he had been trainpled upon by a horse when he Ml, and his lef t arm was broken ! The physician spoke kindly to Ned, and tried to sootho him, but hia words had no effect. 'O, sir,' said the little fellow, 'can't you give me something spiritin', something to 'rouse me up, like ? You see I'se got bisness to 'fcend to! 'special bad bisness to 'tendto!' and his eyes were fdled with a great anxiety and care. 'My poor boy,' and the strong man's hand was laid caressingly upon the child's head, 'teil me your business; I will do it for you.' 'O, will you! will you! I'se so glad, and de doctor won't losèhis horse!' and, with a few hasty words, Ned told hia story, and asked that the city might be searehed, and the robbers arrested. 'What is the name of the town?' 'Dexter.' 'Dexter! Why that ia more than thirty miles f rom here! And the doctor's name is what ?' 'Haskin,' answered the boy. 'Myold army friend! My little fellow, the thieves shall be found and arrested. If possible. I well remember the horse that Haskin usedto ride, and can easily identify him. Be quiet un;il I return. Good-bye;' and, taking lii-s hat, the surgeon departed. It was noon when he returned, and poor Xed slept. '1 will not disturb him; sleep is the best medicine he can have,' thought his new-iound friend. All the long summer afteraoon, until the western sun glinted through the ivy vine at the window, the little colored boy slambered on; then he opened his eyes to meet the gentle, bving gaze of his own dear master. Dr. Haskin. He had been telegraphed to, and carne up on the train. 'O, doctor! 1 jes' hung to 'em! They'd a burnt de barn, only I see 'em. Have you got de liorse; have you found Büly ? 'Yes, Ned, Billy is recovered, and Torn Kane and his companion are in jail. Wow lie still, and don't become excited. If you are well enough, tomorrow we will go home.' lied's eyes sparkled, and he fairly laughed with joy; then, obeying the doctor's advice, he said no more, but lay quietly antil in dreams he forgot histrouble and pain. Morning cauie, and the boy was so much better that Dr. Haskin decided to move him, and noon found them in Dexter again. Ned was conflned to the house for nearly a week, and when he did go out once more he found hirnself a hero in the little country town. Xo one called him 'Nigger Ned' now, it was 'that colored boy,' or 'that brave little iellovv' that saved the doctor's horsfi and barn.

Article

Subjects
Old News
Ann Arbor Democrat