The Littlest Rebel

h her task of planning a dress for Virgie. But the prospect of making her daughter something wearable out of the odds and ends of nothin

ere I am. Out u

st had been dressed at breakfast time, in a clean white frock, low shoes and white stockings, although all now showed signs of strenuous usage. Clutched to her breast as she ran up to her mother's side was "Susan Jemima," her one beloved possession and her doll. Behind Virgie came Sally A

s she came up flushed and excited, "what do you reckon

hand went up to lift the hair back

ried Virgie, wi

her in astonishment at this

ly-on thi

now he-he-he was the terriblest old man that-

,' my darli

ughed and Vi

at, but Sally Ann's older'

e no differ'nce what you call 'em,

abit of killin' his wives that-that some of the ladi

. Cary, in well feigned amazement at the timid

o-to another one-her name was Mrs. Fa

played Bl

ne. Come here, Sally Ann, an

put her chubby arms around her neck. "This is his blue beard, Mother. Hol

rl. "You's a-ticklin' my nose. I'se gwine to snee

irginia, with a correcting slap. "S'pose you were a man an'

him already. He

Fatima." And then, as her mother's face showed signs of doubt as to her

ves of your new dress." She smiled courageously as she folded a piece of old silk she was remaking. "You and-" she cast a glance at Sally Ann-"your respected brother-in-law c

d I'll tell you what-we'll mark off the castle walls around the bench where the window's goin

the way, have either of you seen Uncle Billy. I' mu

ped Blue Beard, "makin' for de woo

went on toward the house. Could Uncle Billy possibly be leaving! The most tr

e dreadful net of circumstance she had vowed proudly in her own heart never to

a-t

pets, borne on brazen wings from the

a-t

that-a

-r-ru

hat-a

he rolling thunder

been d

h steady step and even rank, with thrill of brass lunged band and screaming fife the regiments sweep by-in front, the officers on their

t, from South and North alike, each side eager for the cause he thought was right, with bright pennons snapping in the br

to valiant lines of marching gray or sturdy r

ashes, his lands laid waste. Always one depleted side which takes one last desperate stand in the sight of bl

osts. Advancing and retreating but always fighting, month after month, year after year the men in gray had come at last to the bitterest period of it all-when the weakened

rue that Virginia had been simply one vast arsenal where every inhabitant had unfailingly done his part in mak

omes-in dismantled outhouses, broken fences and neglected, brier-choked fields. Even the staples of life were fast dim

ng. White-pillared and stately the old Colonial mansion stood on one of the low, emerald hills which roll back lazily from the peaceful James. It was true that the flower beds had been trampled down to ruin by alien horse and h

ime South, gentle and quiet eyed, her light summer dress of the cheapest material, yet deftly fashioned by her own fingers from slightly

to see, it was with a very heavy heart that she mounted the stairs to t

ned by a sad faced quartermaster of the Army of Northern Virginia. And one by one the fat porkers who had muzzled greedily among the ears from the Cary bins and who ought to have gone into the smoke house had departed, squealing, to furnish bone and sinew with which to repel t

the woods below the house. Slowly and deliberately he made his way toward the front till he reached a bench where he sat down under a tree to ruminate over the situation and inspect the feathered prize which he had lately acquired by certain, deviou

gher. Rooster-I wonder who you b'longs to. Um-um!" he murmured as he thoughtfully sounded the rooster's well developed ch

he rose up from the seat and meandered toward the kitchen, his old, wrinkled face broke into a broad smile of satisfaction o

se on one side he heard a sound which made him halt. A young negro, coming fro

le Billy, instantly suspicious of such m

king at him, sullen and silent. In his hands he carried a small bundle done up in a colored handker

cle Billy, with an accusing f

r man made

rising tones of severity. "Ain't you go

younger man finally broke away from Un

Uncle Billy, furious at last. "You's runni

w that further deceit would be futile and

sin' I is

cle Billy with dismayingly quick

Henry refuted stubbornl

efinger began to shake in the other

eyes opened wide with amazem

tter disgust. "I put you down at a dollar and a quarter. But dat ain't de p'int," and he steadily advanced on the other till their faces were only a few

nt of his crime were fully understood. "Ef I ain' wuth b

ame him completely and he tossed the rooster on

take it outer yo' hide with a carriage whip. Hol' on dar," as Jeems Henry elude

ast into revealing his plan. Then, after a cautious look

ed his ears. Her

up dar, is dey? An' what you think

" replied Jeems Henr

was the rele

"It's better'n being a slave, Unc' Billy," he added as he saw the sneer of contempt on the f

g-gone yo' skin, I got a great min' for to mash yo' mouf. Yas, I is a slave. I b'longs to Mars Cary-an' I b'longed to his pa befo' him. Dey feed me and gimme de bes' dey got. Dey take care of me when I'm sick-an' dey take care of me when I'm well-an' I gwine to stay right here. But you? You jes' go

tsteps on the veranda, and it was so that the mistress of the manor found the would-be ru

paused at the top of the steps and regard

ueried, "what is going on

," said Uncle Billy, in defense of his ag

for a moment and then ca

d, unbelievingly. "I

head and dug at the

opeless regret, of sorrow for one who could be so foolishly misguided. "I'm sorry not only for our

nswer and old Uncle Billy s

in low tones which made the young negro's eyes roll wildly with fear. "D

"You know very well, Uncle Billy,

ause he could plainly see Jeems Henry wavering. "'Twas jes las' night I hear one-moanin' 'r

ess appreciated, Mrs. Cary had hard work to hold back a smil

u, James; you may take my word for it. If you are quite determined

Billy, excitedly foreseeing means to prevent Jee

guished eyes and gazed tr

'-what don't b'long

ed kindly. "But you have a long tramp

and Jeems Henry

round to the kitchen. We'

ncle Billy's eyes opened widely

got none too much fo' yo'se'f, d'out stuffin' di

commanded h

esponse, and Uncle Bill

ed away toward the house. "

s miracle of kindness which he did not deserve

ulped, "but f'um now on I reck

yes heavenward in a short prayer that children such

be happy and contented. If you are not-come back to us. Perhaps, when the war is over, y

an obedient step forward, his feelings overcame him and with an audible snuffle and h

e step and looked as if s

ue. "Now don't you care, Miss Hallie.

the actual loss of help, tho' we need it, goodness knows. But it makes me sad to see t

hick'ry stick in it fer dat nigger. Yas, bless Gawd. But you got me, Miss

rested on his shoulder in a gentle caress. "I'd as soon think of the skies fa

lly promptly, not q

waiting battles-that we fight alone." Mrs.

dunno what yo' talkin' 'bout b

ry, while her eyes filled with tears

n the ground beside the steps. Then she turned and swept

he said, in

ied Uncle Bil

t's

icture of innocence and ignorance. He loo

-why, dat ain' nothin' 'tall, Miss Hal

y at the unfamiliar bird. No fear that she would not r

encing for time in which to prepare a quasi-truthful rep

Cary, severely. "Look at m

nd made an attempt to escape. "Down on de low grouns-dis mornin'. Dat's right," he said, as he saw d

s. Cary, completely unconvinced. "Yo

d Uncle Billy, meanwhil

s he doi

illy st

n', dat's what he was doin'

ry's lips relaxed in a smile and she

Uncle Billy

's tellin' de trufe, Miss Hallie. Dis' here ol' sinner tooken flewed off a boat

w him fly o

, not wid my own eyes. But I see him settin' in de woods, lookin' dat lonesome and losted like, I felt real s

to hide her laughter.

n on all fo's in the thick weeds, an' cluk like a hen. An' den ol' Mr. Rooster, he came 'lon

m afraid you're incorrigible. It's a dreadfu

dis here bird 'll kinder git eben wid me when I tackle his drum sticks. Yas'm," and with a final

back to play Mrs. Fatima to a

ground. "We've just finished building the castle. Look!" She pointed proudly to a square of twigs

ched up her dangerous weapon and thrust it into a rope

ey," Virgie cried. "Susan Jemima, you sit there on the benc

ess and frowning terribly. "I'se gwine away fer a n

was the me

t. "You kin look in ev'ry room in de house-castle, I means-'cept in des dat one. Orn'estan me? Des dat one! But ef yo' looks in

in a whisper, as Blue Beard stalked away to

r the horseman in the cloud of dust." And jumping up, the child

e Beard has gone away, and now

Fatima shrank back full of fear from the ima

of disappointment. "You have to. It's part of th

you look-drop the keys

silence, both actresses screamed with complete success. Whereupon

e blood of his seven

r sounded i

t?" cried the terr

" whereupon Virgie immediately left

d the tree, Blue Beard now rushed up

ing Mrs. Fatima with a low curtsey "

Beard severely. "What

eet sir. Am I,

tole you? Look at de blood on dat key! False 'ooman, you do

lord. Spare

me slowly upon the scene. At the sight of Sally Ann apparently about to assault his mistress the bridle dropped

mp! You tech Miss Hallie wid dat a

cried Virgie in dismay. "

carriage whip roun' her laig, des once

an the play, Sally Ann began to whimper loudly. "Mi

whiskers at?" de

!" cried

said Uncle Bil

red Sally A

' gwine kill you. Fyar you well," and Blue Beard, making a wi

I have to watch at the castle wind

er Anne, do you se

ing but a cloud of d

er Anne. Do you s

atima. It's gr

ed Uncle Billy. "Sh

ster Anne. And w

s way." By this time Virgie's acting had taken on so close a resemblance to t

ng his hat to me!" With the last words the child suddenly jumped down from the bench and ran

eckon she done brought somebody, sho' 'nuff? Hi! Hi! I