Bad Hugh

"Never came? Do you think him dead?"

"No, no! oh, no! He's--Oh, Miss Johnson, I'll tell you some time. Nobody

here knows but Hugh how I was deceived, but I'll tell you. I can trust

you," and Adah involuntarily laid her head in Alice's lap, sobbing

bitterly.

In the hall without there was a shuffling step which Adah knew was

Sam's, and remembering the conversation once held with him concerning

that golden locket, whose original Sam was positive he had seen, Alice

waited curious for his entrance. With hobbling steps the old man came

in, scarcely noticing either of them, so intent was he upon the figure

lying so still and helpless before him.

"Massah Hugh, my poor, dear Massah Hugh," he cried, bending over his

young master. "I wish 'twas Sam had all de pain an' all de aches you

feels. I'd b'ar it willingly, massah, I would. Dear massah, kin you hear

Sam talkin' to you?"

Sam had turned away from Hugh, and with his usual politeness was about

making his obeisance to Alice, when the words, "Your servant, miss,"

were changed into a howl of joy, and falling upon his knees, he clutched

at Alice's dress, exclaiming: "Now de Lord be praised, I'se found her again. I'se found Miss Ellis, I

has, an' I feels like singin' 'Glory Hallelujah.' Does ye know me, lady?

Does you 'member shaky ole darky, way down in Virginny? You teached him

de way, an' he's tried to walk dar ever sence. Say, does you know ole

Sam?" and the dim eyes looked eagerly into Alice's face.

She did remember him, and for a moment seemed speechless with surprise,

then, stooping beside him, she took his shriveled hand and pressed it

between her own, asking how he came there, and if Hugh had always been

his master.

"You 'splain, Miss Adah. You speaks de dictionary better than Sam," the

old man said, and thus appealed to, Adah told what she knew of Sam's

coming into Hugh's possession.

"He buy me just for kindness, nothing else, for Sam ain't wo'th a dime,

but Massah Hugh so good. I prays for him every night, and I asks God to

bring you and him together. Miss Ellis will like Massah Hugh much, so

much, and Massah Hugh like Miss Ellis. Oh, I'se happy chile to-night. I

prays wid a big heart, 'case I sees Miss Ellis again," and in his great

joy Sam kissed the hem of Alice's dress, crouching at her feet and

regarding her with a look almost idolatrous.

They watched together that night, attending Hugh so carefully that when

the morning broke and the physician came, he pronounced the symptoms so

much better that there was much hope, he said, if the faithful nursing

were continued.