Front matter (continued 5)

Never was Sabbath rest more needed, than by us the next day. For days we had labored under intense excitement. The strain removed, we were limp and nerveless. Jim advised hot drinks, very warm clothing and wraps and absolute rest.

He covered himself head and all, sleeping heavily for nearly twenty-four hours. Monday morning found him rested but "stiff in der jints."

When we were about to abandon the camp, I intimated that it was necessary for me to go to Chicago, to see to winding up my friend's estate. The negro said with great dignity, "No! Mr. Jamison it is not necessary, but I want you to go. Mr. Felden lef' a paper that makes everything mine. Thar wur three copies of it. One is in the safe in Chicago. Miss Rita had one in a belt on her waist and the other is in a rubber bag here."

He pointed to his waist.

"Ef Miss Rita had er lived every thing would er been hers, excep a good livin for Dineh and me. But now I must take every thing to make good poor colored people happy. The paper tells me how to do it. We don't have to go to the court. Mr. Felden didn't want nobody to know that his wife did not have his lawful name, and fixed it so I can take every thing."

For a few moments he was silent and then continued, "Mr. Felden the day before he died told me a honester man never lived than Mr. Paul Jamison, and ef any thing happened to him he wanted you to be a friend to his wife. Now Mr. Jamison I am rich, but I am a steward an' must use every dollar jis like my marster said I must. Ef you will help me, I will give you a good salary and you kin carry out a noble purpose."

I reflected a few moments and said, "Jim, I accept your proposition, and will devote all of my energies to the cause Mr. Felden had at heart. It is a noble one; one which at this juncture is as worthy as any other on earth. I will, however, take of the salary you offer only what I need for a comfortable life."

He seemed greatly pleased, saying: "I need you Mr. Jamison. In Cincinnati an' in Chicago my master began to educate me. I studied hard, and it was hard work, but I've liked best when I was a servant, to be a humble negro. But now I must be a man, with grave sponserbilities, and must forgit what I was, in what I am. When I ac' the part of a negro servant, I talk like a servant. It comes natral to me an' I likes it. But now I am a servant no more, an' I spose I can change my speech onbeknownst jess like Mars Jack. When he wus rosy and light haired he was John ——, when he wus dark an' black headed, he was Jack Felden.

My granfather was brung from Africy a boy. He allers claimed he wus a great chief—a king. My young master John used to call me "King Jim." He said the Africin heathen cropped out 'er me. I've studied, but I'm ignorant. I know nothing of the world but what he learned me. I learned to read, so I could read his letters. I learned how to talk to fit me to do business for Mr. Felden. My learnin' ain't much, an' that's what I want you for, to help me do my work."

We reached Chicago in due time. Dinah was almost inconsolable when her husband told of the double tragedy. She began to droop and pine away. We rapidly arranged our affairs, finding no difficulty in doing so, for nearly everything was in good stocks and bonds. The bank settled with Madison as per written orders from Mr. Felden, found in his safe; making no inquiries except kindly ones as to his health. These Madison evaded adroitly.

When all was finished, we took Dinah to a warmer climate. Madison needed the change almost as much as she. His natural predisposition to rheumatism had been greatly aggravated by his exposure to the chilly water at the foot of the Rock. Indeed he suffered for many years greatly from that cause. Change of climate did him good, but poor Dinah's complaint, no human agency or climatic influence could reach. One evening about four months after the sad event at the camp, she went out as a burning candle—a flicker, and all was over. Her husband said "She didn't die, she jess went to Jesus an' to her foster-chile."

We earnestly set to work to carry out Mr. Felden's wishes, greatly, I think to the benefits of a down trodden race. We kept only enough to support ourselves economically through the remainder of life. The old negro never permitted anyone to know whence benefits sprang, or who gave out charities. He said, "Mr. John —— died long ago in India; Mr. Jack Felden an' his wife sleep in their unknown grave; no one but us knows who he wus, nor what he did, in fact, you don't know his real name; no body except me knows that; and no body but us mus know what he is doing now he's dead. If he looks down on us an' sees what we are doin' with what he lef', his spirit rejoices that we don't ask no thanks for him, but are doin' our best to make some sufferin' black folks happy."

A short while before I met you, Madison and I went from Mackinaw to pay what would most probably be our last visit to the scenes hallowed by so many sad, yet endearing memories. We stopped at —— and rowed to the Big Rock a few miles away. It lifted from the water dark and frowning as it appeared to us a score of years before. Lichens and moss partially covered the space from which the mass fell when Felden was carried to his death. The fresher cleavage was to us a tablet memorial of the sad event.

With a long pole to which he had attached an iron hook, Jim probed the secrets of the deep. His gratification was unbounded when he discovered that not only were the boulders holding down the canvas winding sheets entirely under sand and gravel, but the accumulations nearly covered the boughs and brush placed over the grave.

Madison's aged head whitened by eighty-two winters was lifted erect upon his broad shoulders; and a mild August breeze coming in from the lake and gently circling around the little cove, bore upon its wings his sweetly modulated thanks 'to the Almighty God for his many mercies.'

For a while we sat silent in deep thought, and then he said, "Let's go now, Mr. Jamison. I feels secure that Mr. Jack Felden and his wife down thar under the sand and water, will sleep undisturbed."

I rowed out of the cove, the old negro keeping his sad eyes riveted upon the fatal rock. We turned the point which hid it from the lake; he seized an oar and working manfully, uttered not a word until we drew up under the village.

The mental and bodily strain, however, had been too much for the old man. I was compelled to call for aid to support his tottering steps to our room. He staggered and fell upon his bed; his massive form gave way, like a glass shattered by a blow.

His mind and speech remained unimpaired. He positively refused to have a physician called, declaring if it was the Lord's will he should go, he would obey the will of the Lord. He lay for several days without a murmur or a complaint. One night I was awakened by a deep groan; hurrying to his bedside, a single glance told me his end was nearly come. For several hours he lay in a dull stupor, his labored breathing alone showing that life was still in his breast. His breathing grew fainter and fainter, until just as the rising sun poured through the window, it seemed to die away. I hastened to his side to close the tired faithful eyes in their last long sleep, when the wan lips opened to whisper, "Good-bye Mr. Jamison, good-bye"! and then as if by mere will power he sat erect on his bed and cried in a loud voice "Bress de Lord! I see Mars John! Diner! Jim's gwine home;" and then he died.

Two Finns, fresh immigrants in the land, rowed me with the body to the cove. There on the shore in a spot shadowed at evening by the Big Rock we buried him. The sun hovering above the whispering maples lighted the last sad rites to the end. The waves from the lake stealing into the cove in mild ripples, sang with mysterious cadence a sweet, loving requiem. The dying day, the whispering breeze, the sighing wavelets and the solitude seemed to my over-wrought senses to promise a fulfillment of the negro's prophecy; that the sleepers below would rest undisturbed until summoned on the last and final call; that until then "The Big Rock would keep its sad secret."

In giving this story to the world, I feel guiltless of violating any pledge of secrecy. There is nothing in the names mentioned to enable any one to probe the mystery of John ——. The terrible events of the war about his old home, scattered its residents, and to-day the places that knew them know them no more.

A RACE WITH THE SUN.

Round the World in Sixteen Months

BY

Hon. Carter H. Harrison.

32 FULL-PAGE HALF-TONE ILLUSTRATIONS.

This bewitchingly charming story told in the simplest and most vivid descriptive manner, is so intensely interesting and wonderfully instructive, that it is difficult to conceive of a more delightful volume.

The pen pictures of Mountains, Lakes, Rivers, Waterfalls, Forests, Fountains, Flowers, Monuments, Cities, Inhabitants, in fact every conceivable thing that goes to make up the countries visited, are so beautifully portrayed by the pen of the author, that we had almost forgotten to mention the thirty-one elegantly superb full page Photogravure pictures, which of themselves form an art collection worth far more than the price of the work, and all bound in the most elegant and substantial manner known to the art of book making. It contains 569 pages.

If you are not so fortunate as to be able to visit all parts of the world in person, and desire to converse intelligently with those you meet, whose good fortune has enabled them to visit any other country, state, or territory, you could not read a better book, as a better has not yet been made. The author has carefully photographed everything from the smallest object of interest to the loftiest peaks, and grandest mountain ranges. In fact he has given a perfect inventory of a wide belt of the globe, beginning at Chicago, and running west around the world, until Chicago, the great marvel of the 19th Century, looms up again. The whole is portrayed in such a flowing and inviting manner, that you really feel you are journeying with the author, as he describes the myriads of objects of interest along the way.

The text, illustrations, paper, printing and binding will be the same as shown in the specimen book, otherwise the subscribers will not be bound by their subscription. The work will be delivered at the following prices, or sent prepaid on receipt of price:

Fine Cloth, extra wide margin, Gilt Top and Uncut Edges, $4.00

Fine Half Morocco, Marble Edges 5.00

Agents Wanted.

DIBBLE PUBLISHING COMPANY, 260 Clark Street, CHICAGO.

GREAT NATIONAL WORK.

A LIBRARY OF AMERICAN LITERATURE.

COMPILED AND EDITED BY

EDMUND CLARENCE STEDMAN AND ELLEN MACKAY HUTCHINSON

IN ELEVEN LARGE OCTAVO VOLUMES OF 6280 PRINTED PAGES, AND 160 FULL PAGE PORTRAITS.

This work is a choice collection of the best selections that can be made from all that has been written by American authors. It is arranged chronologically, so that the reader may at a glance view the course of our literature from its inception in 1607 to its present variety and eminence. It contains the finest examples of American thought and imagination. A complete library in itself, of engrossing interest throughout, and every line of which reflects the best intellect of the period in which it was written. No set of books has been more favorably received by the public and the press. There is nothing which surpasses it for the library, a gift or a holiday present. It is adapted to the wants of all classes of people. It is and must remain the standard collection of our national literature. It is our intellectual history, and should appeal strongly to American patriotism.

The Library of American Literature is an admirable work, and for every reason must commend itself to the lover of good books.

Ex-President Noah Porter, LL.D., of Yale University.

I have been looking over the noble volumes with hearty satisfaction. The great work is admirably done.

John Greenleaf Whittier.

I have been telling my friends that I do not see how they could get along without these volumes. They are just what I have wanted all my life.

Richard Malcolm Johnston.

The Library of American Literature is all that could be asked by those who take an interest in American literature.

Joel Chandler Harris.

The Library of American Literature is monumental.

S. L. Clemens (Mark Twain).

The very wide field covered by the publication has required the best critical judgment in the choice of specimens, and that judgment is everywhere apparent.

A. R. Spofford, Librarian of Congress.

"Mr. Stedman and Miss Hutchinson have done American literature, American history, and American patriotism a great and lasting service."—Century Magazine, January, 1891.

The Library of American Literature is a mammoth collection of the most brilliant and richest gems of our best writers, put together with exceeding skill. It is full of masterpieces, each having its own peculiar and distinctive charm and apparently more delightful than anything preceding. A gallery through which we shall never weary of wandering; a desirable set of books for all lovers of wholesome, pure American literature.

Rev. H. W. Bolton.

CONTENTS.

Vol. 1.— Early Colonial Literature, 1607-1675.

Vol. 2.— Later Colonial Literature, 1676-1764.

Vol. 3.— Literature of the Revolution, 1765-1787.

Vol. 4.— Literature of the Republic, Constitutional Period, 1788-1820.

Vol. 5.— Literature of the Republic, 1821-1834.

Vol. 6.— }

Vol. 7.— } Literature of the Republic, 1835-1860.

Vol. 8.— }

Vol. 9.— } Literature of the Republic, 1861-1890. Fully representing writers that have arisen since the beginning of the civil war.

Vol. 10.— }

Vol. 11.— Literature of the Republic. Biographical Notices of all authors quoted, selections from recent literary productions, and an exhaustive topical index of the entire work.

Style of Binding. Price Per Vol. Price Per Set.

Extra Cloth, cut edges, $3.00 $33.00

Plain Cloth, gilt top, uncut edges, professional edition, 3.00 33.00

Leather, library style, marbled edges, 4.00 44.00

Half Morocco, marbled edges, 5.00 55.00

Half Morocco, gilt top, uncut edges, wide margin, 5.00 55.00

Half Calf, full gilt, 7.00 77.00

Half Levant, gilt top, uncut edges, wide margin, 7.00 77.00

Specimen pages, samples of portraits and general synopsis of the work will be forwarded on application. Those desiring information will address all communications to

DIBBLE PUBLISHING COMPANY, 260 S. Clark Street, CHICAGO ILL.

GENERAL AGENTS FOR THE STATES OF OHIO, INDIANA, ILLINOIS AND SOUTHERN WISCONSIN.

AMERICAN POETRY AND ART.

Edited by John James Piatt.

THE WORK CONTAINS OVER 300 ILLUSTRATIONS.

There are 640 large imperial quarto pages, artistically printed on heavy cream tinted paper made expressly for this work. It contains the best poems written by Bryant, Longfellow, Whittier, Holmes, Emerson, Poe, Lowell, Stedman, Taylor, and 270 other American poets. These poems, over 600 in number, are copiously illustrated with numerous engravings true to nature, life and character, of mountains, rivers, lakes, forests, waterfalls, historical buildings, and other picturesque features of our country; also, including full page portraits of leading poets, etc., etc., drawn by the best artists, skilled in their particular specialties, and engraved by the most skillful engravers of the land, each geographical portion of which is represented by its Poets, Artists and Engravers, and characteristic scenery.

Popular edition, full morocco, antique, Gilt, $10.00.

Original edition of which only a limited number remain unsold, and are bound in elegant style, price, $22.00.

This work has only to be seen to be coveted and admired by all.

DIBBLE PUBLISHING COMPANY, 260 Clark Street, CHICAGO.

AGENTS WANTED FOR

A LIBRARY OF AMERICAN LITERATURE.

See advertisements on pages 299 and 300.

WEBSTER'S INTERNATIONAL DICTIONARY.

Specimen pages and full information furnished on application.

POETRY AND ART.

See advertisement on page 301.

CHAMBER'S ENCYCLOPEDIA.

New Subscription Edition, thoroughly revised and re-written from A to Z. Illustrated with new maps, new plates and numerous wood-engravings. This new edition of 1891 is entirely new, and the most reliable of all the Encyclopedias published. Send for Circulars and Specimen Pages.

UNCLE DICK WOOTTON,

THE FAMOUS ROCKY MOUNTAIN PIONEER.

THE BACKWOODSMAN.

Full of authentic stories and valuable information. More strange than fiction.

THE STORY OF CHICAGO.

by Joseph Kirkland.

Elegantly Illustrated; very cheap; ready about October, 1891.

A RACE WITH THE SUN.

by Carter H. Harrison.

See advertisement on page 298.

We shall be pleased to supply full information of any of our publications on application, and will esteem it a great favor to receive your application, either for a copy of any of our books or an agency for the same.

Address all communications to

DIBBLE PUBLISHING COMPANY, 260 Clark Street, CHICAGO.