A Daughter of Maryland — page 140: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

A DAUGHTER OF MARYLAND. 119 each branch and leaf resting in undisturbed repose. The shrill, but musical, cry of a katydid was the first sound to break in upon the silence of the beautiful scene. The note of the arch-songster of the wildwood was followed a a moment later by a sudden outburst of song from a throat sf decidedly human but with an unmistakable African melody. Then a whole cherus of voices filled the evening ee air with mirth if not with music. ; ‘‘The negroes are starting up early,’’ thought Aurian. : ‘*T had almost forgotten that they were planning a cake- : walk to-night. What a careless set they are, and no matter how hard they have worked they seem always ready to engage in their childish sports. Who can that be dodging among those trees?’’ This last was called forth by the appearance of a man’s figure skulking through the growth to her right, and as she asked herself the question the individual suddenly dropped half .out of sight on the ground. His appearancce was so familiar to her that she called out: ‘‘TIs that you, S’posen Jones ?’’ - **No, missus; dis ain’t me!’’ was the tremulous reply. ag ‘‘Why, S’posen Jones!’’ cried Aurian, not to be deceived i by that thick, lisping tone, ‘‘what are you stealing off in that way for?’’ ‘©oTain’t me stealin’ off in dis way, Missus Orry. Dis darky ain’t me hidin’ !”’ ‘¢Well, no matter who you are, come down here.’’ dll _ a 7 ‘ . . n * o- ve : , ve - - "he - 7 : y - t ' . - 1 x © 7 ot ‘ . ¥ ¥, van ee hs ry - : ; 4 . , Vee fy ‘ . 4 . : Sas > ‘ .\* - y 4 / ha ‘3 La # i as : oe a ) baad 4 3 ‘ . Ae. Or a - * 7 — a he Soest 200Ks en Sine — [aT st, Yt . > “ Sees > as . ar, a oe Be eet a . * — i