Tempest and Sunshine | Page 2

as you are a stranger here, you are
welcome to make my house your home."
Such kindness from an entire stranger was unlooked for by Wilmot. He
knew not what to make of it; it was so different from the cold,
money-making men of the North. He tried to stammer out his thanks,
when Mr. Edson interrupted him by nudging Mr. Woodburn and saying:
"Don't you mind old Middleton. He's been tarin' round after a Yankee
teacher these six weeks. I reckon this chap'll suit."
Mr. Woodburn hesitated. He did not like to send Mr. Wilmot to such a
place as Mr. Middleton's, for though Mr. Middleton was a very kind
man, he was very rough and uncouth in his manner and thought his
money much better applied when at interest than when employed to
make his house and family more comfortable.
At length Mr. Woodburn replied: "True, I did not think of Mr.
Middleton, but I hardly like to send a stranger there. However, Mr.
Wilmot, you must not judge all Kentuckians by him, for though he is
very hospitable to strangers, he is extremely rough."

Mr. Wilmot thanked them for their information and said he thought he
would go to Mr. Middleton's that night.
"Lord knows how you'll get there," said Mr. Edson.
"Why, is it far?" asked Wilmot.
"Not very far," said Mr. Edson, "little better than four miles, but a
mighty mean road at any time and a heap worse since the rains. For a
spell you can get on right smart, but then, again, you'll go in co-slush!"
Mr. Wilmot smiled, but said he "thought he would try the road if Mr.
Edson would give him the direction."
Then followed a host of directions, of which the most prominent to
Wilmot were, that "about two miles from the house is an old hemp
factory, full of niggers, singing like all fury; then comes a piece of
woods, in the middle of which is a gate on the left hand; open that gate
and follow the road straight till you come to the mightiest,
mean-looking house you ever seen, I reckon; one chimbley tumbled
down, and t'other trying to. That is Middleton's."
Here Mr. Woodburn said, "That as the road was so bad, and it was
getting late, Mr. Wilmot had better stay at his house that night and the
next day they would send him to Middleton's."
Before Mr. Wilmot had time to reply, Mr. Edson called out, "Halloo!
Just in time, Wilmot!" Then rushing to the door he screamed, "Ho! Jim
Crow, you jackanapes, what you ridin' Prince full jump down the pike
for? Say, you scapegrace, come up here!"
Mr. Wilmot looked from the window and saw a fine looking black boy
of about sixteen years of age riding a beautiful horse at full speed
through the street. He readily divined that the boy was the property of
Mr. Edson, and as he had brought from home a little abolitionism
safely packed away, he expected to see a few cuffs dealt out to the
young African. But when the young hopeful, at the command of his
master, wheeled his horse up to the door, gave a flourish with his

rimless old hat and a loud whistle with his pouting lips, Mr. Wilmot
observed that his master gave the bystanders a knowing wink, as much
as to say, "Isn't he smart?" Then turning to the boy he said, "How now,
you Jim, what are you here for, riding Prince to death?"
"I begs marster's pardon berry much," said the negro, "but you see how
I done toted all the taters you told me, and missis she 'vise me to ride
Prince a leetle, 'case he's gettin' oneasy like when Miss Carline rides
him."
"Likely story," said Mr. Edson; "but for once you are in the way when I
want you. You know where Mr. Middleton lives?"
"Yes, marster, reckon I does."
"Well, this young man wants to go there. Now jump down quick and
help him on. Do you hear?"
"Yes, marster," said the negro, and in a moment he was on the ground,
holding the stirrup for Mr. Wilmot to mount.
Wilmot hesitated for two causes. The first was, he was not a good
horseman and did not like to attempt mounting the spirited animal
before so many pairs of eyes. He looked wistfully at the horse block,
but did not dare propose having the horse led up to it. The second
reason was he did not know whether to accept or decline the kindness
of Mr. Edson; but that man reassured him by saying:
"Come! What are you waiting for? Jump up. I'd a heap rather Jim
would go with you than ride Prince to death."
Here Mr. Woodburn spoke. He knew that New