Elsie Dinsmore | Page 9

And they shall be mine, saith the Lord of hosts, in that day when
I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own
son that serveth him."
"That is mammy coming for me," said Elsie, as a low knock was heard
at the door.
"Come in," said Rose, and the door opened, and a very nice colored
woman of middle age, looking beautifully neat in her snow-white apron
and turban, entered with a low courtesy, asking, "Is my little missus
ready for bed now?"
"Yes," said Elsie, jumping off Rose's lap; "but come here, mammy; I
want to introduce you to Miss Allison."
"How do you do, Aunt Chloe? I am very glad to know you, since Elsie
tells me you are a servant of the same blessed Master whom I love and
try to serve," said Rose, putting her small white hand cordially into
Chloe's dusky one.
"'Deed I hope I is, missus," replied Chloe, pressing it fervently in both

of hers. "I's only a poor old black sinner, but de good Lord Jesus, He
loves me jes de same as if I was white, an' I love Him an' all His chillen
with all my heart."
"Yes, Aunt Chloe," said Rose, "He is our peace, and hath made both
one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; so
that we are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow- citizens with
the saints and of the household of God; and are built upon the
foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the
chief corner-stone."
"Yes, missus, dat's it for sure; ole Chloe knows dat's in de Bible; an' if
we be built on dat bressed corner-stone, we's safe ebery one; I'se heard
it many's de time, an' it fills dis ole heart with joy an' peace in
believing," she exclaimed, raising her tearful eyes and clasping her
hands. "But good night, missus; I must put my chile to bed," she added,
taking Elsie's hand.
"Good-night, Aunt Chloe; come in again," said Rose. "And good- night
to you, too, dear little Elsie," folding the little girl again in her arms.
"Ain't dat a bressed young lady, darlin'!" exclaimed Chloe, earnestly, as
she began the business of preparing her young charge for bed.
"O mammy, I love her so much! she's so good and kind," replied the
child, "and she loves Jesus, and loves to talk about Him."
"She reminds me of your dear mamma, Miss Elsie, but she's not so
handsome," replied the nurse, with a tear in her eye; "ole Chloe tinks
dere's nebber any lady so beautiful as her dear young missus was."
Elsie drew out the miniature and kissed it, murmuring, "Dear, darling
mamma," then put it back in her bosom again, for she always wore it
day and night. She was standing in her white night- dress, the tiny
white feet just peeping from under it, while Chloe brushed back her
curls and put on her night-cap.
"Dere now, darlin', you's ready for bed," she exclaimed, giving the

child a hug and a kiss.
"No, mammy, not quite," replied the little girl, and gliding away to the
side of the bed, she knelt down and offered up her evening prayer. Then,
coming back to the toilet table, she opened her little Bible, saying,
"Now, mammy, I will read you a chapter while you are getting ready
for bed."
The room was large and airy, and Aunt Chloe, who was never willing
to leave her nursling, but watched over her night and day with the most
devoted affection, slept in a cot bed in one corner.
"Tank you, my dear young missus, you's berry good," she said,
beginning the preparations for the night by taking off her turban and
replacing it by a thick night-cap.
When the chapter was finished Elsie got into bed, saying, "Now,
mammy, you may put out the light as soon as you please; and be sure to
call me early in the morning, for I have a lesson to learn before
breakfast."
"That I will, darlin'," replied the old woman, spreading the cover
carefully over her. "Good-night, my pet, your ole mammy hopes her
chile will have pleasant dreams."
Rose Allison was an early riser, and as the breakfast hour at Roselands
was eight o'clock, she always had an hour or two for reading before it
was time to join the family circle. She had asked Elsie to come to her at
half-past seven, and punctually at the hour the little girl's gentle rap was
heard at her door.
"Come in," said Rose, and Elsie entered, looking as bright and fresh
and rosy as the morning. She had her little Bible under her arm, and a
bouquet of fresh flowers