Tempest and Sunshine

Among Mr. Middleton's negroes there was a boy twelve years of age whose

name was Bob. On the morning following the incidents narrated in the last

chapter, Bob was sent up to make a fire for "the young marsters." He had

just coaxed the coal and kindlings into a blaze, when Raymond awoke, and

spying the negro, called out, "Hello, there! Tom, Dick, Harry, what may be

your name?"

"My name is Bob, sar."

"Oh, Bob is it? Bob what? Have you no other name?"

"No, sar, 'cept it's Marster Josh. I 'longs to him."

"Belong to Master Josh, do you? His name isn't Josh, it is Joshua."

"Yes, marster."

"Well, then, Bob, if his name is Joshua, what must yours be?" said

Raymond.

"Dun know, unless it's Bobaway," answered the negro, with a broad grin.

"Bobaway! That's rich," said Raymond, laughing heartily at the rapid

advancement of his pupil.

After a moment's pause, he again called out, "I say, Bobaway, did it snow

last night?"

"No, sar, it didn't snow; it done frosted," said Bob.

"Done frosted, hey?" said Raymond. "You're a smart boy, Bob. What'll you

sell yourself for?"

"Dun know; hain't nothing to sell 'cept my t'other hat and a bushel of

hickory-nuts," answered Bob; "but I reckon how marster ax about five

hundred, 'case I's right spry when I hain't got the rheumatiz."

"Got the rheumatiz, have you, Bob? Where?"

"In my belly, sar," answered Bob. Here the young men burst into a loud

laugh, and Raymond said, "Five hundred is cheap, Bob; I'll give more than

that."

Bob opened his large white eyes to their utmost extent, and looking keenly

at Raymond slowly quitted the room. On reaching the kitchen he told Aunt

Judy, who was his mother, "that ef marster ever acted like he was goin'

for to sell him to that ar chap, what poked fun at him, he'd run away,

sartin."

"And be cotched and git shet up," said Aunt Judy.

"I'd a heap rather be shet up 'tarnally than to 'long to anybody 'sides

Marster Josh," said Bob.

During breakfast Mr. Middleton suddenly exclaimed, while looking at

Stanton, "I've been tryin' ever since you've been here to think who you

look like, and I've jest thought. It's Dr. Lacey."

"Who, sir?" said Stanton in some surprise.

"Dr. Lacey. D'ye know him?" asked Mr. Middleton.