The Widow's Mite ~ Weston

Weston worked and worried from sun up till sundown for the freed-man knew the reason that Pap had gone to town. Pap had loved his family but now that Ma was gone Pap had said to Weston "I can't do this alone." Pap had hitched the wagon and said "I've got to ride" " But I'll be back this evening with Leatha by my side.." The young uns worried Weston as they picked and teased all day No matter how they nagged him not a word did Weston say.. Pappy loved his Leatha She worked right by his side she proved herself a help-mate not just an Old Man's bride. Weston held each baby As if they were his own and all too soon for Leatha God called Pappy home The Young uns said to Leatha we will give you land some lumber for a two room shack a mule and Pappy's Hand. the Child bride was a widow she had no will to fight Weston was a freed-man who became the widow's mite. Weston spoke to Leatha as the sun rose on the day "Get yo babies Mammy and lets be on our way" Side by side they worked the land a forty acre sprawl they watched the sons grow in to men straight and strong and Tall. They called him Uncle Weston their Pap had set him free But he stayed to help their mammy and hold them on his knee. Crony; Benson; Dorris and baby Elloree all loved their uncle Weston and now we come to me.. Weston died one Sunday I now live on the land where Mammy came with babies and one old wrinkled hand. They say Old Weston walks here Him and his Mule Belle They plow and plant the acres and see that we are well.. I never saw a spirit but sometimes late at night I here the mules bell jingle I see a lanterns Light.. Uncle Weston was a freed man His skin as black as Night But Mammy was a widow and he was mammy's Might!