Iola Leroy Frances Ellen Watkins Harper (classic literature list txt) š
- Author: Frances Ellen Watkins Harper
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The field hospital was needing gentle, womanly ministrations, and Iola Leroy, released from the hands of her tormentors, was given a place as nurse; a position to which she adapted herself with a deep sense of relief. Tom was doubly gratified at the success of his endeavors, which had resulted in the rescue of the beautiful young girl and the discomfiture of his young master who, in the words of Tom, āwas mad enough to bite his head offā (a rather difficult physical feat).
Iola, freed from her masterās clutches, applied herself readily to her appointed tasks. The beautiful, girlish face was full of tender earnestness. The fresh, young voice was strangely sympathetic, as if some great sorrow had bound her heart in loving compassion to every sufferer who needed her gentle ministrations.
Tom Anderson was a man of herculean strength and remarkable courage. But, on account of physical defects, instead of enlisting as a soldier, he was forced to remain a servant, although he felt as if every nerve in his right arm was tingling to strike a blow for freedom. He was well versed in the lay of the country, having often driven his masterās cotton to market when he was a field hand. After he became a coachman, he had become acquainted with the different roads and localities of the country. Besides, he had often accompanied his young masters on their hunting and fishing expeditions. Although he could not fight in the army, he proved an invaluable helper. When tents were to be pitched, none were more ready to help than he. When burdens were to be borne, none were more willing to bend beneath them than Thomas Anderson. When the battlefield was to be searched for the wounded and dying, no hand was more tender in its ministrations of kindness than his. As a general factotum in the army, he was ever ready and willing to serve anywhere and at any time, and to gather information from every possible source which could be of any service to the Union army. As a Pagan might worship a distant star and wish to call it his own, so he loved Iola. And he never thought he could do too much for the soldiers who had rescued her and were bringing deliverance to his race.
āWhat do you think of Miss Iola?ā Robert asked him one day, as they were talking together.
āI jisā think dat sheās splendid. Lasā week I had to take some of our pore boys to de hospital, anā she war dere, lookinā sweet anā putty ez an angel, a nussinā dem pore boys, anā ez good to one ez de oder. It looks to me ez ef dey ralely lobād her shadder. She sits by āem so patient, anā writes āem sech nice letters to der frens, anā yit she looks so heart-broke anā pitiful, it jisā gits to me, anā makes me mosā ready to cry. Iām so glad dat Marse Tom had to gib her up. He war too mean to eat good victuals.ā
āHe ought,ā said Robert, āto be made to live on herringsā heads and cold potatoes. It makes my blood boil just to think that he was going to have that lovely looking young girl whipped for his devilment. He ought to be ashamed to hold up his head among respectable people.ā
āI tell you, Bob, de debil will neber git his own till he gits him. When I seed how he war treating her I neber rested till I got her away. He buyed her, he said, for his housekeeper; as many gals as dere war on de plantation, why didnāt he git one ob dem to keep house, anā not dat nice lookinā young lady? Her hanās look ez ef she neber did a dayās work in her life. One day when he comād down to breakfas,ā he chucked her under de chin, anā tried to put his arm rounā her waist. But she jisā frew it off like a chunk ob fire. She looked like a snake had bit her. Her eyes fairly spit fire. Her face got red ez blood, anā den she turned so pale I thought she war gwine to faint, but she didnāt, anā I yered her say, āIāll die fust.ā I war mad ānough to stanā on my head. I could hab toreād him all to pieces wen he said heād hab her whipped.ā
āDid he do it?ā
āI donāt know. But heās mean ānough to do enythinā. Why, dey say she war sole seben times in six weeks, ācause sheās so putty, but dat she war game to de lasā.ā
āWell, Tom,ā said Robert, āgetting that girl away was one of the best things you ever did in your life.ā
āI think so, too. Not dat I specs enytinā ob it. I donāt spose she would think ob an ugly chap like me; but it does me good to know dat Marse Tom aināt got her.ā
VI Robert Johnsonās Promotion and ReligionRobert Johnson, being able to meet the army requirements, was enlisted as a substitute to help fill out the quota of a Northern regiment. With his intelligence, courage, and prompt obedience, he rose from the ranks and became lieutenant of a colored company. He was daring, without being
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