[What Answer? by Anna E. Dickinson]@TWC D-Link bookWhat Answer? CHAPTER X 2/6
So I couldn't help thinking, and saying, that consistency is a jewel." "Well, it's a shame,--that's a fact; but of course nobody can interfere if the companies don't choose to let them ride; it's their concern, not ours." "There's a fine specimen now, out there on the sidewalk." The fine specimen was a large, powerfully made man, black as ebony, dressed in army blouse and trousers, one leg gone,--evidently very tired, for he leaned heavily on his crutches.
The conductor, a kindly-faced young fellow, pulled the strap, and helped him on to the platform with a peremptory "Move up front, there!" to the people standing inside. "Why!" exclaimed the old Friend,--"do my eyes deceive me ?" Then getting up, and taking the man by the arm, he seated him in his own place: "Thou art less able to stand than I." Tears rushed to his eyes as he said, "Thank you, sir! you are too kind." Evidently he was weak, and as evidently unaccustomed to find any one "too kind." "Thee has on the army blue; has thee been fighting any ?" "Yes, sir!" he answered, promptly. "I didn't know black men were in the army; yet thee has lost a leg. Where did that go ?" "At Newbern, sir." "At Newbern,--ah! long ago? and how did it happen ?" "Fourteenth of March, sir.
There was a land fight, and the gunboats came up to the rescue.
Some of us black men were upon board a little schooner that carried one gun.
'Twasn't a great deal we could do with that, but we did the best we could; and got well peppered in return. This is what it did for me,"-- looking down at the stump. "I guess thee is sorry now that thee didn't keep out of it, isn't thee ?" "No, sir; no indeed, sir.
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