The children gazed wistfully after her graceful figure as it disappeared
among the trees, Uncle Joe holding a great umbrella over her to shield
her from the sun, while mammy and Aunt Sally followed, each with a
basket on her arm.

Uncle Mose was rapidly nearing that bourne whence no traveler returns.
As his mistress laid her soft white hand on his, she felt that the
chill of death was there.

"You are almost home, Uncle Mose," she said, bending over him, her sweet
face full of tender sympathy.

"Yes, my dear young Missus, I'se in de valley," he answered, speaking
slowly and with difficulty, "but bress de Lord, it's not dark!"

"Jesus is with you?"

"Yes, Missus, he is my strength and my song: de riber's deep, but he'll
neber let me sink. De pain in dis ole body's dreffle, but I'll neber hab
no mo', bress de Lord!"

"Do your good works give you this comfortable assurance that you are
going to heaven, Uncle Mose?"

"Bress yo' heart, honey, I ain't neber done none; but de bressed Lord
Jesus covers me all ober wid his goodness, and God de Fader 'cepts me
for his sake."

"Yes, that is it, 'He hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin;