she did not accept afflictions meekly and her heart was full of bitterness now as she thought of her poor stricken "baby" who had first to hear the dreadful news. "Po' baby to t'ink dat dis awful t'ing mus' happen to yo' w'en yo's jes' stayin' at de ole home to be wif Massa Jack!" Margaret threw herself on the floor in an excess of emotion and, fearing she would wake Mary, Eletheer tapped on the door of Elisha's room well knowing Reuben's soothing influence. He had finished his sad duties and, true to the time-honored custom, was "watching." One quick glance at the face with its look of peace, and, bidding Reuben go to Margaret and Celeste, she flew back to her charge.
The news of Elisha's death had spread like wildfire. Always courteous and just, no one could criticise had he been so inclined, and his uniformly gentle bearing, that was a part of himself, won for him a reverential respect from all the miners.
The shock caused by Elisha's death had stirred them deeply; and a delegation to
