" 'I want mama,' said the child piteously.
"A sad expression came over the old black's face.
" 'What is the matter?' I asked, advancing toward him.
" 'She is crying for her mother,' he said.
" 'Is she dead?'
" 'Yes, sir; she'd been ailing for a long time, and the guns of
yesterday hastened her death.'
" 'Where did you live?'
" 'In that house yonder, sir.'
" 'Didn't you feel afraid when we fired on the town?'
" 'We were all in the cellar, sir. One shot struck the house, but
did not injure it much.'
" 'You use very good language,' I could not help saying.
" 'Yes, sir; I have had more advantages than most of--of my
class.' These last words he spoke rather bitterly. 'When I was a
young man my master amused himself with teaching me; but he found
I learned so fast that he stopped short. But I carried it on by
myself.'
" 'Didn't you find that difficult?'
" 'Yes, sir; but my will was strong. I managed to get books, now
one way, now another. I have read considerable, sir.'
"This he said with some pride.
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