Vietnam or Thailand ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
Updated: June 14, 2025
They entered the store, paused at the entrance to the Colonel's private office, and surveyed it with dismay. "Clar t' goodness, Miss Jinny, yo' pa ain't heah! An' whah's Ephum, dat black good-fo'-nuthin'!" Miracle number one, Mr. Hopper stopped work and stared. The vision was searching the store with her eyes, and pouting.
"How mean of Pa!" she exclaimed, "when I took all this trouble to surprise him, not to be here! Where are they all? Where's Ephum? Where's Mr. Hood?" The eyes lighted on Eliphalet. His blood was sluggish, but it could be made to beat faster. The ladies he had met at Miss Crane's were not of this description.
Her eye fell upon the paper they had brought, which lay unfolded on her father's desk. It was signed Stephen A. Brice, Enrolling Officer. That very afternoon they moved to Glencoe, and Ephum was left in sole charge of the store. At Glencoe, far from the hot city and the cruel war, began a routine of peace. Virginia was a child again, romping in the woods and fields beside her father.
"You ruin her!" The bluff young Captain put down his glass to laugh. "Ruin her!" he exclaimed. "Her pa don't ruin her I eh, Ephum? Her pa don't ruin her!" "Lawsy, Marse Lige, I reckon he's wuss'n any." "Ephum," said the Colonel, pulling his goatee thoughtfully, "you're a damned impertinent nigger. I vow I'll sell you South one of these days. Have you taken that letter to Mr. Renault?"
"I 'lowed you'd want it, Marse Comyn, when I seed de Cap'n comin'," said he, with the privilege of an old servant. Indeed, the bottle was beneath his arm. The Colonel smiled. "Hope you'se well, Cap'n," said Ephum, as he drew the cork. "Tolluble, Ephum," replied the Captain. "But, Ephum say, Ephum!" "Yes, sah." "How's my little sweetheart, Ephum?"
Uncle Ben had come in from the kitchen; Jackson was there, and the women were a wailing bunch in the corner by the sideboard. Old Ephum, impassive, and Ned stood together. Virginia's eye rested upon them, and the light of love and affection was in it. She went to the window. Yes, carriages were indeed rattling outside, though a sharp shower was falling.
It was the signal for the little force which remained to leave. Outside, in the store; Ephum paced uneasily, wondering why his master did not come out. Presently he crept to the door of the office, pushed it open, and beheld Mr. Carvel with his head bowed, down in his hands. "Marse Comyn!" he cried, "Marse Comyn!" The Colonel looked up. His face was haggard.
Brice ventured to despatch a jelly by Ephum. On Friday afternoon, when Stephen was deep in Whittlesey and the New Code, he became aware of Ephum standing beside him. In reply to his anxious question Ephum answered: "I reckon he better, suh. He an' de Colonel done commence wrastlin' 'bout a man name o' Linkum. De Colonel done wrote you dis note, suh."
Colfax's trunk was brought down and placed in the carriage where three of them might have ridden to safety, a groan of despair and entreaty rose from the faithful group that went to her heart. "Miss Jinny, you ain't gwineter leave yo' ol mammy?" "Hush, Mammy," she said. "No, you shall all go, if I have to stay myself. Ephum, go to the livery stable and get another carriage."
And tell him that his daughter has come from Kentucky, and is waiting for him." "I callate Mr. Carvel won't be here this morning," said Eliphalet. He went back to the pile of dry goods, and began to work. But he was unable to meet the displeasure in her face. "What is your name?" Miss Carvel demanded. "Hopper." "Then, Mr. Hopper, please find Ephum, or Mr. Hood."
Word Of The Day
Others Looking