Columbia College - Columbian Yearbook (Columbia, SC)

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The wind whistled across the fields d , an ' - unprotected Cabin all night, and heavy, white clrdiiillsecilrizlheaiiiiiosimtlied siiifi sprinkling the earth with a fleecy blanket. Pete, not a particularlyiearlf fist-'f' was speechless with astonishment when he saw the snow. He had ewpbcted cold, C1632 d-2135 gl' H1056 Laing anything but snow. His cabin was nearly a foot eep in t e ri ts an t e field around was level and white, reaching to the woods where the trees stood like sperrits. Aw, my marsterl look a-here, Cind place. How is I a-gwine to git wood now? he exclaimed, 'fWhat's.dat? Hit's done snowed? she cried, rearing up from her mountain of quilts, I knowed hit, I knowed hit. I becha hit started las' night when my fu st mis ry struck me. Uh! My Marster, hitls done got me, an' widout a drap o' Japanese. Pete, whut is I gwine to do? . Pete regarded .the snow, the sky, his shivering dog, the snow-covered woodpile, and the wailing Cindy. The prospect of that railing all day forced him to think of some relief. - Ne' mind, honey, Iill git dat chicken frum Cap'n Lewis. You jes' wait 'tel I git back. I'm a-gwine up dar right now. He tucked her in, trying to console her by various rash promises, and presently started out towards Cap'n Lewis's. Across the glistening field he went, his woolly old head down between his shoulders, and his hands deep in his pockets. At the foot of the hill leading up to Cap'n's back yard, some children and dogs were playing in the snow. Red- nosed, rosy-faced little ones called to the approaching Pete, and the dogs ran barking to jump upon him. VVith them he was a particular favorite. VVell, ef here ain't my baby, out here in dis cold. Honey, you gwine to freeze, he said to the rosiest, smallest lass of them. y. Hitis done snowed all over de . Pete, Pete, ride me up, she cried, putting the sled-rope into his hand. Pete scolded and protested, he was busy, he didn't have time-hitching himself to the sled all the while. Up and down they went together, the dogs barking, racing ahead of the sleds, and sending the snow flying, the children screaming and laughing, Just once more, Pete. Each time he answered, I declar, you children. I ain't got time to be wastin' here wid y'all. Now dis here's de las' time. Breakfast was over at Cap'n's, and Miss Lizzie was washing dishes when Pete shuffled apologetically into the kitchen, bowing and rubbing his hands. . . . . . - - n Good morn1n', Miss Lizzie, morn1n'. How's you dis fine morn1n'? You come in my kitchen a-trackin' up my flo'. Git outno' here. Am't I done see you down yonder a-wastin' your time wid dem chillern, when you ought to been to work? Triilin' thing, I becha done come here to beg for sump n. Well, tain't no use, 'cause we done done breckfuss, and ta1n't nothin lef . Now, Miss Lizzie, ain't you 'shamed to talk to old Pete dat,-a-way. I ain't stud'n 'bout no breckfuss. I come up here to see Cap'n'LCyy1S b0L1'f 501119 business. You see now, Miss Lizzie, your tongue .is too quick, he ,sa1d, and hastened to add before she could break forth again, VVhar is Capn Lewis, Miss Lizzie? . Marse Lewis ain't got no time to fool wid you. M6 21 jest- n' Mis' Alice was Ffrrv-MNE

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Misiry in de finis 3 , get W. INDY, I swan I b'lieve dis here rain is a-gwine to keep up 'tel ledg- ifivsiw ment Day. Dis de fo'th day, an' hit ain't helt up a drap. Ils tired 0' tryin' tg make soggy wood burn, grumbled Pete, as he sat ' against the chimney trying to coax a piece of wet log to burn. 9 'x Q qi I wish t'would stop off, too. You 'n dem children keeps my Ho' tracked up from mornin' 'tel night, and dese here irons-Pete, punch up dat fire-Marse Lewis' shirt ain't gwine to look, fit for noth1n',ef I can't git a hot iron. Hit's a-gwine to git cold fo' mornin , cause de wind s ar-r1s1n an I feel de mis'ry comin' in my j'ints. I becha hit'll be colder 'n Er'bus in de mornin', answered Cindy. Pete continued to punch the fire, mumbling to himself. If the weather wasn't cold, it was rainy. If it was rainy, Capln Lewis would surely make him stack wood under the house, or wash the mud off the carriage wheels. If it was cold, he would have to chop wood from morning until night, in fact, life was a burden to him in every way. He was never allowed to do his own way. As soon as he got a little extra money to go to the store with, on Saturday night, Cindy always took de mis'ry in de j'ints, andihe had to use his .earnings to buy japanese for her, and then, too, Cindy never would let him lighten anybody's chicken-roost. Cindy continued to iron, walking back and forth between the ironing- board and the fire, to swap irons. Night was coming on, and the darkening interior of the cabin was lighted only by the firelight. Cindy's ample figure threw a huge dancing shadow against the opposite wall. A pile of unironed, starched clothes lay on the bed nearest the ironing-board, which was placed with one end on the foot of the bed and the other across a chair-back. Cindy ob- served gloomily the frequent Huttering of the various paper chains and laces that hung across the ceiling and against the wall. She knew that it was caused by the little putfs of wind that sneaked in through cracks. Dis here spell's a-gwine to ketch me widout a drap o' japanese, too, she said. ' Well, Cindy, I ain't got nary nickel -after a little thought- But, Cindy, maybe Cap'n 's got a old hen up to de house dat he might spare us- spare you. You know hit's good for de mis'ry an'- Hit ain't no use to go up dar, Pete. Marse Lewis hisself might give hit to you, but dem boys-dey wouldn't give you nothin' ef you wuz a-dyin'. And dat triflin' Lizzie-she jes' thinks she owns dat house. She struts 'round dat kitchen bigger 'n Missus herself. Hit riles me ever' time I sets foot dar. An' l wma dar longffo' ever she wuz born. An' de way she takes on in meetin', Z1-SCllll'l'Ull as lug as us old 'uns to de front. I tell you I ain't got no time for llCI'Z an you stayrway from her, too, Cindy quarreled, glaring at Pete, who arose troni the chnnney-corner, stifling a chuckle, the first that he had allowed to manifest itself since the rainy weather had begun. I UNC' ,mlllfli Mi5'. Cindy, your old Pete ain't gwine to look at no nigger ,FW WU' QU 1195 H-HWIUQ to glt you a chicken ef 'n he be 'bliged to put h1S igion to sleep a spell. Xe mind, honey, I gwine to Cap'n's in de mornin'. FIFTY-EIGHT

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Well, wha is Cap'n, Miss Lizzie?', interrupted Pete, starting for the do . or How do I know? Down to de lot, I reckin. Triflin' thing, she mut- tered, looking after him with a contemptuous glance. Accustomed to Lizzie's pleasant greetings, and so not disturbed by them, Pete went towards the lot, hoping that he would Find Cap'n Lewis alone, and in a good humor, buthe was disappointed in one respect, for he heard someone talking to Cap'n inside of the stable. His worst fears were realized when he found Capln Lewis with his son Robert, and his nephew John, the boys of whom Cindy had spoken. More apologetically than ever, Pete said: Mornin' Cap'n, mornin'g an, Mr. Robert an' Mr. John. How is you-all today ? Cap'n Lewis looked up. He was examining the foot of a new colt that Robert had just bought. The two boys were currying and brushing the colt. Only Cap'n Lewis vouchsafed an answer to Pete's hearty greeting. The boys held Lizzie's opinion of him. Dis sho' am a fine pony, Mr. Robert. Hit's de one whut you got from Mr. Watts, ain't hit P Pete continued, trying to pave his way, but, receiving only a grunt from Robert, he went on, Mr. Robert, you jes' lemme do dat for you. I know how to curry a hawsef' And he made a motion to take the curry- comb, but Robert said: Aw, get out of the way. You can't curry worth a--. Stand back there, or youlll get your head knocked off. Wlhat are you hanging around here tor, anyway? Yes, what do you want, Pete? T know it's something, added Cap'n Lewis. l-l, Cap'n, I-but's jes' a little business. I-you know, Cap'n, my olrl lacly, Cindy, she+ rubbing his hands and grinning at the floor, undecided about which foot to stand on. Robert helped him along: Yes, l know doggone well what you're after, something to eat. d XX hat is it, Pete? asked Cap'n Lewis, smiling, and amused at his son's wor s. y'XYell, Qap'n, as 'l wuz a-sayin', Cindy, you know, she all time takes cle mis ry in dis here kind o' wedder, and she 'low hit tain't nothin' but a chicken- A roaring laugh from Robert interrupted him. 1 XX ho ever heard ot chicken curing rheumatism. You want it for your 'mn 5I0Qfl'lUl N0TlN11Q selT. Then, to his father, Dad, don't give it to him. Make him work for it. J ,Pk -FYI. go get a rabbit, Pete. The woods are full of them this weather. .1 e my od gun. The Missus can't spare her chickens, said Cap'n Lewis. H.AXu, Dad, we re going rabbit hunting today, snapped Robert. Oh, well, there s room for everybody, son.', Will Pete' you stay off ' l ' ' . - , . - r 1, P' tl rctmaung Pete. , our ral, you hear. he said angrily to TC nm mpftfi Sllippefl Calfll 'Lewis' old gun from the back-porch easily, in order L,lm,kQn 5gflrA'MUS 1411210 He was greatly disappointed though about the ' In 5 would moan and complain all day now, and besides, he had SIXTY