White Marie : a story of Georgian plantation life / by Will N. Harben

l|g0;^HlTE; MARIE
GEORGIAN PLANTATION

t'..'.; - l- ?----'-'! "" '. .''" "WILL N. HARBEN

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'::: v>'';-^ ./.

'

"'.

" '-."; '-. . " AUTHOR OT "A TRAGIC STORT OF SUNSIT ROCK,"

''''' '-...'. . AJTO OTHER TALES.

. . ...

' . -.-

" -'iis.' %-<.-.. i-trfEMfS*1

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' 'CASSELL & COMPANY,'LIMITED .
' '. :_;' ',:'.-104--106 FOUX.TH AVENUE, NEW You .
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'-'',- : '':^.''*-' ,'TO MY MOTHER. .. t '.- .' \ '

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*

PREFACE.

.THE author has founded this romance on a

story told him as her life's true history by an old

ex-slave. Being Southern by birth, however, and

iu sympathy with his native land, he is loth to

touch-his pen to aught which,'through misinter

pretation, might cast an unjust reflection upon

Southern people at the date of the story. Hence,

it may be well to say, that there are certain events

related in Chapter XVIII. which-are of so eccentric

a nature that he would caution the reader against

regarding them as typical of the date and coun

try. In fact, it would please the author to have



f.

i

the parts referred to looked upon more as un-'

pleasant.flights of fancy than, actualities. In the

characters of Colonel and Mrs. Bickerstaff, before

they are'influenced by the inhuman machinations

of the villainous overseer, and before they meet

with the blow against all their cherished hopes,

he has tried to portray average Southern slave

holders, .



'' .

-..- . ' .- . ' ' " THE AUTHOR.

CONTENTS.

...^ _ cxArrix.

t

,,,. , -

'' , . . I. OAKLAWN, . . -7 ...',', . i

,.: - II. THE NEW ARRIVALS,

''*



'

/

. III. SUZETTE AND MARIt,

. , . . g'

;

.

.' .

. 17

,;,' ,

IV. HARRY AND MARIE, .

'. . 2S '

\-'>.m. ".V.- POMP'S PROPOSAL, . . . * \ 46

VI. MARIE GETS AN APPOINTMENT, . . * 55

<;';

VIL. "ARE You MY MOTHER?"

.-..' fo

;; '.. ' VIII. THE CHARLESTONIANS, . i . ' 75

y' '

IX. A MORNING CONVERSATION, . f . . 87

>. - ' X. ANOTHER LETTER OF INQUIRY, * . ' . 97

'*'

XI. MARIE'S ACCIDENT, . . % . . . . 101

''r ' ' XII. COUSIN TOM'S LETTER,

* , . . 119

r ;"';

- ( XIII. A VISIT TO MARIE, . . . ' ".' . 137

it'' ;-. XIV. THE PICNIC, . . . V ; ' . '150

' ':. '. '.' XV. FAREWELL TO OAKLAWN, . ,.. . \. 172

,rr ' ' XVI. JOHNSON TALKS TO THI COLONEL, . 188

; ' ; ''.' XVII. Two CHARACTER PICTURES. . , . 200

,:. .... XVIII. MARRIAGE, .... . .

. 215

.' ' . . XLX. AFTER YEARS, , . . , .

227

i '.

XX CONFLICTING EMOTIONS, . ... 240

7- : . XXI. FINALE, . .

f .247

?'. ". '.' :.'"..:'-'-.v- .".-/'. ...... - .' ' :\ * ':. '..'

WHITE MARIK

' CHAPTER I. . .

OAKLAWN.

"

A GEORGIAN plantation in the yellow
1835.*lus/ter o"f m' idsum- me/.r;s-u'n>sh/ine in th-e yea';r
;; Some two hundred yards from the public . road which runs by this place, and, with pic turesque sinuosity, up and over the nc&r-by Cohutta Mountains? sits, facing* the road, a large white, double-storied farmhouse. '--This old-fashioned structure, with dormer .windows in its shingle roof, a long, tall portico .with stone-like, corrugated columns, and six or eight hundred acres of fertile lands lying in its rear burthcned with ripening crops, is the property of Colonel Henry Bickcrstaff; ,*- This gentleman, a fair type of the Southern ante-bellum planter, with creaking boots, and

.. _

-MARIE. ; . ^ '

, trousers rolled up at the bottom as it they

'.were shrinking from the harsh sounds, walks

to and fro on the portico, smoking a weighty-'

meershaum, the yellow tint of which indicates

mature -age quite as plainly as docs the iron

gray of its owner's hair.

.

'".-*

Here and there on the 'rolling green lawn

grow stalwart, umbrageous oaks; and the al

most Concrete gravel walk, from the steps to

the road is bordered with arbor-vitas trees and

.rose-bushes in fragrant beds of pink, blue, and

white hyacinths. From one of the boughs of

an oak,* whose foliage shades the entrance of

the farmhouse, a swing is suspended. Harry,

a fifteen-year-old boy, the only heir to the

family name and estates, is amusing himself by

swinging recklessly from side to side, expertly

and perilously keeping his equilibrium, arms

outstretched like win^s and feet on the swing,

board, with, naught to steady his lithe form',

save a sheer touch of one of the ropes in the^

small of his back.

'--..

. ." Son ! son ! " cries his father in alarm, stop-' ping'suddenly in his meditative promenade .and essaying to keep his stalled eyes or\

the flying boy; " stop that and get down at

oncci"' . /-.' . ' ' /-. ;.-..-

The scapegrace casts an amused glance at

his quaking progenitor, and with bending

knees propels himself still higher.

" Wait till the cat dies, father." His voice

sounds like an echo in a stiff breeze, and even

as he speaks his every muscle is at its highest

tension for greater aerial attainments. The

air fairly whistles as he cuts through it.

" Now that will do, my son," says the portly

old man pacifically. He is now as near the

swing as his own-safety will permit, and gin-

gerly extends his hands toward the whizzing

ropes. Although he is in nowise within teach

of the swing, he falls back several "steps when

' Harry calls out:

-

_ _. jj"i*iD-o----n'--t v-t-o*-u^-c^-h.-- 'em,' father;* Jyou'll 4jerk me
out if you do. Don't you see I aint holding ;'to nothing."' ':^'"

'' >' Now. that \yill do/ 1 the Colonel says indulgently, as I larry's momentum decreases some"^HT^*^Viv/v:^J^^ivind get my mail carrierr 'I:^^ ^__^ming down the. " ThiTspoTrd:vi> ti springs from the moving

4 . ;".'.. \" WIUTE

. -- swing, m imminent danger of landing heels'

- over head among sortie flo\yer-pots, and runs

. agilely down the gentle slope, throwing stones

.., at a row of pigeons basking in the sunshine on .

j

the roof of the carriage-house. As he fs re-

> "" * turning, provokingly slow, it seems to his*

- \ ' Tather, who is being consumed with impa-'

.tfence to see his letters and papers, the.Colo-

I

% nel's wife joins him,

' "\

." .-.-'

She is remarkably well-preserved, consider

ing her fifty years. Her face scarce shows a

' . . ^wrinkle, and her hair, smoothly brushed back

;:. ' "' from a well-formed, intellectual brow, contains

. ."V "not a thread of gray. She puts her soft, thin

./ : ' . hand on her husband's arm, and together they

await Harry's coming. _ . '**'.-> .' :

...-'.. Colonel Bickerstaff hastily tears open some

- of his letters and submerges his eyes and bushy

' _"''.""' beard therein, punctuating the contents witn'

* ' grunts of surprise or approval as he devours

them. His wife nonchalantly cuts the leaves

'of a fashion magazine with a knitting-needle

-and looks over the colored plates.

.\ V. '""Well, that's settled/' says the Colonel.

'' '.*: ".Five thousand dollars for six. Minnie--1"

.

...

"-" Well/* answers his wife, but he is again

beneath the surface of his letter and fails to

catch the soft monosyllable. ' ' '

; "What is it, dear?" she says, touching his

p arm* t . -/ .<,* j*.*^'^.-

.

" Why, Brother Tom has succeeded in buy.

ing the negroes in Louisiana that I wanted.

This letter has been delayed; they will' get

here to-morrow. Here is what he says:

'SHREVEPORT, LA., July 6, 1835.

4 MY DEAR BROTHER:

'

'S'incc receiving your letter requesting me

to purchase five or six slaves for you down

here, I have been doing my best to secure a

desirable lot. There has been little disposi-

tion among the people in this section to; part

with their negroes, and I was unable to help

.you until the other day.

1 A . Mr. Labouchere, a formerly very

wealthy Frenchman, died near here recently.

On the investigation "of his affairs, his estate

was found to be in a bad state of insolvency.

His plantation and negroes were sold under

the hammer. At this sale I bought for you

four able-bodied males and a mulattress and

her daughter. Inclosed you will find a state-

'mcnt of the price paid for each. Sincerely

i
;
]
[
j j,
j j I ; j \
f .|
\ j j } /
/

j(fAt. : *'' ./.'.

'' ' hoping that the purchase will prove entirely r

satisfactory, I am,

' '" ' ,, /. .

.' Very affectionately, your brother,

-'*_'.... ,.. :._... . ._ 'THOMAS BlCKERSTAFF/

"We wont have much time to fix for them,"

" said the Colonel; ''but I'm mighty glad Tom

^ got 'cm so reasonable. . They would have cost

twice that much up here. I must see Johnson

; at once and .find out how many cabins there

arc unoccupied." -.

to

He left his wife and walked round the house

and on down through the fields behind it. It

was noon. From all parts of the vast planta

tion the harvesters were coming in to their

dinners. Every mud and stick cJJmney, with

one or two exceptions, in the rows of log cab-

*, K <i+n"s^ wGa.s^ smoking* from fire on which food v/as
.^^ .^b.""e..>m. j^..copk*"csU':.JTT*From the hu mble.,i'-n.t.e.r-i-o-rs P ... came the whir of coffee-mills, the clatter, of

tin plates and pans, or the savor of wholesome

,-

- eatables. Before the doors men and boys

were washing their black, perspiring faces in

ir-

pans of cool, sparkling spring water. ..

'+

\\

Under the shed of a large barn the planter

found Johnson, his overseer,--a man burly of

_ . " ;* OAKLAWtf. ' .

)

* "..*

f*

figure, scowling and surly of countenance,

and as testy and domineering as nature could

have made him. He looked half-savage, half-

bandit, as he stood with unkempt hair and

broad-brimmed hat, in his baggy jean trousers

bound to 'his fleshy waist by a wide leather

belt 'having a massive buckle. The heavy

whip which never left his hands made his as

pect even more forbidding.

"Johnson," said the Colonel, "brother

writes me that he has bought the six .ne

groes. According to his letter they will be

here to-morrow."

.

*. /. .

"They couldn't come in a .better time, Col

onel, the Lord knows," growled the fellow.

"We haint nigh 'nough help to save the

wheat. The' aint a lazier set o' niggers on the

top side o' this earth than yore'n. As apt as

not these Louisiana niggers wont know a dad-

dratted thing about our way o' working or

they'll malce out they don't anyhow/'

" Oh, I reckon they'll learn easy enough,"

said the Colonel propitiatorily. " Can you

spare any cabins now, Johnson? You know,

'we must provide a place for 'em to sleep/'

** 'V-'' ' X ';-V''-1 -- l^V" 1 ^ ::^: v'V'' :~'--.2 :^V;^>;/;C7 ;^:'V^^^
C\V w-'L,''v-^.C1.'.'".;!"-.'';/*...-"'..*.:;:V."V.'/rV:;f.;.W .'^-'-:<'.fj.*:'.- ^''.'rV'--"".: :,-'. *'''. ' -'A L|*?sv: ^^--V*,-.^--:.">v'.:t:"'0a\*.;'''l'-;.J':.'.:-"'--.^:V?<^-:-fr-: I^^-''^- vWr&'.-f'T" ' ,M.'-ArR--IE.,.-*--l-'-'^"''".'./-:'-'.. -'. ""-\''-"J .":.r ''.:/"--

^ \ "..^ .v:.s'; . ';-" Yes, sir/.I reckon .'we. mbught; ' but it'll

f '"''/ .'/V^',7. 7 " take pinchin"" right now,, fur 'every man I've

. '.'V". "f."' .:'^"'; .-.. ' ' :

' '.-m

/- ^; ^-r^-^-got Jorter be'in

''I



the field^

'
an' the

'

'

cabins' need.

.

;.^\ , .;. />;: ^some "patching" ''Thar's : the "huf Millie uster""^

'.-

tell her an'' Peter married. ''.A'n' when old '"

died lasV'winter, some of .'em-: 'tuk to "

K . ' :% y^-;'v;usin' his cabin for a -hoss-stall/'.It's a- trifle*

j,-r\ -.' :''; .vvr:;;s leaky in spots, but with a" new board here an' *

?'.''' . J:'.>: c;:',''thar, an' a puncheon floor, it can be made to

^ r " ','r/ .^ .^do. -You say.the's .four men an r a'woman an'

{.';V...^'"^^child; I'll"give the woman an.'gal'the best c/

two, piri the men kin make 'out %tell work . * r ' '" ''" "'. -" 4-V I--ttrrv on* f T^ ^* m/a n 1/"tr m o lr/o> */M 14- f/l! Mrrvrtr a spell/' ;' ; ' v - " : ?".;_,. v ^.^^''^'^^^v?

^'^\^::^A"^''^ Before the winter comes on, Johnson// put " ' ; ':-.;-^^^in'the Colonel as he turned away,'."you*d.'btt-
.^;*''0-:;^^ter : see that the ^cabins are made^ good and \'-'.^VvV '';;Vf tight They say that negroes raised^in the ; .'';'.:'; .,:.'<':-'.;'.vi--ol6wer 'countries feel the change in the climate
sharply/' " ' ; v =' " :rr'..y. ;^;'-;.;'v;;>

;?.E^
: -':^;V^

' \ ' ' ~- ,
-. .'; /.".

NOTHER sun has risen on Oaklawn. Un-

. 'usual activity-enlivens the place, espec-

' ':. ially round about 'the great house.. The news

'. 'concerning the expected .arrivals has" reached.

;'the ears of every . dweller on the Bickerstaff

plantation. -.

.; ... * ;, -.- .V.'''."""" ~- '', ; -': ..''

"/.The faces of some of the older and more

' favored slaves wear% serious .casts: For aught

'+ these simple people know, the coming of these

new recruits to/their ranks of toil may mark a

change -in the^established regime, and some

maybe forced to yield highly prized posts of

..; duty to'better-qualified strangers. According

\-. to their lights, in the face of this contingency,

' . they are unable to see the present and particu-

:/,lar need their master or his"plantation stands

,,'...in.of additional aid. . . ". . ,. . . ;' . . ..

), than^whom a blacker carriage-driver ".\'''- ': * ':' r9 -':.->. ':"',"'"'

> v< ro ; "' T/- : .'.' WHITE MARIE. .\ '/ . '-' /'.' ".'.

v-/' never reflected sunlight, is working on his.har- ,

:;';:>-ness with unprecedented assiduity, and won-'*

/-/.'/'dering with all his power'of'musing whether .;

:: ^-v:'rdarkies in Louisiana valuerthemselves on skill-1 '

/7!//ful/driving or understanding horses'/;" ." ";v"/-.'.-i

.^://";M ' Dey; don't"-know nothin' 'bout dese yer ]

/:// roads' ''anyhow/' he" reflects, trying to v console: (

r'-:'".;himseir with the thought that his knowledge ' i

t -^/oLthe.country will give him an advantage over .*

:^-;:./ a-novice in that respect. " Nobody kin know";'

''"O'';:.--4 um 'less'n' ' dey is fotch up in df e mountains." De s '.'':> '^V;. lak, a red ant find .he aint at home w'en he '

^'iii'-^-.tryin 1; --to git 'long on a chip ^flbatin' in swif '

But you tek'er gnat now; he des-wait. i

/-;^/:teirde water tetch.his.heel an'^ie off, kase he : .*

:-^, v'^knpw his business.;' Iheerd : unvall say Louis- >

C-V-Jhfana.is flat- ez my han'." ' His mental v soliloquy ?

:.r:v-.'/allays his fears to a certain degree.' " Shuh ! " !

/U I^-.he. says, aloud,," dc fust time one'er dem bucks ;

/^/;:v'u[d start ter. drive ole Miss en Marster ter de ^

v;:'.':;-'v:;->''m. etih r-house ^over -des.e-.ro.c.k's-e.n..hills, he."} ^: :;"7 gwine find-out de diffunce twix san' plains en '"

.>V - mountains. /He'd upset de ca'ge'en smash um '

v.,'\; "all-.yp'sho.-". I'd.'.lak ter see one . um try ter

-'//-manage ole,Bob;. kase ef de Lawc^ ever did

h>-/v; .'.,' "--^''.^-'^''" ./:,.'. I';'".." -;.;

*'.-'\',-.^''>

.v-/:--//-'^''.^/'/-/^ r:' c:^/v-^*-. "/.'..-;/ \ .-:-.- - . ...../;:'r-

p ^'^^^^^^

:'. ,-r v/.i,:-;.; / y -;"" ry; >^'',t

.

ARRIVALS. ... xi. .. ; .

mck knowin* hoss-fiesh hit's erstandin' over dchin 'at stall." - .. * : . ' - ; ./---; >' .;.!..'.' .' Notwithstanding his mental and verbal volu bility, Pomp, is unable .to wholly calm his ' ] i'""troubled sea with the oil of' his own- making. ' . He resolves to undertaken bit. of stratagem* ; /.with his master. The darkies are to arrive . /: that day. ' He will probe the., unsuspecting Colonel and divine his intentions in /regard to his own office at least. ,.. ..:/ .'"/,.';'' ; '-\r "''''. -'.'

With the long-carriage whip. in: hand, one of" . ^ his insignia, he approaches, \yith many an un- . ,'. ' r W9nted scrape, and smirk, the Colonel and his; 'wife'on.the veranda, - He removes'hishat from ., his head/'leaving-his stubbly pate to glisten in.. . ., r . . x . the sunshine. ' - r "'..*"'.'' **":/ r^- '''-.^"'-^'.V-/.: -' >:

-" Ef Marster-en Missus kin spar*. de time, : . ; .

\

Pomp Vd lak ter ax er question," he .^says, _,,_>.'....- - * most humbly. % vr-:^'""^-~r^/--> " ;';'*. '.:.:."-. ; : - - {

"What do you want, Pomp P/Vasks^Colonel > .

(

BickerstafT. , ', * "--." : '/^." : ,' ^ ,:;'?-' '''.- \

:"I-deswant ter know ef y'all is contendin1 . - '.

^

.ter drive over ter. bush-arbor jmeetin' in de

j

ca'ge 'nex' Sunday; kase ef y'all. is,. I musr

;

patch Bob's brcechiaV Las' time, you know,. ..

I

::>*"":i'a*^'.;^:.-yv-:v-':.'"""r-'v; ^*v^:-f-:W'7H';I"-T.--E'.-.M~ vA'-R.. I/ET.-^-V'v:y:^V'.'.:;-r-\*;;'"v- >'.;":-^-V-:^.

-^ r?2^'^^ broke smack in two.'- I been.fivfe year learning' '-^v^;V^/.:;:how ter manage dese hosss f dey-. safe'in "my ' -^ ' '...-.'. j-.^han's;_ but Ie'.nie tell .you dey is treacherous' "*V^:^':^T brutes en hatter be'watched po.w'ful"close." '. , /.-!":/':^^--V; Mrs,:Bickerstaff laughs ;" '-' Why^Pomp^thaf' ,x-",r: :;:/: 'I; ^s'the'first time'*!'ever 'heard of.! those' 'sturdy ^''> ;*s i;'' :-pld/animals being- at all hard to' manage-- :" .^;.:-J ^.:^V.r- surely you are mistaken." ' '''' ''"' : ".>. ;'*'- r {'; '

^'^^^^"^'''"No/'Miss Minnie, I-haint ; ever sence.dey,

:;.V.-:":;J:./-;\;been tu'n loose in de pasture, dey bofe turn f

'V'.v'w1. ;:-;;T^;fools; . I done understan* de'roads/dough, I

..;;-;.:'" v/';>A>;-;been' over um so. much, en I" know des zactly"

ter clap on de-"brake en_ whar ter-'let it;

//r;7^;':;:/;;.^off. .Long's I got de line^in dese fingers, you

'~\' ' */ "</ ' '-".'..'.'v -

.

U.<'-^^l.-: vv*' ;:^--en Marster

'".
des ez safe

^
ez in ,yo?



'.!_',

beds.- 1 ' > '

)!;'. ^.-^-J/v/;.'^-:/ u Well, Pomp,_ I guess 'we'll want to go/'

^>:..'^v:!;.'-^/; vMrs.'- Bickersfkff says-; rr so have everything

ly^';V'i^V^:VVJ- Pomp bows -himself away, a smile of victory|;< : I//.-^;T//^:;^"'corrugating his cheeks,'a lighter heart '-within;t

V^/'-Or^C^" Poll, the'cook, not 'unlike Pomp, had allowed ,r ^.v'v^.^r -" a -premonition of possible change'to ferment VC ^. ;'v-/^V:";' 'unpleasantly in her somnolent brain. .' f ^:^}1jv ; ;-;^<'..;V; ; '.. <4 lheerd er heap^ er talk *bout de Frencli
*j
-. >*' ;. f^:^-'-^^:. -"-iVV''-.'': : ''^?'^~'*%t ^V>:^%^'^?; '-t;v ;^:V "'^*^'l

^fe'Cii^t^
;^Da.^^:J'''-S;^:^^Vh:^^
---'' "--""'-_ i_-^u..y..V-, 7 r*ol-- HI" '. IJ.'LJJ'I, ;*:.- =^^---Jl|jf. L]r^ 1'if

!; ;-, ^r^ ^r '^:THE-[NEW' tARRI7ALS.,. . . .V 13

' ., coqkifir down Souf," she said to.to the yellow '.'boy washing dishes by her side. " Dis darky f .':wid de gal,-mebbe she 'low ter set 'erse'f up fer ^cook'in'dis1 yer. kitchen!* How~come Master ."/ter buy/er, X wonder? We don't need no mo* /-women ; ''dough mebbe. she do fer cotton pick-
in'.dis fall.." Sholy-ole-Miss satisfied wid my . . wuk.'- ; She -aint never said she aint. -Des las'
1 Sunday^ w'en de preacher is here she 'low ter . , 'im he better tas* de peach pie kase Polly mek
, mighty good uns." -,.';. . -'.- -'-./'-' ""."..-.

, Somewhat; consoled'.with that remembrance,

'she went.on with her duties, after giving an .

adroit.cuff to the shoeless dish-washer's ear, for .

/"iettin' de'dishwater slop up de fiq'-I des dis -.

mornin' scrubbed clean."

;. ; ^ -..-;

. , Every yellow and ebon attacht ot the house- -. ;.-'hold'and toiler in the fields who could-conjure ..
up even a^shadow of a pretext for their being present, were seen in jront of, the Bickerstaff - residence: when the stage which was to bring ' the Louisiana negroes to their Georgia home was heard lumbering ia the distance, /. Even'the brawny blacksmith had bethought himself that_: the hitching posts bad-gone too-

?-. , - ".'-'<>'"-'.<:: .'v--' -- ^''^-' ""-' >'. 'J-'/-!'-^ r. /''.v---:r-;../v.''-v'>. ;- : .*r-r ; ' % 'v .> rv-;.;,->.^.:

'. .It. "
>''^*.**:?:;'

'^long without the rings which they had lost years';

:,''-<'^2<>> and -heJ-Svas intent upon their. restoration'1

^ '"

'"c'linking -ham" mer and'roving'

;^-;U^>^y:/'The-.Colpnel ancl his wife*sat on the portico,'

on the steps. Harry, in His usual' i, was. trying to induce, partly by com-

s, partly by cajolements, Peg,, a small1

^;;^>A'.x/V'.tro\vserless but shirted negro lad,"to* hold his

V^-.;^'K-/.'black knuckles in one of the marble holes till

l^'^/-?''r^ he could get a fair shot at'.thenvwith his taw'

i'-^^^'/i-^This 'sportive- attempt'"was' frustrated by. the'

-Vi-?-' i ':V/^-arriNral O f; the StagC. '

'; ."'; " ' ' ^ ." : 'v-^ ^ '+ V '*..y

/old rattling veWtre drew "up' at 'tlje

-The doors opened and four negroes,

in brown jean.trowsers"and blue and

'j,-^

shirts, alighted., '.They were

^.:::?-^7; :-,'followed
i './l"T: ' -'I " w .-_.-

by

a'-portly -

mulattress:. attired

in

I ; slubby linsey, and ' a girl about twelve

-^^-c:!--^ years; of'age, ^quite" neatly and becomingly .^^'vl'-^f--,'yJ -"v"/'*,'*"dr ess.e'". d..'' - "" : ' '* ; .''.': -'; -.''.-'; ' - %'*
e/last'.jiamed caught the ' attention, of

spectator, and exclamations of. surprise '

^:;' i>;-^ :;^escaped,.many'.lips. The girl was beautiful,

:'^^''';". ^fair-of complexion, had. long, straight, black

ARRIVALS. , w 15

i V"

:" ''"'. Sair,Marge-.Hrown^eyes,-and'-a -most -shapely, '

\ .;!

s ";' classic head.' -: - .-- ','. " >:.Yr V: '^'' :;-;V; * * ' ;

' ' '.;..;Colonel Bickerstaff descended the steps with

,""untoward "gaflip and'-went' to - the

"M

t ,!

'", ''':;.:/" <r Is 'this your daughter? " he asked wdubi-

,v v.;-ously, frowning-unconsciously upon the shrink-\ing woman..- ' - - . fr: ;: ';.:*: ^'"^-f ''.'''^' :^-'". :'^\-i\* % .-

1

' '.- ^"-Yasser, Marsterr" she returned softly, avert

J"

ing her-unsteady eyesu and fumbling with the

skirt of her*gown. ,*'..'-

-;.-\"/^^-'"'-;-/ V* .-

;;' " What do you- call her ? "'he,went 'on, trying
'/ '_'*to look into the-face of the girl,-who had-glided . timidly behind her mother... "......-..-::* . \

- f." She-name Marie/.suh.1 ;- She gave the-name ... Vadecided French pronunciation.- - - ''--.-..- / ; v -. : ;;.'' And yours ?/'' . %: v'-l:-'-"''* *'Vr/:^^^*-"*V/X':.'^' < -

,.- v;lt .:-"Me?> My name'Suzette.-s.uh/V -..^-.--.'-> - - - -. :--

^ u' What kind of duties -were assigned" to you

by your last master--you and the child ?";'

';- .-.'"Me en : Marie,-wuked in de laundry on 'de

~ ^sugar plantation.- I-vhave wash'* en she have

-iron'some;..but'she"so weakly de doctor he-say

|

she get down sick^suh^ef she do much/'-' -

j,

Mrs. .Bickerstaff .had. come up and stood , v

V.> . '"'VrV-''-'' * ^ :; '~"-:V^' '--;-r -^v:. >.'::" v--'-_ - - '.V--: v..^.^-^v.^C^-.V r^ If-,- ''-':\;.>-V"r-:l 6.>'./'; -.' ./.'"V ^ WHITE MARIE.'^^ '""' '''- >. ' V-'A

':-^'s^

to the dialogue,v ;

hi.^'-^' *:<^?,.''v-*^^.;..;": '.-.'and"^admiring the "girl's face^ and fo'rm. ;'''"*' ';V. :^;'r-V;.'lv.;/'* Come with me/' she said'.'kindly,.to Su-

';'&'' -"^ zette.'. "-Hettie 'shall 'show you to your cabin;"-

: yv;^.v-:^"v t.--.After.the woman and child had followed his

into the house, the. Colonel turned, to one

f the four new-comers and asked: ; . ^ ""'";'' ^^^ 'is your name ? " ' ' . ': . .\ ':;;_ ':^:^'.-'

'''-'\-SiIasj Marster," was' the answer.. '.." '"" '." :"

' " How long we' re you with Mr. Labou-

'

iw. id .'im, Ysuh..'M>'..- .'" **" .*-'--" ",''

Do you know anything of this woman'and :

very much, suh ; Marse . Labouchere fum Marse Legare. .Dey des been wid
two year/' ' _ V'- - ' r ?. Vvv Colonel is runable to appease his curiv which the incongruous couple has roused, '!
". * p^7^: ^>-S'".he Is obliged to drop the subject/ which ^^'^^'^ ./does with some small show 'of spleen/ by* or^:^^-^:-^^duringf ]ohr\son to show the negroes to their l^^^'^^\ quarters, and then going thoughtfully into the -

V_>...^v.j--;x.^..v'r r - -^^^.:^'^.;^;;:j^X;^ V-'^"rt7>J:->J>:'-\'V''" I ^.'^ :'r-V:' :-!f-
.^.-^^^;. v ^,.,: -".; .v --. ^- ; . : r ..-...,.f / >-.;. -: T': :;.."'.",:* -*> ^-- '-- -* --V^t ' -,< ..>-'^/;".:'.:-'.: '".'-/''' ^-'..-.r--. *,-.*-.--.v-* --.r... .'. >-v^-.-*.'--- -'-''-.,-'.,. .--'-"'--t- -' ..*-''- ,,'-;'A ;''

^*> i.^V"~' :-;/'i^;-^

* *''" : --'

AND MARIE. . . . ._.'. . .
.V:.rpHE next morning Mrs. Bickerstaff, with; * > -- J. characteristic concern, betook herself to ' " 7the cabin to which Suzette and 'Marie had been ; ^
''allotted.' V;, .* ',.--.' './ V -'':\. :'-. X: r -^.-."v ; ' r <*- :> ': .;^
-.' .Within'the low log abode, on the,sunken ; ;-stone hearth before the-wide chimney, stood >.the two p.ccupants among disorderly and crude' . "V cooking utensils and smoking embers which'
seemed, flameless in-the stream of sunshine. . which poured, down the chimney. They ;x.'Iooked unutterably forlorn and homesick. ... : . - :- -Marie, now that her bonnet-.-was aside,- "'seemed even-more .striking as ,to appearance ' "- than she had seemed the foregone afternoon. ' Her. deep, dark eyes appeared to speak vol- fumes of mute, haunting censure, to which her ' sad white visage added, a most pitiful concur/rcnce.' '. , /.'..'-..';>. '\>. :.--.. '"',;-'.'/*".'* """
. i.'.";''I came to see if-all your wants have been

^V''' 7 '^*^

-'.< ' ''': ^:?

p;i .-L\<;; r ->jV.;'-.attended' to," "Mrs. 'Bickerstaff said;' standing}?'*

;'j 4 ./ : v.\'.. - .at-( the door;v'"'Do you 'need .anything fur-

v^ ' v '^\\Suzette hesitated -and-' looked'^confused;.:'; ';-.'-?'' ';;. then she.ventured : ;' '. \ -." '':! :/;'.Vv.'"..,' -v':';',
7 ".":':"-V.-'v ", No'm, 'cep' Marie git er lill chilly..'in. de' ; :-V;> ': :;-"night, kase'it's colder, up yer . ran 'down Souf. . ;;,.;-:s.; : 'Ef you'll sen'.us one mo' cover I'll be mighty ^;..":'.;', :,,much 'obleeged/ It don't mek":no .diffunce' , .-'. ;^ -V- .'bout me, but Marie'*sorter sickly an'mighty..
- ':' :':"::.-> ^ ' ' '.' " .- ','.." & - 1.
' ../-,;-.;:.- v>v-../r-'"."^Mrs. Bickerstaff looked toward t,he ' rough*'..'&K"' < ;'.;'.^ l< V-'\^ "'bedstead-and straw mattress, experiencing an ' |4 " ,':';"'--.'?.acute;~twinge at heart-at what 'she saw/ 'The'" 11 */;"? .:\..'',T ;-: bed had but a single coverlet, and the chinks" |>"-,':;..'-''-'..^'-between (the - logs of the wall were wide and f, ,. \ '</' ''^/numerous. <>; : -'.--:''' s '-'' t:--> : ;- ;'^ ' ! 'V^;' ''-' /-: /;-'.1 '
^'-'..'J;.;v:-l;^v.- -- <r Did ; you"sleep there? '' the lady asked,"in ; >, sr ". '<'v : ' kindly-amazement. ' ' * /'; : -v ;\ -'" ', ^-V".'!
V.''.'; ;r;;.i''.V'-: ;lr; << No'm,'' Suzette made reply, " I didn't; "I '
; \. <.^/ >-,-''fixed it up.for Marie, dough, "wid our'shawls, v".'. /''-';'" ';"* so she 'slep' soun' all night. Deh .wuz some'
/...,'". --'sticks er wood outside de do', en I made' on er V~'..:'-/-. fire en .dozed in 'my cha'r. In de day-time, ".. ' : .-Miss, you cayn't see"de"diffunce''twix' up yer ,

'-SUZETTE, AND MARIE. .. ;. -'_ 19.

V'Ven d/>wn Souf, but in de night-time de chill

'.[v -'pearUer creep right in de bones."

* . .'

';..x;:' Mrs, Bickerstaff showed-that she was deeply _t

.^touche'd by her voice'when she said :k ' .

^'.;/v^^'m sorry Hettie .was not more consider-

'-^frate o your needs. She told me last night that

:7Vrypu had.everything you could desire to.make

.. :> you comfortable. I shall send you some more

-V bed-clothing, and the carpenter, will go .to

' work,, on .the cabin at once/' . , ; .' '. " : -

.:. i-'/She was turning away, but .Marie's gaze--

.shrinking, questioning, furtive--detained her.

.'How.could this .fair-skinned, graceful child-be .

' '-born in bondage, she wondered,'the offspring

, .of dusky, coarse-featured Suzette ? ' .Might not...

;, .^ome mystery be a veil to the maiden*s life? .

;. i./ :^-Do you', think you will like this'country,

.';',Suzette?" the lady said probingly. , - '.'-- : -

" ."Yes'm,". with a sigh, "we satisfied any- -.-

-''whar better 'n in. Louisiana. We' hatter

' - mighty^hard time down deh."

. ''- >:

' '..' ..'<f How was that? Did your .master not

treat you well?" ,

..

!V'

. . ! f No'm ; .Marse Labouchere git drunk good x .

deal 'fo' he die,-en beat his slaves, .He lash

". : .'.>-.'"<:'- -' ".'
Vt-r-.^Vv, J''^'-v "

] *'*' : ^:-r^r V;' v ' :v Y ;Y;-. ''WHITE MARIE.'
iT"* ; '1/*'"!>V,; ''po'lill Marie wider hosswhip"--the woman's j*":';"^!''-'"*:voice was"submerged in huskiness, and tears 1 :'*:."', !:" rose -into 'her'eyes--" He beat -'er kase er- ,
man teach Ker ter read de book...., .'*' ^'-:/".;.;: ;.\Dd; man wuz er preacher," en say kase Marie is .,
K'V'.>*"v/';/"^''.*"'s- o "W.h.ite"'s"he-'mus' be teach ter read. ::Marster
!.--v; ;- -7.V''' see 'im in my cabin, one day en" set de dogs . i^";. :^ t-/- \.atter :'im en den beat Marie tell she streaky .f ; ; ;. ^''-'Vj. wid blood.' Come yer, honey." . .'"' " -* \.V, [/;:.*, v ;'> .*,:'V-;"With hanging head the girl obeyed. The |'?; r V;"*vv : thick fingers of the mulattress quickly unbut-" ^ |^-"v'\rTr.toned Marie's gown" at the'neck and''turned /I' ^'V^^vV/r-'v-..it'down' until the cruel 'whip scars were ex- 't.
^/;\''\ -/posed--livid contusions in the..soft skin of . | 'V * ;.;:.:'.' the shapely shoulders.' '"".- f;\ ' : .: '.'":'"7^"'':
/; " ;.-;.'^ r -.";: A'.'convulsive, horrified ' "shudder went ';.""''>*;': through Mrs. Bickerstaff^s frame; she turned ^ --.-.vV/V/; -sick with sympathy. . ' '." ' .'.>"''-'"'.-.j^''^'ly
'/. : ,-; V;.;'^">u You may set your mind at rest," she said f'; .V -^\^Y\".Marie shall never suffer "such .cruelty'here. "^ ;"';/.'""'' ;>My husband" rarely has a female whipped-- I :'V" . :'*"-'':-. :*. when.,he. does, it ' is only in very- extreme
Jl'"v*'.-.'-^ r^' Marie moved away to a table in the corner '' ^ N;V';V :* : ";pDthe room. m , _ :. ' . ' r-"'Vv^'-'-;''-'.-; '*'-. "-*'::'> i;

me something about your daughter," Bickerstaff said, in a subdued, curious ^ '.;;/;7% tone.;''" Was she always so white.?" ' .. . !h ';;vi'.^;.>Siizette's ^brow .darkened ^suddenly." Her /,v';../('eyes-fell, and her hand, which she put against 'K-rrthej!-/chimney, jamb, trembled, visibly. She 'VV'/seemed deterred from a prompt answer by ./!.' :.j5ome-'potent emotion or. inclination known >'-' only; to '.herself..: Catching the growing look ': ;' of"surprise on her questioner's face, however, . '",,;' /she.said,"under her breath:'./..,..". ,,.*'..'"; -r.';.->.. ' ^;!;;'*yYas'm, Miss, she always wuz des so." f ^/>^r Has.:no ;one told you that she. does not . '", ./' .look-like you in the least?" -,. ,/ - -.- ./:.,-',>: /-".. " "'"-'; :r" Yas'm,' some has,"- slowly and uneasily, ;. '.'/but dat.don't mek no. diffunce, ma'm--folks '-'.' !.'sayr my mother wuzn't erbit lakl is, en--en--" . ;'.j-.'.'/..'M'rs."B.-ic',ke..r"sta-ff half fancied..t-hatthe worn- _^. "." an'wanted to shirk conversation on the sub- % ject, and she returned..home with the germ of : ; a. vague suspicion taking root in her mind, and . a'determination not to rest till she had writ, V*-' ten a letter of inquiry to her brother-in-law in . '.... , Louisiana concerning the pair who had grown ^ ,..-." .^so in^terestfng to herv -., ... \ . ,' I V;-'^: >.V~ ^-/'
T ' ''I*---. ''"V^ t

![:' v ' '.-.'A' few .minutes after' his' mistress's with- // * f -. -"''-,. drawaLfrom 'Suzette's -cabin, Pomp' sauntered ;' s ,1! :-/'/': up to the door. He took off his hat'with con-.. "j Mi'/- ' ^sideVable-gravity and bowed obsequiously to H. ?/ '-...; Suzette/ His mind was tantalized at once by " L!f * 'V.'-V the, fear 'and hope that one of the new-comers !^ !.'.;"'""'> would or would not usurp the official grand-'. }{*- \ >> V'.-veur with which he had plumed himself so' long, ; I; ^ .-V'.v A'single- cursory survey of the .four drowsy- ' i.^f, "'-' -//'looking males as they alighted from the stage {-. x;. /'/'had had' an ascensive effect on his drooping;'-
>'/.; ';*' Huh.!, he- grunted disdainfully,' " I aint./, { j- / /.', -;;:--feard ole Marster gwine ter .-let dem block-.'/., l'-/V' ;\/ heads,fool round his hosses."' . . . : '^ --,^; (^C/ 'j '-/.' But .notwithstanding this bracing view, he '/ ,'-/ r ^;// glided "into/the mire'of anxiety, again,' 1 For.-.;; ^ ,*/',."/.that evqning.he. overheard .one of .the darkies*.. : r-*/;"-/-'^*/" in.-'question, Ely'by .name, telling Poll in the^ f \["/**,'/'''";,'-'kitchen a ' most stirri'ng.- narrat ive ab" o ut" h' is' , i, ,--;, /' skillful/ management -of" his., master's racing ;. It 8< -V .~ :Vi '"'staIIion s in a -half-mile, heat, on a race-track. .' ; " i fc ;'-V\" : V. before 'ten million people. The master had. /' !i * / V* thereby won so largely, and his admiration for'. ;/; ;/' the.genins of his ebon jockey.had -climbed; so ^ .
*-:;.
W
LL ,. .

-^ SUZETTE AND MARIE. .

_; .23

.

?

*

$ir" high, that he forthwith presented him with a

S silver.watch and the freedom of the stable- v

. yard for his natural lifetime. ' ' ."'. ' ;'. . /- ',\'"'* "~Pomp~couId not banish this well-told word-

painting from 'his .nestling apprehension, nor . forgive.Poll for the oral demonstrations of her"
k credulity and'admiration, such as " The gre't!. . Oh,, my Lord!" and innumerable other inter-. ' jcctions of a laudatory nature which came
bounteously from her.lungs during Ely's thrill- ing recital/' What if Colonel . .Bickerstaff t should get wind. of the' se deed' s of equestrian . i. valor, and.conclude to install this loud-talking ; innovator into the high seat of the. family-.

carriage? Perhaps'.the Colonel had already.-

heard of Ely's., skill ^and had bought him.for that reason.,-,. ,.,^ ;"' .-' ; -;V;-'c. r- ^ .'."'" l'^^ ~'.'' \,

' '" Marst.er ^.inL.no han' ter race hosses," he- .

reflects gloomily. ." He's al'ays tellin' me not ter drive fas';down hill en give um plenty er

time. Mebby'at nigger is lyin* ."bout 'at hoss

race anyhow; Ely look lak he got mo' lip 'n

sense. I gwine ax dem woman-folks, 'at's de

way ter ketch up wid 'im'."- . "

-: . .

In due .accordance. with the- latter decision '.

< !^^^\^^^'^^^-^r''': WHITE MAf^^^ r '';''~^S^'ti r^V-f^Vo^"-'- '. ' : ~ ;;;*v:'\ YV.>". /' ^^-'' : :-'^r' ; >-*r^ .-vV-'-'v;J v'.^,
*t/ VXv* Pomp .had'.come to visit;'the .cabin of 'the'"';-
r.;^V>I>'7.^Louisiana females with as much apparent >: * '; *'-'. : *"''' ease of port as he could hustle, into on short'' '" 'f .'^/^'%warningr;"*:"-: "'"" -"."^' ''"'T^:;^?'"^^'^;.'^;?-':^?

; ^.'-- > '-.^".Good-mawning,'* he said, taking"an unhid-. ' ''-.,/'.V.';-:.deii seat-on the doorstep. ' Then to Suzette,.'

' ' ^ "j/^.v'and quite unconscious of the irrelevancy of his !

; V ''f 'V :.1 '.1 would-be-..polite" query, considering that she*;

-.' ''^V*'v .''"'^ had only stolen a few naps in a'hard chair dur-''

*'* ; ;"j%/Vv ing the night, he said :

'.""-. ;. : ;-'-.v ':. -^ :

^v- V;. :'^ .' % " f< Hope you slep'well las' night--some few'

V ,* .*;.'* Vskeeters out las' night,'but not many, counting-

*,'. .'' ^';^ v/.- what, deh. is sometimes./ I'm -de haid 'man

^ ;r ^ V/.t-Vr". er 'de'-hosses'-en de ca'ge-house/' loftily. "L

j^* :'^^'^-i-^vwish., ter._ know ..dis mawnin' what dese'new.

V.!'. ^.r'^;..*1",'"' 'darkies is fitten fur. , Marster 'low my. ban's is

; /' *v;^c"-'"Pur^y ^^ lo'okin" atter dis en dat, so 1 kin !

^*., ,rr ^' ;'Vpick me'.out.one fur. en stable-man.. :He mus'.

^ *"t % ;J ''''-know all ''bout- curryin'. en doctorin', dough,^

3 V "*::/ Now dis yer Ely seem purty spry ter heer 'im

/ ^' * : '.';;'; talk;'.now, kin you^tell nae did his las' mars-

* ;--.i. -'.>,-"ter'set much sto* by''im fur management er.
I',; '.^;- bosses?" "';:'. ~^. , i:\^^:^':/^^v:^v-;;-i

i * ' -v,-;'.'!'.Had'Suzette been in an observing mood,

* ' - V--"" she might have -wondered "at Pomp's facial

MARIE. .''" ~ 25

' expression. An inward, devouring suspense

deprived' his jaws of cohesive power, and his

'mouth 'was a" marvel of gaping laxity while

i

" waiting the result of hiY diplomatic ruse'/'"?" "" ;*^"r "' < ' ^

.'' "Who? Ely?": Suzette answered, in slow _

r'

'

"r
'

,'!. Pomp's Jaws came- together labor- . . ' ; . i,

'i^usly once to give utterance to that. gasp, and/;-'.' . . . |'.

N'

'

^'

'''.'.

I |"

./-.th..e*n fel.l-back.i.n.to.:.toothed iner; tia again- . t : : ' ' - . ,- [r.

. ,'. "Ely never -did manage Marster's hosses," . :'-. j

. . said Suzette/ "Tie kepr 'im roun' de house

,L

ter black boots en chop wood eivsech ez.dat." . -. I

- There was an/instantaneous reconciliation . . .

i

brought about between Pomp's parted% jaws.

i

( The vacuity between his. nose and chin was

[

' diminished notably, and a smile born of some-

*.-.'!

thing'. beyond mere 'triumph lighted-^up* the . ". " . f.

.^"whole^ of .the .black ..visage even to the roots of- . . ........

his -stubble -hair.' ' He, -sat... on. nettles for- a .

j

.. couple ."of -minutes longer, doing his best to

.

^

perform, som.e" conventionalities between, him

j

- ' and a polite departure ; then he was off for the

[

'kitchen, Ely's^ loafing place, walking on air into _ .

;

/ prospects. most entrancing.

'

- . v/: - ' '. f>

-,' He J' found -Ely 4 entertaining" half-a-dozen

OALTOM

'-\ ."*'/. 'spellbound darkies with a profuse description , "/; ' *v: s ,,'^ofa span of coal-black horses, " wid gold.cn I
\.'./..-./ silver on de- harness," with which he used to 1 :' t '/,;>/ 7 drive.". ole Marster en Missis ".to the city/in, /..-.-I, ;-i- imminent risk, of having the mettlesome ani.
*./> .'' : 'mals run away. The orator gladly admitted -\.: :;'-' pom p jnto h; s audience, little dreaming.of the 'T 'I-',;;'., '-^.latter's august,and. condemnatory- personality , , ;; .-V : - ' as ' equerry to :his .-Majesty, Colonel Henry / ^'.>\[ /'.Bickerstaff. ' V , . . ;.: ^ ';". ";:"''''.'.; ''' . :';'"--:\' '/:"'"'*'';.."You know what Marster gwine put 'you-.; './"*..-,.., at!" broke in Pomp suddenly. ."'..' ":.;'- .,//*-.:.''--..-.; " No,"--reading-Pomp's indignation in his ..;: v/'^y.y--face and tone instantly--" What'he. gwine-put.;. ;^-,'..v ; l': ;nie at?" r_ '--. "'.V/"'-'' : \^V/ ;'C:'.-; - :".;'/ ^ '^^^'vVv'^.^pori't mek no diffunce--huh ! " ' : .:.-"-:---1:.. - ;.v. *.:V- 1 -u What- Marster gwine ^put me at? " weakly;, /- : ;V7/;-v defiant.. : ../ v . -.;'- .-. ' -. ''-'^^^-^^^V.:^-^ \'\/'.!: ' l - " '" Kin you chop wood? "" ' ';''V^;' ;'^v'.^V,v^i ?i
j.'. **: v ;- > >"Kin you shine boots?." contemptuously .;,.'.'
f ; \': ', -;;;-";: ;."4l Des wait, 'at's all." ^ ^ V ', : : ' '' "^ "" ::''
"s !/,^ ;,. "V-' '* Huhn ! Skuse me, please," sarcastically;' \' "^*^. "^ u isyou.de overseer cm disyer plantation? " [-., ,,
t"' /*'-*;'..v'' ; '-":C'"'/f '/- r.:'':./^-:'^'"^--^^^^V'--:.^

'; :"v.'.v: SUZETTE AND MARIE.

. . 1 " ' " '

I

! "I'm de haid man er de stables*en de ca'ge-

.

;

housed "-' '"' ' '-.- - , -.:...'" V' ; .: ;..:_;.';''.... ' _'

This coup-de-grace effectually silenced ' the . '. _.

;

vaunting, imaginative Louisianian, and Pomp

j

left the kitchen wfth'a lofty'step, . He had /. ' }

vindicated his-rights and was content. ..- . ' . - * '".". , : ' f

"Don't know no .mo* 'bout hosses 'an' er^

-[

blin' kitten, en all dis brag, too," was his con-

..

<

temptuous'comment in a breath of relief. ' '^ - . . j'

Mrs. Bickerstaff sat dcr\vn immediately on

her return^to her sitting-room and indited a ^ -,

letter to her brother-in-law in Louisiana, in"/, ..

which she gave diffuse expression to her sur-. .

prise over and interest in the strange.white- .. ...

. skinned slave he had been the agent in secur- .

ing for them/and 'importuned him to'make

inquiries concerning the child's history.

" ~"' *

'The answer to. J:his epistle, which arrived. -..

some, ten days later, compelled the .good lady

to be satisfied.. Thomas Bickerstaff wrote that

Marie had been-the recognized offspring of

Suzette since .the day of the child's' birth; .

that no doubt could be raised as to the val- ,

idity of the woman's claim to the parentage.

?
:
k: :

. -, "%;--".,.-;. ':, Vv^'---^- : -- : ^'^'\>''^-^^'.?> ^^^'^"^J^-^^^

.v. ._:- ';\'':\<.'':,Z:^-?/.-*: *:2\^

>.'^^-^--^*'*. -I1 :' ./.iV-

iv.. "-
-MARIE'.' '

-

years have passed. It is again sum-

jV^V^-^^" '">*:. mer> ^e nvosf glorious season of the four

i-/ 1 :^''^^:;-:.;.;'"? Vvin the Cohuttas. ' Matfe is sixteeni -She is

J'; ''.:<;^\ -y^V-^'^now one of the human fixtures at Oaklawn.

'v;.: .:. v^>ri\:;;>;:.V:..j -^ The incongruity 'of her white -face and. Cau-

K^''v-\-^V;V/-.^:;.V;>r:^Xv^^;;.-vr"-..>x.;,-c at .s.ia-n.,^be'.a-uty



in
.

"

its


d' usk-ye-n.v.-ironm'ent is

not

iS^G^^S^''-':" so "noticeable- as it was. on the day- of her ar-

'

In fact, attention rs seldom called there-

J?-*^^-f^;^

it.be by some stranger. .in the local-.

f^.V-'%':'^v^^

h er singular appearance, and

:v>^:.::- gives expression .to wonder, perhaps moralizing

'

that a minimum. ;.of: purchasable i

in the veins of , such a. creature should

- ";/::;:;iv banish her to a life for.which she' is so poorly

-^ :^..^.

-

i^ -, ^ -

".:'.-"' ';; ;V;^--.'^^y: -T^ ';

* '- '- r- ,,, ..^ * ^- ,

- .".

.* "' ' ~ ' *

", 1

Marie her being; has. grown more inex-

\vith her growth. The remarks which

^.^;;i:;^V haye from time to- time met .her ear concern-

, ' ''Xl ->: .HARRY.. AMD MARIE* ~ "" '''.' "29 ' '' " ^ ' / f

ing her singular appearance at last begin to . ~' ;' .

take' root' in her strengthening mind. After ,

all/she begins to wonder; why should her feet '

f

and hands be small and 'shapely, her complex- : "* v "* '

ion as.whiteand her hair as/straight and fine "'".

*

as her niistire'ss'sV lf'^

like

. other slaves? "So often" came these thoughts

into her mind .that her life in bondage grew

burthensome. ' She was not liked by the .ne

groes, for she instinctively held herself aloof from them..."'"- : 7 ;;;';/ " ....-''; -...'"' .... ' : '. * '~

With the white'people, just.then, she was' neither a' favorite nor disliked, she was an enigma to. them. Her pretty face and refined bearing spoke volumes of, reproaches against slavery. .. "" :. ": ""'. 't ^ . r.<'.'-^^:~~^ < :,:
White-skinned or black, she was a'slave by birth and law--nothing could alter that decrefc of fate. To give her advantages over her kind, 'on account of her difference to them, would be to set a most.ruinous example to slaveholders, would excite^ jealousy among the negroes, and irretrievably spoil her. ^/ " ' . './ " ./

Once Mrs.^Bickerstaff took her to Atlanta on a shopping trip. In. 'the; stores, on the

:-'''f'^':-^^^ ' JS.v [-:.l-^. v

C streets/'and'.'in.- the' hotel Marie could not fait

Lto note .the glances of admiration _ that Jell'

upon, her'.from "the eyes of'many -she^saw,

,,.. Now : and - then she overheard .warm compli-

/^ment^^ii^er^persona.!; .'appearance, and 'ex-

""clamations of "surprise from people -whom her

, mistress told that she was only a slave.

.All..this^mad^e- a profound and lasting ink

o.n the girl.. Back at home afterward,

treasured the memory of those remarks,

^>:'V; and \glances. Her pride--a poor, dormant

v^'^t-; quality, hitherto hardly in embryo--began ,to

;'':i;'- ; v" put out its tendrils toward.that feeble-light in.

v'U^-v^ her -dark .being, as sprigs ^of grass in a dank,

:^^/! :-K-,'dark prison cell take root and reach out their

/J"1 ^;^ tender green arms toward a.window far. away,

%v-f.''^-'She.had been taught that she was pleasant;to

,:^:'V^:'look..at, and, as she contrasted herself to other

'^;'c;->'c:. slaves, her own powers of reason whispered

she belonged naturally, notwithstanding

fate, to a higher caste.

.' <', ." ;-," -,

pFp: J,?^^QJ:^/^^

her to improve herself,

\. i!ic?';: v--^;::::V::;.i^but it'grew t^ be her chief desire. .A poor

[ -if^V'^^'r:^.^.' ru dderless . bark >was' she, drifting she knew

whither. ; The current of circumstance^

^V^^-^^
':--...*:^\ ;'-/-'.- -*.'.--"'.V..-..V-./.Vi-;..-' c-'-. ^:'''.''^*-"':' i:'-S.:'->,:',^'/':'>\''\-">'.':''..:..*v*'.
.'. "' - 7 I';',:'-""*"'.*" -*.-,. ' '- .' . " -' " ''-. ,; ?.*..,.:'.,, : _*;..:. .':.!, ; ;p,>vx-'^-- : l'-." j->;',~.!:'*;".*' .''r. " "''"'' ''."" ' , "*

.

,

__i

-drawing her'throuigh uneven, fathomless waters.' Long ere she mastered the alphabet sheVould hold a book to'her-eyes, as she had seen others do, longing for some inspiration to give her comprehension.' , .:'. ., * "... .
Had. she been older .and more 'experienced in worldly, matters, she'would have found much in Suzette's conduct Regarding herself. to inquire-into. ;-As to the actual hardships of servitude, their .winds had scarcely fanned iMarie's cheeks, when her life was compared to that of'an .ordinary slave. . Wise or unwise this exception,.Suzette.was responsible for it.
From childhood Suzette had treated Marie with that, consideration.which a faithful negro would give to the child of'a revered master or mistress^,rather .than to her own offspring. ^ Marie^had..seldom been obliged to touch'-her hands to menial tasks. .^ . "' - -';.""-/:
On the Labouchere plantation, where every . man, woman^nd. child that was old enough had to perform his quota of the- routine, Suzcttc had, with ^evident forethought, got per' mission to manage the family laundry, statingthat she and Marie coujd attend to it satisfag-

;3.2,.;

/ WHITE .MARIE,

V- 'Some..time afterward it reached Mr,

: , *'; Labouchere's ears that ^Su^zette was in the

1 *

:.;.'.., habit of doing" all'the 'laundry work, and not,

, ; .permitting the girlto aid 'her in the'slightest,'

/,' /All the explanation he.was able to derive from

-' *] Suzette in regard to'the.queer proceeding was

-;...- a whimpering' plea that Marie was'too-weak

..'.': constitutionally to do any work. To this she'

'j'. added such' lavish promises to "do the tasks of

'.'.V--;' i bpth, and such marvelous energy in the execu-

v./s tion. of her promises, that the master, yielded

-v;-'.'.t~o her whim. So it had been ever since Marie

-/'-'''.'could remember. Suzette's tongue was never

-" :4 ..:idle. when the invention of.a plausible pretext

- ;v/.'would save-her from toil. .' ' : . ..'.-r .' ^

'.-.<-:::- ;.Moreover, she contrived to_dress .Marie.with

-./"...remarkable taste. . Sh'e was always first, to se-

/*'* rv.K

bhe'-'promise of a-gown or a cloak or a

jjM t'>*r'<r* r'V^'.shawl 'that her mistress was-on the eve. o

<-* {"*.' * i.1 7/^.v-throwing aside. .In Suzette*sx hancls they were

* / r >':;'.'--^.:'-'v brushed and cleaned carefully and made over

^ '-;"- '..*\:/-) -by- the' midnight candle with flying needle

'^ i-iVv^'^/'^'^and Marie's graceful figure Was adorned there

* 1<< lC*i: ''':' v". '.with, and enjoyed far. more by the maker than

* />v< ' ..the petted-wearer, owing to some "ambition of.

r \tV-t'
"-

-:'. HARRY AND MARIE. ' .. 33''." "

1 the fo'rmer'which was not understood by the

Matter. - It'was Harry,--mischievous, mirthful"

'Harry--who : taught-Marie to read. Some

times she would go to him, with the entire

..approval of Mrs. Bickerstaff, who favored the '

enlightenment-of slaves, as he sat with his

lines'in'the water pn the creek bank, lazily

'watching his floating corks, and recite her

spelling or reading lesson to him. ' *

-

The kind-hearted youth grew to enjoy

her absolute dependence on^his knowledge, ~.

and the confiding trust.she reposed in him.

He liked her artless'ways and .her musical

voice.. Her complexion was glorious, her

abundant hair beautiful, her large brown .eyes

soulful.. She moved his boyish heart to deep- (

cst sympathy,''and caused his indignant blood _'.

to boil "when she told, him" Of some, of the"

indignities she had suffered in her childhood ,

at the hands_of her former owners. . ' ' ;.

He began to"'confide in her, recounting to

her willing ears', many a scapegrace plot and

secret adventure .in. college and out. Some

times she aided him;to escape his father's an- .

ger after his mischievous acts transpired,--per-

". V;V (; 'V" :; -' ^ -"-Vx- -;' ' -'.. :-..-.;* ' -;;v. '/'

, hastily bearing"' him the tidings that she

^.-'V-/;.;. had 'descried a storm-cloud on the paternal

v:,jy^:; horizon, thus giving him time to seek shelter

^'^'.^Vtrir'the'gale had, in a measure,"spent itself.' '

-^r;C-:.-: :'/;.;.v;,Now "'and then would her'timely 'advice

i:^^

the .most indiscreet of his-pro-

schemes of which her quick intuition 1

.her the inexpediency. So they grew

.be playfellows'; he was Harry to her, and

.

Marie to him. " -.- -."v" ,,:.<' '''-''

''}^''/: '-'^" :/"'.^ ^ e had lived ten-score years, he could never

:;-'j:;^'r,.;I.-'.i(j?;have got out of sight of one memory-picture

.-.;--.;.'.': ^ of. his boyhood. He had dropped to sleep in

;' 1." vX v -the woods "one day in.the summer over his

'^^';.<::-.V.book. He was awakened by a'stinging sensa}|[;-^-; '' J:.;-';:".;r:C< tion 'in his hand. . ; . -;'.""' v ' ,';

rvy : ;-'-H-v* Sitting up, he heard an eery, whirring 'sound,

:'1 ' -^ : as-if^the--air :were filled with a. swarm of lo-

-.'-'-,: custs, and saw a huge brown rattlesnake has-

./c^^ tily uncoil itself and glide from him in the

'^f- y-"-grass. : ' The blood stai'ning his hand told him

."*'_.^'",,.;t^x'*v?t'ha'.'t_h'.e was bitten. H e grew cold'with hori:n ^;---'.-vi. ror;'- 'he' imagined he could Teel the poison

V-V---^swimming' through his veins with quicksilver*

(;''Vv''/like restlessness.-

",'.-.''.'' ' : * r^ v " '^'

"'r -. *';*['.+HARRY-AMD MARIE. / ,"/ 35

He ran out of the woods. A wide, open

space, more than a half-mile irr width, of fields and meadows'lay between himself and home. .

He could never'reach it, through the hot,

beating rays of the sun, till he .was a hopeless

victim to the noxious'wound. ;

. '.';;.

He-started for home on a desperate run. "

He stumbled and fell, then struggled to his

feet and rushed frantically, almost blindly, on -

: again. Suddenly he met. Marie, as she turned,

from a clump of bushes which had disguised

her until then. ;

. +'".'".. :" - '"'."'"';

. " What is the matter? " she cried, the color

fleeing from her face at the sight of his ghastly

distorted visage.

, "-

"

"A rattlesnake bit me,".he gasped, holding,

out his bleeding hand. '.. .. . < .. ;. -;,_' -_-.: V

......" Oh L - oh ! "- she . -cried^ in great -alarm.".""

"Quick! Herei let me, .quick!"

. .'

In an instant she had torn his shirt-sleeve

open and jDound his handkerchief tightly

around his wrist. .Then she % pressed the

wound to her warm, lips-and began to suck

the tainted blood from his veins. It recurred

to hinxthen. that the remedy, which she hacj

t ;Y-.' ' .-.>."..' 36, ';; ^^-f'!'iviffTE.f'MARIE."'' V ; .V: - ; ';-'

,*i ;i\*''*-.*,-~.Y..

''. -.



r r.

."*.-.olenaernaetd:hianndL;ou. ' :i's,.ia' n'v:a''.,-".'w''*""a~ s:-."'^-"t.-'h"re' *"y-'o/.-n:ly''

?> .

e;.f-,fvec'.tu.;a';;l

' j; /^lX:.' :'"-^Tdw> & home; quick! " v sh*e"panted, pale; .^:.,'-'.,.-./,.: and exhausted. " Keep "it" tie'd^fril send the"," ;*Y..; ;;".. ''doctor." -She .hastened across 'the fields as 1 > ,' : r'i';, -V'-'rapidly as she 'could run. She' fortunately, "^Y;.^.';,:;^;-found the doctor at home, and sent him jon to h/-'; % ''.f;"-. ;; 'xv . J.the great house' as fast as his horse could take.'

YIIri!-'^-'-.i/,."'.'v.?'.i'-,V-V: :':^"./Thed'octo'.r'administered c opio us potions of'
'h. f >:? ."':',',' -niountain whisky, and soon had his intoxicated

''/'C;* *:/x~ ; ^patient in .a 'deep, healthful sleep. He as-

! ji;/,vr.''^H r*'sured the. deeply agitated Colonel and his wife.-

j! ?\v. > ; t >->;>that their- son was in safety, but that Marie
! *.'^;V': :'X:.'^' ^ac^ saved his life by her presence of mind and f ll"*^V\;''.v:\iV'firmness.;''." '"-*- ^- '.' .V^T-.-'-y.;/:-.;;"";-/ ^;;_;;,'

v*'V7:"They sent for'her, and-;as she came..timidly

T*'" in to'.'the; room; the Colonel's eyes filled to over-

rVvflowing. ' He took her hand in his and thanked

'^ her, '.and Mrs. Bickerstaff shed tears-and im-

*.'%" pulsively 'kissed her. oh'-the cheek. Such a'

..'; mark'of respect "had-never been'heard'of be-'

,.; fore, and it spread from' mouth to mouth over

- .-the whole,plantation. "

' Y.-.";':''".,

f '; ; : /After that day Marie was a great favorite,

AMD MARIE.,

, : 37

In fact, she became almost-as one of. the fam'\ily. Marie land Harry were thrown together
oftcner than ever, before.' Suzette' no longer ' had to'trouble' herself about dresses 'for her: Mrs. Bickerstaff selected'and-bought the mate rial, and frequently had Marie's garments mad.e' for her by her own dressmaker. ' -*
Harry had purchased, contrary to hfs father's . orders, a'fine pointer. He wheedled indulgent Suzette into consenting'to keep-the dog in the shed adjoining ;her cabin, where it would be safe from discovery. . Daily^he came surrepti tiously to admire his treasure, and he and Marie discussed the animal's good points together*
The lessons he gave .her, supplemented by her ambition and desire to learn, caused her to make rapid progress. .'-She read his books with avidity,.and-'.astonished him-with her.- depth when she expressed her opinion on their con tents. .She began to drop the dialect of the. negroes, 'and,-soon spoke, as purely as he... When he. called her attention .to a mispro nounced word, the correction .sufficed for alltime--she never made the mistake again. ' .
He was returning from hunting in the woods

;;;;,!/...3^ v.v '^''^y WHITE MARIE. ; V r ;'/

"^^ ";:;.oneday; ft was a beautiful, bright afternoon, 1 r::r/; - She :had been sent _to the vineyard to gather v.;:;;;.-.;a.basket ". of grapes 'for Mrs. Bickerstaff. His ' : :.X- heart felt'cold and began" to beat more quickly'' .X'r'v. as : he caught the brightness of her red gown "'',;' ,.u.among.the vines'. ' It fitted.her beautiful, lithe ;;^'^ form perfectly; her hair fell over her shoulders 'V'5'*:\and. was tossed in fluff}', restless waves round1 ;"v-<: /,her neck 'and roseate face. :"-:.' ' He'could- not understand his enjoyment at ::';//,: meeting her there alone, although he had not Y^-r-seen her for1 several days. He started tp speak, ";.:; :-but his words, stuck in his', throat, so he only ;-.,';'' : -held up"his string of birds when she looked up :::^ f ^;at the/sound of his steps.. ..-'" "; .-.' *' :?.

r : .-\?::";.. Some-of the roses fell.to pieces in.her cheeks

/'V' :/"and helpless/ashen lines .intersected her face,

rr^-but-she was not'a Jot the less beautiful. '--. ...:i

f<:/'. >". -":Hqw many have you?/' she asked. ;. '*

:;'.^>"; ;". r "<t Nine/'./he 'answered; then dropping his

''V;'"v eyes upon the purple bunches of grapes In the

>^;;;-./xbasket on her arm, he asked:

. ;'/.',

T!-1'''^'::;' u 'Who;are. they for?" ; '; . : ". '' : '^f; '-'y

:; :^ ; :^>: ^Ole-Miss--your mother/1 she stammered,
:'.;;v: '-> "Marie,"-'reproachfully, " I don't like to hear
-

i-|^>^;-j 7 -V^ ;:.: .::-; v\:.-v':J-:.-:'.?'.. ',:V-^^.-rv^-.O v-.v' ?:;: :.. ^ ';"': :';i- ::-

'\:^:,:-'^' - -.,.,- -, V- :.;, ;.v^' : "^. v :: V -^V: :' >-. -/; .'..f. .% ,' : '-:

rp"'V ;^.>'^-'^ ;/-V^/:;v'v-;;:--^r1-;.
^:^'-":; ^;'-' : >v^/o^^'.- <:;:^

l

v

1

-'V-',^'V'

fcV

'.
:

-
-'' :

-V
''"'?'

'" you call mother that; it's the way they all

speak of her." . -- ".-., . .'. 4

"*' "I forgot/'- she said, with hanging head,

p;"" l4 besides--besides, I'm a "slave, too. . I have no

^ n'^ht to call her anything else.' What would

" she think? What would they all think? " ,

He could not formulate a reply. He shud-

''" dcred and grew cold with inward pain when a .

'v. thought of her true position, so difficult to

'" realize, flashed over him. .; " *. ' v ' ' * Jj

"You have pulled the smallest bunches," he' ' .. j

!> said with noticeable abruptness. 4< The best and

. . i:

1 largest arc too high for you--let me get. them."

;

Had she been a duchess .his tone could, not . ; - i

i$ have indicated more respect, under no circum-: '

J.

' stances could .it havej>een pregnant with more

, . \:

v feeling. . '^''\'''''.:J*.^-\'.i:*: -':: &3'':^^

-"

I

; t''_Hejajd^his^gua-and.. game aside, ancf-in a ; "" *; j'

; moment his tail, handsome form was parting

j

r ' the foliage of the vines/ Her face grew bright ..

P and her voice merry.as'she .gleefully caught

1

' the great, luscious bunches which he handed

to her, and put them .into her basket. The

basket was filled to running over, and he de-

.

?: sccndcdr'aT'Tfttie -ruefully, for* he knew she

< ,.,.-," ^\::> ' .

. ..

r'-^'te^' >v-"

' .', . .

rahge^Vetic'ence/iahd'-'seemed*, to ' ' ;v:l

sometimes doubt that VSuzette "is;, your

/Y Harry! -" Her face became pale and

gf^^ (-tense, and she trembled, unable to--speak be

yond that sudden-exclamation. ; He had for

first time given ; voice to- a dim, shadowy

that had come to her often of late;

take it that way," he pleaded, touch

ing her;rounded shoulder. --", I heard mother

father: talking last night of-their surprise

over your looks when you and Suzette first

came here. Mother-wrote a letter to Uncle

'.

,' ' '

. - .' .-;'.- '....''"

,,, *

'

-

(i

Tom. to inquire about you. ;He vcould not find

put anything, and they had to drop the inves

tigation ; but I am not satisfied. Suzette has

HARRY AND MARIE.

4*

never treated you like her own child--there "''r "' :^^v^S^ga must be some mystery' . Te ll' me, Mari.e, how '/'; -':'^'^M^? !cr^^^M S^^1l

far back can you remember? "

- ,: %

She fe}l into a deep reflection for a'moment;

thenshesaid:

.

" I can just remember when I was a very

little thing in the cabin I and mammy lived in. /

One day J got: fny hand in the fire and burnt:

**it badly. Once I was -very sick. Mammy sat V

^..,::, by my bed all day and night and Ihad-to.take,lii||

medicine. .

\--&.^-y&4^*$&&.*!tS

41 One night, during

knocked at the door.

mammy's arms at the door and went away. I ;. .__,..,^,^ ,, -don't.remember eyeriseeing her ariy'':^''ni'ore..::'.;^^|^%^^^||^
>7;^&'-z^.

MARIE.
': t r:.^w-CV-/*.v. "I. intend to satisfy myself about your his'''? 4 .V.'vi*-- *".*oiyM he said, deeply agitated. "I feel sure
*v v v/ .-;-' 'that :you have not a drop of negro blood in [ 'Tknow because Lfeel--I don't feel that * ?
i*'^-;V^ ;V >v way-toward you. I like to be with you, and \ >Cl * ;'*v >V >x. : hear you talk. I feel proud of you some- ; i M *' "V - '; v;.;* times--I couldn't feel so if you were a slave. -.:? t*V> ."'.Vv^'VThen yovv are. not like Suzette. You are not ;,/*r % ;' ^',. ^ :> like,any one I ever saw.'~ Don't go yet " (she
' s '^/v, j ;was moving away: from him). ^" NYou. have i. , \V;.-*; ; : _made'a better boy of me; I t used to be

'iI-* w v. ,," ,':.. K.s"u's-pi'ci.o-ns now. butr I shall some ti-me."" "' \\ ^"Tv:*"*;::>A' : She lifted the basket and turned homeward.

^'' ''* *-* V i-.He put out his hand to take it, saying: ; .

is too heavy for you: it. is a.half-milejo

1

.

--



'

: 1 U*'.''*.-'-'Vu ^ tlie house ; let me carry it for you.".

' ^ \ *" "

_

*

t '*\.' I *.'""; ^l*' }>^shcd crimson. "He Aras the master, she the

' fr*f 1 ';*;V%;X -. :' f '; slave, yet he offered to carry her basket. How

i *1 \i ' V-^'^w.^ouid'.Jt look? What would everybody say?

! r ' * " ." ' A ' ''-. ? '" '

'

' '' '

.''

..



/(^|/.fi /;^.; :/V ;-:;;':^Then" the .awkwardness of the situation

;!>'!,{ - 'v v / :;.-.: 4. :'..".'dawnecf upon him. He bit his lip in vexation.
| ; '! 'J''" .'i'V^'-:^ :i.V- : ':-'-:. ." -;. -;/ ;> "- ' '' i-.v/- '-'-v.. : ' r.-

r;:!i v V^^.^'VJ1;^;^^^

~'>:^:v*'-L '^.y :^ Vs.:' : .

:'!';i ^^V''^^^''^'^^^^^

''*" v*^'".^' 7^-fr : *'"

4IJtiv'd^'^/^ .'^.''/-/''- " :, f;: "- -"' '- . .i

' '.' *:' HARRY A^NDMARIE. ';

43' / -;V

Kc little cared what people might say in refer- ': ; ^

cncc to himself, but it was like a stab in the V '

rjick of his being to think of what they might "._.; > .

. $ay of her. At that* moment he could have

3hcd tears over.her wrongs, as he deemed the " ".''].

circumstances which beset her.

' ' ' : , /.'/./- ;

He let her; take., the basket, and walked by. ".. ".;

her side, gun and birds in hand, in a' strange . .

reverie. : He tried to fancy that the gun and ";'...,-..

birds were heavier .th*a*n the y. were, that he'*' .'"] '* ' might thereby justify himself .in allowing her ..-,

to carry the basket/ ' [ : \ . . . ''' / v': v .'- t :' \> .~ t r>

Presently they came to a ditch, the embank- , t

mcnt of which was several feet in height. He*, f \'

sprang lightly over in Advance of her, and,...

put his things down on the ground. Then he

turned and took the basket and placed it over.

- She stood, the color coming and going in her ^

face, on the verge of the embankment. He

'*r7tHgyT^K^;upjrrf'!Tfrtr

She.liesita.ted cfnarmingly. "To

his proffered assistance, she would be

obliged to rest her hands on' his shoulders, he

would have'to touch her arms. He had never

her so beautiful.. His heart was afire.

.44 '"":"/ './!''. . 'WWITE MARIE.
V-'-\" Come.! " he said, and his eyes drank from '** the'.fullness of. hers. She M'ooked " helplessly , :".; up and down the ditch. : ISfo outlet was.there ' ' '~ 'of escape/?;' ""Come on, Marie," he urged, "His 1" ,". tone astonishing him with its tenderness. His '.// earnest face was close enough to her to feel .'.'..-its heat. .* Reluctantly, timidly, and as if govV-. - efned by his magnetism, she put her trembling ' ...-"hands,-sun-browned, but small and shapely, on -[. ,his broad shoulders. He;lifted her light form *:. in his arms and put her down gently^on his, 'V/side of the ditch. '-'.. - . . '".',:"".-'^>
you," she- murmured, stooping for

/ *'.*. ; -.'.* "'.V::'-.",'" Neither spoke while they walked a few yards

'"'**" v. -.^^ j

''

"

'/;. \ "\ --':;'.?" further. . Presently they came to the edge of

;>'T ^'' l'/-<x/-V -the wood. Before them lay an openjneadow'

" ' ^v *--*-V'J :J:. extending'to the farmhouse._ ._. _. ._. _'. _ ;.. .

, '> ' ;

* ' , '' - n " N ''.''

'

'

'. : ' '^,v'..VJ'>''-""I'-.will not go any further," he said, think-

' -.'^ .,--!" ing of her evident desire not to be seen- in his

,,,.' :-'^'v* *,, company, arid fell "back into the shade of the

.:" y r"V' v ;'-.-.'trees, watching her a!s she'walked away with

: ; ) ^7"- / /. the sunlight and breezes playing at hide and

/;;.!">*'.; ^ ,"... seek in her .lustrous tresses.

'.'...

: h > .^-;. " He was miserable--he knew not why. He'.' '\:..'':i 1 J * . -" ;-"' .:-'".'.N T -^ ,./-/; :-* ..^-';'..s--; .:/-v/,.-:.".-'v.-'\.*--::. ./.j"'..- "*"''. -*, ' '

l/,'':t ^ ' ;,.- ' >% V^* V'%y;^v.'^^

'-'." v

'/'i ; -'^/ ; -''" .-' '..V''',""~ f ."J'; -: ,^ ;^::^->-^ ! ;?-"^-i'%';-i:''>'.".-*."!*''"r^":''*'' .C/ T'

/;"-.;;>'. :> HARRY AND MARIE.

'. 45' "

raised his gun and fired at a couple of chirping s*parrows res ting ^o.n the limb of .a tree. * One . ".flew off, the'other, fell fluttering to the grass r with a broken*wing. * He ran to it,.and seeing' : *' ' its suffering, he shuddered and killed it with the stock of his gun, wondering how he could , have been so thoughtless."- Then he threw his ' eyes again after Marie's retreating figure, and V sat down on a log and put- his feverish face in " his hands.. He could feel Marie's light' touch on his shoulders, her warm breath in his face,^ as he took her in his arms. , He was hot, nerv ous, unhappyv ; v '-''.' .;V\ . ;j ;..\*: ;- ^.. -^^'>>'

,_v :^ ..>!." YV~#' *;i /'.; --, >- '
V- /; ':-v:;-^/:^y^^CHAPT:^y.\"V-j.C;^- i;J,;
-.' ".''', -./" .''.'.-POMP'S PROPOSAL. "' ."'''

is not less .stirred than Harry,

She walks very fast, shifting her .heavy

;.',v -Jbasket from one hand to the other. She can-

:k *_'. '*V'-not analyze the strange emotion that holds

., . -y.-^./'her in captivity. Recalling. "the trying posi-

.-X' //>'.' tion in which they were both placed when he

': : ^"' offered to take, her basket, she shudders con-

^ V/ V. ' vulsively in sympathy for him. Her face and

."j'v^ i-" ,^'V";''**'l.l"*her brlood-ch annel's' tingle. almost painfully

f^ .^^ ' 'as she. remembers his look and tone when he

- ;1 ''

/

:

-.

'

''

' --^ held out his. arms to her at the ditch.-- /

''-^--^J ' -Then tears flood her eyes--tears which are

...*: ; ". the dew of 'an intense, incomprehensible emo-

'.,'V' ''' ^ on ^^e singled sorrow; and joy, for she is

'^%; / reviewing .his many acts of deferential kind-

"; : / "Then joy ; stands aside in her breast, and '* ;'hcr Jheart, left alone, feels heavier than-words

:S PROPOSAL. "." ' 47

..; v;;:\-:-.;-;, * ? ' . .

. ". "" .

could '.express. She thinks she understands

why he dropped behind in the wood and left

her to go home Alone--it is because he would

not"~have! others -"note"" them together.' -He

- cannot disguise his- eagerness to talk to her

when he. can do-so unobserved, but when he

meets her in : the presence of his father or

'mother or anyof the slaves, he passes her by

with very little to. say. This is as she would

have it, but it gives her pangs at heart that

are hard to combat." ~

- She carries the basket into the great house,

and goes to her cabin. t

'.

Pomp.is sitting on the doorstep; he has

taken an almost inordinate liking for Suzette,

and pays her such visits c^uite often. He

'never'tires of awing her, as he thinks, with

-his grandiloquent .talk.and peacock airs.

"Most wore out dis evenin', M he is saying as

he draws up his ;long legs for Marie to pass

into the cabin.^ " ',Tain't *no little job 'tendin'

ter w'at I hatter go thoo wid fum sunup ter

sundown. ' Marster 'low I mus1 have de ca'ge

en de spring-wagon/ greas' en in fine order,

kase nex' 'Wednesday I mus' drive over t* de

,4

V ::*.\'WHITE, MARIE. ". . ' - /\

' \ , station ter'meet de, Wilsons fum Charleston,'

v , * '/ *

.



j,:?

' - ' Souf Car'lina." You don't know dem, Suzette? I

* -.-.\.Dcy wuz up yer on er visit 'bout five year/go, I"

,,,, -r-*, las';'summer. ;.Mighty"fTne"folks,' Suzette, en l

,.; V -^rich^aint no name. Marse Wilson's er big sto' . r.

- -."^keeper dowri'^deh. Miss Laura en er maw \.

* -.*> '. ' - -.,-'; V.

-

; $

'I vis comin', too. Fine .time*, in'sto'-fur Marse i,

': ,--^ ,,-'.;,: ^Harry; dese Souf Car'lina gafe mighty up ter

f. '- /" ;*J'.fun/- Ole Marster say she actu'ly is beautiful,

? "' v.'^ J cn g^vine "come, inter all. Marse'Wilson got,

' ' > ^" ka^c she de .ohlies1-; chile he got. Poll 'low

, ' . '.", ./-".she kin certney: smell weddin' cakes er-cookin', ,

Vl-"; ' .'': .v^;^>J'casc Marse H- arry en ' M.iss L' aura boun1 . ter . ;;''- ,.''; ^^^-* mck it up long's, der maws en paws so. willing

/i /'^.VS*^ w friendly/'. /: .*-._ /-/.. ^;.:vv-;.i r^;v;^r^ :x.''':

^- '-V/.;/-'' /Marie was listening breathlessly,"and won-'

<v . .' ; dering\vhy Harry: had failed'to .mention the

'' ''j* *'J^ com ' n S _pf the_expected ^'guests.. rShe would -

! v :; <v&cc little of him after they came/she thought; .

:}'r-, ' Vi- *-^*y> \fo. r this beau\tiful, rich young lady would keep ' ; ;;t , . ..'; ( njm at her side^ Harry was/too, so hand-

:/:;-.;' "*."'-;; ^Jomc, so gallant. Her-heart beat painfully.

t ,, .' ,> v>;She hoped, however, that he .would be happy,

!^--*'-"-^; ^or ^rom him had come almost all the little

!|i/ ;; :'<-^y^8'* m Pscs of contentment she had ever had,. ** .-

^&&:^x$mm^%$.

POMP'.S PROPOSAL.

' 49

, y Marster' is havin' .de planer 'tuned up," ' Pomp'- was saying, "kase I heerd de music' teacher 'thumpin* on it dis mawnin'. ""Miss ;' Laura kin certney beat de Dutch on er pianer. You des orter hear'-'er en 'er paw sing togerr. ' Miss Laura go 'way up high, mighty squeaky/ en 'er paw go 'way do.wn wid his, bass lak er ole bullfrog in- de swamp. Marster 'low, des jokin'- wid unv once, 'at ' it's *er good thing dey isoutyer'in de country, wfyar dey kin git in 'practice To' dey strack er town whar folks live nigh .togerr. . Ole Marster aint much han' fur music/ dough ; he's er ole time gen'man -in . his ways. He 'low er co'nfier nigger, sawin' Soapsuds over de Fence, wid ernurr buck 'side 'im beatin' de strings \vid straws, is plenty good 'nough fur 'im, en er sight better 'n dis , yer squallin' lak'callin!. hawgs. Never see ole Marster'in sech sperits'ez w'en de darkies all tu'n loose ter dancin' 'atter dey done kyared , 'im roun' Christmus. Marster mighty easy ter git long wid ef er darky des^eep his place."
All this palaver'was but the word-paving for the expression of something else that was lying on the. wily black's mind. He was silent for a

,. "

'""'' 5 '.. . ..:/' WHITE, MARIE.. -. ; ^ . ;, v.;-,V/ .

V| .... ,... ,-.. .-moment, during' which, he put his longhand

, } . ': r".;v.^t,.behind his neck and scratched himself between

:

-,>."-''. .-'the shoulders.. .Then, with plumage consider.

,,] /'"'"./;''-ably dampened, he said :

..--. .'.-;;"j.._;,..

'r . . - ^-Y-X'-t^ii" 5uzetter-you say yo' husband done dead,.. ' ""^'^ ! he.?'! -; ; >.;,,' *' c \/\^\' :^ :l\\'^^^

ifes/; she replied, knocking the ashes from

i 1 v " -> '.;.:/ : /;.-ller pipe ;" he die longtime back in Louisiana," ':-, . ' " -//'v>" --Pomp"'was'.silent again. He tied the.strings

, . . '/'";-'.V- of one of his gaping brogans, and, looking'

*'-. ', :v':^--:':-' ^obliquely at Suzette, with ..an. inane grin, he

?.' : :. ^ :'V: tasked.gingerly: ' . '.' .-.-. .. .- : .;.;::.\.v\r

'*> - .vvVVv^'V.^-How ole he wuz, Suzette ?" .-" \.'--';!.

Vj ..'/;/::.r5 :>..:-^.-Bout thirty-five w'en he: die--dat' wuz ;; .- ; :''^5.^:j;-*twelve vyear 'go/' she answered. .. -.: -. ^x-' : "V-'

^l].*4 - : /-vr.-;'^^;:;-;: :,The grin,'still .on his face, had spread .as a

v '\.''-. ;; : '^;r^vline.-of fire spreads on a.burning prairie, and ,

*>/" .-'-.'S^'.v^-'had : .almost resolved itself f into a repulsive

"'U* 7 -" V:v;;v'grimace owing to the mirthless .status of its'

i'/l' '' ^^'-T^T::

. --J- -."J ". '".'" - : :- .;>.-". - ..'...-,:..

n by yo'se'f all dat time?" he^ "' -.' 'y. '"..'.ventured, working his patch-laden knee to and,. ' v-';...fro,nervously. .-..."' -: |- : ;."-'-'v'-: ' .'-"":':' ': .- s ; :
-.' ""Yes/' from a dense .cloud of-blue smoke, j '^/""Laint- never married .ergin/V_./' /./' .'.,t> :;/..'?!

.' >' -' - r'' -' - ':: ^^I'^-^^l^'. ^'^:'. : ':>'-^ "'''^" ::-J.^
" -.-; :'">'-./; :V---;.;-^ :^.:::':^:--^^ j'^:^:^: >V^".>":\-.'K,-'^'.'V

';-.:"-'-^;-"-':-;:V^ -POMP'S PROPOSAL. '.

51

\..*. :>'if ...' A,.. :;.>.. >-. \,--.. - : - :.

'': V.Well/I tell you how I am, Suzette." He

was regaining a tithe of his normal assurance.

"1'mdes dis erway. I aint never married yit,

---. en-I/am-now, so Marster say, forty-for year ole,

but .1 b'lieve 'now, wid -my sperience,'at er

- J woman wid er gal orter marry en have er hus-

.ban'.; Ez fur_ me, now; ter tell you de trufe,.

none er^dese Georgia-raised black folks aint

'suitin' ter me." .; ' -.. . . ..'.--. '.; ' -

. 'Possibly' Pomp decided that this hint was

not quite comprehensive enough, for he added, '"-" : confidentially> . , .>'-:" '.' '- \ : ' ".'

" ' ' ."'Dey mighty slow folks up yer, you Obliged

. .ter'know dat, Suzette--mighty diffunt ter

'.. " you, Suzette. Marster say I kin git married

ef 1 want. . He done been sayin' dat, dough,

fur er.long time, but-I aint seed anybody yit--

I aint seed anybody 'fo dis[zt wuz.fittin'iur

*. / de:haid man er de Bickerstaff hosses'en ca'ges

f-: -'tertek up wid...,I haint no 'jections ter git-

tin* married 'cep* dem I done told you. Now

/ efyou see fittin* ter 'sider my splanations, hit's

; ', all right en.no harm. I been hat my eye on

,V-yu >.dough, en dis'is been put off en put off

';,; /bout-long .'nough--huh ! seed 'at crazy darky,

'} 1 / : '"/.^^'S 2''; \-;^ -;" ; 'V ".WHITE MARIE. '.;.;. - v ,_ ..-
I '/':V.,;:,w.~-^Larkin; settin' on disryer do'step las' night en *- > \*+\ ': -:/- : '>-. talkin'-ter you.' .Marse Johnson gwme put 'im ^ * , :.,', r. ter.haulin- manure -out'njmy stable-ya'd.in de .'

: '*'".-' "/"Pomp,"."said. Suzette/ looking, hard 'at him 1

. " , . ".". .with, her .elbows on her pudgy knees, and a

V - r 4 :;"'" sneering smile between her hands--'/Pomp, I.

/ '-..^v'-: v don't" know what .you is tryin' tec say, I'm

" . . '.'.' sho,' but 'bout .one -thing you des 'cisely right .

.. '.--'""Av'en .you-'lude ter de diffunce 'twix' Georgia

':.. 'darkies en black people in Louisiana." ; ;

:\"; ..She paused for 'a. moment -and puffed from

",/;' her pipe to, let his surprise take root, 'then

" ; ,^ became her sarcasm more deadly." .* :,''* '

'. >'.'-' . " No, .'suh, black people- w'en dey go vis'tin'

"/ ;^. :);' '-ter er lady, down deh never go squat' on de

. > ^-.'/,'*. 'do'step.Uak er'.lioun 1 dog-sunnin* hisse'L _En

\ /'^^"v^.dey al'ays w'ar er coat en wash up der face en

.-*V.;"-.''^'-'/ -han's erfcard out. der wool." (Pomp looked

;* .**.. J :'.-..' . ' -

'

-.-

.^^>^*down ruefully at _his variegated trowsers, and

. - v *' .->-u",.^l s^^.h.i.s"th.i-ckthu-mb under. his 'frayed suspen- ; - \' -;v-.ders over his begrimed shirt.) : '.' En, M relent-

' .; > ;:-Jcssly; " dey_giner'ly black der boots." . ^ ".. -.

",'''1 .r:--- Pomp drew one of his curved-toed, shoes
'- ' .-:-V '....' ' ' - .
. i .-^ /under- him/ and stealthily .essayed to pull his

C^? */';, '->r<:v^;cVv-;: ;,~'v^" -<.':-^v-r>"- 1;;?v^:^^ :':';';:j-v"' i:^'v,' i > %'./.. u::-'-*-:^ /--/.=-:: --,--. "'. x/V;-.^;/v->:;V>^:.^\--
;l;^,v;:-y"'- i v J!';::;:v':, C '.' \; ;-Ii; ":;-. :' ~-* ^r-v^: :'^' 'j^-.vT::/^:".' ''

POMP'S PROPOSAL.

53

''raveling" woolen sock up from its. degrading '/, association "with" his shoe-heel. His lips still ; : 'described'a'ragged red circle in his bewildered ''"'!'.~; tfiabicye,","-br uyt,^,t-h-e;y--";w-;e;r-e;,--b:r-e;ak-i^n:g;, ".r.;a-;n" k^s;^'p.e^r;c"eipj^t :'-';;;

/ ..r~"I. aint s'prised," continued the oral fusil--" '

lade,"." 'at you" kin tell de diffunce in Geo'gia t '

' niggers erv'dem down Souf,--er bline man kin \

. : tdo dat, ef he aint got er dre'ful bad cold. I '.hope you kin find . somebody, fittin'fer de \ gre'^t stable 'man *you 'lude ter des now, but

'.. she aint in dis.yer cabin sho. Hit's too bad

. ''". you. foun' so much trouble ter git one--Marie, .

';,'' 'honey,-is you done git de grapes fur Ole Miss?

. : .'She^say^ she want um^ fur supperr she say."

.;;"And.thus. Suzette' turned from her visitor and

/ -continued, to talk as if Pomp :were nowhere'/ ],/ near her.!* ."'''.'s>-'';<;'\ '^''t c:," ''^ - ,: /- -.*'-. --'''; -;.;"". ';'' ^'

'^"-'- Her-- rose -slowly -with hanging head, and '.';--

. .. m'oved sheepishly on to the next cabin, where t

';.:' a"tall negro, astride of'an inverted washtub,

;/fwas picking a'banjo. . In a few. moments .his' \ .

viharids and-feet were moving in unison with '

". v thev music, and all signs of discomfiture had

.completely left him.

_ .; _ -XL/"-v:'-',/:.'.:''' ~- "

54 ..-, ' ' '''-.*. ...WHITE^MARIE.
;'4,. ''.. \' -'.'7" What'fmek'you come way fum SuzetteV ;f*. % ";," ' fur, Pomp ?:" a discerning yellow-skinned wo- . ...,

J.,.'.-*-; V. u .Huhn ?" with .nasal-indifference. ' ;'.'.

s ". -' *' ; ' M Whyn't you stay _wid .Suzette, . Pomp? ,, *w^---r ',.You say- las!, night.. Louisiana niggers is bet--. *""*'. '" tcr'n we-all's sort."'* v. -.; \!;" - . ',' '-'-- ;*' !

;; /: '"Huhri?, Me?"-: Then : to the musician:

'. , iv '...^"^At's des.de lick ter give-er banger; oh, myL .; v'dat mek.rn.e- feel lak I kin fly.".. . '' '. . '' ' '

. " / ; "Yes;.jx0//," said the woman, trying to break ^. -., his stubborn, inattention';, "didn't he, 'Liza?

', "_ Didn't 'at ole'ragety Pomp, 'low sugar planta-

, - tioa darkies-beat ,u's all en mo' lak quality?",

'Liza .nodded" and grinned a condemnatory

:V ' * rc Pbr> but the, accused .was too much wrapped -.'; ' up in 'the soul-stirring air the musician was

' '> \; ^ evoking from the resounding banjo to give ear

: ( to paltry terrestrial twitting, and the' subject.. _--

:

flew a\vay.on the -music, .' ',""' . --./ /'..; . ;; %/; i :-^'-'-/l ?;:

'''. : ^j.^iCHAPTER.yi.- ' ---- /; : C7T^?v'v 7;

. . "V- MARIE' GETS /AN' APPOINTMENT. .

MISS say tell Marie ter come deh,"

says a' little darky to Suzette in her^

cabin, '. ' '. '''''. ".''.' ' ' ... ..

Marie'quickly dons her^ bonnet and scuds

lightly to the great house." She enters at* the

front door. Workmen are busy laying a car-

pet on. the'hall stairway and placing furniture

in the grand old parlor. ' She is told that her

mistress is in the library. ,

-

- . ' -.

. Colonel Bickerstaff is there too, in .scarlet

smoking-jacket, pacing .sturdily from side to

side of the room with his fat hands behind

. : '-X

." Minnie, here, is Marie!"- he calls to his ' wife,,who is instructing a man in the arrange! '. ' ment of long rows of leather-bound tomes on .,'. < ' the tall book-shelves, which, owing to the illit',,; ,"v ;'eracy- of the fellow, requires special super
b-vision. ' . /.-./ ' .; ;v -o :-..' .. .

' ..,..\-'':* '" ~>-

'** ; '% k ^ ''/- ' " Well," in a moment/', replied'Mrs. Bicker.

/ ';"'.-;'\staff. wearily, without turning round. ''... '

:. *;/ ,~/vi 'While..Marie 'stands, bonnet in hand, for a

,; ; ;\--' .. moment waiting, her eyes fall'on Harry,Who' ' '1 \"\."~"'*~''is'leaning back in an'easy-chair in the deep em-

'. 'A. ""'' -*. brasure oC a'window, with J a newspaper before .

. \N .' -.' V -his face." ' When she entered and he heard her

<' ' V *.'.*'.'.

-'

' '

. -

! ;' Y 4>. ,/. name called,, he.,half rose* impulsively with a,

;. ';','; y quick flush in'his cheeks/then, as if on second

' ; . > ;.'-.thought, he settled back into his chair and

;-. ;' ; ' '- % .pretended to.be reading the paper.

> - / ,.;'.*'//. -The Colonel^ pauses before her and 1 says. ^> - % - ;/: ;-kindly : :' -,'\ ... ; ..'.'.. .-;. ':" ''" ;..;"'"' -J' : ,-J \: :

;.-/,.. ,'*['"'.- ; <( Is''everything running smoothly in^the. .'"'-., .-' ";* -I'.."* ' <n egro quarter, mygirl ?" ' . /<: - i1 .-'-.; .;"',,..; \;-;';^ :' --.' .'-/' ;. / '.' ' ."".Yes,, sir/'-she answers. _ - ; ' r ', :.,. v^" 1;

-.-'/* .*'/'v"':'..... ".Suzette was^ complaining the. .other .day. .

(':>." -,.'.* * :..\ ' how Is she now?"

- ... ''",-"'; ' v^ ".,'',' f

J / ^^ ";.'.:' **' /; a She_ is^ very" well.to-dayr. sir/'.-Marie, an-.--. ; -\> : ,*." v:-'v- swers.' - "., ; *. . ."-> _ ';-''"-/."/.' ^:---;/^ : '.:

^ - //; -*^'''-- 'At this'juncture. Mrs. Bickerstaff comes up, V '" v ' v ;' : " '" Marie," she says/- u 'Miss, Wilson, who is '. ,' -'--Vy'.; comjng to-morrow,-writes me that her maid is

* ^ ; v '.'~yindisposed and ^hopes that I may find some

-''.x,-;.;one- to. take the girl's place while she is with

..A' -MARIE GETS AN* APPOINTMENT. /S7. ' * . '

'.;'.''; ' ''''.' >v '". /-'..''' .

...' ,' /.':' ' '

us," ..Laura is not at all hard to please, and I . ". : '

x

'

.

'. thought, as you are so cleanly and obedient,

she would be well pleased with you. So come. '. ' ' '

j,-.. :up in the'morning'looking your nicest--they

'.

| ' will arrive .at ten.-''. '- ./" -'".:\"""-''-:"^i".'"*"1^'"/""""

"Why, mother,"-cuts in surprised Harry '' ' "- ''; |

.from his retreat,'" Marie surely wont know

'! f

how to aid Laura, she--" . ''.-'- '.... .' : ; "'/-.. ;/ :' [-, f

He sees the error his sudden impulse has " " - ''' ^

drawn him'into, and in consequence, his words '

' 'V

' ', dwindle into'co* nfu'sion and he; is suffused with blushes. His mother misinterprets his embar-

. I- . *J

'"

, i

.-. rassment, and laughs good-humoredly.

. '' ; - j

.".My dear boy," -she says,- H you certainly

: -,

-' are making premature strides into Laura's af- '

;'

'fairs. Beware, my boy; no matter what your

'*

.future relation to Laura may be, she would

-. "hardly feel pleased to know that you had to be

-'--consulted in such a matter as selectingva maid .-;.; for her.;.''; ;;.;"'' -;*.v 0, '.'."-..' '" .;-/ - '/. - ---" -'

!- '"You had better, 'my son," interrupted the

,now 'jocular Colonel, " first be sure that you

understand what sort of husband will fit Miss

*

Wilson's . needs.' The mere capability of a

maid for office would be a minor and after

..'WHITE''MARIES

-. -..-..: consideration with me.. If I remember rightly,

-v'",; ' this mother of yours did not have any maid at

,*;/. ...''all.. In those good old days, prior to her for-

"*V-->: tunate- marriage,, she "combed her own hair and V-vr"'washed her own face.'"'. /' . ._" .'- ; - ;-x\-

/;/ r'/;-"; : Mrs. Bickerstaff was blushing by this time,

'^^^^^.a'nVdAin-.'^threvyge n:.'verva. l/-'T!-a^u.^g.h that ensued 'Marie

-^^

miserable than

close and dumb "throws herself des,,;: pondently into a chair. : :-\ ;'^ "What Ole Miss >ant, honey.?" Suzette *'"" asks presently. .. .' ;..'-. > ."^:'" :. ."'"./^".^ '.!
:;,*: ^ tl She wants me to be a maid for Miss Laura," -/. V the'girl replies huskily, without raising her '\^[' head. ; '-'.- r.-.'"'.^".'.-:;-;-^'--^ ':' - '<.'** '- : ' + '''-.
[y -'" .'"W'at dat you say,, honey? " Suzette asks with surprise .and .unaccountable -concern.-
^^ ^" Why,.chile, you aint never known nothin' ^.-..'bout fixin.'up ladies--you too young'ea too
'/- weakly. De Lawd knows ! now w'at kin ' got *- ;./ :' iaOld Miss ?' " W'at you tell 'er, honey? Aint
>*" you say you aint fitten fur sech wuk? Le'me .,V. ; ..go see-'er dis minute. .Shuh! I say! Dey

'"'V -vV,v MARIE, GETS AN APPOINTMENT. ' 59

' don't know who dey foolin* wid. . Dey' ketch ./me lettin'' you be er servant ter'dat white 'gal--huhn ! " : ": ' _, V-^'~ V^ v ' ; " 'L
"'^"""The^'nexf mstanr'Suzette's red turbaned 'head', was bobbingv among the tree-branches that' overhung the walk, as her fat form wad- ;
.. died excitedly toward her mistress's house. . <rTell Miss. Minnie Suzette want tersee 'er,
please ma'm, des er minute," she said to a little, girl-in the^ kitchen.' She took a seat

proffered by august Poll, queen of the culinary realm, and waited impatiently until the girl ..
.; returned. ' ' ''.'.,: ;. -V V". ..;/' . "-;/. '.'. .-- '.;/

"Ole-.Miss say tell you, : ter come ter de

/'library," the^girl said.

- ....;." ''-;.'

- '" What is it, Suzette I " asked \Mrs. -_Bicker- < staff, looking .up from a book .she was reading-

as Su-zette."entered._:'.__.._11^^^'...:-'.--^-----^--^-

'-"Miss..Minnie,, you mus* scuse me fur /sturbin' you,' but-Marie, des now say you want 'er ter be maid fur Miss Laura'w'en she come; . en, Miss Minnie, I des wanter say 'at Marie is ' . ; mi'ghty po' han' at sech, en she so; po'ly yer lately--" :_*' .;.;.:;. ^'.' ;;^^ :v:;./;^^': : ^: ..-:.'.

'- 'Suzette's words ceased to flow with their

C*> --'..j -s.*'WHITE MARIE. - - ' \ ; ' ;
wonted oiliness, and she concluded her implied. entreaty with a most dejected look and a pathetic gesticulation of her yellow bare arms. '" '"Why^Suzette, I'm surprised,"'Mrs. Bicker." , staff said; "the Colonel was only just now .drawing my; attention to Marie's~N healthful * looks and beauty--she can't be- ill in the least/ Besides, she will have many more comforts in this house than in your cabin. .There is not a ' C\rl on the plantation that would not feel highly honored and pleased'at suctf a pro motion. I selected Marie because she pre sents a good appearance "and is pretty. I ^no\v Miss Laura will be pleased with her, for her own maid was white and Marie is almost K>/'* V .;;\' f :-;;::;..-.'.:' " :i :^v >V\. -!,
Suzctte's visage grew cloudy all at'once. A Receptive smile, however, brokej thro ugh, the <!ouds, and a_subtle suavity, which was her bCrthright, clothed her. manner as she spoke: , ."Miss Minnie, I'm er pow'ful spry han' at * Half dressing' en 'tendin' ter young ladies' / things--my young misti$ uster s'ay nobody kin hoi* cr candle ter me. Ef you des ez live, I'm Villin 1 ter come 'steader Marie, she--"

;: .' '' w; MARIE GETS AN APPOINTMENT.

6l

"ThatWill do, Suzette, you may .go now/' ..said Mrs. Bickerstaff somewhat testily. "You are anxious, it : seems, to fc get, the place, for: yourself. .-Send . Marie to .me in the morn ing--no,.not another word now; don't forget your place/' -. - ''., '/-'. , -.-.' /=''.'
; Susette' left the room in -high dudgeon, shambling indignantly'toward her cabin.
" Des think/'she muttered, with a'gloomy, scowl, " Marie, is gotter do dis, en my han's is 'tied/hind my back. Some time mebby dey'll : see.' Who knows whar dis gwine end ? Lawd he'p po' Suzette/' . ..<_..'-. ;'. v '

^^-"^-.:'-:.^ ^-c::v:,^;v^;?^r:^:^-^::;:;
: "*. '.'.': V - ' ",\ , v^.v,-^/;* ^ .V-;-v: -"-':.v^ : ^-', -:.^;wx :.:; :: --^ ; 5 ^^:.A:>;V>.^;^, ;
'::-:; "V.z .r^:^:^, s,^^r ^

vii. ":.
/:'''?"-:'.'.;'" ARE YOU MY MOTHER?" -."
sun has sunk behind the rugged, dun '* .mountains... .The ^thickening .shadows-- the .sprites : of the gloammg--have^ spread .themselves over the valley. .From the soggy marshes, where grow myriads of lissome bul rushes, in. green, slimy puddles, come the" croakings of frogs. In the trees the katydids > sing, harshly-; and from across the fields the flowing of cattle and the bleating of -sheep and 'the tinkling of their bejls come harmoniously^ to the ear like Nature's offertory to the com,ing balm of night." . ' - ~ . ;; . : : ^; ':"'' ':\ ' /: --.> Suzette is in her cabin arranging the table , for supper. Marie, .meekly pensive, sits in a . ; chair in the door, looking at the mountains. . In the-heavens--the mother of, so much that is. mysterious-- the innumerable progeny of ' _ the 'waxing darkness are j' ust beginning to

' '*. ^".''<

fl'v-'':'^'

"* "*"- * V'- :' ^

YOU MY^ MOTHER I" -/ ' 63' "
'-. break, their shells of. space and, glimmer and 'dive into wind-fretted clouds. * ' /' '' v^/'VYo'-supper is ready, honey," says Suzette . .. coaxingly,/and Marie gets up and goes to the
table.^:V'v' v.'- /:V'/-V- v/. --.- */"''''";.;
'. ;, A snowy cover is laid. In the table's center is a silver'caster--an article most rarely seen -' in the cabin '_of a v slave.' There is but one . plate on the table, and it is of finest china. At its side lie,a silver knife and fork, brightly polished.' : '...-.' ;~v ':, .;:'' '..'/' - : ',' "" >-
..'.- -Marie takes- the only seat at the table, and absently unfolds a snow-white napkin in her
'/lap"; Suzette'stands humbly at her side. .;'.'"'" Don't ..you want some er dese fried fruit /cakes, "honey. ? Dey is mighty good--some er "; Olc'Miss's besr white flour en Poll's yeast. ""WKafTiave" got"inter you, Marie? "I do' know v you des barely tetch yo' mouf ter victuals yer ' lately. ...I'm 'fraid you gwine git "sickly. S'pose . ' you drinkr yo 1 tea,'des dis time, dout sweet'-nin'; "some folks .'low.it's, good w'en you los' 'yo* appetite." . - / ; ".v ' . ..f * Marie-daintily munches her bread and drinks 'the strong tea in silence. She evidently has
-fc^s".-;.-'--*'*./*."-..- --' ..-'. '' - . "."/ ' --' .>-':./*'-.' '". .^"."'..s; -.-.;....';'''.*''--.' ' ?,r-,- -

* ' ''". ff4, . .'.''"'.,"7'''->L WHITE'MARIE. ] \ ^V;^^

, . *>?;: '.'.- -" ^.'"

.'"'.' ^ " ' * \ ' . ''':. *'-.''!'.'.;.' '.-V 1

7 .: ''/something on her mind. ' Suzette has an idea

. "j^of the nature of Marie's thoughts, and seems

J.'.;</;' intenton diverting them/for she runs on.unv ' '. - - V-Geasinglywith a great deal of light talk, nowand ' .^.vthen even forcing a laugh over her own jests, ' " s .'./'/-.At last, however, finding that the girl is imr

-'. ^/.movable, she resorts to different tactics. .

.'. '-:/\->." I wouldn't - keer, honey,''.she cajoles soft-

"".:';"';/; lyr "*ef--0'le. Miss do want .yer ter be Miss .

' ' v ; 'Laura's maid ; I hear-um all say-she is mighty

. '".'.J-v;-nice.en easy ter.please, en Ole'Miss des picked ,

'' v 'i;-:you"out, she say,.kase you so good-lookin' en

' -. .;.-;smart. I/-'do my bes' ter gif'er. to let me tek

.'..' v.-';yo > place, but' she wouldn't do : it, en fly up

.' _>kase -I axed 'er." ' v

.-'.'[; ./".">',.\./-'"/,_..

. -;: ^-:./ u Mammy?'" 'The girl speaks with a de-'.

'.vr^j" gree-of impatience in her voice, and turns her .

7----^large inquiring--eyes steadily upon the shrink-"/

'

wonaan. /. " _ ',.._ .-. .-'' '- '*: ^./---v.'' ''rv"^'/-!

s, honey?' , t ,, ,' ,.- '/ . 'i. -; ^;; v ; > ;;;-

want you to tell me.who I am--.

/..'..Vwhat I am. If.I am a slave like all the others,'.

';.:^/; why have you raised me as you have? Why

' ';;Ts ,my';skin so -white ? Why do you wait on

/^me as^if;I^were better than you? Why have

' '...X","

.

..

;.;; 'you always .tried to keep my masters from "

'making me : work? Why would you never

'.-..'.sleep in the-same bed with me, even when

you. had nothing but a pile of straw on the '

' '. bare floor? ' I am getting old enough to think

/ now. . r l .appreciate your goodness as much

v as" I can, but it alLmystifies me."

...

Suzette was staggered by the girl's unex-

. pected flood of questions and earnestness.

" Honey," she^ said, in an evasive, tone of

despair, " now--now w'at kin got in you ?

- : W'at is troublin'you now?" ..

.'

: '-;\"Mammy, you must tell me--something is

wrong." I am'not .like other slave girls--I

; , v must know about myself. I have borne-this

.as long as I can. You have treated me so

' -strangely. ". I remember how you used to cry

-----T-and pet-me when they made me do little things

r '. . . 'that never hurt me at all. One day when you

, ''-.were very angry I' heard you tell Mr. La-

; bouchere that I was as good as his own chil-

;dren, because he whipped me. Besides, it

' ''. never seemed to jne that you were my own

.. 'mother. You are good enough to me, but it

'' seems to me that I can remember--"

/' '''":- ..'-'66 ; 'I.--,'-;'. 'WHITE MARIE. ' '- ' XH' 1 ^

,-'"~.-/ ;-*i''" Marie," interrupted^ Suzette, from'behind.

. ~- ; :, ;--^' the gfrl's chair, a now'I des aint gwine ter lis-'

: i . '-;v '\"-. c^ en ter y u. "W: eri you "get started you des

I ^ . v <~ :"Vv- '::. don't-know how to stop. Now you m'us' not \-'\\ t . ,.v i'.':; --, worry yc^se'f--". "\. ' .' . ;'.* . :..-'^v-;:-v |...' v\-'r .R:'rl-i\''i -' K .-Mammy, are you my mother?'" : ."

1 :. . v ''.''';j ' r:;^<<. You" trouble yo'se'f tell you gwine git

r: '-\ ''/x":'v;:';"> dpwn sick sho-r-'l., .._.. . .. - '

.-.. ; '

; ! ; ,^-^:;::;;'- ;'^Are' you my'own mother?. For God's

I v.% -.-;..,";." .f--^u' ; -"^ De .Lawd he'p me erlive, honey, is you ; . , ^-;>4'vr-gwine'tu >_n.gin > me now? J done wuk my fin,i.'!/ : --- sX.^.'V-gers %ter: de,.bone ter tek good keer er. you/
'/^^v^en now.you aint satisfied. You think I'm er ;.'.'..'^7-;.-.:?5'-;:'teIIin r:you-.er lier ., Suzette is doin' 'er. bes*--de ' ;,. .".:>-.-\v';;bes' .she kin, en .you 'mus' be satisfied. ' De, ^ '.<'i\-'.^:'^."Lawd is got-His eye open, en He'll keep er . ''"----jV.r-;watch-out, over all.-- Now, see^you 4 aint eat >".. '. ^V^nothin1 hardly, des kase you got 'cited."-.. . . ,-; :^ ;;/:* "'-;Marie rose with a hopeless sigh and'resumed
::.U;V\' :'- '.her, seat at the door.'-'So had terminated all ,"-; V ^'j-^ r;'-her conversations with Suzette relative to her >, :'/^V"'0 birth." Suzette carefully laid the china plate /'' ^^^/"'I'-^and.knife, and fork aside, and placed her own \ \. ' .^V"'-^''pewter plate and ironknifc.and fork at th^ end

.;v.-

''ARE WV'MY MOTHER?" '

'67

'^-ofthe table, while- she cast furtive'glances at

""''' the ..girl's drooping form from beneath her

X;"shaggy brows, and proceeded to partake of her

' . yown supper,

' "' .",'=-'.,

' -A ; V;All :was silent within the hut save the clatter

':** of SuzetteV knife and fork. It had -grown

'/"darker without/ On high the moon showed

"..'.' its pale: face dimly through a fickle cloud.

-"'Marie's brain was in a fever. Her soul-had

'!/;;risen in arms against the circumstances which

-.'"' at/once controlled and veiled her career., A

thousand things had jold her that she was the.

' V'^peer by nature of the people who owned her.

v-'-V.'---During the few years preceding the present,

. --r-she had been old enough to scrutinize her sur-

.'roundings'as closely as now, but they had been

'''-.so delightful to her on account of possessing

^r;~Mrs..-Bickerstaff's-affection, Harry's'-attention, --

'V.;and the warm good-will of the Colonel, that

. ^ she had experienced no desire ta know more

/.'"-' than she did of herself. But now she was

'..".suddenly dropped into deepest discontent.

;.': She owed this to'a pride.she little knew she

V .;,; owned.:'- She was to be the maid to a girl whom

\\ 'she felt-instinctively she would not like--the

v - ,'-*" *;*'*' ,-'."'''".. ' ,"'<.-/' ' ". -v ^' .'-"' '""""-*', "*'' -*'"."' "' '",' '" - ' ^' " '-" '. -' -/ - ",. -~i ' "V .' " -

'-'y-i1'..'";"''.. '\;v; '. >''' * '""r "'>"": r^:',''"''"' - : " :'-,;i' "'*'; 'X* "''''*'.
s" '"s.:.;6S. *." ',:-:.. - ^' / WHITE MARIE. ' ; '_ . '" '.",'."'\^
''x^-. girl who, if_Pomp had spoken truly, was tacitly,' 't-:-/'at-least, chosen as the bride of Harry. . ^rv;;?. Her veins were tingling with boiling blood, ^i^her'faultless teeth sank into .the red nether /^y.lip of hier pretty mouth, her pink nails turned ;-.*-:;^,:.pale-' as they cut into. her. soft palms. . She ".'l :;(l~::^.:.'would rather be' dead; she shuddered .with 1 ':'.. ^^hurnbled ..pride, as 'she remembered''Harry's .^.3^ defeated protest against the duties to be im".'.'- v-'- .::.'posed/upon her. .' He alone understpod her ~-" : :."-':-l /feelings ; :his jprotest. had .arisen,.from sym-
;i; k >- ;.'r She heard a light step on the walk. She >..--knew'.who made it without looking in the '^-.'^direction from which the sound came. He --;>7paused with poorly assumed carelessness, as if -he. had intended to pass the cabin,.and was ;-:^only stopped by seeing her in the doorway. _^^He.was pale^nd-did"~not"speaTc"'immediately. -.'...When he did move his white lips they trembled 'Vpitebusly,' and his words seemed- enfeebled by ^; a<;h\lskiness beyond his control. . .^ . A . .. .'.j^'r!" :What: is 'the matter,. Marie ? " asked he ; w>-,v last-night-at this time you were singing as if /,'-; you'were perfectly happy.-. I sat'in my room.

;;:,..:.;.,> ' .-/

- - . \/

-\''^.--".'"'^}; ,^.';-'"-A,:JiS-YO. U:.MV M-. OTHER- )"- 69A* T

," and heard your voice flowing across the fields \

-*

'r*

-



^*

r,,*< . and coming back in echoes from the hills. . \^L

.; I like to hear you sing. But why are you so

^,

--quiet and gloomy now ? Come walk with me - - '..- to the river/' ' _ . .' '. -.- ;; "; -'/;''.' ~

X . |V Harry," she said, when they had left the 1 [ light of-the cabin behind them, "you have been

good to me ; I am unworthy of all your kind-

Qe.ss. I am a slave. I ought not to be here

'...with you now; you are my master. God has-

" , cursed, me with a high spirit. I am as proud

"as any free-born girl, and yet a slave. Some-"

-'^ thing within me has told me ever since my

' babyhood that I am better than the colored peo- ,

" pie round me--I mean, that I can think deeper

and reason better than they can. Wouldn't

. you .call it a. curse to feel that way and still

,'' be' the property of another human being ? "

" Marie, for God's sake, hush! I don't know

what to.do." I would do anything to save you 'pain--you saved my life. I owe you all. Some

m- day when I can control this estate I shall set

. :% -you free."

.

, ' ^. ^ .

.;..'-"No r" she said firmly, "you shall not. Do

--, you. remember that poor negro woman, Mary

. _;-/70\;.;- --":: V WHITE MARIE.' '^ ''.-''.;. '

..:--.-'~."".?..?-Palm er, wh' ose. master set her f>r. ee at his dei ath ?" . . J;.:"She lives in a world of her own, and has never , : "' ; r-j- seen a happy moment. The whites, will not /;- rr allow'-her ; to be near them, and the negroes.' . -".^\ 'stand._aloof from her.' She would be better ' : -vdead.-' She is as unhappily'situated as'Jean Vx^vYaljean, in the book you gave me, after he ~..;^:; >Tis .released from prison and the world turns. ,"' -:.>-/ ;agafnst .him. What am !? A slave-who has '.;V.-v/'been taught to read and think above the race . ;. X'Avshe belongs to." -, ' '- : -^ ; ;..,'"' ;*v* ; "-';-" '"'.:;;."

(;\^;lHis:.face grew haggard as he hearkened to'

;,':. } her' lamentation. He. could not. analyze'his

";::/'v feelings. : His heart seemed crushed in a vise"'.

v;: ^':of--agony. , He wondered what his mother and..,..

r would think if they knew how much ' he ...

5.' interested' in the girl. He, stopped and.';'.;

.his^hand uponjher plump, well-shaped. _

j f!/.,'./ . 1/''-:^;:\shouIder and looked into her face, so beautiful.''.

h^^^-'---.^^ m' ' ;tHe; light from the heavens. 'What he.said;^

,; , J':/;;':;',;v.;;; came from.the depths of his soul, and paused,. .

':';V,t^:ji"7;-: [;;_the'"blood*to flush'.her pale face a:pd her. eyes "..

fill_with ' ' . _'.--.'.'< , *''- 4-rv ^11 ir?4-Vi rv-iiV4-.

'

-.-. ../t...'. ;.',,..'..;...>..-.' vr

^.vv' Iff I live to be an hundred years old, Marie,

Vi^I'shall'never meet any .one who can make me

liii!l^i.'^<'

' '*'-.:]^^..<" ARE YOU MY MOTHER!"

1 ' '.

'1 "so happy as you have done. I can't remember

.'" V-"when you have been out of my thoughts. To

. ".me you are a perfect woman/ I think more of

:^T'youv,because~you suffer so much. ~I"wish I ' ''

/'could.help you,'and am miserable'because I

",.'' can't* f This'.afternoon when mother told you

V..* what, she "wanted with you, I saw how it would

hurt;.you f '-and' I tried tb come to your assist- .

" \ ance, but could not do so. Mother and father .

V'.could-*never .understand 'how,I feel. .They

:: ; don't know .you* as I do. 1 -

_

'/: ^ - - ""..

/-', .-;',* We must go-"back--I must go." His

',words'had .harshly reminded her of the social

;, v .'chasm between, them. "This is not right!.

'.; What- would .'they .say,if they knew we -were. :V'together ? " : / ; : " -""' ' : - '.. : .- .- .,';:" *.', 4" ;/; v- V

\,': -;' '..."-TheySvill^not know it," he said unwisely; ;>'/" they-'don't'guess that I see you so often._ * I - ''."'.'. am-not ashamed of it, but they .would "not ../"understandl it-^-sUy' with me. a little, while" ::vlonger."_; :-./*. ""* " ''- : ;"' '/.-" " '::".'' ;'V;- % " '>.'

.y/".:'He could scarcely have made a more mop""^portune remark. She gave her head an : ; indignant toss on her rigid shoulders, and : .'"snatching/ her .arm from \his momentary

. v -''X''-'^*;-''/^'!'^^

' ' \':..; /' / '.;\;- ;

: .s;>.;..'clasp,;she. quickened her steps toward . the'/'' ' ,x "/:.'"'"',v cabin. r! -" "' ,\ ". .'. .. : .'.-.\-.t' : ." :-.r "'";.- :--'."1 "',' : ''.'.]
f- ; '*;''"/ . :..~ :-J-<'_"JMammy has encouraged my meeting you," ''' '"/"Vv ">"she said, under her breath/'"I"can't"see1"Avhy"'*"r^^ r"<
;*; . 'vVyv.;.;'" she did it--she was the only one I could look'. .-' .' ' ''-*'.;'.:'!to. for advice, but I know now that it was very ' '. '-''';'">'Svrong.:. I have.not treated my,master and '. .> *V*'.' v'; :-..'distress- right. 'You. must leave me' alone ; :\ ' , * ' ^ V;l God knows my life is hard enough as'it is;M .'"..' '.'.' '-; ( /"--v," .'*.Marie/' he ^aid, with a world of reproach . ^ ,.'":; in- his voice, and this -time he was more for; I./ '.' ..-} v.tunate'in the selection of. his. words-^-^I have ';"..' /r:;V| -;^_:;always'thought that' Suzette liked me to as-.. * ' '.,,' \ t //->/;':. 'sociate with you because she knew you were . .^'^ ;;V;;/^ : my equal by.'birth. It has-.been* one" of my^' : ' ;;);.'.;:'; i" .^""strongest-^reasons for thinking there, is .'a mys-..- ' ' * T.v . ' "v;,."v-tery over.your life, and one that Jonly Suzette" / v \*.^..'.'/J. li-L^lcould explain. n_________ '' ' '-' '. ".; _.\ ^ j j; . .', -;;^.; ;/v-;Her eyes .kindled; a faintly hopeful gleam '.. {['-' '"-'i"v"-" ^;;v.-brc/ke.the tensity of her features. :/':,^;^::^AC^-'i ;-
vV.- /^;.^>; -f I asked her pointedly to-night, if, she "was,.^ f '; : : /:7';S"; V; my : mother/' giving him her eyes in full, in
of her old confidential manner, and .';;v"f*,vj almost Holding her breath back with her earn"'^/^'.est words, " but sjie evaded my 'question,' as ~"

MY MOTHER?"- ... 73

,-".she.has always done. I am ashamed almost to*

- - confess to so much wickedness, but I can form

., no fdeal of a heaven that could give me'more

----.'happiness than the realization that lam a'born

.white' person--that ncr^tinge of African blood'

- , runs in my veins." . " - . .

'. '/- v ''^

.'. "The 'agony'written in her eyes .and tones im-

r' pressed him deeply. .V

' ''. *::'' "

;, .-:You"-would not feel so if you were not

V. pure white---I would not feel, as I do toward

-..'you-if you. did not belong to my own race, '

-;. Some day-- but--" .

- ' -,-: *~V .

. i .'. They.were at the cabin now, and she turned'

-x " 4 from him .with a 'hundred ideas throbbing in

- ; .y/her poor-tangled brain. .

.,."""".

;['*' Harry'-walked on homeward in a tumult of

..../antagonistic emotions. He- would like to cry'

to the whole .world-that'

;.-;.this- frail friend of his was wrongly perse-
-;f.-) ,..'.-.'.
^ b.utj: us judgment cautioned him against

How could he confirm the

ftp
>$&&.

74':/. Vv ;:;' WtflTE MA' RIE'
' -'..'character she had grown to be--how strong of ; > intellect, how pure of thought, how beautiful '''>of face and form and tender of heart; of how. /_ :much: she had to suffer.' Then suddenly he
-vcaught himself wondering, with a warm sensa": tion at ^ heart, what sort of wife she would . ./..'make. Then his veins ceased to tingle, and <;.his breast pained .him sharply; after'all, what :>'. sort.of husband would she ever have, if any at ^.'v', all?'..In her present condition--in accordance ;., ./-"..with the laws of the country--she could never ;; ,v wed a white man. His blood fairly boiled ; he V-.'.V' grew dizzy with a thought which seemed to_ V;S';>wring every heart-cord in-his being. . ". /_-. .;"'".?"':' He went to his room burning with a strange ' . .^v'restlessness, a "feeling of maddening h'elpless-" '."; v.'ncss stealing over him. _" ^ '..^ <O;; ;''V^: i

'^^fe-^vV^CHAPTER VIII.

".-'l,-".':-'-J v '

: CHARLESTONIANS. ' _ | ' .

\rpHE carriage is returning from the railroad

J, station to, Oaklawn with the expected

'visitors. Magisterial -Pomp,- in the full gor-

geousness of a high'silk hat and a long-tailed

coat, has the reins and occupies the front seat

of trust, more august of mien than a king.

/ 'He disdains to. notice the humbly-clad driv

ers of numerous loads of hay and grain that he

,- passes, To a casual spectator it would appear

that this high-throned sable hero has his hands

_fuli~in. restraining, his. prancing,- mettlesome -

.'steeds, which are kept prancing, however, by

an ample-use of the long whip with which

Pomp larrups the sensitive parts of their hind

.legs and populates the atmosphere about their

_ears and blinded eyes with hissing, stinging

scorpions.

>

. . / - "

. M" 4 Steady, ste' ady, d' ar now' , Bill!" he cautio'ns""

;- "':^:"fj6" (;/..T- : * : .:';" WHITE"MARI'. ' "'^ \\v ^%.''

; "; i ;:VV ^the^patient, tried old bay, loud enough for the " . A;"-- ';: ; carriage occupants ta hear and adequately ap.

v ";./;;'.'; predate the hazardousness of their situation'

. s "~'-^\\';and-admire the- horsemanship of the driver,"": :

. ! v.._'-';-i. William, the brute thus'admonished, as well as

/-;.--';-", his companion in harness, would most gladly'

.. v ' .'x/*-;. acquiesce in-Pomp's suggestions but for the

" . \; '.:;' /;-whizzing-and .stinging 1 countermands '.of the

".>' '';;, "^restless scourge."' '

; '._.' -. : , . -.; :::-\ x-, -'A

; \ tv"v^^:.- -The carriage contains Harry, who has driven ,

. .-;::- :v" Wer'to the .station to meet the visitors, Mr,

. ',.' r;^^Alfred : -Wilson, his wife and daughter. . Excla '.: ~f:-^; t :mations:of delight continually escape thern as' "

\;:'":-:<:;:^the views shift before the carriage windows. ' ^ -; /.^' :":": Miss Laura is an exceptionally pretty blond, .'^^^-Her bright young face, with its healthful tints
1 .charming lineaments, is indicative of intel-and her-lithe form, in a stylish light-blue.'
f;;-\;'!-t; '"'-, gown):.is.'_endowed with a native grace 'that is ;! '."^^'-^.'.'exquisite.."' "-" .. >"- " .*.. '.'"./,\ '-...-';-'.- . .;'.,,".'

;-fI''-.';: "-^'^^^' i - Q^i ,how glad I am to see the old Cohut'^^vvrV.tas' again,'Harry ! She blushes at hearing

'^^H;^;;?'''. herself call_feis name so familiarly, for he seems ,, :v :;^-r'-'v ^:;; quite; grown out of boyhood, and is-at least a
!' ;^%V.:^K:' head taller'than when she' last saw him. He

^''^^
^^^^:^:^^^^^S :."!""" J ;Jl

.

CHARLESTONIANS. '

77

i /-.'!. ''.*.' -^ -- '' ' .

f' ' . .'-.-

t

. . ,,". .; * ' - . - -

-

-, -..-

-,; now has a silky, mustache and seems so much

: * more dignified in his bearing.

-.

-, ' /'Is^not that the knob "we went to just..

'.';. before we left for Charleston? " she goes on,

, considerably'. flustered by noting that her

mother's observing eyes have remarked her

's /confusion. ; ". . - ' ".':"",

.-."; ""Yes/' he replied, half addressing Mrs. Wil-

:;son; "we took the wrong road, and after we

had. got half-wqy up th'e mountain, 'the horses

\.. refused to*pull us farther over the untraveled,

-/.'.'washed-out road,'and so we had to get out and

. : -walk 'up' the steep incline.. Laura was fearfully

tired when, we'got to the top." . - .

; .',-^'But, mamma; I was more than repaid by

-v the grand view. 'It was a clear day, and Harry

, ""''showed me Point Lookout in Tennessee. You

-""land "papa must go there before we igo^back

.'. home. 'I don't believe the inhabitants of this

, * '.-.'country appreciate the mountains as, much as

'.v.-we do who see them so rarely/' ;

/' "TTie carriage rolled over the grass-bordered

' drive to .'the Bickerstaff residence. The Colo-

.. nei'and'.his wife met their guests at the foot

' ^or the' steps, and, .warm greetings were'ex-

. " . /" /7S'. /;.''>/': v/; ^.;WHITE 'MA-RIE*^*",' J/
/" //^.changed. Mrs. Bickerstaff conducted the two ' '""':/" ladies to.their rooms upstairs, and Harry and'' 1 :^~~/;; his'father walked into' the "drawing-room", with .".. //:/-'/Mr. Wilson,_ who invariably appeared,^ while .'.'/; ""/; on his summer^'outings, to be unable to quite' ' ; :^..;: :'V' divest .himself of his business affairs at home.V':'/;';}"' "Did-''you secure me'a maid ? ", whispered
-7.''Laura to Mrs'.'Bickerstaff as.they ascended the" '\.\'*'.- {,' stairs. . '* Poor Katie is very- ill, and I seem '' ."./.'.';,/ 'lost'without her/though mamma'declares that
'""',</''-she has nothing in the world to do/*' .X''V^y" "Oh," yes," replies' Mrs. Bickerstaff/'/Marie .'_: -.'-"^ will please you,.I amv sure.'"She is one of. our ,J :. '.'V./.'-'mulattresses, but as'white as any white'person._': .-'-..: -^y'"'.S"he is not'so experienced as you might desire,
is young, has deft fingers and splendid' She .is waiting in your room now--' V-V/v/--Marie !''.". she calls,, opening the door, of the" ^''v':>?v;"'r6om Laura' is to occupy, adjoining her '. :<-'--//.mother's apartment--" Marie, come here ! M. ^vV^vS'.-.-.-Laura, is not prepare;d for the pleasing ap- '" V;;.,\\/:.; parItIon that approaches.' Suzette/in arrang.: ""'-:';*!n.g Marie's toilet, has well proved the. truth /'"/1/,/of- her assertion that she could give Miss '/;.:/: ;VWilson "satisfaction in the capacity of maid./

;';,'.;'- :.-'-:/ THE CtfARLESTONIANS. '. ' 79

;,v; ' t Marie is .bewitchingly attractive in her neat-

:-; V:^ fitting, gown and becoming hair arrangement. '- ^.--,:." Why/' Laura exclaims in astonished ad-

'','..' miration; "I thought you .said--I expected to

/ '.see one"of your slaves !"

'.'" ,;

;? V,,;'VYou 'are not the first who has shown sur-

. -prise' 'at Mane's appearance/' Mrs. Bicksrstaff'

. :; says with- a smile. " She came from Louisiana

',; with-her mother the summer following" your

j.' .last, visit. I am-sure Marie will please you;

1 : -': she iVa good "girl, and you are the personifica-

'"'_ tion'of indulgence."-

.

." . .-. ''

';-.' ; "'Mrs. Wilson and her hostess move on to the -.' next room, and the two girls are left together. "-., Her momentary surprise over, Laura proceeds

', to inspect her new quarters. She is pleased ''.' .with the large mirror on the dressing-case, the

:----roomy~*-closets in the old-time wainscoting, the

.-.broad view from, her windows, and is inter-

' 'ested in her maid., . '

'.'.' ' '*.:

'. ;'.Marie* stands bashfully in the center of the

.' room, hardly knowing what to do. She ad' mires the-beautiful girl before her, and can't

help allowing a disagreeable mental contrast

to', form in her brain between her' own ill-

;;;-:y^ \.8o- \ :^^^

';'.'"" : ':

~.:;\'V-:*: ^starred "fate and the .enviable life'of the" ^ A ;^'~^ wealthy Charleston girl. '"- ' ' "/. :; .";'.;?;^; ".'.">;';

*?;' r f: '..:? "'.Tell-, the man,' please, "to''bring up'my'.'

;-'_.'';"'"7.trunks ; I see the wagon has'arrived," said'

.:;--y:\s!-' : '~- Laura, with some little timidity on her part,

.;:;-;^\ry:v',as she looked from the window on to the lawn, -; ':;;':.','--.'-'..Marie- does, her bidding with alacrity.- The

;^ ,' v.'".man brings in three great trunks and places

.'/-';" : ;'7them"as"directed about the-ropm."

/ -'.\ '

'V.'.^. ;/'; "C Be 'careful with my easel "and canvas/'

:( '-K'}'! cautions, the young lady, as' the negro finally

Wv;.y.v,'^v.brings up a.bulky package. The. obedient fel-

;; -v-;-^low deposits the bundle on the floor as care-'

">"_* -ry- '--'" "

'

:

'

"

; ; if it had contained a most deadly

machine which was liable'to begin its

'^^"V;A:/. work "at- the slightest jar. t '_' ^^r:/..-'','-'

^^^-^v:^.'/* Now,.,Marie,-M said Laura^--"-is'thai your-'

,:?v:'\^VWell,;.:take.my keys and open my'trunks : ^;f:and -hang up my dresses'-so-that the wrinkles "^v^will came out--they have been'.packed several ^: days/ r;;''; V .;: ,- * :'v,' r--> ';--'*..';'./ ':'*'"-'.
^i'j'^ Marie takes the keys and tries to unlock"the ^V,; trunks, but her hands are not strong enough.

\ Si
:;.'-. "What a child you are! " Laura says pleas-" Vantly, going to her. " You. must press-on the Clids--so; do you see? Now let me hold it .-/'-down and you turn the key. Two heads are ' K better than one--now it comes-open. Why,
let me see your hands ; they are .smaller than - mine and almost as white:--they would be but ''for the sunburn, I know, because your wrists. ' ; are so fair. Wait till I've been here'a week, '/then you'll, see a sight. We'll get along well " enough, J am sure; I'm not hard to please. ;'^They all call me a Tom-boy at home because >I : am. so fond of running.about the country 1 and taking long walks. I do sketching--no.-.-body sympathizes with me, because there are /"so. few people that know how one "feels who 'loves art. . I wish I had hair and eyes like yours--mine, are so insipid. -Who made that dress for you?" she asked, as Marie stood ..erect to hang some of'the costly gowns in one ; : of the closets. !_; ./ V."'... -.". '.. - ';;: ?..v.'--^-, " ;':;. <4;Mammy.' r '" '.' ' " ' . ' "/' v : '";''
'-v-.""Mammy !. How peculiar that sounds when ' I know you are .speaking of your mother. I
call my old nurse that. I keep forgetting that

WHITE MARIE.

v;''you-are* a" slave and my'maid, you are so white1 /

^','a'nd--refined.looking. Your dress is not quite^

_i\_so_stylish as my latest, but it fits.you 'perfectly.!.

:;. and is so becoming to you. Now .that will

/> do/ but- get out my shoes^ before you go--,

v..:";these are very dusty, ^l^will put on that white

V.lawn'; 'but,.Marie, could 'you get me some of

"^ those pretty white roses I saw near the .drive, 1

."/as .we came .in? : I. jlo want .to look nice
. .;t6-day." ' -../' /' \..,-\ V-'v ' /'--;' :

, ';'.',"'-M''arie sped" a"w*'ay~"* with '* airy alacrity. ' " To her '"

'.-' intense surprise,- she was very favorably im-\

.''-'pressed with her new mistress. ~ Laura was the

:-.'" first white girl she had ever been thrown with,

VVand she already liked her.. Poor Marie had

./half fancied that she would meet a virago in

.-'///the person of the young lady ; she, o"n tjie con-

~';rtrary,: found her almost an agreeable associate.

:;.^;-;She tripped down the drive to the rose-bushes

/J'.with a buoyancy of spirits which was'all the '

:^';4 morevexhilarating for its being unexpected.

,:;' Gathering the roses she arranged a large and

^''beautiful bouquet of them and took them to

^ -Laura, who exclaimed in delight:

- : .-

^':^." Oh; they are so lovely I Thank you, how

83

' ..': . .'-,']

'they do perfume the room! I shall wear a

. bunch* of them at my waist and ooe at my

'^throat. Now'you may go; I shall not want

V you again till this afternoon."

^ .-' '.

; '-'-\Suzette was bending over a washtub behind

'her cabin when Marie came home." The sharp

"eyes beneath her sulky brows perceived Marie's

inward gratification at once, and the dark

1 cloudy face began to clear. .' '

-'

k

-

.

'

"'

.""" You back mighty soon, honey," she said'

.half interrogatively, wringing, with' a grimace,

a huge white roll and flapping it broadly

."to the breeze ;. " En how you/lak de lady, -.hulin ?"". l -'. V . .' ;' :. ; .- :'; "'; ; v '-V- -,'

r ->,^-Mammy," replied Marie with enthusiasm,

[ '1 she's a perfect lady, and as kind as she can
be.' .She treats me. as' if I ' were a girl like

"-.-/'Huha? You don't seh? Why 'Liza say "she's de wuss white gal ever wuz in frocks,' ;en 'treat black foiks'" la"k brutes w'en she wuz yer las' time. Mebby 'Liza des mad kase
didn't ax -*er ter ' wait' on ' 'er -- you

She's as nice as can be/ 1 said Marie

I MARIE'.''- ';>_, ;'."''..;'.''- .:;-:
."* "I wish all white people"were : like .
;".>".;;*'.';',/ < She'll mek Marse Harry er good wife den,.. ^..-;';.;'."-'.huhn ? " said Suzette, lowering her'woolly head ^^Q-^'a trifle, but'still managing to keep, the girl in' ; V:'..'-.',-';view of her eye's corner. - ''. v ' ; : : / ,-- '" . ,?: ^.y-;^';::VMarie's facial brightness vanished, as white- , ;;;;V;''y-/y,wreathed bubbles mirroring.sunshine in placid :;::l'V'"V-. "waters fall to pieces before an in-coming billow., .^'^::-/;: 'Presently with a sigh, carefully and noiselessly :';*:'.;""v:'.drawn^ that Suzette might not beaware of even '^;-:-: ,l :^:;its subdued existence, she said: . ' . . '/ '^ :^:I>4i'S:'-.:V.-" Harry--Marse Harry aint ole enough to git ^^: ^yvmarried." 'That.unconscious and pathetic fall.^^^y:1.ing 'into'-the negro dialect marked a.depth' of r^'^f^emotion'in the poor girl's breast that moved. . ^'^i^vSuzette to deepest sympathy. , ' -'..fc - ', ./ :.-./'.' --i----^>r^;-c/No,"you -right,-honey," she saidv tenderly." /' r:^7v;:;,.;Shetried to mask the consolation underlying' Trl^&^her ;words as she went^on glibly: " It's all r^y^/;:talk'; Marse Harry don't keer fur dat'gal.. He :'.>.'/:-'"';>. wuz. too lill Wen she wuz yer dat 'time: Nig-
kin out-talk parrots n say less sense. Ef mistreat you--well, 'at's all; dey would
hearin'.fum me sho,-en in earnest, too. It ^:^^:-^'^'^';'> - '''&:-;'- ^V^-^^^^'^lK^^^'-V^ ,x: '" '. ;!:l 1 ^'"'^ ^ .'';; ^ :';V' ''' '"^ '^'':' "" ^' "-- *-'v -.''V : - -.; '^''' ' - -' -" ;y-y^.^t:'':"'r :?::^/ :.'' ^I"<!* :.- H '' * .'-';;'' > -^': * ; "* -^-7^' \'^'".'-->\ - ' "

"'"': ^ '.don't.vmek' no:'difunce. ef. white .folks is mar.',.','v;,vsters en buy.en sell us, de white folks' blood in j,.- 'v'v"'V;Louisiana is rich blue blood en dey is quality 1 !: ""-':";;.'sho-'n'ough'. Who knows much 'bout dis Bick-~
' ::.' erstaff fambly anyhow ? - What dey come fum ? , . Ole"darkies'yer say ole Marster's daddy wuz' ' .': ''" des erpo''scrub farmer en haint hat er single
>':nigger ter his name. Dey hqldin.' der haids . mighty high wid dis lan' en all. My fus mar-
ster.'s blopd wuz high up. Dey come fum ; 'France en wuz kin ter de king en queen--I .."hee.rd Ole Miss say she been at de same table '-'-.'' wid um.time en ergin--sech . folks ez dese . .Georgia white folks cayn't holf er candle t'um. ' 'Anybody kin des tek er look at yo* face en

;..;-;"Suzette drowned the conclusion of her sen-

/ . 'tence in the_frothing suds in her tub and the

. ;.souhdshe made by pounding the article she

.: was washing. Marie had-often been mystified

by the innuendoes which Suzette sometimes

. / - blurted out apparently against her will.

. "' ' " What did you say about my fjtce, mammy ?"

she asked wonderingly. ^ .

"

.,-''.'"''. '*-. "JNothin"; it^don't mek no diffunce.' You

:;vV'V^;iVtrme> .mebby;'it gwine tek er turn.. Gre't Mar-' ; .

V.^^;f Xyster is onVhigh watchm'-Qver all'en '-droppin*'''^ /"^""^7^s"parr'ers':'on""'de'':groun' eri"countm t :"de"-hairs i;"-'"-

''"'

'

:!'; '':^^te:iv,vo'; haid..

.i.---*1"'-'!':*.t^1"."'""-^./^^".-'L.-..iX. ^--v:PvT^JInJLA-cPxjTrxjTc?*Tl?\. 1TAV.--" *- -. ---," -,--,--,-*_--- *- -- --

' /;'^. < //A-MORNING' CONVERSATION.' . - . .

:, /"pHE morning sun was beating down warmly

,. <"'. J[. 'in its bacchanalian thirst for the beaded

'*:-,i" dew.on.the vast emerald meadow round about

. Oaklawn when Laura opened her eyes from

'/slumber* the morning . following her arrival.

' Somebody rapped lightly on the door of her

'"/-, room. . '"..

"'."**'.''' "

's.'/v '-u Come ! "she called ; and Marie put in her .

. '.'.''bright,' fresh face and said:^ ."Good-morning,"

' /thus offering her services.

- - .'"" "\

,,, \:-'s"i No, thank you, child," the young lady said.

"'.;> gently. . " I wont need you this morning. I

/~'Tam' going."to get up and take a walk before

1 : breakfast. But what have you there ? '^

.;-.. Marie came in with an armful of-^dewy . .

/ (--'-flowers.. .

- .' :' ' ' .-. '' / - /

//.' '; "."'Oh, how thoughtful of you ! " Laura cried,

-.-".delighted. -" There, put them on the table; I

'' ( -/-will care for them."

\ ]V-.'''[ .,,.'.+

. ^'^^tS^-^ 3; ^ 87v' :'^i*:s :;". ' . '

"-'.WHITE MARIE. ':''

.WF^

had retire^, Laura; rose and

\^^/.\ hastily made her toilet.- ..Then .she descended *

x; :-; :V-the stairs in a rustle and flutter and -went out'

'lawn,'taking- the'road'leading'to the/r

t.^V. fields, where' the ' harvesters were already'at

-"Iv^work cutting wheat. She looked charming in

hV >'Her. airy gown of some light "blue cotton stuff

^/Xunder the broad-brimmed straw hat. So, at

,;^;:.^-';least,;thought Harry'' when he met- her under^

; ;,..y' ?:A' ^"s: .:;i'!,': . the 'apple-trees in the orchard..

, ;.-i' : - '^^^:^^,f \..",>lmprudent girl P"' he said, pointing "to her

<i ' :' ^'^^: ^':- dew-saturated boots. "." We will hear.of a bad

i' ['~ ^;:. i-7'.-^-lcold in consequence of this .jaunt." . He took

; !-l^ <':^:";'':'?-;?- ^er hand and gave it a cordial shake." " I anv

"'';! ' > 'Xv^'^.:^Uv'^ surP r^cd-to see you up so early--you. were not

i:]:'1 '^.^^

f such a. violation of custom when I

^'i-^-^^^r^fewas in Charleston." ^ '__. .-.,; ^v-v";',.''V^- l^,.:.

i!! :'!l^V:^.^;:-i^^

there It is the,

[!;! p^^rS'itij^^ fashion to do otherwise. Here everybody rises

I enjoy it intensely. How sublime-

/*'.>

.'are'the m. ountains :with th e- clouds

^draping their sides! You can, hardly see the

knob beyond the first range,-.see?."

y;^"X;i r y;:;:' She pointed to it 'with her white, ringed

to attract his attention,Tor he was feast-

.$$# :V!i' .""""'-:
' t;.-':!S. '.'.
! 'Vi ^ v.:

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I

. '*--..*-'.:'":' ''':""r'.' v*', "M'"O'.R.*NI"N.G CONV' ERSA" TION.

8** 9 .

v'ing. his eyes on her illumined features. He

.:.-'.followed' her hand with reluctance--the view

.'he had seen in all its phases a thousand times, ..vthVgracefur, sparkling "creature by his side hp

;* had never before seen' in such beauty of prom-

:<; ising- womanhood.

' . .,' '- '.."";

... .".Oh, Harry, isn't the sunlight glorious? Knowledge is a priceless boon ; my learned old teacher, Professor Bland, used to hold that

,. rays of light are essentially the same as sound

waves, save that they'have a'great many more

vibrations and travel so much . faster than

sound waves that they appear to our senses to

be light. instead of sound. He said that, of

course, bur organs of hearing were not fash 'ion'ed to hear these "so^unds, wh'ich must be .most exquisite music. But^don't you suppose
^the ears of insects are open to it and., closed to

the ruder sounds which are pur music ? "

..." I never heard or thought of it before/'

Harry -said in an interested tone.

/v" And then to think," she went on with be-

coming.animation, "of the grandeur of the

pathetic music that "must rise from, the lips of

these, wounded roses on my breast, for their

' . ;.'/; .;>' ',' *.-. W' HITE M'' AR' IE:
the reflection of light.. And,'.after ::all,.wh<> knows but that,flowers- can, in." that ; way; talk .to each 'other ? Who knows but that ~.each-'/color in-~~~nature -.may speak "a ""separate"". -language.of its own ? " ';' "' .'; -v '.''.', ;'1 -'''!''*>.. :";.'
v v.-"In some cases it would be.very sad." .'';s'-.:: :":What do you mean ? '.' ' '.-_ \'" : , ;.'"'. '':''
.,-.. Why, your golden hair" and blue, eyes would have- to have an interpreter, or go mad .with speechless admiration of each'other.1'.'" ' :;.;':a How"can you jest about such ..a .-beautiful

t - ;.;^v}.7;^'^'.-.u Jesting about a beautiful subject and ^ a

.^"^^.^^^'/beautiful. subject are widely different."

-:'^'->.';, :/<: '":-^' 1';^^ a J refuse to be interrupted by your boyish

V'V/.:-;^>^V'j'9kesl> ', she- said, blushing. r " I am deeply .inter-

;;^.j:>;^^,v;jejsted .in the' subject; 'so many thoughts have

: ^-''^y;;^ -Jcome^to me aside from what Professor^Bland

: ; Jv^'. ^'-^^^has advanced. Perhaps the yellow tint' of the

: V: '.%; i;'.>'/->- 1 v"'?^-;-.:

'. '

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*

'

,

'

'''

.' ^i^ ; ^:-'S;w^eat t ^ie rcien.-;are cutting lover -.there is a

^ ; .;i^"S Relying moan that our ears : can., never hear;

;^-^^- ;i'- ari d 'the light of the lightning-bug"as' it flies

-5^' 'd^-^'5 through, the- night is a song wh'ich must fall on

."'h/:;;-;rf:^' some- ^ear, for God has made all things for a

-'.^W-^; ,' purpose. What a grand, chorus must come

f^V.'vl'/f;^

- ^ 91

., ./;.- from; the restless waves of-a sun-lighted ocean !

/ How blessed the ear formed to hear it!"

.. f .'". :*" Ypu are poetic," he said seriously. " You

-. ought to liv.e in this country. We have beau-

' V-tiful scenes all the year round ; you should see

V'/V. -the.'mountains..covered with' ice-foliaged trees

''.; and' snow, and the sun rising above them, or

going'down behind them."

. '-. .

--"I know1 it would be sublime," she said/

'lowering-her red lips to the roses on her

.breasts "But tell'me, what do you do to.

.'amuse yourself ?. -H^ve you finished your edu-

cation?' .Oh, I remember you wrote me you

,- would not go to school any longer; but really

we must read .together--I have a great many

'novels;- But what I like to do more than all

else, is to sketch and .paint, and you don't care

. - -for that--young men seldom do/' ---- ---

". '"Well, never mind,"-he said, " I shall try to

find something to amuse you.^ You like fishing,.

. riding, boating, and driving ; It have a bang-up

dugout down at the river. You have to keep

yourhair parted in the middle, and must not

. \ throw even a glance to one side or you will

turn, over into the water."

''',

.^f^--^: '-^v7-;^- --Oh; how' -"nice ! ' she .exclaimed ; '" but,

v ^'.-^^^

something about my maid,

rie, whom your mother, provided for* me, V: -^-'v'^'. Why, -she is absolutely the " prettiest, "most" V "".',-'.' '..'.'.'graceful,, na'ive being I ever saw, and' just as

;^:,'^::.r^lFrenchy; in her actions as she can -be. "The

"',>"',r;' ' '';-."4''inexpressible manner In which she gesticulates '>\^V' ;:;;v'with .her little hands when she talks' is' charm- '
"-/;; .-^-/ ing. She mu$t have lived with 'French peo-

'."-:-v;r.;-:t:'? pl e-.;! could fix her up and put her in a

;.j : ;-y:' '^-Charleston ball-room and she would create a' y^;^^;. furore -"among the men of fashion. I am con-

. forgetting when with her. that -we are

~' equals ;. 'she' has. such: a. commanding,

look-- it . is almost impossible to

s^e ^s "a mulattress." _/ . ^I^'tMttit. is an exceptional girl." Laura.no-

^^tices his sententious, reply,, and _ intagines ".that . :>;^;V^^<ts: his face is rather grave.:.' '.- .. '' ^ '. V. ;-V ;'

.-.>.;;' ^^^.fe^v" Why are you so serious, Harry?" she

^^:^V;-'^^;*^asks? looking at him steadily.- "/. - '-, . ; ' ^'t^^'x ; v>V.\^-'':". 1^ did not know that-I was particular-.

/r^;y v;^-;;^,;:V.ly- serious ?'\ he answers in some confu^:;v'vv^S;;',^',;ston. _ -.' :' \'~.\ ' .;'',-.": {' -" " --'',.''-'/-. :;, :'\-

'././"'. ..'M declare you look so," she said; <r just a

.'.'.'; ; "v-;^ MORNING CONVERSATION.'

93

moment ago you were listening with a bright

face, now it'is all clouded." - ' -

; ' " To tell you the truth/' said he, .even more

. seriously than the subject seemed to her to

demand, " 1 was thinking about something

'Marie--your maid--did for me a long time

.ago... She once saved my life.-'' Then he told

, her'of the aid Marie had rendered- him when

he was-'snake-bitten. .

" Oh, my*!" exclaimed Laura, cla'pping her

hands softly, "how^very romantic!* If she

were not a slave now--ev^n one of those girls

w.ho go along these roads barefooted in home-

,'spun dresses, without a tenth of Marie's good

looks--what a crisis it would have been in

your life.!"

.' -v ' *' \ : /. : " '\

'' "You ought not to jest about it, Laura; I,

~ami'veiy sorry for\Marie. -; When- sh'e-and -Su-

tzette first came here, she was a little girl, and

"so white-and refined-looking that Mother

wrote 'to' Uncle Tom, who bought them in

'Louisiana, to make inquiries regarding the

child's., parentage, notwithstanding Suzette

stoutly maintained then, as now, that Marie

was her daughter. Uncle could find out

to refute SuzeC&e'-s' story.- Notwithvr.-; TH;l"standing this, I have mysRelf,- and a good many' r:'":;,;:,-'..times of late/ entertainudl. :a faint hope'that /.; ; ~: ^:;y.'. there might be sojne dbiud of mystery*hang. ^'--.-'j;,^? over Marie that tirme :inay remove. Su<" ';>r-xw;.';z.ette. is. a most peculiar dbaracter';- perhaps'it -X-^'.'iv'^is some false Idea of rfgjltt ;under -which-she is 7_/..7; v.'V; laboring that-caoses her^--: " . '"..:.-'.'>/. '.-,".'.;v '^ >.; ';.''-; :,.:;.^\-'^. Why, Harry, what ai fldiculous boy you ;-'V*, v"v^are!' r -. .Sh%e. laughed memrfly at him." "The '':;;...:/,'-idea "of a. prosaic young jman of'.'your habits '; r^S-.... and.education'trying to fabricate a. romance .xH::"::.^out f- ^"eal life/provingtfhat a\slave, because -"-S..?7 ofherVesemblance to tire white race, is purely >;'-;;S%v"" white, \yhile the poor mother > of the .girl ^TvV^---^stands u by. and loudly dbtmors for her. own -^N:;('-..-'-.;flesh'/and blood T You Eaave. an: imagination ^^^vwhichi'af properly directed "would^ make your :;f"ij. v;---^name famous." ., '-' "'.^' '*'/_ ^--" Vy-:;-r'^.'- ;t; ^^;^'> ::i>Harry:was' greatly pfqped at the vein "she
l;-;;-!^;"^-.'^:''^'^'"' "vl, started to give yom some of my reasons "/^'l';^;-&^ for thinking of such a possibility, but they are '^^f^J^^ot: smalfimportance, : Le"s talk of "something.

. MORNING CONVERSATION.

95

'"' ;-.. "Npw,.\see, I- have' offended you,' Harry.

V

''*'-

'

,''**'" Ihad-not the slightest-idea of hurting your

' ""' "feelings." .No,.I shall remember that she saved

'/your life and shall take even a greater interest

;'. in.her than ever. Oh, Just look at papa! He

, '-has-not risen,so : early in years ; poor man ! he

-.looks like' a fish out of water* 1 '-" She -seemed v

..; - to entirely forget'the ; theme on which they'

. .-.had-.been talking', as she ran' on artlessly:^-

;''.".Do ;r you remember'-what Pomp said to

, 'Liza, the tfme we .rose before day by candle-

light .to.., start .on our, .mountain., trip? .He

.,,/, said:'';. ..: " . J: -\"^"- ^'-.-'-,'^- -.'''- '"'

' " '.'. ;"^Missv Laura is er blinking *er .eyes lak er

' chicken-on de roost w'en you blia' um.wid er

.' torch so you kin ketch urn/." ' ^ ' \. .. - '... -:

. '-Vu They both laughed heartily over the rem-

- ;;" iniscence, and Harry mischievously added;

,';'':.'?'> / *r r remember something further that Pomp

.' J ";said, that- seems most conveniently" to have

-;.:;.^.escaped your memory. Father considered it a

- ;-V--k capital joke. Pomp concluded, his remarks by

-.:'.' saying :

. '- .'.." "v. :-\\'-i'/ i.L"'* ^-^ -'' '

-'.-'" 'En nobody knows butrw'at Marse Harry '''-'- kin*ketch Miss Laura 'ight now in di candle-

,'.. y --'; 96 / v;.;..- ._'_'" WMTE"MARIE* - : '.':.

-, V^ '-.'T'llght, kase what is good fur ole hens en.sech '-'^;'r,\' -may wulcon gals too/ " . ' ' :.. -."..;.',
-", :;'.';.. v" The blood ran to> Laura's face. ** I assure' ''--'"'you I was .'not thinking of thaty^ .'sa3d. she " ;?-'".quickly/'" u.,We must .visit Pomp's domain; ;,;.,.:.-,"he could never'pardon such neglect. -Being a :v-;;;^; :;- man, he is'awfully conceited, but he casagood

_ ,.^}'^.;;V'y;: ;' Harry smiles as he. receives fh.e_ disguised

/'^:: -^:*\'.thrust at .himself for telling Pomp's-obscrva-

. y;r..vr: :.:"-;-;tiori'regarding herself and him. Soon after-

\\ * % ;'/V-- -';-..' < '.\v.ard'they"join Mr. Wilson on the la^TL -

',1 ';'/ : ^-; v'.;^::'-.>.v-The conversation-, between the thre^ is bro-

Ij ' : ';^/.v/v :'-;-yken/irito by a yellow-skinned boy ^Talking

['I'- /v-""::':.;.'::. through the hall and along the veranda ringing

;["., j.V v.^-.v'-/-.-^ large bell to announce breakfast, and they all

H j :/ , '^'\V.-r;'V.r/ go^ into-.'the great dining-room, where presides

^' V"" :'0~^^:^~'^'Mrs. Bickerstaff behind a snowy apron at the

[^. ::/^^

whose spotless cover, glitter bright

'tiHff';-'"'::-r!-::.''-' 1^'^"'i''-;--''V: '^;^-vX'"-''si-l.-ver'and.'chin.a and sm' ok.'e*s a .s* u'm ptu..o. us arr.ay 1 ''''"rk:^;.>;^VQf-tempting viands. .' ' .'.;';". ;,.'-^ ;j;;- - ;/

;!;tvv#S^' ; ;^;'^;.^ ' 5-J: ^'l<^'^

- '^' :7-

I;i'C :.'^:j.;.-.'" ''!</v.':;v-.: A;;-' '^''^^- ;'*."?>*' '''r;^;':r*v-^'">.">. ; :': **': "'.'.. J;.;-;>,;'>;.<;'."''-,-'-! V^v /;:.'^;^':V':'<- ti - ^
'^^^^f^:'^^^^

' i; h '. ' *".'' '." -'*';''' *'' *-'"'''*.. -' ,!"'' '**'"> .".-'"''' '*.'<"- X..'-'j, .' ,
\ bt {\y:^r.i'f;:L^ |j:f/^/-;;^.; ; 7;-^y-^;.j;;;;;^;^-;;^^

v'".r' : ' '''' *".,-':>;.'*',)'''
.:v<? ^>..,: ,-,;;-,;;, .^ "',,.;; ; ': .v

*#.o;^ CHAPTER x.' ' ' '.';; '

A -J; ANOTHER LETTER OF INQUIRY. S Harry is. passing through the hall after breakfast, he meets ' Marie going to . .- Laura's room. He spe% aks to 'her pleasantly '* ..and thinks she will'stop a moment, but she .'/.'passes hurriedly. ' ' . -' ,-'. : -

.: ;y. He notes the sudden redness of her cheeks

;.-'.'and sees the blushes swept away by some in-

. ../ward struggle that leaves her pale as death.

*' ,." Her hand, which grasps the railing of the stairs,

"..trembles pitifully.



'.',, . / ." -'"

/'.''He follows her up the stairs without speak-

*iv'T ing again/ and 'goes to his room. ^An army of.

/I/ideas-and impulses besets his brain and breast, '-.'and batters at the doors of ^his heart. He '^recalls'Laura's praise of Marie's beauty and

.'7pleasing manner with a. thrill akin to keenest :'.';" ecstasy. ' He was proud of the-conquest the -', ^poor. slave-girl had made of her new mistress. ' i V:;'According.to a habit into which he has drift-

";JV;-V-Jv 98"; ;'-.,..':-;-- ''': -
::7v/r;VT'^ed of late, he begins 'to dream .pleasantly over ; : v^-xS :f-.certain-'conversations which he'has had'with .";^;t- :^v0,Marie. . -How'his'heart expands an-d goes out to ;; :-!v '^;: 'her.in gratitude as he reviews incidents' which [.^ "V::have proved her constant and artless'loyalty to '. ^S-V,* him"!; He'hasseen many evidences of her innate --'".;-;: .-^'pride ; .what must be the state of her'feelings ''', ^: ^.';.. now .'that she is the maid to a young lady far " .;.'T.':.'' above her socially ? What can be done toward \;''L"-:-^'* establishing a foundation for the suspicions he V.. VsvV'-'has' so often entertained that Marie is not v:':-cv ',." lawfully ; a slave? '': .'.' .:.=.., ..:.-"' ; 'V^' '" .; ;, ' .'.'.--*_;-; v..-Suddenly a thought flies to'his brain,. Why. /^r;: .'r: ,.-had . he "-not thought, of it .before ?.. He will ;^):'.;\;'r} ;." write-to-his 'Cousin, Tom I^ickerstaff, a .son of ;iJ.-: "''-his uncle in' Louisiana, and if possible jnduce
*". to - make inquiries about Suzette and it. their former home/''He thinks he'"
do'it without causing his cousin to suspect :-;;^;;'/' how.much he. is interested in'the matter. He ^:; :^"^;;: slts.down at his table "at once and begins his -V^'V- .communication. ' ' . ""'.: v:^.v:/^ r ^V>"?:"V^: ^'
: ::^:-:. " DEAR TOM : " he writes; . . .'*"' v.-;/:- ; ;''. ;. ^y^'-'^.-V/'.r-want you to do something forme.- Buts ,;!,.;-/; /l first"! must trouble you with'3.short explana-

'ANOTHER. LETTER OF :INQUIRY. 99

'-","''- '

*

/' A-7 little more'than three years ago/atV-

request from'father, Uncle Tom, you'remem

ber,.bought us some negroes from the Lab.ou-

. chere''estate near your plantation. ^---,- ,

'-'"Among the slaves were'a wo,man named

.Suzette and "a child called Marie. Now.,the

: latter is as white and refined-looking as any

'white person you ever sav/, and as Suzette is

somewhat'p.f a mystery to.me at times, I have*

^become' interested in*.them .both. ; I think,:

from (many things that .have transpired, that ,

there Is a possibility that something remains

yet untold concerning Marie's birth. Under

stand me,"please, I do not say that she is not

Suzette's child, but .many things point that

' way/' Do me the favor to make careful and

.minute inquiries about them and write me all

you learn ; don't let anyone know of this/but

.;.let-us;see what detective ability you have in

yourcomposition. '

x-"../']'.'-':

"'7'"Laura Wilson--you remember" her--and''

.; her mother and father are'visiting us.- She is

:'quite'pretty and interesting and very stylish--

wish-;you could come up--would have, asked

.you, but you wrote you were studying for the

bar and I can see how little time you have for'

visiting kinfolks. Let this easel have men

tioned be your first effort at investigation. In

licu'of a'-retaming fee, I promise.to relinquish.

^^.^"r^ipo 1 ;^C'.\".--''; -WHITE MARIE. ''';"-, ". ''-''''.;';

" : ;X-r;v,:.-;V all claim to" that broken-bladed pocket-knife ..

v>/^;;.;/::'/ !sover which we had the fight behind the barn.

-:O'*;:V^^'r '.!:-" Hoping to hear from you soon, I am -"

;.:,;;/: ;>I'i;^/^

cousin,..-.-. ;', v- ---<-'---

^>. j'^;-.-:7?-:^r^ ' :; After . putting his letter in the'mail-box, | ^v^'^JiAr ; Harry joined the ladies on'the lawn,-feeling a ;i '.>.'';'.'.'">'"-*:' ".{'.:>'.'"/,'b-al-my'sensation of having accompli'sh ed some!.;, _- = /..^ v"..V>n thing in the right direction. '''.'-"'"

I : ''-;^' :':S .\':VV--- v- : - '.. '"'v''V'V"": ""' J ^^-'^^*/-',"r}^"/'"^"^-lr^C^

'""' . 4

fi'-^S^^S-^K:^
^;t;;^;;;^^:T:^:^^i:A^
i^: >\''c ^/ '^7^^^'-v^'^''''-^ : ^^' "-/C-.--" v ""' ^^\' v '^j-^'-^'-^i--^ 'NA'^W^-'^'-'V-.. v '* t.,;-: Vv' : ..".-"" ':'&/-' :::'<-'-^ ~*':'"'' -7' "*';"' " < .' \:- : l;'-: '^V;^'.'>r - :-^i v>-- ;.v :v ---n ;-

".;' ' >':-^-;-':'^:'---' v ' ;'MARIE'S.. ACCIDENT.-
' '''" fVl\/f ISS '.-LAUTIA," 'says Pomp to this " ."- lYJl young lady one morning after'break-
.'. fast, as she and' Marie stand on the veranda -.with their straw hats in hand ready for one of
V'..; their rfiountain rambles in search of a suitable , ;.';-, spot/for Laura to sketch in,--"Miss Laura, ;' /-.'Liza say you "[want yo' tricks tuk ter de woods. y.V'ergin. 1 " Jake done tote um las' time, en'you ;,. promise I kin he'p you too--please, ma'm, kin , ; .Tgo dis mawnin' ? " * . .-'**' 1 ' : ::;i> '"Why, yes, Pomp/ T responds Laura gra>-..-.-..v ciously-j " I was just thinking o. sending for ; ;J/:: : youj because I know you 'will be very careful ".://. with my things. They are in my room ; don't ,,; ,;;vlosefc any of the paints or brushes 'from the '-;/ package, and come on after us." ,:'.;. *" Ycs'm, yes'm ! " scrapes delighted Pomp. ;';/V" Thankee, -Miss, I'll'be vey careful. I'm " gwine 'walk lak er barefoot pickaninny on flint
., -, v r\ ;."'. , ';" . ' ' '101

WHITE'MARIE. :- ' _ :. ;; -V'"'J : .

s,- en I wont let er speck er 'um drap,
i> ;^l'^- '-now you des see'ef dey does," and the'happy " bounded away. _ '' "..'' "'X ''"'.":'^V;:-: -'"-'-;

while -he came- up- behind the 1 two,"

v!--v ^'y>'','-.'girls, puffing and blowing, with the legs of the

^'''^J-v.i>easel straddled over his back and the package

'^v':':C-^W^of.-materials and utensils carelessly swinging in :^vr/^v^' his hand,- . - ..." . .-; .''-:-';"':-.:, .' ""' -

;;: ;;/: ^::^'-:^'>^That's ; the first time I ever 1 saw a good "v, ;;;';.;;-representation . of . a . barefooted pickaninny

'-':;;..;V./'';,-.walking on .flint gravels," laughed Laura, .;':\V-> Vv..highly-amused. ' ; ;'. ' - -/.'.: * :v-V..-.'- , '": *

V: :>J^^

- the wily .fellow,

^^; r::;:;v^;^ mebby you hear'tell er Mjss.. ; Winkie/ de

:L-';viiJ-,: '!;;'>.scho'ol-teacher over -in de settlement ! bove..yer, ',';:-:':..";"'v-i'v^ l amt you? .yi?;^ aint ? . Well, she's er.ole maid

;-'She :- wuked wid one'er -dese'things-

de summer." He .was., caressing the.....

.' ;';./j :/;^ .--"/easel' with his scrawny, hand. " En one,' day

^ wuz er scratchin* erway on it mighty hard,

r ole hen;'fo' now ra.kin* 'boutfur*

. .,

..

..

; fur

'er.
.

brood. .



Sh__ e

wuz"'bout

"^.-^^v:: :: ;ter git_ thoo makin' er. pictur' uv de lill.wash-

-~;'.^v/;:;;:::':';-;..o.ut in "de mountain dem . town folks said Is er

;--^S;;^

Well, des 'bout 'dat time,

;/ ^;[:,^.: I, MARIE'S. ACCIDENT. ' 103
'.. free.er'fo'hawgs-come grunting 'long down de ."hill, en po' Miss Winkie jumped up lak rats is ;^.in :'e'r';c^thes en flew ercrost er'ditch. En V;while she-, standin* deh lookin' at de hawgs, .*':'one er um'gun ter root his snout roun'de ; .rpictur\ I reckon dat hawg"think it er sho- : J-'nough cave,', lak de town ."folks," en 'low he ; gwine in it en cool off. Miss Winkie yelled ,. en th'pwed leaves en sticky to'ds 'im, but de
ole'scnjb .stock aint gin ter notice'er. Ter;, ; rectlydevhawgs flung it'down'en des liter'ly ,'( rooted it in frazzles. She never did git over '.'.it f~so': I'd'es. want ter tell you ef you see um ;comin'.don't mek no ter-do, but des set still en 'dey aint gwine tech you. -' Hawgs is lak some ' big-talkers ; dey squeal en cyar on pow'ful ; w'en you'stan' off en le' um 'lone, but des start
at/um wid'er vengeance_'ef you*, wanter see scatterin'." "; .' -'.-''.vV-'-'- : :'. " " : -'-'-;>-'V ;
.' /'."I.am not afraid of hogs, Pomp,'- the young .,lady.s* ays/ , much amu' sed at ' his characteristic ^ recital. She selects a cool/inviting nook in a' shady retreat, and proceeds to place her easel, dismissing omp, whojs exceedingly reluctant 'to:"o.'V.'.". " '' '.'" .>-''. r ---'"'. I-V,'.-.:!.'v> ;."

-, -.>,' r .
' . ;". 't ' ''^ WI' ,"-\ ;'4 .'

''^ ; ^J: 'r^^;;;^^' u You may 'come bacJk alter my things/"she

^.^^^/.tells him, as he ling-ering; 17 .departs. \ " " '*

'->"^::'''-^\-.': . '. ''Pomp, m crossing' the rmeadow .on 'his way

'i ''~^ ; ' r '~ * ~. ;"''' '

-

'-

..

'- ' ' '

.

. ;;':r ^v^-:/'vhome, "meets Harry- serarnliing- for /the- 'girls,

- : .;-'/ '. ; ;:: '^-;'. Harry has admitted to> Fuimself that the hours

'.'-'://:\^v';-31-f these summer days Hiang . heavily when he

- -vvv :'x"";- ;1 ;"is- not 'with Laura- He^e^srperiences sore disap/'

'"''.- ,'v- .J".;;. pointment when he faflk to see Marie .with'

^'/.:-';;'''!r,;:-'; .: -'.lier '.mistress, but lie dhtes not.'understand if

: :\v ;;;."-. ^";, thoroughly, and he ik. mot a. close .student

X'V<:.: v"v^-;:.v;of.his own moods. . Im mot;ng LauraV'mag-

/.;": '"__ ''...'"';''". .

'

-...-''

;'";_; '^^-^..y/nanimous treatment off tfhe poor slave, he '

^-v/^^vv^" finds his admiration for Iher character greatly

directs him to ttie girls* retreat, and

':v;-'ihe promptly decides to> surprise' them. He

-^'''';:.:i:rnakes a detour among- ttihe hills 'and^dales and

l^'-^approaches the pair frorm a direction'.opposite

-'^;-^;-:''''tb the,. one by which tibry came. . He walks

:V^->'.; /very carefully 'when in tlheir immediate, neigh-

'- 7 -'^/- borhood, that the cracifcrag of'-.a dry twiV

'.':.- >'; . .L ,.

.-

--

- x "-.

0^ >or -^he ' rolling of- a dislodged _ stone ".may

&

hfs proximity.. -At last, as' he

'r^'',( : is safely ensconced beFiinacl a massive,- lichen-

bowlder, lie has tr&e^girls openly in vie\v

.' --'" -'. '-' r r' -"-'-' .- ."" ;1>:"'" ':-" v "-" ^"^ : -"t7 "v

>:';' "'-v-" : ." \ -.: v/. - *

".,''.'. 10 5 ' *'/.''

' 'and cart/observe them without fear o/detec-

;; tion..'-- * ;v \ '''' '':"'-. /''.-: 'V \ .-.

: \'

"., , ; . The picture before'him sets his heart to r " beating' Vfldly." ""Laura""sTts*"6n' a 'stone in' a"""" "' .

..: becoming', professional attitude. Her canvas ' > ; > is'before her, and she is rapidly and atten'. tivcly. sketching. Marie, who is" her model, ,' sits on ;'a shawl-covered log'with her profile , half/turned to the artist, looking dreamily into -';the valley, which lowers and unfolds itself in 'the hazy suhlight, and behind the blue space' veil, which is the glamour of distance. . ;, ." ', Laura, with' true artistic knowledge of ef';;fects;i has turned Marie's gown under at the ; , exquisite neck until the faultless nape, beauti. ful throat, and breast are exposed in all their ' . charms.' The luxur. ian t tresses Laura has dis- j
posed'in-a simple Grecian knot at the back of __ .. ; -, the.shapely head. . .- "" ^'^ ^:''---. ;: .';' -,
. L..-- The hidden intruder'holds his breath for fear '; that the light breezes may carry it to the girls, *./and-disturb the living scene. Marie is, in his ;. ;eyes, a marvelous statue of breathing, soulful -/beauty, whom to see now-with her features ''. in such repose is a blessing of inestimable

Xiod-'-V ";~ - : WHITE

^

:;//;;;'^T :: V^V,value/' Laura Is but an adjunct to'the charm,'"'
rf:X^}^'V,"'" He gives her his eyes only'when'she speaks, ";' :;'.': ^'::-'>'-: ^: '-"; ;;.^^: aThere ; no\v, my lovely Grecian' maid!" she'

';.;; -/,''/./*.; :;"C.'is' enthusiastically 'ejaculating/ iand ' under."

':'::.':': ^v";;'^,^ scoring her words with qufok pencil-strokes,

V,;:V:.-/''^-;r -: a just turn your head -this" .way a little- moi:e--

;./i:;.:?.":\;: :;} :/.'-b.ut don't change your thoughts--so that I

.-- x r J .:-;-r" :"can catch the effect of your long lashes, Oh,

"". , -' -V '''' .'' f'". '

'

..



;';> '-'</ '; '^1 wish I could.hold that blush in memory until

;'.''.*':'-' */'''v-J begin to color your "complexion! I am so

': y.'/-i}-;.'^>>7' :.! :'.anxious' to. finish this- before 1 go back to

"'.-'V>:-.j;'': '-;'''Charleston. You must no_t let It spoil you, but'

^.;^y>;j ^ "'y'C"-you are beautiful/and I am anxious to take

i>"'.y'i'":''.;C::.r- -your likeness home with me. No, put your

;v^S^--i^^^.hand".back oh your knee ;.' it. has a most

'<V'.v : ;:--'v^^'natural 'pose .that way. Someho\v, M ^Laura

.%?';:'""v;Vgo^s on/sweetly" indeed/considering that she

^-.lulr'-is-speaking to .a-vassal--"'Somehow I hate.to

;>:--r.. :;;^hink of "separating 'from .you; candidly I

>;'.v.:''^.\:iiever had a girl friend that I lo--liked as well

:/:-^'.:<:,v<as I.do you. Sometimes I "catch myself-pon-

^V^'.^dering over your fate. -.Tell me,, are you quite

j'i !{r^^-v!^^^happy at all times ? " ' '' .' '''':. ... . '-.;.'' *: : -

i;kj!J/^^!0;^d'^/'^ Harry, now studiously observing Marie's face

i'j^.V"^

exclusion of all else, sees her'bright orbs

.. . . .

ACCIDENT. ' .

lof

"grow brighter, and'knows that tears-'are in her eyes. He observes, too, that her breast is :"': '.'heaving painfully under the difficulty of form"'"':""'ing a"reply to Laura's query,~*owing'to"an emo-""~
',' '.'". tion'-he knows the 'depth of better than any "' -Vone else; so he chooses that moment to show " ''himself.- :.'-._-. - '.-.; /. '-/.;.":: :"V --' r< - : " ,-
: .., He .makes'a noise in the underbrush, as if he " .were only then' drawing near, and cries : '
...'".Hello! % what have \ve here? So you ".thought you could elude me, did you ?" He' 'addresses Laura and does'not look in Marie's ;.,.' ^direction, who instantly 'springs' up at - the ' 'sound-of his voice, and, with hot blood dye- ; ; "ing her cheeks and brow, hastily draws her . . shawl'' over her/ bare shoulders. The shawl . does not, however, conceal"her charming coif- fure^and_ throat, and ..when he does-venture tp__ , ' take. hiV glance from Laura and sweep it to her,; and" catches her look of- true virginal ' 'timidity recoiling under his gaze, his admira- % :/;tion.is-even.intensified. - ..'..V.';,''It'seems to him that' his glance has, in .a ,._ flash,'conveyed something' from his heart to ^. her brain'that he could never have spoken--

'^;^;;::;:-;;:,-;:; loS^',,' ^-~:'-^ : WHITE*MARIE> :''' ' "." ; ' .''''
:^|i^p;^^:..\ .; :". :' '. \j>'\ : ..;,;. ;; -v.::; :; v';;;''-'V:;:.; ;;;yX';

'^M'^'^-^Cy^-;had never shaped into'" tangibility in his

V?;-: ."-Yvy..; mind--but which -she seems to' comprehend

,<":-; '' i '.^'"'i;l : and 'answer most'eloquently with her blood-

/.^^^^"surTused face/' His whole frame in every, fiber

--.'-.iv r.^ ';7'?--" and blood-channel tingles with delight, as if

:.-' .;^ :> '-v surcharged from a mighty battery of joy. ,'.He.

l'.;'"'->; "-'. : 'longs to press her in his arms, yet he.does not

;: v ;;;.: ['-'".'; know that he loves her or.is loved in return.

'. './;",, '';-.:',- The- spell that was on him' seemed like

'/-''. ;-; '. ;;a soul-stirring fancy of. fickle dreamland. It

..' .'.-':-'.- -was bounded by no conditions, restrained by

:;''; v ;;-.;'/,/no conventionalities. The thought did .not

'-":.;,..'..>occur to him that she was a menial who had

v'J'.V.'*. V': -been sold on the block to .the .highest bidder.

;; ;>;<.i :^;";He ; only saw in^ her a. persecuted maiden'to

0:>;v :X *;"; whom nature had given a great soul, to whom

1 V;; :'^ /-! ^-his.heart went out in an inexplicable way. ---r^./-v-- : './,' *.'*'' '' V-:-'r' : --'r-TI-am^ ' sor' ry you cau' gh"t me, 1> .LT au' ra ' says,

'-- I'' :\ J^:\?~ and her voice.grates on him as a harsh sound

':',;>;~'/V. v ;orL the.ear of one waking from a delightful

T:r/>;;: :;: ': ^^r'dream. ^ Her smile and .blush are so tame con-

V :;\."''-';-; trasted to those which have just set his being

>'^:^%;^-on .fire, that they irritate him slightly, and,

>^- }:^:.C-': moreover, they belie her words, for she is glad

"",-/'.-; '.". '/: ; '-
'.-K'- : :' ".'' -^to: see

. ' -s ...'...
him..-. ... .

. ;
.

".:..
-;

'.-'.',
-.-..

'.-p,V';...-r.;:;,.'.-.-'-v-:..,',: -.

' -;i :'/ - - ^~,\ / MARIE *S ACCIDENT.

, 109

. ;.' . He looks over her shoulder at the sketch of /./Marie/ and his face becomes clouded. The
'black marks of the-pencil suggest the swarthy ' //color^df 'an 'African'. He shudders'and falls'

into a miserable reverie, in which he momen

tarily'forgets that Laura is expecting him to

";. say something.

'' ' ; '; ./.- . . ;

'.'' '"';," I wanted to surprise you with a picture of

. /my Grecian girl," she goes on, regarding him

with a look of mild surprise as she sees his

shaded "face.; " I have been planning this ever

since I first saw Marie."

:.

She pauses for-an instant, but he still has

nothing to say ; he notes that .Marie is listen ing; and he would fain change the subject, so

Laura goes on:

....

.'

"I don't believe -I could possibly have

.-..found-a better model. "'People La Charleston.. _.

would be hard to convince that the original of

. this could be my maid and a slave, wouldn't

they?'! '

..;''._ - . ; 'V ;/ " "--

, " Yes," he answers mechanically, and glances

at Marie,. The beautiful features take on

deathly paleness, and a pained expression

/ holds her thin lips awry as if in a' vise.

: ^ ' -^. WHITE



';---. /He 'understands ' her sensitive' : nature well'

/^.'..enough ;to know that Laura's words -'have

-p;;. smitten the core of her soul.' ~ She rises from. '

;;./ "the log and slowly walks' away as 'a blind per-'""

: moves in a strange' locality. ' She- -aim-

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'feigns to be 'in search of wild-flowers,'

./; :for''she stoops feebly now and. then 'to 1 the .

i-.-ground as she moves along. . .*.. . '. "''":' '

.-*,; ,!-.; "'.Don't go far, -Marie," Laura calls after' her, :

.'.^.-'"we must start .back soon, before it gets too

; : '..-'C;.warm/V''- Then to him in a soft voice( and half .

p.-/.petulantly,-as she toys. with\a crayon and

''>! 5.''.' .'"'..'/ .

.

"

?;;. ; ^-keeps : her eyes on her canvas: u I do believe

:"''j v'"'y..U are sorry"ypu found us." - _ -. . " ; ' ' '-.;'

".rur :'V ."c.WKy do "you think so?" 'His eyes'are .

;v; following. Marie.'s. figure as .it" now and then

'->''shows 'itseiramong the trees t arid bowlders.

';> /';:;;'.'/^ Because you are so silent' and . preoccu-

^;^V^pfecL; "You 'don't like to talk tome.-' I declare

':^!;':'V^;)>^:'you--are very'pale. " What is. the matter, are

J;^'';'"^^

' ; ":-':.;A'r: -^" .':""'>'.':':'' '

^;^.^^p*'-;'"/No,. but'I'am'a little tired. M .~'Marie's form ^S'- ' !'l.^JS.IPlit^.of,,]ght,';now and his wandering eyes ^v-''-.- .fall perforce on the hard lines' of-her penciled

. - MARIE' 'S' ACCIDENT. '" '-. ill

" r '-features. "You sketch well," he says hastily, ','/.; anxious to- divert her attention from himself.' ;'/\V?J" I fc must "be a nice amusement. V ' * / .''V'4,V.';-; Yes/it is/ : -but 'one-- seldom- finds a true

r1 .'>'" sympathizer--I mean .one who knows what 'an

\'.'-v-V artist must feel and think and> yes, suffer to.

" Y -['doi good work* And one must have admirers,'

'.;. A you know/'

* ./' ,,.'"-,_. -'/'.' * " : ;

...',/ "Young ladies, of course, *\ he said smiling,

',.;, as he touched the head of his cane to a row of

,'"--'

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$



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'

:

,,

. "'.;.;pearly tefith. ^-i' '. .. ''-4 *>

.'"',..-. i ? You know I didn^t mean that !" retorted

V. /'"she with -some little warmth. " You' are get-'

^ ~v. ting into one of your 'sarcastic, moods again/

'"', There is Pomp ready to 'take my things back,

."-. ^and'_ Marie. is coming1. Come, Marie, we must ; /;'^be going."; --' ' ." "~;; V; ~. '->.'/;".' \ '. '

^: '/_As Marie draws near \vith some ferns and : V" -wild-flowers in her hands, Laura, forgets her
- pique and laughs merrily :" " . ' t '. ."-''-. ' :''., "Come tojne, child; I do believe .you, need .-\\ ."a maid, worse than 'I do. just see 'how you-
. have- fixed the neck of your dress in. trying to fasten it back in place ! One would imagine.
'"' /you were not in the habit of "dressing yourself.

ri2 - '; \ ':; -i' \WHJTE MARIE.
';have put the top. button 'in the second ''V';'' * button-hole,' and , your collar Is trying to' get v;.v^,;^\ over your Grecian knot. Now--no, let your
iiv. fall -down loosely. -Don't she look -well way, Mr. Harry? I would give this right
1 '.arm for that, head of hair. Look how it flashes ' Jn'the sun I According to our recent scientificconversation, what do you suppos^i[ts light is
*r-V' .';'Mt.is returning thanks for getting out of ;:' -the.knot," answered. Harry.' ' , ; 4--''/;:' " Ah,-that'was prettily said," Laura laughed ; :"-.;:!;."the outer ones are singing for joy, and those ':-- beneath are.softly muttering against their con.: : v finement." . ;. t ...... ^ ..- ,,; : ' '-'.''-.^ . ' -1'. /',;'W'/;"'.That fully illustrates liuman life," he said, ^'"- v.with a touch of seriousness in his tone..'"'" Some '.:\':.of! us.live in. the atmosphere of sun_ny circum-_^ . :.T-^stances, while others of our kind.are subserviC/:/: entto pur commands because chance has put ;";.;;';'us'above them socially or financially.". He
;-Marie's eye, and sees from' Jier serious countenance that she has fully.felt the . 4 :;';'.;-^";strength of his illustration. . .-'...' .'.'>.;.:,' ' t^-^o^i'VGet my. things, Pomp," Laura, says, and*

.' -.;.,' : ': : .v". ' MARIE *S ACCIDENT. . '

113

.leads the way with Harry at her side down the

.''rocky .slope. Marie and Pomp follow in the
'.': rear..; ^ . '. .. ^ ';-.- ' '-. ;"''

fi~'." At the* foot of" the hill there is'a swift-run-.

,'ning creek about thirty feet in width. They

"have to cross it on a barkless foot-log formed

:.'.from a fallen tree. Harry assists Laura over

;vin safety, and they stand together on the shore

.-laughing heartily over Laura's fright.

'" . '

>\ Marie, of course, has no one to assist her.

-..Pomp's arms are filled, and she would have dis-.

. daihed to accept his. aid anyway. Harry's

sense of right twinges him sharply when he

- sees the slight figure leave the shore quickly,

.;asif she feared that he would offer her his

'.hand. To go to her now that she is already

; on the .log might cause her to lose her ...balance.-.-..,. ..._._. ..:-.._...'- ----~^-- -- --.--t---

J,Her tiny feet are placed unsteadily on the

r ,narrow log, and her hands begin to swing vio-

lentlyt to and fro as she essays to retain her

.-.equilibrium. . One foot slips, but she does not

/quite fall; then her body"begins to rock, and

'with .a scream she falls into the water. t It is

'not deep where she descends, but the .swift-

;IJ4 . .- ' .WHirE.MARIE. ' .~"-\ '. ' ;ness of the current draws her under, the sur-

'::.:x;-,v;.--::' -.v-*,VWi th' a.- sudden. bound.-Harry is in.-the .midd,l-e '-.:'.,'; :-v; ::';'-of the log,'and thence drops into the'water '.'

;;->,;.'--near where she fell. 'He sees her long hair in'*. V

;.'.;;;.'".-.the clutches of the stream,'and in an ' instant''/' |'.

/"';>;; the ; . drowning girl is in his ".arms and he is , 'I'

'iv'i'v'r wading out with her.

..[ . ; <(:, e ' '"!'."/"' '

/';;C;-'.iv^'/'-Reaching the bank Laura is on, he, .aided'; . ,|

:.,r-:vr-;:,-by .Pomp,' draws the almost-unconscious girl , . '

';.'/: "''.ashore. Laura,- pale and* wordless, 'comes

/:--;: vr;.;; quickly to. them,-and carefully wipes the drip- .

^;1;:-:- pingiace with her handkerchief. . . ' ; '.'',.

;-r'..^^. '~iJ' What must we do ?" she cries in alarmed ac- ["

.;";cents. " It is over a mile home, and she will be

< if she walks in this breeze in wet clothing/'

she 1 speaks she .takes "a shawl ,'frpm Pomp '

it tightly round the shivering girl.

D the house, Pomp/' Harry says ex- , '

^/".and bring a buggy, the. carriage, or

u^^JIanything to,take-her home in ! "_ ." ;/';'.;' -V/-'. -.

r^-^v-^^omp' leaves the'easel and package with .'

^'^i-. Harry;a!nd~darts away at the .top of his speed..

;x{y>."'r'v;We/ had better walk, .than" stand still'/'.

:-: -/v ."Harry.- says ; with' commendable forethought.

\7

11$

* Arc you hurt. Mine * ~ Hii voice thews unmasked tender****.
Marie murmurs, " N~o," but bold* up her wrist *ith a grimace of pain, and then bursts out crying. Harry pale* slightly as he ten derly takes her moist hand in his a*d scruti* ntWS the swollen. bruised writ*
* I am afraid it is sprained or dislocated," be says with tremulous content. " It must have struck against tie log as you fell. Lean on me. Marie: you are weak and must not exert yourself. I can never forgive myself for allow* $ng you to try to c">** without my help '
Her color comes into her face, despite her weakness, and drives away her pallor, but fails to conquer certain suggestions of pain that linger in IIK) set her mobile feature* Sfee puts Out her hand protesting!}-, for he has put his strong arm round her maist. She tries to draw away from him. but he holds her in a firm embrace and almost lifts her feet from the ground. He has scarcely glanced at Laura since the accident She has noted his drpth of concern for Marie'* com (on. and fccrctly admires it in him.

. ;. i;i6' ';'; ;V -':;..' wmTE : MARIE. ' '/"'.'' .' ~ '; "'.

"- ; : '. ' '"-Presently they see Pomp standing up in a '..' buggy and driving the 'horse' .toward them. . * as-fast as he can make him go. When it is .
". 'stopped in the 'road near them they' see that it ' -..' contains but a single seat;. "-Will Harry put s'..-,.'the- half-fainting girl into .Pomp's care "with '.. -instructions to take her safely to her cabin, or '"'.;.*'/'.wil]. he. 'sit b'e. sidt e her ' himself? Fe w youngs<i ;; men in his position would do the latter. For '..V^ a young man of good Southern breeding to . ' ':pay such attention to a slave, when one of hep ' . . kind as faithful as Pomp was present to do his ;, .'master's bidding; was unheard of. - ,.
'.-Harry, however, is not thinking of ; public /-.'/opinion nor conventionalities. ' .. , '' . ',',.- Aside from the suffering girl's comfort
he has not a thought. He could never-for-. ; -.--give himself for the slightest neglect at. u -': -:, that- moment. What had . she not done 'for f

-./-.--. ' ' , ' '

-

.

. . . .

-iv'.;.:r:." Get .down, Pomp ! Ir he. says imperiously.'.;

fe.'He almost lifted her into the buggy, and had

:-;A put his foot on the step to follow her, when

.' /Xaura .called him. 'She was .regarding him

. "''w' ith'a strange l. oo"k. ' "'

/ " -.. o.;'.V, '''"-:. ' '. '" . ;

: .'.--.?' "' " ."; "; MARIE'S ACCIDENT. '.

UJ

: -\ "What is it?" he asked, panting with exer;'' -tioru ."Quick !. I can't leave her." '.y^' '" Had you not better put her in Pomp's .v^charge, Harry? .He can be depended' on. , .-;; She. is not very badly hurt. . You .should not : :' forget your position. Surely you--" ; '''.-' . " Laura," said he, paler than before, and his
..-cutting glance made her writhe under his eyes," ... " I am surprised that you could at such a mo\' -merit think of reproving me for doing my duty. /.vldo.. not take your view of it. I know that ";;, poor child well enough to understand that she ; ;^'would shrink from sitting .by Pomp at- any ;:;;-;,time. I am not brute enough to force her, ..V. weak, and wounded, to do so now." " . 'vv- Laura blushed high and essayed to speak, :..>:/ but. he had turned back to the buggy and took '-.'-his seat: by Marie's side. He drove* away, ,": \ holding an umbrella over his charge. . When ' :\ almost home, she suddenly grows faint and ' . : falls, gasping and with closed eyes, against his '/.^shoulder.- He puts his arm round her neck, '. .and'says in a deeply agitated tone :

is1 , voice summons some red spots into

V : -^v; ri8 :-.'/'>,-.: -_ WHITE-MARIE, . ; '. r !. ' r ' /
,'/' :'-.'';: her pale \cheeks. 'Her lips twitch as'if in/ ,::V;. J"!; :^ pain; then : she opens her eyes. ' His face is/ ^.'.^v'close'to :'hers--closer than it has ever been/be-'' ;" ^'fore.'; "-Thank. God ! " he" says fervently,'" I'"'' ''i:.^.-.'.';feared that you-were dying/' - ' -.''"'' " >. .,'"/%
.;:.;>";=;=.;: :- For,'one instant the two pairs of eyesore ^; :".<: held together; then she'seems to" remember. . ^V'v;^; : \vhq she'is and where she is, for she s^s ;erect \V-?';>" and shakes off his arm. ' ".'.\' _ '-::;'.''
">::" <f\ "Suz^tte is almost beside'herself when they V ;;\';' 'drive-up to her'cabin door..' She runs out'to ' ;,^' :.' meet them, crying f ' . : ; '"'... /';/'. ^* '>
':^:-'-'::'^ ' <r> 0h, honey, w'at is.de -matter wid/you ? ^/^V'-f'W'at ails you ? " , . / / './.../. *' V ''' '-'"-Vv.
>!^:-!H ;l^ She's all right, S'uze'tte ; don't be fright-' ';"-'Jv/- -: ened--she'll be. all right soon. She fell in-the. V'- ';v>' creek .a/id has sprained her wrist/.; Take her -- >-.-"'and. I'll drive for the doctor." ' '/ ' ,, ' .-v-^.-.:'.: _'/;rv";i. - S'uzette "takes the light form in her^arms as ' -'"., ,"/;/easily.'as- 'if Marie w.ere an- infant, and car^-^r/.rHes'her into the cabin, caressing her and utter'/:"'////ing'soft'words of endearment. . . ./."'.*/ /.-"'SV:/: Harry finds the doctor at his home and dis-;^.--'''% patches him instantly to Suzette's. cabin,.and
drives back to meet Laura. "" :'

xii. ,' "/ '/, '. I

';^;X''j ; 'Vi.'^3 COUSIN TOM'S LETTER.' ;

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T HEY have music and cards In the rparlor of the farmhouse on the evening fol- .

s-

'"'. lowing Marie's mishap. ' The older people sit

';.-. at the-card-table, and Laura is at'the piano

,;

/J-playing -for distrait Harry. .She still retains

;

;"the echo of his bitter reproof in regard to his

:/. driving home with Marie in the afternoon," ;,

'-:;.and"without making open reference thereto, is

'f.- doing all in her power to atone for what she



;/: now regards as a mistake on her part/ Sur-

'

; , veying the matter now calmly, his magnan-

. *'

J.imityis quite salient, and she admires him

/'more than ever for his consideration of Marie's.

,

...comfort. / .

.'-'.. -' "''"''. -~.. -\ ' ' \

.::'. -In answer to her playful twittings in regard

: to his absent-mindedness, he says that it is fa-

: .tigue and the bath he took in order to help

/ Marie, that have affected his spirits. .

;.*''

<

."::.. They sing one'of their duets at the warm

WHITE MARIE.

-

.

..

-.

.

>v.-/< -.; ; instance of the card-players, b'ut his voice

:. ";,;'-;.. lacks its wonted strength and expression, so

.";; ';'V'.;.; much so that his mother chides hfm for lack

-.7^-'frT^of:--interest. ^ Even after this, gentle reproof,

!>-,".;; -'-'.'Laura puts several direct' questions' to .him

."-\':;"; which .he fails to hear and receives with eyes

';':: .-^;':; 'thoughtfully fixed in space. '. . /' ...'" '...': :.

:'V X' "'-' '-"r,'.';'":*/'' "W' h' ile- ~she ' is playing one of. * h*e^r% 'b' ri_ljliant -.V:'-^ :r A -;operatic airs, Harry catches . sight of romp

-":'- -."J r -.^crossing the adjoining hall..- He rises instantly,

.; ;': : .' -.'; with a'whispered apology in his wpuld-be en-

';: ;>^'- tertainer's ear, and joins the negro in the dimly

.-.he says in.a husky undertone, e: you been to see how- she v is--how
is?"' . :....'-.:.- -. ^ ;;> ^^'^"'>:'^;.':;: ;^.v:::;';
;''^-'^'l;,'^ ;;"Yes, Marster, de doctor d'ehyit.' He say gwine to be ve'y bad,.but Lawd know
is. in er gre't deal er pain an misery wid ":<r"^:^".'^;: -;^-u;er--';wris>: /at 'he done hatter, pull in place.
<' JS'-?v"/.>Cf;; :Marse Harry, aint no use talking she did look C'fex:;-:"^pitiful w'en he hatter twisf "it : inter j'int. Po', ,;^^.;:-^:^;':liU -thing! she' is- brave, dough ; ^aint many :^^^:\;-'""-gals gwine stan' w'at she hatter went thoo ''&?''*'"' 'dought cryin'. 'She des she't 'er eyes en clamp

TOAf'S LETTER. ; ' , 121

'' 'er lips tergerr en ;drap way lak she clean

' '/. gone -right deh, but .she aint open'er mouf

' ;";.;er bit, r kase de doctor done tol' 'er de bones

'.*'....'"-*' hatte.rM- .-b1:e".'? s.o"t; e..nv-.i't-^.b"o-u-n'-' ter. hurt-:rig.h-t,-.
.'..-.smart. -^.-. "v v fc< . . . .; . -

" ;.\u .^.How is she now?" The master looks at ./ ';', ;;\his slave as he puts the low-spoken question,
; \ and .his whole soul and life seem to tremble on

,' ." 'his tongue. . m N .- ; - : . . " ( -" '.' .'" She^out'n. 'er head en ramblih* 'long talkin'

constant lak she speakin' ter somebody. She

-'keeps, er sayin', low en fas', lak she beggin'

' ''; mighty hard : ' : '

'.-..*".'-

v-.'r^.* Oh, please don't you ride wid me--let

Pomp tek me!' Gawd knows, Marse Harry, I /'/cayn't tell what she mean.' Den she go on en

. --say:- 'Don't you put yo' arm roun' me, for

'': Gawd sake ! You can't understan' dis--you .

. ."./ don't know. Tek yo' face off, kase it kill me > .' ter look in yo r eyes. I'm' erfeard ter walk dis . '; .' log/.but I mus', kase dey all laughin,* .on turr '; v^.side "en waitin* on me, but de water mek my

''-/head-swim/ Den she 'gun talkin' 'bout er .

' ^ \basket er grapes en say: 'No; le' me tote

''V'-j'um.^w'at folks g\vine say? I'm-er slave. I

-l22-. ;...: :: '- ^ '.WHITE-MARIE. -^ ' .' ' - '
'.done been bought en sol' two times--I aintyo* kind.'-W'at is made'you furgit dat?.- Black . blood is in me, but you so good en true I dint }'"."","" * :.^"\ :~*~ fittin';'.ter wipe yo'Teet. You" done~'learri me^
; ' y ,-:'^,;-"-- ..: ter read en write till Tm alrrvos' ~lak- white ! " ;\v'- '-';: ;\folks 'cep' in blood--' ":f.-y'' , :'';;' - ; ;'-;v. . '
; "'.y "',,:' 7;-.: .'.'. The young man stops the negro's words with , :':' .:,/ ;, V;.v an imploring gesture, and, powerless to speak,
;.'v^: -^ .' he steps upon the stairs to go to his room, ;.-'..''.V- ^ -.'/.Wait, Pomp/', he says,-with 'a wild, reeling', ; ;, ' /".^ V.-light in his eyes;. " Tell Miss Laura to ex; . '';; ''^ :'"'- "'--. cuse me this evening; I am feeling unwell and 1 -.'*V"''--l'..'Y*.'"?''',''-".w.ill retire-/'.'' . .* ''; v* ,. '.::';"-"' .* ', ';.'':*-V .;-_'' ..'. \ N '.'-'" '.'"-.'-""'. He-mounts the stairs with laggard steps, V .; - V'V..' -. Reaching his room, he strikes a match and ".';'-,- .':':-" starts to light a candle ; but a sigh Which es: "' .-,->:,~,-~ ::;- "-.capes 'his ' lips extinguishes" the ' match, and '!.. _.!.:"ii..,rJ_r_:"::i.leaves him, nothing loth, in the darkness. He | ; . ". " :;':^;'"^;:goes- to a .window, from which he leans and ; : ; :-L>: :- v:."-:^r.;/-lo'oks; mountain-ward. How still' and sublime '< V^'^'V^:^' 1- ''-V;'-;is'-the nightT How grand the dark, mystic It-.-;"/' ^V-;--::-!'-:.^'.'-fells, - hung about, with filmy, diaphanous .!..;:;;. ;-rS:.^r/^"''.' clouds, behind which the moon and stars
to be scudding^ in maddest glee ! Now moon- shows a full face momentarily aglow,

rows LETTE&. -123

and-again is veiled in transparent mist or sub-

"merged in a silver-trimmed mask.

''' 'Harry's'glance sweeps down upon the row

'" of negro, cabins, all dark and slumber-wrapped,

save one-where an oblong bar of light falls upon

the grass -.before the door, and from whose

cracks in,the logs gentle rays shimmer steadily.

On that humble domicile and its inmates his

thoughts, restless molest.ers of his brain, pause.

Troublesome reflections are his to-night; he

: knows not why his disquietude should be so

.all*controlling/ . . [_ '.'',"/:.' ' .

;. To obey an impulse, he throws a light over

coat across his' shoulders and'quits the room.

He softly descends a flight of stairs in the back

..wing of the building, and goes out into the

.-fickle moonlight. " .....''

;' v

/r.P.assing the-parlor window, he sees that the '.

game of cards is still, in progress, and that

. Laura is idly turning the leaves of a book with

an air of weariness. , He turns away and walks

down the wide rosebush-bordered walk. He is

burning with a wild impatience. His steps fall

faster and more lightly as he.nears Suzette's

'cabin.

'-. *"''.

shadow, dimly: born of moonlight, falls

^V^- v athwart . the yellow light space on. the grass.

. ,;:''': ':-'--- As he. stands in the darkness at the side' of the :^\;;?^^'"d"6o'ir-"rfre"sbrute, SiizetteV7~po"ftly-rooking.''sil-' "

'./ :':'': 'houette "'blackens the bright spot' on 'the

l*i: .r ;"r ground/- In that frame of night he sees the : -~ ^. '-'-'. figrure bend over something as tenderly as such''

^^':::i -"a divine .quality could possibly be pictured in ;Vy^;v^/n\ere light and shadow.' '" "",;.'''. .'V..^! ; " ;- '"', ; .

;i..;^;.; :.-,<:r 'VHe falls back further into the- darkness, and

,.'-"..-

"'

''

. '" *

". ;-r::i.3: _\vhen the silhouette leaves its frame he calls.

and -gutturally : . .

." " '""'";.''- .^'-''^'r, '' ;

'" ^-^.-V-: . 'v.-~~ ; The silhouette comes again into the frame,
-." --::rH 5" ->;vA^stands erec"t, and appears to be listening in-

>0^
:'-: '^/'xJ'->>?' -The,puncheons groan under a.heavy ..tread ;
. :.'.:^-^^'-^^.A^ the kerchiefed head and form of. the :~';^-< V!V,'''>'"""'"faifhfnVwoman stand In the door and she peers

> the night.. ..-. ._,' - ', ; y:_:J' : v>-v ;"!/>

da't ?" in- a loud whisper. . '\\ V'..'.

here,>Suz.ette I " he says softly.

v /x"'^^"--^':.!v'-Dat "-you,, young Marste"r?' De . Lawd

:"^^;^;':.^^ V'V^

ter come .yer dis time er

' COUSItf TQM\S LETTER. ". '". 125

' *.' "

.* ' v

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"

**

'.-night." -She . is' now at his side, holding a

H 1'smoking bowl of'some odorous potion in her

/. hand.:' '^W'at yo1 maw en paw gwine think?"

"/ u.How' is she, Suzette?" disregarding her

'"'reproof as if'he had not ' comprehended it;

.'..'."Pomp told me just now that she was deli-;

'-.. '": a She's ersleep now, Ma'rse Harry, en .restin* . ;' easy, thank de Gre't Bern'; I think she gwine . ' git -Well soon. I hatter keep up de fire,- kase , :; she' shfvenV pow'ful wid er chill long er dat /;'; souse in de col' water en ridin' home in de y" :- : -'\viaf ia 'er wet ^clothes." /"* -*- .
.'"'/". Can-1 help you ? t Do you v,^ant anything I can"get?^v ^. ..*_= .% *>''. ".'* " .. ^
'.": ./*No, .thankee^ Marster, I don't need nothin* :-,.'" mo', r "But,; Marse.. Harry,.de . Gre't Marster ----- gwine bless you fur de way you done' do.to'ds . dat po' chile. It mighty good in you, en He . .' will'ward you'for it." " - ' ..."-.-.'"./-'.,'>:' f
<"_ ;. u Suzette"-:-his .voice .was stern now, and she shrank from, the meaning in his look--
,. v "Suzette, is .Marie your child? Before you . speak, remember that on your soul will lie the
crime, of injustice done, her if you speak false-

i -' '; :';J v.i26/;.\;' ; "; WHITE MARIE,

,, : '"; " ; ly, ncT matter what may be your motive. Now

j ;.;,: ,i v answer me truly before high Heaven." '

I /r .',.,;//".'.:.; He could not see her face in the darkness,

| ^ ' .; r; *'V '.for the' moon had gone into a thick mass of

I * ' '. clouds. He heard the spoon tinkling'against

I

the side of the bowl from Suzette's nervous-

!'

ness, and she was silent.

" Answer me!" said he sternly. Another

pause ensued ; then she said :

" Yes, stih, Marster, she mine--she--"

. . A soft moan from the fire-lighted hut inter-

"" rupted the agitated speaker and 'called her

' "away from him. He waited a moment ; then,

..as Suzette did not reappear, he retraced his

- steps meditatively to his room. m

7" 'He had much to disturb' him. Only that.

V ;};:. morning his father had alluded to his atten-

;'''- tions to Laura, and had given him such strong

'?. -reasons for his marriage to the girl that he

;>'" could 'not deny its advantages. Laura was

: 'the only child of very wealthy parents; she

.; ..'.would: inherit a most magnificent home in

: ' -Charleston, and a large income.. The slight

'":]._ taste he had had of the social life of that city

'left. a- decidedly pleasant flavor on his

TOWS LATTER;' ., 127

mind's- palate. He had often thought that

V such a life would be more agreeable to him

''than living' in the country. By marrying

' -Laura all this would be in his grasp. What,

'. he asked himself, could be more pleasant than

; to have two such places of. residence as Oak-

lawn and Charleston to alternate between in.

summer and winter. "

.

These reflections, however, did not put to

- wing .others of.a heavier nature that weighed

upon him* even while they hung back in partial

..'obscurity.^ His' breast^ pained him, and. his

heart throbbed more rapidly, when he re-

called with a hot tingling of his frame how

' Marie's pale face had sunk to his shoulder and

that his face had been so close to hers, when she

^opened her' great reproachful eyes, that he

"/could have kissed her--kissed her?'. And what

would she, poor wounded child,'have thought,

had he.done so while her eyes were drinking

his thoughts from his own ?

;

He lighted his candle and got out his cigars

to-smoke. Lighting one, he leaned back into,

the easy-chair and strove to arrange his scatr

'tered thoughts.- This was an impossibility..

noticed some newspapers and magazines had come that afternoon by mail, to
-which he 'had not given a thought 'in 'the ex- citement of the eventful day. Among them' was .a.letter addressed to him' in the; familiar, scrawling chirograph/ of his Cousin Tom.. . . '' vHis hands trembled violently as -he broke .the envelope. It was a reply to his letter of --inquiry concerning Marie's history. It ran :

""Mv DEAR COUSIN HARRY : ... . " : ', ;

.- " Your letter to .hand. It is with -pleasure

;"that Laccept the appointment to act as your

adviser in the : case you mention.. As a usual

thing, my dear cousin," I .would consider it

beneath- my professional- dignity to take .hold

",of a matter of such nature, but have waived all

s for your sake. : But to the. matter

t ' '"' ;_ '

"" ''' ."~' " -. t. ' /-

i'^^-v . '.--'- 1 ;went'to the Legare plantation the other ;^-^"''day. "'There are few'of the old darkies about ;;>';V the place now, -as the Legare family took the -"^ -.-"greater part of their slaves with them when ^> : they moved away from this section, a few -^-'^ years. ago. '''.'"' ,, ' , r . - ." ' ''-.". -
-"-.-.v-- >1 """-^ 'It '-ap'* pe.ars that this' Suze. tte and Marie ::";."/:-;-; were. sold to Monsieur Labouchere, from whom
.purchased them in accordance with

'./::*> '-'-:-s^-covsnv

.

.

"':;,/;uncIe's '-.request. Reliable evidence' is ex- ' "' .

.;':!',"./,''tremely difficult to obtain. However, I ran '

.-:};.vV:,upon an old negro ' woman \vlio belonged to / .

;--: /;;' the Legares at'the time Matiswas born. This , . /

:/\-fe, woman intimates that thjrc: was always a - '' ''

.' i^/mystery'of some sort hangirg: round the wo-

;r ;^-'\man and child. Suzette tncre: the reputation ..

"\;-:> of being..exceedingly .tacituTiv The woman '".'

V';.!; says she' can't 'remember se^'hg the child for

, .." >'; some two. months after it-.va^'born, and that

I,, --.',..r/. Suzettp acted very strangelyih- the'treatment ."

t. - ^'"'; '- of..it, and always seemed i^'uctant to-permit , .

.,.':."''any one .to see the child. Sve -was known to ..' " '

".; lock the infant in her cabin and leave it, to at-; ' .

'.'. .;' ^tend to her duties. - My inljr.maot states, also,' ^

.''"./.-that the physician, who usutil'y-attended,to the

. ': '"slaves in sickness, was not-.vitli Suzette. at the/

---'^time .of the child's birth, ard: that this caused . '

"''..', :r''no-little-gossip. This is ire:. sum" and sub--. ':.' .,

, : ' M^^:^stance^pf^vhat I learned. oE.tlVe'Legare. place,.._:_-:-...

','.- yexcept that Suzette was ver\'u:npopular with her _

./"equals, but-a great favorite rcCth her owners/

_.

. : ;: f'. u On- the -Labouchere pkatation, I found

'/.V'/that.Suzette and-Marie ccccEnued:to breathe

_

*'.. ;: tlie. air of mystery, though'perhaps, not to .

..-..-'.such'a marked degree. An old negro man

,- \x told me that both mother zzd child had occa-

./. sioned considerable gossip immediately after

;V '"th.e.i.r arr ival at. th. e *plantatistu . ._ \. 7 .'V'.' ,.- .. ,

' ''130 .; . :"-'."/ '.' WHITE 'MARIE.' ' '""

.'.':.'*; " Snizette applied to her ne\v master to be: .;.; allowed to take the family laundry into her

. . .-' -;-" entire charge, stating that she and Marie could

r-^-'--'-r-attend to it with perfect satisfaction. - Her .re-'

, ''';'... .quest was granted; she took charge of that

' t .^department and deported herself most pecul-

.. :. 'k : : iarly. '

'..'.

-. - > . :

" "v",'.'.-"'' " She '-insisted on-' being .allowed extreme

' - , :*;'' privacy in her work-room, and almost always . ' ; ;/-;kept the door .thereof locked when she was-in %

/;. : or out of it. So faithful was,she in the tran-

.' . saction of her task that Monsieur Labouchere

''.";'' -upheld her in her whimsicalities, and gave or-

.;':'.'r-. ;'..ders for no one to molest her/

. .

l '".''r'r> ; v '-^ But the greatest peculiarity of"the whole

: v. ;.; : f''^>; queer proceeding transpired some time after-

,';, .:vV>r^,\vard. The master was informed that Suzette

/'-;;7'.^v-v"had, since taking charge of the laundry, been v ^-r^;doing both the washing and ironing, having to

: ;V:i'AS^ work past 'midnight. frequently to accomplish >rT*.TX^Kat"-was'..required of. her department. He

_.-!."V*.v;^-was-'-informed,, also, that she had firmly for-

'^'^;X---;; bidden Marie to touch her hands to work of.

^ v^;';;;Q-';any kind. , ,. -. .

. ' -'..-v. ^' ;:;^'.- '

i-tC^^K-*"Labouchere was very angry over the dis-

^v^-c'v-ri-covery.; .Suzette humbly, confessed' that she ^''^:'C?7v; .';: had; resorted to that course to shield Marie

; ;,^'y^;!> from "labor on account of physical inability

'^''vV^ and weakness on.the part of her child. The

^:^^':t^

'" :

r;;^-.;:;: -;;;;..;:;'-; -,. -^;;,.;-;-'. -^ '. -; '. v ..,. '.: :':.,:V'.- ; ;: .-

\ -..v1 .^:---:V;> ./.-; ;,Vv.:'-':-,-::,',' '^^^[ :lr..:3 -.:.V,.',"V /'>

','/-v '^''.COUSIN TOM'S LETTER.

'.'..'master.was moved by this pathetic appeal to

' his. sympathies^ and as Suzette continued to

"'Vdo doubly as much work as any other slave,

r-^-hc .finally gave in to- her ;desires, although

; ? he. could not bring-himself to believe that

.'"Marie,, who was a'perfect picture of health,

;. '-.could be any the worse for having'something ." ta occupyJier. ' '/ v '' . - ;/.". '

.':..," I "\vas told,'too, that- Suzette, .by dose

.'/'economy and work with her needle at odd

"' times, managed to keep her child dressed with .

'notable neatness.

v . . .' V.-. ' - ..

';,,>.. "No one. with whom I talked seemed to

: ..'understand the'cause of the woman's pecul-

'*'..;/iarities.-.'. Taking her conduct as a whole, I

'.'.-'.':"can see-" no cause'-for her actions except she

. had an' idiosyncratic belief that .because "of

.-Marie's abnormal'whiteness.of. skin she was

|;. ; entitled'to more consideration than ordinary

'..;slaves. The fact that she has exhibited so

T'niuch ambition to promote the child's interests,

V'is in itself proof that the child is not free-born ;

/.'for would she not make it known, think you,

'.; when by so doing she could so materially ad-.

/;;Vance the child's prospects? .

. . ' .

'.'-''/"This is all the information I can give you.

: ,'.'Now, my dear- boy, take: to heart the earnest

./advice of 'y ur legal counselor, and think no ''more-jpf this romantic fancy'which seems to

;; ^ 4:u^-.':;:; I 3 3 .,-?!.",:'.:*':',-' WHITE MARIE. . // "' -'..:'.',-."; v ?.:

j j~"' v, "/"'.have, infested'your young brain. T regret that | " ' ''"-;,'.' I ~ can't be with you and Miss. Laura at'Oak\j'.-. "-,'-^~'.'-':,';;--.7.'7;"-'-"tl.aowhnerJ;usjt'a_mat p""re s'en"-"t/'"'""'Pl'ev ^a"-s*e-Y*.'r' :em""*e.'"m"' b-'e^rCm."e^
\ . :V--; -;/ (;>-7 ' '.,"V'" Your cousin, '";:'' .-'"'' | ( . ..; ;x--VV.'.-/. . .;., ... ; ;. ."TOM R. BICKERSTAFF.'^.'

1"* '''- 't.;.;,'"'";'".':''",;"''.-^" ;;;'''Harry read and re-read' the .letter many | .- .';. r";.;;-;t :.times, and sat at his window thinking about'

--;"C-::^'l-"'x'it. till the dun'reach of space along the. moun-

; -'.-.'v .-::,,'-; .\'/'.tain's .brow began 'tp' blanch in the path of

i .;.'; ;i'.V : '-,';/<-.!on-c'oming Phoebus.' Then he laid, his .letter

;. \ '....;". ; .;,: 'V/.down ; abstractedly on . the window-sill and

\' ^ -.''; . ^";.-"went to bed.

'. . -.-~.v .:."'.';. ' .-.

i . ;. "; : v;>;,^/'.:;yA gust of air, fanned by the wing of Fate,

i : "J.r-- .'.;': ^>-:/:':.:caught the open letter and wafted it to the

. ; ;. 4 -'-..-," r:;.f earth. After sun-up the overseer passed by

i /V'-.' <:-^-;-.X\':-N.beneath -the window and"possessed himself of " ,----'------r^."it,"damp~ with""dew".""" With characteristic curi-"

;...'" 1/..^A : ; ;v-^;osity he devoured its contents. His sinister., I . : ' ;'.'.;V^.; >-^,;-: facer I igh t e d w it h a- k i n d o f g ra t i fi cat i o n a n d a i; -^--^::. :^3r;7'>crafty-smile. ' -,'' .'/...'-. . "-"- - ~"//.\ -. I/.""'.''"i\ ;r';:':;>;?:.'"^-:;*!Ah, ha, my stuck-up X01111 ? ^ or<^ ; so this is ( .; ^ /'./' ;\'.-v^-'-v- yer. plan ?/' he growled savagely.'' " I couldn't [^""y" -;',; '*:-'', "'make out what on earth you was a-galavantirT !'; ^^.''' r \'^~' Vrbund^that yaller hussy fur. Now I know, an'

^t^';v:'^^-> .'/V:'::.^/;^;:v - \--. :/ : -.- --- ./->-:"/./""---. 1.33"-,\,.;, ' ,;. '. \/
'.'' .^thiVyer is down in black an f white agin you.-/ '

" :.r:: --My. wife an'gals, is too fur below this family

V. '': to 'sociate with, it seems, but the. whole of-'

"~r.7T^>^m~'ih^

I'll -show.------ ---

. "'"',///;''em a thing or two, or my name aint Johnson.

.' ' -

;/';';"He is a-tryin' .to prove the gal's white, eh?

/';-'.D--n her, she'd be black in streaks ef.I had ' ' ^-/'myway !'''"_'''-..- / ": / * - /;.!;',"..' ' "-, .> _ ': *''. \ :

. '"'J'.jvHe, put; the letter carefuljy in his pocket

..'

./'^and crossed the meadow to -.the" white .two-

:

''/-;'roo4med cbttage. where his wife was busy pre- , . . "

"."'" .^.paring; breakfast. . His three slovenly fat girls

.;' V-nvere inside the house. x ' \ . / ,"" *';/ . :- ."."'.

' .-, :.V' 'Ole/oman, M said he to his wife at the well, ^ -. _ . -

/'.;' :-.::>< I've heerd you say many a time, that you' ,

..;.-;: thought strange o'..Hany a-takin'. on so over

/;'j-;>v;'.Marie/..vWdlU I've drappcd on to a Cull nest.

;

.._I;:i^By^all..that's.holy^.the_young _duke .is a-tryin' / J ',

V-l-to-prove, that she is free-born. 'Don't say : *

-/,; nothtn', .-but jest keep yore mouth shet, : . -

Mr. Johnson!" exclaimed'the un ^. : '.couth female, holding the handle of the wind;;';/. lass with a red, chuffy hand, while the leaky '.';;; .-"bugket, half-way on its journey to light, hung,

.- 134.

' -'WHITE MARIE.

'shedding Its contents in showers. " Why, Mr,.'

. Johnson, I haint had the least idee o' that. I

know ; when the gal-fust come Miz Bicker-

Tstaff 'did 'make some to-do over' her-'looks, an'

.'['.'''wasn't' satisfied fur some time;, but the Lord ,

knows I 'lowed that was drapped fur'good,

Of course, .when she sucked the pizen out'n

-.'.Harry's snake-bite they kinder tuk- to her

..--;/agin. I couldn't- count the times -to save me

v^that Miz Bickerstaff has told me 'bout how

/vMarie saved her boy's .life. I've tried a hun-

.:Aderd times .to .git her to take one- o' my gals

,'''

'

..





"*in fur help round the house, but she wouldn't

.'/listen to 'it. ;^I. notice Marie never has no

.."'trouble'to git what she wants. -To see her an1

;*-"Misxs Laura together .a pusson 'Vd take 'em

;..v" fur sisters, ur'.ef. they wus- told that' one uf. 'em

^ a.slaver it-'-u-'d- b'e a- hard matter to- tell-

' wus tother. ' Whar's the fine lady in

/'this .land that wears, any better clothes 'an

--;.'heV, .'ur can hold the'r 'head 'higher, I'd like to

^f.know? . Is niggers to be put on a footin' with

'respectable'white folks? I'd like to, know
'/"y.'<"that,'too.".- -",. '- ' r;.;.'/.. v'-':,c;v^:^.v -'vv,.; ^^';i

would have been even a greater'dis-

i,"' .;' ]''' *'-\';^^:\': COC/SfAr TOM*S LETTER.

^35 ' ' .

"V ', play of'-the angry female's spleen had Johnson

L

"-. "('not interrupted her. ^

- .'.'/ /"-.";

f\ '. '~v >".'.* It's jestfHarry now that's trying to prove

'..'.' '.''.;" her'white/' he said. " I found a. letter under 1 *

'*.'..'';''''.."'i hisr'oom'"winder' from young Tom Bickerstaff. .

''

.,/': '-It-seems to be'a answer to one from Harry '

''[

! . ' - -'* concerning, the .wench. It. don't 'give him '

j

' . -"V;any satisfaction, though, wuth speakin' 'bout; . ( .

1

-seems'like Suzette has carried on down thar

m '. j,

.-, . : -.purty much ,as,she has here--jest enough to ""

'

/; ..'!.:"tmhi^nkge/.'f-o-;l'k.:s yta'>lkya:'n"':w;-o:n>"d:.e-r:/a'.n"';Vn"o'-t:- p1 'r-o''v'e- any--' : "'' ' ' ]

.%> . :.u y6u* cayn't; fool me in gals anV boys-- '.

f

[ t . ' ;-Harry!s'dead in love with Marie," said Mrs... .

.'

.;.;; -.Johnson : sententiously, as she . lowered the'

- '"''.;; ".bucket which curiosity, and many leaks had.' *

V>' '".'.deprived of its contents. "That's as plain as ---^--^the- nose~'on'yore face/'-she went on, after she ------ -

; ./;,. V''7;.had. wound/ the . creaking. windlass until the .

. m ;. . t .:;1 ; bucket was within.the reach of her disengaged

,'; .-.'.''hand^.- ."And/ what's more,.it|s love o' the

, ' ,;.; puore sort, ef I'm any judge. You was in the :



.' .r ' .''iY.'field Jyis. tidJy when'he

fotch

her

home

in the
-

',

i,-.' '' '. -'- ; buggy, after he'd jumped in the creek fur'her.

"/-'I;wonder ef his mammy's blind?/' .

:-," 136 '-' ; . ".. ; V WHITE^MARIE. r

."

V"'r v. u Some . o' these day's I'll put. a bee v in his " 7pap's ear," growled Johnson angrily. ' " The'll ;> be a hop-an'-skip time then, I'll''bound you. V.I'd like to .humble 'em..all. . F haint had-no ..objections to" the danged.family holdin'.the'r-
- se'ves up above us, but !sence they've tuk to .honeyin'.up that nigger it goes agin the grain,' -.. You remember how Harry fit me like a tiger "when Fcotch the 'gal.by the arm to.make her ' ' jine the cotton-pickers -last fall! . I haint fur_. got that^an' I wont in'a'hurry nuther.' How " .long is it till breakfast ? "You.all git later and . later every day. ..The's a power o' work to " do, an'when'..I aint out to-drive 'em .the "nig,-'gers s are as lazy as dogs in'summer." _-.:: y 'He.went into .the-cottage with-thunderous "':'>-" strides," and seating himself at the bare table k *-;.-he. loudly.commanded his daughters to bring v'his breakfast. .. , .'..'"" :-- - - .- '' '''/-.'.-..-. : .

xiii.

' >-":..:-A' . VIS I T T.O MARIE. '

RS,. WILSON and Mrs. Bickerstaff were

sitting in the latter's Sitting-room on" the

morning following Marie's accident.

"Linda, how is Marie this morning?" Mrs.

Bickerstaff asks . a servant who is passing

; through the room. . "" . --';*'. ' \.

;.'"" Dey all say she is better, ma'm," the girl

. answers. " De fever is mos* gone; nothin' ails

'er -'cep' 'er wrist is sprain."

' . '-._

'. '" I shall go down to see her directly," Mrs.

Bickerstaff says. " Poor girl, she is as frail

and unused to pain as an infant! " -~-' ~ " ""?*'~

'" << Minnie,"..Mrs.AVilson says, after the ser

vant has withdrawn from the room, "I can't

understand how you can treat this Marie-so

indulgently. To -be frank with you, I have

'wondered over it ever since I came here; She

is treated almost as an equal--I may say a

pet--by you all. Such a course would be

*- :' : '^ '-138. - > - -,".. WHITE 'MARIE.

"/ ' '

. ;;:, "j ''-^ .;- "' : '' -'.'. '/' -- .>; ".'*; - .''-.'.'"....'. ;'

-\?::t ~r:^:_ .seriously detrimental to 'the proper manage-

;.</:^->'^mentVo,negroes in Soifth Carolina. Jealousy v.-..;'v'-'''; v : ': -''vwould run rife. I have-not seen her turn her'

^^^/'Rahd to a'.thing since I have been 'here. "She .

}.'-^'^-.X';J: -dresses as neatly as Laura, and with as much

:;'^''^' :'- ;;\->taste.. --With Laura, even, it's;Marie. did this,

.^^:;.: Marie 'did that; Marie said'this marvelous

(^;^o;^;. : thing, or that, from morning till night. Now,

. ';'.; '" .'"./who ever before heard of a mulatto maid being

'.. '..',''''//-'treated by her mistress as an associate?

/'",:; -.//';-When I take Laura to-task .for it she says:

".;*' < -V^:-V^Oh, .mamma, _for gracious' sake, let us

hr !V"; .;v.:.V/ialone ! we are only here for a' few weeks, and

.'"^:;'"*'--V^-7'-why not let
*'*T'/.' "'< *>'.- *;..-.'"-.

me
,.

erijoy.it as'I wish?

* *

_

Marie is


*^^'^:r^Really -bright and charming, and I can't help

.her; so would you if you saw her as

as.I do/ . She and 'Harry have spoiled. nd--you-will se'e-that I am right.'!- ~-~.

If ; sh^ is really spoiled'," says Mrs. Bicker-

, 'with a sigh, " Lam afraid we have all

-had' a hand in.it.. I f shudder when I think

;':>what the poor child's 'future 'may be. The

-/'':treatment she has received at our hands would

' ,-.be. denied her in any other Southern family."

; 'T?v ".Well, don't you think you have wronged

! I .' ' ' '

' ..'*-,:- ' r/.,'-\t '" r" -V '-' A"," ', "--"-'*"- ' ,?' -, : -, ". ~"' '< '

- V \"- ""'* C ' -VV^ "'-. '' '- ~ ''"'.'' "-'

'-'. . .' * ' ^ '.' "' ~-. :

'' t '.-'::'.-.\'-i^'^

\ / J 39

'* her ?"; asked Mrs. Wilson with some asperity. 1 '-".":" It is'not in .your power to elevate hersocially. ' ." Don't -you believe* that you have, in treating *"*.'.;. '''her witlv so much more consideration than is~ . . -.'.-due her station, rendered her unfit for a life of .' -. -'-.contentment in her own natural sphere ? You !, r ' have educated her. to feel as we feel, think- as
> .' *., we 'think, and act "as. we act--where do you '-:':' think it will end?" v .'- \' - : " ' : - -'.
; ; \ 'Mfs. /Bickerstaff is somewhat crestfallen. : ,-...." You are right, Annie," she says softly. - ..'.''.'.'.'But it was through a mistaken and blind idea
. .;of right that we have drifted into the present - ,\. dilemma. You remember she saved Harry *s
,. v life--you know that would be hard for a < mother to forget. But at the root of it all, '- there -is yet something that I have not told

"-"When Suzette.and the child came from .Louisiana, -I was so strongly impressed with -.Marie's white face and refined manners that I could'not but harbor suspicions that her life was enveloped in some, mystery, which, if re' moved, would show her to be free-born. This haunted me so much that I took some' steps

j:'^:. -; :: ,;.:-*-',- ;>v;.I4o'- ' " : '._'\:- WHITE MARIE. "'"' _' : ^ -v v

J '.':':'. .-;,r .:.>'. -toward investigating' .her '.'history. However

P.:-;" : '-^ : :^ S: ;^ .every" effort' In that/" direction failed. The

'' ... ; : v^'"' : :-;' Colonel laughed at me so- much that"!,' at last, i 1 " ''.' "''"''' , ' '. gave '-up" trying ; but' I was far 'from' being'

I V: .',';;."; satisfied,, for the more 'I saw and studied

K"'-' '.vr/V''1. '- :*,. Suzette all the more cia it seem to - me that

;];.'/.".. '. V- : ^;V> -''behind' her stubborn .taciturnity lay some

i ; . :."/;">, ; ..\v" 'secret concerning Marie's. birth. ' Even now i;^:-^/:.',.^ ;;!,- she act^ exceedingly q^ieer.' . '. ;'' . /';.^ ' '.

I '. :.;.'--' ..:.';-..';.. '."- *' A.month .or so after they arrived, 'Liza

I / ^; /; ; v' :/ V came to me with the information that Suzette

!>1: ;:, : ;/.-'.;.' >\;;. invariably slept on the floor with nothing for :i '"'' .:.,-'.. ;:'O"; --.a ;bed except a pile of straw' and; a quilt or

}--'. \ c^.,-/ ;''':'.- v "'two, while Marie occupied the only bed in the

1/..;.':V "':.;:;.V;/v- r'.cab'in. M'^went-.to the hut;( and was greatly

;| v!::.. 7'.*;"'^::';-'astonished .by the more, than verification of

^^'^^^^^.^'.the report 'Liza had given "me. _ .The interior

'i^;,,.^^^^:^; of.; the ^cabin then, as --now,- was- a marvel .of

jt, ^.'*^'''-''.^'-,'?>'^*-<"^.'^'.'.''**A'. rag ' carpet mad'e ,by'*' Suzette's 'fj";^^;' :'N^. :-:^^:'. own ' hands was on the-: .floor. Snow-white

hung round Marie's bed, and under

-.::' ^^^'V'-'i:' ^, bound in a sheet, was the straw Suzette

^-i^

On the walls were' some: pictures

; i-^::^;;i>^;^-v.;:^which they had brought from Louisiana; and

;;|^^^^^^:;^;;y,:V'the mantelpiece held some pieces .'of. bric-

'; ; :;;;-'; r; ;:;*:- x -:^ 'VISIT. T&MARIE. .-,

141

.",. a-brac, such as vases, -china figures, etc. I

Y : ,'questioned Suzette very closely in regard* to

.Vv her not sleeping with Marie. She was very

\; much-flustered at. first, but at last said that the

'.''' doctor in 'Louisiana had 'advised her not to'"

..'' occupy the same bed .as the child, on' account

';of -the injury'it would do to. Marie's health.

:' !...This, while I could not think it the only mo-

v [ tive in influencing Suzette, touched' me keenly,

/.and I promptly ordered another bed to be

: taken to the cabin.

'. :.

1 .'/;*/'At Various times after this, the Colonel or

'.",... I vvould assign some light task: for Marie to

.''perform, only to see Suzette find time, aside

:'J from her accustomed duties, to do the re-

.'''.quired work. ' We learned that she absolutely

"V-forbade Marie to obey, our "orders. Finally,

1 :',\o\vjng, to Suzette's indomitable perseverance

.;'.-in .this-strange course, her most pitiful de-

"'-', -jection w^en thwarted, even in the slightest,

1 /' 'and, our great admiration for her patience

".!.' and firmness, we yielded. Nothing we could

> .bring to bear could induce Suzette to explain

' ,.'-;:: .'her motives. So in" this way Marie, who has

'' './., always been very interesting, has grown com*

'^:J:.-';;V' . WHITE 'MARIE.-- : '""." V-";'.. "'
into'our hearts.'" .Ever since she 'saved 'Harry's life, she has/had her own way, until, as you say,"\vho-knows where it will end ?, In addition- to ' this,-' Harry and I, between us, have taught her "to read and write.'' She has ' read a great many good'books, and has aston- * ishing powers of reason and -depth of-pene--. tration. I have often thought that Harry's regard for her'approximated-the feeling that . a: '-boy might entertain fora younger_sister, . but I have' never .had-the 'heart to reprove him .for it.; Sometimes I feel secretly proud.' of him for 'his generosity. T. often find^ it ,next to" impossible to think t that she is Suz.ette*s daughter, and then my heart goes".out to her, poor child, as it has- never gone out to any.but my own flesh and, blood." A tear
the sympathetic speaker's eye when she to speak. '.' .' ,':'s ;;'' _ , v '.,-'' ''?/,'* '.: ,'' : : = :V..Wellf well," 'Mrs. Wilson said,, with no ,' r-V^-;^?--"--.'.y-'.: ::*'ii-little depth of emotion, -^ You have almost >^^^'^.m&deme hold, my breath. I am . trembling all ; };?^:.;>^'.>-V;:Over. .Why, I, never dreamed or read of such. ^'.^'ii.^-:':'.'a state of affairs.. I can see very easily how became involved. T-would have done
^<d'.'^',W/.''*;f'v- ' ' ' : .:"..'-'

pkv-;

rist'T TO MARIE.

143

',: even" worse'than you have. "Of course, it would

';'notbe"advisable to allow Marie to understand

how deeply^ we are interested in her, .since it

'mayever-be out of our power to change mat-.

" tersf '. but-i shall certainly take-more- interest ".uv her/**:';.": - /' "''.' '<: "/*."''' V V :!" *'

/:"'.'.'Suzette has never treated Marie as a negro ..'.would'-treat her.-own child; M Mrs. Bickerstaff
said reflectively; u The treatment has more -nearly', resembled , that of a. faithful slave -.toward the .child of a revered master or mis-

. , "/;.v; '(Thea.ypu think that--" ' \ ',''. .'''' : ";. :
; ;A S".I^can't- say what I think. Suzette is "/either Marie's mother, or has some strong
.''reason for concealing the identity of some,,.'..""/; body's "child."; - .-. '- _ *' /'-,. .-'";"". V
' -.('^ ".You 'say she has never treate.d Marie as '. .] .her own/child ; -then it must be that--" ,. ':''.", God only knows. Sometimes I wake up
.at.night thinking about Marie and her queer //life.:";I think*I ought to be pardoned for in
dulging her, even if it was not best for her. 'Pier life-may be .ruined, but it is in God's Vi ;-V'hands.?'-''' ' ' ''""' .: ^^": v''V; ';.-."".',- ">, ;,,-

^J^: ;;:.'.v^v ; '^44'"^"'.^ -"' ^:. f:^:WHITE. MARIE. \:\ :^.^'^'^\:t \

^^'''^^..-:^J:;,;."-I am.so glad you .told me. this.' I have

^. r ';x; !'., b^een looking at her from a/false standpoint. I

v.;. -iv;-.: ;:C :';';:' ;: -am willing to pay half her worth rSsyou 'will do

;^v-;Til^^:-:l.the same to buy her freedom. - Suppose we do. '

v-/',;;-.<v:;-v.:'^-;. ;.It--we could not do-a more charitable ;deed."

'^^-', V. ; " I have thought of that/' said Mrs; 'Bicker-

: ', :._"/ ... staff, " but it has seriously objectionable fea-

.''':'-,'..'.":'-^\ .\tures. Th'e life of a.negro whose; liberty has

'!';.;'/.':'':-.:':' been,purchased is .not an enviable one/even

."';'. .'. ''.;"'*-.' .among slaves. The.blacks despise them, and

', : '':.,'".;/',.'.' the whites ignore them." ', ' .^, .'. \. : ^ ".'

/.'''-:-";; ^-- ;-: : ^" ^'That's so 'almost fnvarfably. "Suppose we

.\;:>;v;.V:^ g down to see her., I have never been in the

^'^"^-'^v-'"; cabin, and I would like.to seeSuzette at home.

.-''v-".'''^^';:"--!, would like to try to read her mind." _ ' .- , .

^-'; ^r-.-'"'^ r"-'" You. will find her a closed book. But be

-^:>..: v-'^.. :r.very cautious about jvhat you say.tocher.. She

discerning." " v ... . : :- ^'.;"';-... v\.r';..v-':;?

r s:"V^ ^v^y'.."'-,"Suzette was % at Marie's bedside when .the.

'^"^ .,-r:"^r:''Vvisitors, arrived.' She_turned'to them" with a_

^'^^'^"^i^s^4^ en ' an<^ niysterious cloud of perplexity

^V;o'J k;; '/^::^across': her face ^ then she smiled faintly and

f'f'./:^^

in. ' ' ^. -; " : ' /' - -';.;".".\

^f;J^

Mrs. Bickerstaff "' introductively,, crossing the -floor to

X-V ?;,, A"'. VIST.fTO MARIE.

*45. '

: ,A1; Marie, who lay with open eyes and flushed

>'" face turned toward them.,' '

'.

C.' '/Shemuch better, ma'm. ' I'aint feard now. u~She"gvvine gifup'soon/'" ~'' - ---- u- '--- .-----%

& ;,': "She has some fever yet/1 Mrs. Bickerstaff

'; -^said, mistaking Mane's blushes for indications ';'0,of. fever. ' ./vT..'....-. ' " ;'. :'-; ; '. : :-".'v." .'. "' .' :

: :Iv';.' .".No, ma'm/'' objected Suzette, laying her .

:'';'ha'nd lightly on the brow, which was now

V. .paling as the sensitive girl regained compos-

'':.;ure.". " No/ma'm, she'aint got no fever dis

.mawnin r ;.she say 'er wris* pain 'er some/'at's

,, all.. You g\vine set up fur yo* dinner, aint

.you, honey? See wat Miss Laura done fotch

.-''--'er-dis mawnin r. Some mighty nice chicken

...vspup en dese flowers des fresh fum de ya'd."

-\,- '" How do you' .feel, Marie ? " asked Mrs. ]

'^Bickerstaff, taking the white hand in hers,._

with marked tenderness of action and tone.

...;' : " I feel quite well, thank you ; my hand "--

pointing'to'the member bound in splints--'

"pains me a good deal." -



-' ;:

" "Did'you sleep well last night? Did the

. doctor administer a narcotic? "

' '^" Yes,-ma'm, .he gave it to me, and I slept

'/'. 146 ....; "V '-^'-^WHITE MARIE. . * .

"-.:;v-vrall Jilght, but I believe-1 must have had a him-

.' >,*' ;'-./'

"

; ,' . .-,'. ..

..

.'

.-\''"^:v^dre.d. disagreeable "dreams. .In my dreams I

'.vv>:>."was made to suffer every torture to.be imag-

:'^':.-ined.- .1 could hardly recall wherel..was ..when-,

^'^~~I"W6ke this morning." . ^ , ....; : ;/ .-.:;.;.- ;,-'.'

"*'r:V.vr " That was :because: the drug -did not quite V';}..^.subdue'your pain/' answered Mrs. Bickerstaff, ;*v';^ u You must'hurry .and get-well. We are going ,''"V: -'\to.have a picnic. . Everybody on the planta-

'.,-: ; ; tion^will go, and we will have a nice time."

;;.;:-; ' 'i/'1,'If the speaker's glance,'which-sought' the.

;t ":.. :^wounded girl's face, signified that a show of

;!.'!'delight was expected from the latter: at the

Yv;>: announcement of the anticipated .amusement,

:^:^' the lady -was disappointed, fo_r. the white face .-;;/:''^.-:on s.the snowy'pillow did not brighten in the

:..'-fv/;-least; ',, Suzette knew that not a jot_of. gratifi-
;: ^-;.^-1'cation"'had place'" in the- girlish;voice when .""-: :;C^Marie made her mild reply :' ' "'.'"; ' - .;/-.v "j

r";;7,:v. ^;U;.That will be nice....Miss Laura will enjoy ;/v ,'.".: i-tr."" She is-so fond of, the/woods and moun-.

^;-\;'r/^';" We want you to enjoy it^o, Marie," said. ^'!r';,;;: :.TVIrs..Bickerstaff, feeling a sharping at heart ',*'';."'\-from' : noticing, the depth of the girls', apathy
?:*$'&~'!&

MARIE. . : ' " " 147 V

,'.. ;' and.her. unselfish concern for LauraVpleasure . ' ., - at-such*.a ."moment. She-'and Mrs. Wilson , .'.-.: were at that instant, with a deep u^ty of feel'""T.-Vingr thinking-* of "the " sadness " of the young'""'"" ''

;>;j> slave's condition. Almost simultaneously they'

..!;:/. looked sc^utinizingly. at -Suzette, as if.by vir-

-,: ; i tue of the -organs of sight .alon'e they might

';.". penetrate-the veil which hung between .the

t woman's secret soul and her visible being.

',,;.-.:'; : "With:a keenness'of perception-which is a',

, '"..distinguishing characteristic of her dull-minded

. . ;.' race,"Suzette essayed to shift their .glances and- . . *

. :.the .thoughts which she divined intuitively.

.... 4/'-'Mt'mighty good er Miss'Minnie en- Miz

'" ;> Wilson : ter come see you, honey," she said ./..

;; "uneasily, turning her back in part to the visi-

',-.-,! ;tprs.: .as she. spoke. "You gwine git up in ,

;^.^rplenty : time^.fur ,de .picnic. "C'ose ;'t\vont- do _.._.,..

.:,:';: ter.tekyo* han' out de splints 'ight now, but

,V;.::"yqu kin wear it in er sling en it.wont-.hurt er'

while." '.' ' :

'- ;.--:?. i-v;.'.''-'- :'



'

'

' .





two ladies were deeply impressed with- . -.

. >7"thei-r;visit, and both were in silent communion

, ./-.with-.their'own . reflections as Nthey retraced

.,':.their'step^ toward home. .. . .,; ' ;',- .'..' : ";; '- ':

!; V ' o-: '';/- ;'V*48 *"'^l'i;^-^ WHITE MARIE.. ^:'\"'\'(''-. '

^;';r';vv'^A-^-: :-^V" I declare, 1 'said Mrs. Wilson, breaking-the

j;I-^^;^::^VC silence with a sigh, " something ought to

f.'.vy;;'^' l :*f^~ be - done to .induce Suzette'to/-speak plainly,

j^; .''/^'^^"'""The' idea of that beautiful girl with her bright

' .-;'.;> : ;v:."-mind and greatness of-soul'leading such.a life,

j ..' "'''-./' when, for aughfwe know, she-may be entitled

j "- ':";' .;Clv:-.. to as high social position.as you ;or I/'. '. :

!.' .',.. .;';';;:'; ";^':j' ':" The. chief trouble is/I take it, owing to.

j-, .'.'';';;;.: J'-^Suzette^s being firm in (some inexplicable con-

iO ,-:J-;-%: -; ;'-;: viction that she is right in-her treatment of

'[-;. V-'i-V.-^-':''- :\l' : Marie. She, is" an earnest Christian in.-her ,

\*'^-''^; :-'/-;^:'''.: simple way. She^ may be:burthened with'

r-"V^/ ; >"-:';":-;' ;>some mistaken, conception .of right-doing. I j

^; ;- c^> ;\-\.x-> talked her up to a high state of excitenient , |

.[^,;'.-.':.";':* ^'V-once on the subject, but-was unable 'to get . ;

,,,';- ^^v-:'-,;-^anything but of her beyond moans and tears,

;j]: ^^U!'v'i v;;'v"'and .renewed assurances /that she .was ! doing _

''lV:^^l''^:-^-the.ibest: she. could for- the, child, -When r.-.-|

;!v/;,.*V-;-'v^'lV^>'asked her sharply and firmly if Marie was her

;['v>:;^ ;: v-^.'-v,":;'-offspring, she hesitated for.'a moment, then

^V/;^::.|V;^^

that she was, but. not one

I^r;" :-;V >>'-%/;"!::-particular concerning Marie's^birth could I.

i!r^^'.X"w^v;v:;'-get from her lips. .

. ^X - ':-.;,'' . ':

f[;; .'' ;V--/: : ';''/:. "-Mane inherits ' a wonderful Vride from.

I ./.,;::/ .-.V-X '

'

l\

;!;:.:-;. ;/; -t;:.;'. 'some source, and has the greatest anuStender*

VISIT TO MARIE. :

149

est heart in the world, She' holds her head ..-high above the negroes, and has she not the right to do it?. She is as different from them ';as a pure flower "'is from an obnoxious weed.'. ': I do believe 'if we should withdraw ourselves
fram; ; her.'she would die. of a broken heart. . 'J.wThe most s pathetic part of this pride is that, -% ; while- she unconsciously betrays her belief in ."'her superiority to other slaves, she never for a > 'moment forgets^ that she is subservient to us." ,-, "Minnie/' whispered Mrs. Wilson, as they ;ascended the steps of the veranda' on which . the Colonel sat, " if you ever need a friend in " any. way concerning her, don't fail to call on " me. "I want j":o . do something for -her, poor

::^X-/:;''V^r:J: "'-'J:?-;-^V-.*v;;'.;'!--1:'.-;O' '.;;.'V\,'.-A.L/.:':<"'1-'"-7/"/\r-; ---;T: ';;"- v-;--':-'- '-.-;-''--:' '.-

"CHAPTER xiv;
I -i -..- . -. " .' "' '/ .' --
,'PICNIC. . \

;."'.''.'.'/../'/'" r\A KLAWN from center to circumference

:':.,'-j'-","'"? :^v Vx ' was astir with a new sort.of activity which

lV;'':.^y:':".'"~? :-the'- departure from dull_ routine had occa-

; l^x^Y;Y'/-.sioned.' ^The 'word ."picnic" -sounded often.

fy^^;^;.Y-:'.;v;vand N oddly .from many a tongue which'had

.',;,.-.'.^;>.:; ,{"<:'never had occasion to, articulate 'it/before.

/j\ ;;":;;0.7'. ,'v?''; Poll -"was. in her' most airy f element as (she_

^.r"';-,/^'^-^>/r ;. JgIided' proudly among shining and clattering

:-: :\^:;: :-vv:^L-:':^ 2"'co king-yessels. Her bright particular^, hour.-

/.:.. ; YV.-'.Y-^^. of^ triumph was soon to dawn. .. ;" " . , -."':.'-v- :

: ;:^^'^4>;i^':^> C.O.t her slaves ^may succeed in. drawing the

of the whites in some small, momen-

; way, and she did. not begrudge them all

would receive ; but on the morrow, when

J|?'^P/'%

for dining drew-near, Toll"would be

~'t'^7-':^

a^ urt with-all the ecia^and recog-

ti^^^-^lV^nYnition/that thirty sharpened appetites ^could

Ip.'H.T/^..' ^"v-;-/'rouse. . No delicate morsel would go to a pair

i| /,.- _t v -; *.-., , ... -.'..

.

,-

.

O

C

'.'I PV^^^^ ;>' of lips, without the-.recipient .thereof blessing

. '

||i.:; v^V0r:>;.-';:\^-' .'- "," \."'"' : '*. "/ :-;-."- .' '"' ;'.'''''''..-; 151 ->
; - ;-:-the hour in which such a cook came into the
:/',.world.-/'"';'/.-;;'. ..,'' "'';,''/- :' :.;, . : 'v-, ",

: />v'" Chickejis were .killed, and the cluster of/'

"'"7",M*'little~darkies, deniiding'their bodies of feathers"

^;'-.behind the kitchen, came near turning them-

.'i' selves' into leather-colored pillows by inhaling

--';;'*the clouds of down and feathers that filled the

\\ain found "them like' a driving snow-storm as

V'''.they^merrily saVg plantation songs.

/;.j-.. Pies--great, round,.scalloped fruit things-- v

*,' smiled, in sugar-frosted and juicy wealth

.;. "-through, crisp, yellow crusts, laid in all the

: '.'.J;-;T hieroglyphic designs, possible 'to Poll's powers

; '^v'-.of invention. Rich... golden '^cakes, baked in

; ^'buttered brown papers, to prevent their sticking

./>.to the'pans, lay in the windows, now spotless

;;l;mountains""of ice, with craters- formed by the_

LC!:>.pan.tube.^_ Watermelons, the choicest _of the_

.y;seaspn, 'which had been " plugged " to show

'..-that' their interiors were worthy of the icy

*-'..bath- they had. had for twenty-four hours in '

- \'the . spring-house, .were" placidly waiting to

* show their .colors.

" ' ; - . .':';'

'-' .Ubiquitous, ^intrusive, irrepressible Pomp

v : :'-Hvas .sounding "his stentorian guffaws, now in

I}--'-'-1-T.ii;v; -^
! !:"'< .V:- >;

^-..kitchen."

In, the'" door of the':' ' ]' ' '^-^-.iv .f^V;;''.'- .' .;-'."' s[\fj

r^'.'v.V ." Poll/' boastfully,'"! got de ca'ge en spring ""'

^pvai^on^^ii^

ez' 'slick.ez.'; "'

: '. : , goose-grease, .en . de . hoss'es--^specially' my :

:','. "pa'r--all 'breshed up''fine lak ole .Marster's .

^r::beaver;-- But I know w'at dey gwine do,--dem1 '

.'. fool hosses gwine lay down in de mud in der.

f"''/.:-'''. stalls ter-night en' look wuss. 'n er o le m* u. d 1 :./' ;c fence" splattered wid tadpoles in de mornin'. '

;;': Dey know pow'ful well dis. : er 'special 'casion,", .

/Jkase I'mos'rub de hides ' off'n um .wid my '

-'\,4 ;Cufrycomb ter mek um gloss, en ole Bill,

' ;';-while^ he is'-chawin'''way on his co'n, .kep'.

'back at me lak he'des wish I'd let 'im-.

.

-

,

]^~" Go;way wid yo' tongue,-nigger/' Poll says

^curtly,." I aint got no time fur yo* sort.., Oh :^

'. my soul! I 'mos" kill myse'f laughin*. Wat

dat;'I'jdone heerd 'bout you en Suzette? Ef

;dat don't beat me now. 'Liza'done tole Ole

;';Miss, en she. mighty nigh split 'er sides over' .

..It. .; Suzette 'low w'en er nigger go'en''pose

:.ter er lady ter marry um dey orter kinder'fix

up er'lill, en not go sprall on de do'step wid.t

1

jrS^'^

.' - '

i53 , , ' :;

'^'^^clodsin der; shoes eri mouf open lak er fishin swif water."' '. ' - .-; " ; . '" \ ' */..'-.>/>' .'V-/-. .- ..-.'Ji

Lls.you.gwine set at we-all's table, Poll?"

'j

"dusky,,''discomfited braggart asks 'with*; '*/ ''*;' -I irrelevancy; ' " . ::'', ; /.:';i\v-.' l.:. \ ;:!'_/>";. "" '

' ", 5^;v-'"Faint said one .wud 'bout whar I gwine .-.

",

"',. ;;\V.'.set/' in slow surprise,.for there were deeps in

.

|

:..;''-;: :'his.nature that the. plummet .of her wit had . " . j

1 ;'^.'never sounded, " I's tellin' you 'bout--" . ' ; ;';. - j

.."."^.'V^Ole .IVIiss''low ter Marster,".began Pomp, . .' ' .. j

1 ..- //'with a seeming far-off look in his uneasy orbs, " "

.j

'[ 'V^which. was designed for no other purpose than

- t ,^ ;

'.;.::.to .convey" the idea that he .had not caught

';v; Poirs.last .remark.--" Ole .Miss say we^all

;' : --"'gwine had er ram-up, scrougin'dinner at de

/';:;-, picnic^ kase Polly certney kin cook."

. ' -

''^'"'".W'en-'she say" dat, Pomp ?" eagerly ques-

"."Ationed Poll, the delicious^ current of gratified _:__ ,,

" :./. vanity ^drawing her over the falls of Pomp's

/.-;:/" Ne-:\you :' mind," astride of a high horse. ['':.: "Toll, you is mo' curi's 'an er pet coon ; you 1 -' -tekone up in yo'lap.en it g\vine s'arch ineve rr*
.^'pocket-you got;'ef you des pin sompin in one '"'pocket,' ef 'taint mo'n er lill piece er 'backer,

,:':-, : ^ .>S4'-' ' V;. . : 'WHITE

,

'--v'r A .de coon'lf wuk at it wid his paws all day er git

^-''.'.O^tout ter see w'at tis.. 'At's you out en out; I

"-' :v:-.-.V~-/~.S..w- o:. u. ldn 't b. e in y'o* \place fur.freedom en mo' -;'r^'';^money 'an ;Marster got. Nobody kin open'

^^'"': 'der mouf 'dout you is axin* um' sompm you

; .'.'.;.'? '''aint gwine know;, but I mus ? go, kase dey

;v'V.^-; want me ter saddle Marster's noss. M So he

; .'-'-"'^^i6 ^ ^^ e credulous woman in a pleased reverie

'.:'/.^..: ' over his harmless invention. .

-.- ,

-'-' '" r " 'The day for the picnic^ broke bright and

;'''.. S balmy from an unclouded sun and a. clear,

-.. i"1 .-':;!' ^; :blue sky, - . .' '' .,'..'' :- '',;,; '?'.;.:. ;/.-'.

I
.1i- ' ."

-' ^:-; ;.*'-' The carriage, buggy, spring-wagon, and two

:;*..i: 'V':>;;vlarge ordinary wagons were ready on the lawn

.''""-"';-''"'

r

'

'

'

'

;^;^\;;^ at a very early hour, and after breakfast, they

'-' T;;^/- :; i : were quickly filled with the excursionists. The

-uv';^^;: carriage was set aside;'for Mr. Wilson' and his

;"-^': '^-'wife and the'Colonel and Mrs. Bickerstaff, with

;'>;v5^;;: -PompJri the high seat in front. . ' . .-, : .

>;:V:-.:V^ j^^t his father's suggestion, in the1 young lady's

^v/l.: -:7presence/Harry had'asked Laura, to .take a

''\^^'- seat in the buggy with him. The spring wagon,

vehicle in rank, contained John-

'"-' ::::' ."*'son,' who was. driving, and his t wife and

;^>--\;^three' daughters. The other wagons, which

''" ;s' '-; . :'-.'.' '"'' '-- , '."!.'-" '. '. '.' '" "v '! **T'.\ ;". -''' 'C.' .--: '*"*
"..,''^. "'j"i '! ."' - --. ;' ' '"' ',">. ;...' T"'^;' ..-'?.,*'<" ^ .-r .'- Jv"-''r%-'.'*"* T.- ' --. ;,''"'

[*">.:'."> '* -~v'-.'-,%:' ^ THE PICNIC. ."''. 155

;; '.. . < ','*.'"' '-. .'.,'''. .

..

-.

'

'

..... stood' in" the rear, were well filled, with 'the

/ .exception of a- couple of chairs in one, which"

1 . ' ..,- : 'were reserved for Suzette and Marie, who were

. . , behind time, and air were impatient to start.

" ' .\ ; ''Marie' had come up to the'farm-house with ..

\' '.' : *v .,' ...

.

- '

.

. _.

N ,.,. her .arm"in a sling, and most becomingly at- .' \

' v'' tired. '"However, when quick-sighted Suzette, ' /

. ,*'. ...who-was also in readiness to "join the party, .

noted .the manner in'which the vehicles were . .

' .. filled,-and saw the seats- she and-Marie were -to . . r - take, she became at once 'cloudy and silent. ....

'' ; ! /She'drew Marie hurriedly from the porch into . .

.. '. : '.-. Mrs. Bickerstaffs sitting-room. .' . * . * . "'..;".';

, : '-"i4 'V,"/Y-r aint -er gwine er . step,-honey," she ' '..

..' blurted out angrily,; "De idea er you gwine

, ." be put in/at wagon /long er dem niggers--it's"

.,v. er shame.'!;' .. ;. . .1...-;.*' : ^ '/.',-: .v ;: ' ~'\^:-.^-.;.

'.'_- - '/: - a Ole-Miss say come an, Suzette!" shouted a

' .'; small negro in at-the window.' - . . ^' ; '-'i'-.^V-

. . '..".Tell um t'goine; me en Marie is gwine

'.. /. stay t* home dis day, M said Suzette with irate '; ' '

sternness, and the boy hastened away in high

. surprise with the message. . .

.1. -;' > .-

v;.;; "Ole Miss say come deh t Suzette/'said the /

K reappearing at the window. * -^ ' ;

'MARIE.- "-; '- -'.;. ; :

"':^>'* ;-;:;, :'-.\v\.--'Intense indignation was personified in-Su-

^^'^;\";/ v';-t>'X."-:zette's' twitching form, heavy .strides, and ^^:5r^;/'.^beetle brow as she-crossed the lawn to the % ':.;.^; '.-,'/;:.;-'. carriage, with not *a glance to the right or left, 'I'-'.'X'-r. ''':;!'; ' However, she shrank somewhat, under Mrs,

v.--'''".'"'.:.., Bickerstaff's impatient" gaze as the lady sharply '':'.^. ^,;.- :V- .asked the reason'of her strange conduct."" Su'.,.;;'. ;, : '::-"" '.zette was forced into diplomacy, and sought

:V;-';v;.r-^ ; -as-;usual to carry her point by; rousing \sym-. ;'.."";;.;' ';''.'' .pa?hy'_ for.Marie. .. ". / ". ' '* ; ";.v''.":', ^.v 1 ''

,:..V:; .'.:.^r-: l:' ; '- ".Miss Minnie," said she, with, not a jot

: ;;.v^..''.'./'.. .of her past indignation observable inv her.

:'r5^H::::-^:'./.niienoT-.words--:" Miss Minnie, y all' know.

^,y^v.v^?:.v;::: Marie's--han' aint. well, yit en ver arm is in

/-.^C:;..,-:; ?; ' :-:; -Jsplints. " Dey aint left, no place fur 'er 'cep'

:,^^^-v'rQ_^de big wagon 'at aint. got no springs, en de

^'i':^;^^

ef it will suit you, ma'm,

r---^-;^ ' ;;;;".r: .;':me^-enrT>er- '11 stay, at home-en-look- att.er de

v"-- ;.i-v^v^y <'";' big" house. "\ ; -.'./ "/'.;'-";:' :- /.. ;-^ :'7':: -.^.V'

;h-;;";>v/ r r^^':Harry's ears were" open to Suzette's plea, r .-'-^r^^v"J -'-: v:-;and he hearkened thereto so intently that he ~;^.vN-^^-:: failed-to catch a word.of what Miss Laura was

j^^^i^IV'.^f-'ij'^

of us all! "/Mrs. Bicker-

:|..^.;; %'*s/ ^V/'iy.-'staff. said, deeply" reproaching herself for the



. .

- ;

.

.".';neglect.--;".".Poor"girl, she shall come' in.here: .

Vwith me.. '-The Colonel, can, this once, ride .

";, .'on -the front seat with'Pomp." ".. : ;l ." :..'

'^'"^fNever H *mind, M said' the Colonel' quickly,""'"

"' ".'V there is plenty of room in Johnson's wagon ; -

.'. -7-it runs'.easier than this carriage. Bring those

:'- 'chairs to me from the wagon," he said to the

.'../.b.oy'who .ha.d.-.d.e-livered Mrs. BickerstafFs mes- .'. ... -''.sage to Suzette. 'The boy brought them, and

''.... the-Colonel put them into the back part of

';.:.' the''Johns%on .conveyance. "'

( . '/.-.

'' .-;;''rThere' now, Suzette/ r he said, " bring '..

..'.Marie, and you both ride here;.you ought to ^..

/;..have'mentioned it earlier/' ; . '. .'.-'-

' " ; ' -Johnson"s scowling visage became as livid

,.;; as compressed blood, anger, and sunburn com-. r . ''.''\bmed could make it. . '" \ " '.;:>"'. ';-.* '*'''

r_^l^Whyr -Colonel ri..-he._ gasped/.-.'iyoa- don'lJ

. ''', mean y.er goin'.. ter put 'em in with my folks !

/'..It's a blasted outrage, sir. Niggers is nig-

;. gers, <in' aint got no use mixin* up with^the'r '-'betters!''' V,"'' "'-. : ' './',. -V V^>^.V ' ' -^ "":'-.

^ v :> ;" Pshaw, Johnson, don't make, me ashamed /./of. you I" said' the Colonel, in the tone with ./which hQ usually silenced the man, /'Now

'-:;/ ;'-'..,'--don't be boyish. We are going out for a pleas-

; '.':": ;-'';'< ant day, don't mar the pleasure- of such a day

,.r.v'C;;'; V:..-with trivialities. Come on,' Marie/' as she came

" now ' get up there, and don't lean

too far or you will -get thrown out,

;-:: ;;,v, Take good care of .her, Suzette"; -an accident

' :V~v-^ to a sprain-is a very serious thing. " Now-. every.

. I'S fixed for a glorious day. ' Butwe mu$t

good-will all round." He concluded 'his

-.; : .; : .>; ; : . remarks with^a meaning look at the overseer, '

'.;^;;J*: ^and went back,to his seat in the carriage, .. '

'^,;.;S.---'.^^ "Johnson was hushed, but his wrath was at a

Av^ boiling point, .and showed itself in his growling

^y'v^^-ejaculations and the frequency^with which 'he

i^ .'?-.;-..'*
-''". '"'; '.'"-'

applled'the
v ' - '

whip

to

his

horses. - x

'

. ^-



'

..

/ :^-^:-''-'^ Mrs. Johnson and her girls were white with

but they knew better than to

i-J^^->-TMshowat-in-- the- presence of the -masterof Oak--

^;.' 1;^: lawn, on. whose bounty they" were dependent

\f^\;--5"^ for a. livelihood.

. -' ' . -; -'_. -/:'..-:-,:'--;:' '

/^^-V'r^-'V'-yv' Between. Daklawn and the picnic grounds

' ;:^;.'*r'.few words were spoken in the spring-wagon,

yV'r. ..:' Suzette had her arm thrown.protectingly round

-''-,;'. . Marie's chair, and wore a victorious expres-

>;; >,.' : ' sion ' on her face, . Maria's -.features betrayed

%\' :;>:'^^^

/" '. ;*59

''her intense mortification. It was vain for her

'; to''attempt to become inured to the daily

.'^^ stings which wounded her existence.

( ' ;. Harry was quite silent all the way, Laura

'/'-disappointed.' She.had thought the day would

.;';'. be. widely different. .Her heart-had bounded

.'.";" .and''thrilled 'with unusually deep, pleasure

'v'.ywhen he asked her to drive in the buggy with

,- '/'him. ; She had felt that he must needs admire

,, , i ;'. .he'r'as she descended the veranda steps dressed

; :..'',fo'r the outing,'for her gown was very becom-

- '.. ing--her mirror had just reflected that to her,

.. and assured her that her cheeks were clear and

bright, and the broad-brimmed hat she was

" ..".'. wearing pleased her greatly.

'"

'. ; Then'"she felt such a pride in him, for he

, , was indeed'handsome in his snowy duck suit.

...----She-had~been- pleased to have even -the ser-

V. :; '. yants of Oaklawn intimate that something was

.':',.-'brewing in a matrimonial way between herself

r and the adored young master. Her mother

had told her of several conversations she had

.' had with Mrs. Bickerstaff of an extremely .

confidential nature,, in which the latter had

'.' intimated that her son evidently hoped to

i.i6o

-WHITE AfAKIZ.

marry the girl he so. much admired., Laura

had'*- even 'thought, before she noticed 'his .

strange '"'retirement into himself, after they

had .taken their-places.,in-.the-buggy, that he

niight select that very day to make the pro-

posal for her hand and .heart--a . picnic^ day was an ideal time. t . - ,;..'.-"''".''';.,"'' "".>'

; .-',;'';:^t;t:.^' : v"':! "'You are absent-minded,. Harry/', she re-

I ''".''""'' V



''

/tr ;/';-;-.;:.';^;^.'.} marked pettishly; "what is-the matter?. Just .

;..;',. ;"\;.y-,V7 "a moment ago ^you were laughing; now one.,

{ '/ .;.:;: ;% .; would think,- from your 'ficc, that you had lost .. -j

V^;/';;';-'.-.;;.'':': ' lyour best and only.friend.- .I .ought to .feel ,

y\-;^.-r -ir.<'y /-.-'complimented, I am sure.7 '. . -^ '- .';-/V '"' ',.v... .'.:

1 " '*' ._:'.\.~ -VS<-:,' ; .v .'-. ' .

.

' '

'

.,

.

-:-V.":v C-"^:;. a.Laura, you are very-hard to please.* I am

1; ;;'^

J I hear all you are.saying." :

/^^V^He-said this, feeling" that some excuse was in-

'^;^r y^vdeed'due her, and under her sudden charge he,_ .

-5 ://:; :>could- not formulate -a better. [-, ^. ^:Jj^_'l:-^:^s.-

^.^^r-^-iV^WhaT^

thinking about ?' w , she -

j;'.:rh-->:^v-vasked prettily. '. ." - _ . '.-;'. --rV.vc.;;J>. _- ;/ ' .*; "'

^A:;'^,:^; l<:Oh, you are a great tease ! ".he said, vexed . a fellow ought always

'->> -'^;-. to 'reveal his innermost thoughts to every siren

tempts him with musical questions and a

:",.' ^-' '' "~ "''' V " *' .''.:-" '' -..,' '.'''* .-,, 3 '*.,,' *'" ' -' '^.'"r -V' ' ' ' '.

' '~' '" "-'.-._-'.' -

'.- ' -' ,, .' !".'-'. *" ... ,^_ " ' -' '

:'<',} THE. PICNIC. ' - '. -. / ' 161
' She colored high. It'was not the first time he had alluded to her beauty, She could forgive him' now, not knowing his mind ; and for the rest of the drive she was very gay, and,' , ,'..;;.; /indeed,, she 'carried her companion with her >.into a semblance of joviality. /. ' , ' ; ; V; vy-; vV- The grounds which had been selected for ,.'.''" the'day!s. ajnusement could scarce have been /'V-better chosen.' The spot was in a cafion, with '-, high-rugged cliffs on two sides, a wide, level .' \ grass-grown plateau dotted with gray, crumb' v .ling,bowlders.' A spring which gurgled from ' ';' / v the .stony base of-the mountain ran into a :: r': brook which wound about through the grass .:.''. ^until it-, shot, itself down the .steep into the ./X'.valley below./ Above the cliff tops was-the , . i";.blue sky with.its floating mountains of snowy ^._Jr:^downr-;The'rays of the sun, except'at midday, .. - v'-vdid-not touch the rock-bound fastness. . ' '; .'.'v';. . On large flat rocks near the spring the^heads ,';..:.;, of 'the, two*families seated themselves and pre-' > '. : ; r-pared to witness the enjoyment of the others. ... ..-'-.'"'Suzette and Marie^ were seated by them. V;./' selves under a great projecting bowlder; the ' . -\". other slaves scattered in groups, and pairs over

. WHITE MARIE.

''^'^'1- .' .the", ground. Laura and Harry ' walked off . :;^-^::V;.-{/:.'.together.' 'At that moment the" vacillating j/'/v.':; :,;:-. yoiing heir to Oaklawn felt strangely light of ..;:V ;i ';;r>.:; ; lieart. He could not help seeing thatv Laura ^'-y^-l-c'-- --gloved him, and his .vanity was kindled 'into a ':>%^:_[ '.pleasant flame. He intended to ask her to be' '".;.>.-; ",his wife some time, and he felt sure that she *"-'.,;/' ; .;.would not refuse him. , She had ; given him. ' ;-;'''. ''.:'<.' ample opportunity to broach the subject. In

/';;/;.''.fact, she had often made good openings for

'.'<>- .'.'.-:'.v 'him by the drift of t her conversations. .^ ... ./,

;c it: >r;: /';:^: ' ..While they were seated on a'.log, near the

'':-,';.c ^;... stream, which rippled over the : rocks, she con- (

>^-:: ? ;v ;?.'-" fessed," with fallen lashes and more color in her ,

;*?;':.'-,\M>; .;./'pink cheeks, that she admired him greatly for .

'-./;,.''.,,-<" his kindness to Marie.

y . .',..' ' -vr' ,': ';.

ft^7;.: :.'}:"-:. >'( You have-made me interested in he:r, too, M. '""---^-^-^she" went'"on," wondering "why liTs" eyes~"could~~""

;-;'';V'v--''kindle^so much at her .compliments, and his' , /..; ;>;oV./-.; ;-lips seem wedded to wrapt dumbness, as she V.5!i^V -/>'continued : "And I feel sad indeed to think' ''.:l'( :'"' her future will be such a dreary one."' .",,. ^'^"';:^.; " Why dreary ? " asked he ; " Why need'her ; ?:^'^-:^:',\\lt be a dreary one ? " . , .' -;- -,; > . V ?\'/V-.-?^*;:--."'" She "felt a sharp twinge of-disappointment

i..

'",;..-over the unexpectedness of t his. query, and she

"'>>r bit her lip before she replied : '" ' *

1 v \^ /'Oh, you know her perhaps as well as I do. _

' ;:..' Marie, L fear, has no hopes, no, aspirations.

V'v.Undoubtedly she.has had too'many advant- . . ; vV;vagesCfor her station. I know you all did it ''V /'../with'the best intentions, but think of it: she
. : -. has been;taught-so much, and, with her natural

' .''aptitude, she has cultivated her mental powers ' . .

:'V to .such "a degree by careful reading and think-

, '' :' mg, that to consign her to the only life there is

' /.'.'for her/would be as cruel -as to make a galley .: ' N slave of a nobleman.'- ... ' . '; ' '.':/

1 * ;; (' ";* <( Oh!" escaped his lips. He'had been carv^

. .\::.ing his initials in the bark of the log with his

'} pocket-knife. Making an unskillful stroke, the, . [ '

;:.;vblade_closed on his finger with a snap. "I

._--^have-cut myfinger/1 he said; without glancing " "^

^'-;rf;v :'at her face.' "Let's go to the spring and wash

''.vit'j I am very careless."

. " : ' ^ .."- '.'"'

."*--*' j ."



..' ' '

', ''.''.': They" took their way ^ slowly back to the

.!*; spring. "Laura was so chafed at his coldness :.".and-.her .inability to fathom him, that her

/i.'/.l^ords regarding his wound were devoid of

' ' any trace of sympathy.- ' .','.-'_

/.;"..;- -WHITE'MARIP;'^.:' ' .' ff. T -"V"\" .v1 ''!..

.-t; '^'^-^-: - a Wash the' blood off and tie your handker^^V^-t.:.'-chief round 'it/'' she said" indifferently, as she ' ' v ;- : ^"r;'..;- took a seat at her mother's side. ' " . V ;; v '^'i;.;--'>. : ^' -jShe turned coldly from'him and addressed' ^^/.-^a* remark to her mother. -. Mrs. Wilson, how-. V^jS.Y- . .ever, was deeply engaged, in a church contro;;~r^;'-: v7- versy -with the Colonel and Mrs. Bickerstaff, , Y:>;:;; '<:'-' v .' ;ahd failed to hear what .Laura.'was" saying, / :,\\>:/;o/-- Laura's face flushed, for she 7elt that Harry's r;^,''..-.^'-;-?^yes were upon her as. he sat' on a-stone by : ' ;>j^.''-r:v*>;'v.^:?''.':;.>''-'/.'-j'.twh-ea"te'br'r.-a.-n.^c-h-"a''n,.''d.:;'.'---l."av:.:e"'d'./' ;''h'is".T'';."i.'.'a-..vnVld"" i.n-v'-.t''h'ieV. ,'1'i-!r^ip:.- p-l'in"'g'.:'"'

^S>LvJ ::>;-':'! Pomp/- said she to that individual/while

^fei'v^Jv^-he.. was', stooping to fill a bucket at'the spring,

--/>r>.'^;: ;<t .when .you go

:;, t;^'..^..-^,'_... _-.. ,

r J .'O'.

back send Marie .

to me;- she
....'.



?'Y"^N.;;^v;:^;has'. my-portmanteau containing my gloves and

^ ^V\-r handkerchiefs. *\ .''-.' t -\ .' ,.V? ;';; ,-'^-:V'^ :^--v:CH;

i^^TTT^Vp/ Arfew~m'arrrents" later Marie comes-.slowly

'^..^^-^l&cross' the "grass -swinging the portmanteau

"^i;:^;5;'-.In'her hand.' A certain'air of embarrassment

('^&~^ hangs 'over 'her. She starts to_ retrace 'her

^:"v';^i'rv";--^'steps'to Suzette after giving Laura the port-

, but Laura detains her. ' . ."V ''. 'v.

me,' Marie," she says/ throwing

,,.j,.;.f.-..-..-. .-. v>.- -- ',-:...-- lash.veiled glance at -the unconscious offen-
/!'I;t:. ;'

O;"'.; 1-'."-.'; '; - : ;^ : ..- :. v :-;;>/: "].-; ''"^-'sj-;.- "/.':.-: - ' ; '
.'' ' *''/ "v ^K''.-' :;N ' V V' '>";" '': v i'''-'.'.'"-"'.^-. 1.-.../;' ';'.

..

.

<1.~: \ THE PICNIC.

>v'der,:;who 'is now-wrapping his finger in his '; -.-.handkerchief/ Marie sits down at Laura's side, v^'.Laura, you are a false friend," the offender u;rs'ays rwTth''su"dden"*'gbod-humoi*, 'as~~he~~ looks"
:\ lingeringly at Marie's animated face, ou are a false friend, or you would
Shave/run' to.,'me with/ that* rare old lace //handkerchief which you vow cost so much. /'Here .my' wound.is" bleeding furiously, and is / bound with the most ordinary linen." ;;': Laura/only smiles in reply, and he seats .'himself somewhat nearer to Marie than to her, ".''and .runs ,on with unusual- vivacity, telling -/'college jokes and _adventures. *.It is not long : "ere Laura loses her pique and enters merrily/into the spirit of .amusement 'that seems to /possess him. . ' ,/ ' ... . / / --.-: ,-''". ..-/'.*. ^zlHe_makes.a streamer.from a.newspaper and '.stealthily fastens it to the tail of his father's tcoat; and as the old gentleman struts over the ;ground from group to group of slaves, loud '/bursts, of .laughter greet his astonished ears. -;H does not" suspect, the' cause of the merri*/,m. en' t* -' jtill Laura patronizingly removes , the ~. /streamer and holds it up before h'is eyes.

?.':i66 -7 : ' ;. '.' ' \ 'WHITE 'MARIE:

'';. T ^^;;> .' ^.- v'-vWhen the sun has nearly reached the-meridV.:.- i -;/.^-v.'r- i rian;"-Poll,: who has ' been' patiently" awaiting
''' ; ,';;;"' :-her hour of triumph, now rises, a most interest-

>'".. T^T'y'^ing' cynosure ".of all' eyes, 'and begins' to' "lay"

V- ..V"; -'~*''''.. some long tablecloths on'the grass in the shade ''".'v'-.'/ '. of the cliffs. ' Some of her'favorites--girls who ' ': ' '/;.>--L v-have waited on.the Bickerstaff tables-act as

':'./'',.V '. her honored, deputies, and help to unpack the

'.'* '. ". r" '.-'.

,

*'

.,. ,;. ;.;y; : ic., > baskets of good things.

.

s ''.... : ,, 'i

' f ;.',' .1" ",|

.'. f-'-;;-';"::'/.;;'When everything is; arranged, .the 'Colonel

.. "^v. invites all the-whites'to come forward. _. ''

/ ..'-'"'-/',:' <4 Come, Johnson/' he calls to that person-- ' '-.:'^':--- : -;. ': A" come, bring your folks." .. " ,;';.. "-. : 'v.;',-,' '

v - .;'.-.-;. ; '_'' ;: Johnson' and his family . rise and walk awk-

;v.^;-;v- ;^..V;/:''-v:-wardly. forward." Mrs.' Johnson ha's already

".;,- </.":, V '- "'; '.whispered into her husband's ear that a ef they

"' v. :.-Ln :: "^:_: don't ax us to the fust'table, me nur. mine : '..'v :.y. '.; ^>.don't-partake : o < -any-o--the'r fixins,.ef we-have---

;';:";-"';- : :V;..:'^.--"-tq "starve bodily/' t' So she bears herself with

V:..~V/'fe^. : v-. : an air ;of pride 'and relieved forebodings.as she

;-y;%';;v'>^..^;-":'C'sweeps, forward,'stopping her brood of damsels

;;V; ':'-'"v--,-'-'vV on. the way to brush out some' ugly creases in

i ^i^.V::.^^'v'^-.:>their gowns,-which the combined influences of

'|j !;'';.'j;'^;'^-'-;;"- 'moist -'earth and their weighty bodies have

Hi 1 '

f: THE PICNIC. -":' ': " : 167 ,

'^;:''v';t. Harry is the only one that happens to see

'VO^ Mane.silently fall'away from .Laura .in the

' \''' *

.

:;. : - general stir,

* and

take' 'her

way

back

to

N isolated

.-V^Su'zette"under her bowlder.""He Jwants to say"

,:NA something to stop her, but ' remembers how

-,';.; : r..easily she .is .embarrassed ; that with all her

'''''.'."-intimate association 'with his family she has

'';.'.'' ;;never eaten at his father's1 table,-and that for

;;.,..;.!;'her to do so now would excite comment.' He

. .; feels. his -brain in an indignant whirl as he

.': t'-,; escorts Laura to a seat at the cloth.

"';*/'\y14 1's waitin' fur you, honey/' Suzette says,

-.>..-with a cold, steely look in her eyes. "I got

,;: yo1 dinner waitin'." She points'to a large

. smooth.stone,^ on which she has spread a white

' ;;';.cloth and laden it with a most lavish variety of '. ..., eatables. /. -. .-".- /'.'." ''~.': - 1 "

. I/

;.' '

'.

'

''"'-

:^^_;_<lQle^]Vliss_puLit_up lur..mer_eiL I. know it de-

nices' dinner ifi de worl*. Miss Minnie know

. * you.'aint .gwine eat wid dem niggers. Shuh !

' .-.- -ef you caya't tek yo' place wid de res', I know

.,/;. you cayn't set wid de black crowd. Now des

look et dem Johnsons--now don't you know de

< white folks is laughin' fit ter kill derse'ves at

um?_^.Dey look des lak dey don't know whar

,y"-'f.'-:< :i;: 5i68 ' ' :'-"'':/'." :':'-iwtilTE MARIE. ' ^H-' "-v ''/. "^
-"!. ',l"!W.;'.-.."",>'>'^':^'.". ,,' i 1 -''."-.''"-Vv' ''-..'"' ..-'. >,/',,.";-_. ,, ^_-' w"..;.'.,.'. .'",''';_j. :..-....- ..vr/.. ..'."-.J'*-''^L ',''-.".-',.'..s"-'.,. 'i''-'''',.;.':..'';,;<\
^A':';;;/s-x?;^ ter.'put de'r;ban's en feet, en ef de Lawd ever' ^V-^;;.^y3-iirdid,han heavy.part er people down He did ^v l/:.^r.;:;-/wid 'at fambly sho. De idee er'um se'ttin'up ''
;.at-: er "quality 1'table. ".Gjiwd knows Fm black/ ' but I knows my place, en 'at's mo'n 'dey do, .'Now set .down,on dis buggy cushion en eat yo* "dinner lak er good child." - ' . : l-^.^/'v../'^''/':^'^'

-.-'-Marie seats herself and daintily;tastes some

!-: ^ ^ ,V'*V^-; - -r' : -' -.:"' ' ' .,'',-"'.-

.

" " " t .of. the-dished to .which Suzette calls her atten- '

:!v tion. ..-..-_' ^ /.'_ ;.'.;,;: <^( : ^.~^^v-'^-':^*'^V^V^-v'^-'.v

'V:. "Why, -honey,'-'- she. says.' deprecatingly,

, aint eatin'-'tall.. Don't you.lak dat chick- , Try' rat poun'_"cake, honey.. Ole Miss,.' r'^^-'v-i^baked it 'erse'f, en I know it is good,; kase she : r f ,\'-^.;,f'^.is-er. mighty goo'd han' at-cookin'. . Wat'is ';^:: ;\:v: :,.-v got in you, Marie ? Is you los' yo r :appetite? . F'&'t'^'-.iTDo yo'. wris' pain you? Ef anything is 'gone ft'.V-'- ' /C.''wrong, tejl_mam_my,_she/ll_he^pf,you out'nj^t."s '',:

^i^^r^.Cr-'t^'j'rn'all right, mammy," Marie .says, floatwords on a gentle sigh, as she rose cusKion and wiped her hands on a.

V ;V&v^*o^v;u ; "Here is some water," Suzette, said, bring''^rt;/-V-y ''V- ; ing"a teacup to. her; " it's er po'' finger bowl, ^,^%;U honey, but it '11 do.des. fur er."picnic." v '._'."'' IP .

^

"'.''" * 6 9

v '"' r j- ;; '"V, :- : '-, " ; ;""..' "*'.' ,'''"';'

dipped her white .finger-tips in the

/;,;/water and Suzette carefully dried them on a

''-'napkin.- That action out of the* private life/

.!,\'of Suzette and Marie would'have roused the

//wonder of the white'people to whom they.be-

,^.longed, had ' they^ observed it. u Now dey all'.

,.;>' gittm' up.fum de table," went on Suzette, "en"

/-you kin go back ter Miss Laura, kase she may

; V'jwant you ter keep ,'er company/*'

..>:'!' .The day. ends "pleasantly,for all except the

//.Johnson 'family. Johnson is sulkily angry.

'Vp'Hfs chief aim for the past few years has been

.v-tcTsee himself and family on a. footing of so-

..--vcial equality with the aristocratic Bickerstaffs.

'^.When he'was first promoted to the position of

'.^overseer on the plantation, and moved from his'

y.log cabin in the mountain's to the neat cottage*.

--'-on-the-Bickerstaff estate/he" had fancied'that" it""

'required but a short acquaintance with his

.'employer's family to place him and his on

.;., terms of intimacy with them. - .[

'.

' **< His wife and daughters eschewed their former

:-;. associatesamong the plain mountain folk, and at

.' stated intervals.donned their best apparel and

..invaded the great house to call on its mistress.

.^:>-X: '1 7?v : -.-VI; r''"'.WHITE-MARIE, '**'"m '.' : '-'''' '':' -
;;:;'v',^; --; Mrs.'Bickerstaff had not-been' accustomed V:-.'; :;': tasuch overtures from people, whom it needed '.:':>. ;-.> but-a glance to convince her, could not be ' -'Yr:. '-"^'congenial as intimate associates'," So, while she """" ' v.\: -':'''-" treated them kindly and with politeness when '>!'' '.^hey came, she could not without deception , ; : ^~;/ /express pleasure at seeing them ; neither did she v /:';return their visits. So, finally, the calls ceased; . ,.' v.; ; .but in the breasts of the Johnson family rank-' "";W,'. led a stinging sense of injustice, done them,^ ^./.:/..:; : /This was not mollified by'noticing the daily ./^'/..''.advancement the poor slave, Marie, was mak: -'"..' ,/jng into the good-will.of her owners. . Johnson ^;v;;^-'never caught sight of the girl in the'cpmpany / ^..-;. : v'.X;:of any of the Bickerstaffs without grating his j."'-'-'':^;';-;teeth in rage.' Having had Marie and Suzette /."'^;>;: forced-upon his family in his wagon, of course,' ^-^^~had-materially augmented-his hatred for the ... .. : ;'^rv:^;-;'girl, and he would now hesitate at nothing to ^^;/.;:;i:'malign her. .'..'. . ' '/: . r..."-.-' ; - ^'f^'- ". ','.;."
r;V5,\:'Aj vV-:- He is quite sure that Harry is really in love' :V : :f.'-.y".^>with - Marie, and he smiles sinisterly as he :^:v^.--.^remembers the written proof of his.suspicions ^'^.:V'7-which he has in the letter he picked up under ^:v;: ::^ Harry's window.. \ '] ;-',. -:^ ;,/'.-",,// "-.;: ':';' ; ?X;Ki'.'.'''.''*';''/ >- 'r .'r '/'*...''" '':''- ''J*'J'.V.7'~' "'"'-^'* -' :-'- ^',':''-.'',' '.-'
^'*' : ^' ;C'.^^V//:^';^^Jv:;'.Y^J . :. ^-'^-_ V 1-'.->v*;V,;"-- - *>'.:'''"''' ^;-- ; ,. -'' ;::/** ^V^'^'i "^"^^^X-:'*^"':^-V.?^

"THE PICNIC.

171

turn agin 'er .when they find that ':;. out/' he .chuckles to himself. "That Vd "'<;liter'ly break the pride o' the whole family.^ '-'^Therchief 'heir o' all this property a-bein'.in : ;'\'lov^ with a merlatter, an* abserlutely in misery ''-on "account o' it!' The boy'll never marry in ; ' the^Wilson family as long as .this goes on . .'! nuther;-.. an*' when. I- do tell what I know,. ' .-there'll be a right peert row, I'm a-thinkin'. .-./.'If. I'm. not badly mistaken, that pale-faced ,,'wench'li find out. whar her place is in double; quick time. An* the very fust chance I git to ,- tellthe- Colonel I'll spit jt out, too. I'll do.
my'best to make 'im marry 'er to one o' her .^.own kind. She'll' never be wuth a cent until .;.; she gits the pride knocked out'n her stuck-up 'v-hide. She'd never marry a nigger in the worl' r^on,.!ec.own account,.but the's a way o' .makin'...
^.-niggers do what you want 'em to these days/*

^;:?^ :r ;. t- '^''^^

. -. .;':;""' TO "QAKLAWN. '; ' '""..''": '

:|- : ;> ^yj'-^'-A .BOUT a week after the picnic,-Mr. Wilson

:.!f/*..-.'j', ';'":.<'''".'/'-^v'*;.7.~ \ -rec.e.iv-es,-a, .lette.r-from C harleston which :-j' ;ty":J;">'\V-; ;.informs him that unavoidable matters of busi-

/:. '*j\..'-";: 1 :';-v r ness_ demand''This., immediate ..return to.' his

ill' : :^:. ^..>.-;..;V"r:-T-. home. ; So/as the Jail is rapidly .approaching

!. r " ' ; --7;^ ::-';": o.and' their, stay would be but a few weeks

iji. ]~ "^^:^ '.rVj^.longer ..at best, Mrs. Wilson and Laura'make

''K.-^'?/-^'^^- ''-hasty "preparations to leave Oaklawn. .

.!;f iS'':^/'::-;-": i;' vr"r,V-'--^^

Bickerstaff and Harry have -'already

ii;[-.;r;'i^

to return with them when their visit

i^-?-^^

so'.they, too,^join in the. 'hurry

Ii!:!j,['->:'..'~'"T;v.-.-"/';^'''V?''..T.;-'-"".:'-'--t.:--o rrq*~u.it,' the ^pla-n"tatio""n'.----T-h-.e---C-o---lon--e-l...--- can.'-t.^ i;|!7^;v'u*'^.^'y'>'^^^.;^arrange his affairs' so as to make one of the

i;i! v''^/:Vr ",irv>: ::';^"party, and has the .heartfelt sympathy of all.

! > !-*''.';'">."'.''.,". "/-". '.'..-

.

'-

'



'il^-.-Vx^^^:!i,:i'//-'X. <fJ : am;. afraid -you will be lonesome," says

i!!^!^:^^?^'^^ his- wife, reproaching herself in' secret.. -'"I

;li;;'-'::;f^l-:^'-/^;^ don't like to.go off to have a gay time without

iit^-S^

:' \^^^:'/^.5?-;^''/

V:i>.t ^.'.v-.;>.-;-. u Don't- giind me, Minnie," he says with a

jli'.'.-' :.;'. ;\^< vv"":"--''"!: .::.-.'^. ''.

/'''"''' \ -, .' (." ,. ', "' -'.;'' . -/' '-'-.>- *:'''."..'' -
iI*:--,.*:.''-/'........-/' ": .'.'.-,v* /.',v r .' *.-.'.';:'.--''.'' --;",.'- ' .--:. .

V^-^

-' -: '.'' '"". ' v -''; \;' i^'k;,1 .-'.- '

. ; -"here in- these mountains, and with all

negroes to look after, I can find sufficient

.I.*-. .vv ; '' ' "'

-

'i-'', '.}.'.; to "keep my mind occupied. '^Go along and

^iTti^

and

;;^:-' Harry' are ; country people, and pray don't

;'.'.; -show' your ignorance over everything you see/'

.-.- ' --"Oh, never you mind us ! '" cried 'his wife

.,' '.x merrily/ 'rejoiced at his good spirits, "we've

/ " beeri there before, and have some . city friends . ,' /to advise' us." ' '' _' "' '"V- '.'"':." .'.

'.. ... 'All preparations-having been consummated, '

,,_ the evening prior to their early morning depar-

. f ture the two families sit together in the parlor.

.,'. 'Harry has seemed, -indeed, quite gleeful over

'.. '"'the anticipated enjoyments of the Charles-

% . ton; visit,' and has been pleasantly enumerat-

' ; ..ing,"with- Laura's assistance, the .friends and

acquaintarices--he : will meety and. the places-of-

./.-. interest he intends to revisit.

- ."'.',,"

;..-;.. .After a while, however, when .Laura goes to

. ;:"->the piano/ he grows 'notably distrait and rest- .

':;"!' less.--' He walks about the room, from the old

;.' peo'ple- to the piano, now pausing to idly in-

;;' spect'some article of bric-^i-brac on the mantel,

\yhich he has seen a .hundred times before, or

'^;M' : ^
'"'. T 1-'-V.'Y'--*."'' ';'.'. /'"'"I'1 - '.'' '<.';-.y':: ^ .". .'.:'' " .-'. "...-'' >,'' '- '+' ".'.' *';'' '.: ''...-,
,':-: '- ^ .WHITE MARIE.[ X/.. '.;''. ; v/V-l .'.'
;.to- take down' some- time-yellowed, book in 'the: old-fashioned, cloth-hung bookcase. ''. .'. His mind goes from incident to incident in
1 fast-rushing past as one might step from, to stone in a rapid stream; "He gets
.v'"-.-/,;;; :X:''.'.>.':foothold on some of the-salient points therein, .-.'V>:'-.">;v-...'.but th e murky current of time, with its drift* ' ;^';'-'_; ."'' of- disappointments^ sun-liglited- bubbles,'and'. ''.. ,./.;/ ^. '-/froth of undefined hopes, passes frpm 'him / "; 'i^/'-Vlike vanishing dreams. ... /"'.'.: V- '' "' ' ;;':-;'-':,-'/':. O'n the whole, he is obliged to confess that,
''' v-- 1 '.-'" .viewing the past few weeks now calmly, his \ .',J .;", V ' l^e at Oaklawn-was somewhat brighter before ',;; .^;<' i<: 'V.the Charlestpnians arrive.d/- .' ".-. ,.'. -.'.'.;.,''^ -;
.'.V..V://;^>,,^;-HOW -delightful.-were those days, when he ; Sf:^:; VI;v>'" an d Marie were playfellows, .as soothing to' .'*;--: "-'.':;"^-v-'"" J"v'--,'' ..'.. th- e mem. o: ry-o* ? spring even ings
i^^II^^Cin-tlxe--- dead; of-- winter! -'Poor suffering-.girl !-
;-^';^.^1;.;^;^^1 She.'will miss his company when'he is gone '/^v-'c/^^''^away, for he felt that she enjoyed his atten-
v\tiQns, although she strove to.keep a .wall of '"-.reserve between him and her. ;'^J V Harry shudders,.his .hand trembles so much
he can hardly replace the t bisque.statuette the mantel from which he has absently

;^

OAKLAWN. . "175 *

/'/.,taken';,it; He falls- suddenly to wondering' /;,-;;what'peopled--especially Laura and his par' ;'"/: ents--would think and say if they were told 7""'to"wha't^ah'*extenifhis" interest 'in Marie had '.V-.v,taken him--he.wlio.was on the eve of mar'.: riage.to the'vvealthy heiress." .'/'- Laura breaks into his reverie by calling his "/name.' He ben'ds over her shoulder: " Do *~you like the latter part of this 1 waltz--the soft, ..'-dreamy part ? " Her fingers still glide over the ; , keys and the music rises 'as she puts the ques'/ tion.. ' :, . '' -. -. -' '-w " '"..*.--'. ''' '
. > "Yes, very much, Mxhe makes reply ; " please ;. play it again." And as the gentle notes come . ;'rfrom the wires, he sees, in mind, Suzette's cabin . and Marie's sad face in the candlelight. At -.". this moment what can be the nature of her _thoughts ? L.,He . remembers., how; he. .has seen_ '.",:.her great eyes fill'with tears when something ; has touched her gentle heart. Would not the ^'.plantation life be dreary to her after he and '', Laura were gone. In mind, he sees her always '-./in Suzette*s' company, for she would have no^ ^ other associate then. And how could Marie be
content under si>ch circumstances? Had she

*"- -t '^:'.''.>^'V/f

not confided to him/and. him -alone, that she doubted that Suzette was her own mother? '-' Then breaks the Colonel into his .musings -and Laura's-music, by; informing" all" that "as"' -.they..will have t^o rise before daylight in order ;-to reach the station in time-for the morning -train, they had best retire early. Accordingly, - hasty good-nights -are spoken,-and. soon after'ward the great building is wrapped ' in. dark--

]f.; >;v-: ;^:''';*:: /..--Harry goes to-his room, but does not light

lif.X^'^V;^^ -v-his candle, preferring- to sit'awhile ..with his

Jjv :;;;'> ''vj^'vV-thoughts' in the placid moonlight..; The idea

ji*: ;..'./ ";;;;-, S/.of the early morning departure Jhas all.at once

j|- .v,..'.v.;'-> ; ..;:j filled him with an'unpleasant, heavy feeling.

I![;.;"-^;;. ;^;-.-^'It will :be. so-disagreeable to see .the last of

'^:'V^..:">;,:'"'.;vOaklawn-'in the gray light of .dawn. Nobody

i ' , V"V*" ''- *'';' -- ~u '

,

'

' '^*

.

'

.*",-

*"

]|^^rX**';r'^':Vv?will^e awake on the plantation, ^av6 some few.:

iiY^V-^-/.^''- : negroes - who will be. on the lawn to-see the

J^.^r^.\*-.;%;:';^'-travelers depart. ^ ^ /"-~-.;v., "'"V""';.'-; :"'

jh'/V^ "^-^::.:X L^^-Of course, Marie will not be up at.that hour,

'j!-; -v^V.j:-.i^V';/.' :-:yand'he had not bade her'good-by. Why had

./v"; c';.'j'.;;---;:.. --".he not thought of it? Perhaps even now she

! ;:';^V,^<'~; might be awake and, reproaching him for the

:.",*'/:'.''.''':';.:neglect. _ He is. burning with an inward fire,

TO QAKLAWN. '* -177

".'':He -will take a walk in the open air, he de- . '
!, 'y.C'Xides/to allay his , nervousness until he can
: ;" ?;ftake.the. rest in sleep that he will need for his . <a'^'T'journey./ - - " . ' ;-'": - -*.-:''''...-;..' "' . ; ' j../.'.*.' .~i.;

. ;:;-;'.v :He. glides noiselessly down the stairs and

;".;; across the hall. \ Softly and stealthily he turns.,

' VVthe'key in'the lock-and. steps out upon the

.*; lawn..'-vToward the' negro quarter he. directs

"., ^.his steps---that is the way to.reach the river,

'/ ' 'v and it is his favorite walk.



, -^ ".-'' \.

' , .. One bygone, he passes by the low dark habi-.

.). /tations.of soundly .sleeping blacks. Of most ,

i-'.:'-.rof them the wind. ows, an*d doors -are open to * , ..admit the cool night^air. .The last in the row

'.', is Suzette's, darkling like its neighbors, with

' open doon. .-:.... ';:":.;'. '"' > : ' .

r,:- 1 . Just before he'reaches it^'with grass-dead-

.._Jened.stepsr he-seeS'a slight form flit from its -------

; /threshold and glide down the path toward the

. - vineyard. It is Marie. He knows her by the

.' grace\of her-movements even through the

,.,. -'.veiling'moonlight. . A sharp, sudden pain at

."..heart makes him put his hand quickly to his

breast. 'What can she mean?

".-;.'; He follows her with accelerated, though still

^cautious, steps. -She passes out of sight. The .- darlc outlines of a coppice loom up in the indis; tinct light, and he .knows she has gone into it; He enters the" wood and sees'her on her knees bya fallen tree.; Her hands^re tightly clasped,' ' and her head is buried in her arms, over which fall her abundant tresses. . ; ' '.'.' , -.' '.'. ,. "..;. She is in an agonized attitude .of prayer. JJnder her muttered words and moans he writhes as if beneath a scourge. He. draws near to.her and starts to put his hand lightly on her shoulder, but the words of her prayer >stagger. him with their depth of anguish ,and '.pathos.^ Powerless . to stir, he allows _the .prayer to. enter his soul.' How % strange to -hear such eloquence from the lips of patient; reticent Marie: . _' . '; ,; .'"".":., v ^ :>";;j; ;' ^-_JlLO--my -Fatherr my God. [--this-..is- but an . humble slave who speaks to Thee, here in the. 'grand stillness of Thy.great night;' Hear me, O, heavenly Father, and help me if it is Thy will. Forgive me if I have thought wrongly ;-or acted contrary to Thy' pleasure. , Thouliast .made of me a slave as Thou hast seen fit to
i others of Thy creatures. While they.

F

'..> '|"'V ;>:;.: .*; FAREWELL TO OAKLAWN.

179

| ;<''."are. merry in- their'fate, I alone have been dis-

*

.;/ '.'contented* and have held out my selfish hands

jj

: ''/ for. things which are denied to me.' .Forgive

|

',.' ;'.me, O God/if I have gone wrong'in my pride.

1

. '* .."' Something Thou hastput in me, 0 Father, for I

(,

'. j "believe all th'ings. come from Thee,' has caused

j

'''V. me to'-doubt that she who claims to be my .

(<

..,' .: 'mother is the one who gave life to me. But,

j _fO God, if she be indeed my mother, tear

'j

. --.from me.the pride which'makes me, in evil

, \

',-:,moments, deny her. ' Guide me, 0 Father,

j

_.;;..'blind as.I am, and lift the burden of pain from

, ;._..,;-" my soul, for I do stand sorely in need of divine

.;/.'. .'aid.. - My life is a deepening mystery to me.

./".Give :: me-strength, to battle with the tempta-

:

, x Vtions which meet me on every side. . Wicked

; ^:i 7;'..Vras it ,may'be, I do long for the condition of ----rr-those-^vho-own me/as-I pride-'niyself-on the---

'. -V.r,s6uI.Thou hast put in me. "Within me is a T,-.-proud, powerful spirit; if it be evil, God, my '.'Ji*.: Father, make it pure. O'God, tear out of*

;;.V m7 heart the pride which makes me despise ^

.|

/"the race in which my lot is- cast. And, 0

God, if it be Thy will, remove from my waking

'- and sleeping thoughts the dreams and longings

';.:?':v'^;'i;": '^^/^Viao/.;/.;..:

^^::

WHITE 'v ^''^: ^i'^^':. :- f :^

''-''';'"-

C.^/~r:-^--'-for. those things which are not' for such as I. '

'' .'";:-i.:'r:..v^.'i'-':If the faithful soul who has.so'long protected *

"';;" -y;^=.'V;r::.:Vme -be: not my mother, and it is Thy will for me .

. ,;-/:. '-ir.-.'to regard her as'such a'nd be content, then show

5";.V:^;^;.^;/^^"i^^leThy.wiIl, and my poorwe^k soul will try to ' r^-^^^Fi-do Thy wish.' r ';-"' : ,,-;;-; : ;..-.;.,"'.'"".'.;/.."'/^-;''".' -r; -'': ;;

: \-;^;'^v:./.T ;^:C'-'^"Wringing'-her'. hands and 'sobbing/ Marie. v;-r>?;';^.:'K^rceases"to pray,'but remains,'with . quivering ' : !->''./i'.n/,.-shoulders,' on her knees. ... '. : .,';".':''"-"' ',"-;'..-

"-^.':v';\ :;'/;>;'Harry _ touches her arm; she , rises quickly,'

'.' i'V^ ->" stifles . a. slight scream, -nd covers h-er'tear-'

^^r:^.;t.">

with .her_hands.', The" moonlight

'-:-...:,;;f:'J'\i'j>f^v;;/makes diamonds'of the spray on her lashes, and

;\^ ;''i-{:. ;^'C--u:-is absorbed in the soulful luster of her eyes..

V ^^^^--^^^^^.Marie/'-^-he is astonished at "the hollowne:ss

his v voice a^nd dares', not trust' it further

an-to. speak, her'name. He 'touches the

;'-'^^^?4^^sleeve--.pf "her-dress/;:: She draws shudderingly ~ '"'"' '

;/V/:.Vv!;;L^:.'away, .wordless, refusing him the glance of.her

V";j:> -;'-V/'?-tortured eyes; sobs convulse .her frame. ' , % .

/^^^.vJ:^^/*Go .away ! " she gasps with upraised hand.

.f^T^V^C/V^Ileave me,'-for God's sake!" She tries to.*

".;-:: :; ^-7?;.-^.say more, but'-her words stumble and are

':'^>}:i .V;-''crushed lifeless between her sobs and moans.

>V^V"^'^-'S;-ft ^ari e/' ^e ;^saXs^ ^ n^n S. his voice in his

:^NC':.'!J^

'"."'."' ' '.'y

'.*'.'"~-..*,'>,''..''i':;'-i-*v. :

'.'.'.'-"..-->

"..."'-,'..*

'/.

..V"' 'T..

.."f.''--,C.'.""'

''j./.r.-.J'.'- ''>'..',".,- T.' V,' ,,'.'"*"' ^'"'^ -.''"'

.*. - s" "w

' ' ~.' i -. . ' ."

.,

:' ,, ..

'.-/> K '.' " '.', " '.*';'-_'. . ^ ' ^ *f; '"--* :'. V. '-','.'*"' *" i .' -> .- '' .-.'.'

< .. .;'' , - -..; . - . -' *'. . ,- r '.- /"". - - T ' . .

'-"'',. v ..**" ""' '. ;..'

'..'FAREWELL- TO OAKLAWN. ' " 181

,V :''':"!; strong* desire to comfort- her, "why are you

^::;y;\'H: .so .unhappy to-night? Is it. because mother *

: ;.' "-.';;. and Laura are going away in the morning.? " ;7~v^~; ' -She does not"" re'ply, 'and,"~as if ~ tcTshun "his " " : '"

'-'; '"eyes* which gaze at her in inexpressible tender-

'. r^:,:-,'iness.and anxiety, she sinks again upon her knees .

" ;';:. .".by the log and drops her face upon her arms/ -.

1 ;. '-J :.-;>- He gently 'puts his hands around her waist

v ';:. and lifts her to her feet, and says, turning her

':.':. face "to him with his hand: \

' " ; ,- -.

:.'..^':- <f You' must not stay out here,- Marie;

' . ;remember your, arm is not -entirely well; if

\' .you should take cold--;the night air is bad."

'"He has. his arm round -her. 'still, and her

. -wealth of hair covers his shoulder, her white

..face' is upturned to the moonlight. For an

- 4< instant 'each, met the other's magnetic glance

, --i-^--full* and--wondering.-- His heart-bounds ^-blood --.--

-'* flies in a hot, : thrilling torrent to his brain.

... -He- could kiss her if he would, and it ^ seems

.--'that ,he would die for one pressure of his lips

'' % . >'to- her proud, suffering' mouth. He is too;

v. "honorable to take advantage of her, and he'

begins now to see that he, and he alone, is

- the prime cause, of all her misery. ' i --. ." ''

. ; ^.; :: ; > :'- 182 .-!;;/' - .:: \- .WHITE MARIE.' r '-'^ *'- :. .' ; ^-^?>i"^.J ;'.Shef:' quickly ^ draws '.herself from his em-

v : ;;f^^;S,>. .:;.;" ..Must 'I .go back and leave you?" he asks,.

n^v?^^^

'"^'

l>ihtiafcled upon the. privacy she ''has

t, , '-.. /.:./ ".""".:'". : x,'-- :"' ^/''O ,'

f ' '. r?:' <i ';:;; :V'-'i .Without' -' lo* ok''ing," at 'him she n' ods her

I '' " '". :'-, !^^:'-;::'r' ;-"'No/ no, M> he _ said firmly,' "" you must go

!';\: ^v.;'i^l^-^v'.fi'rst..v:I can't'leave you out here alone in that

: - - --;: J-1/ ;J ;>vthin dress; you are shivering now. ^, Does'

,; . -.:A-..r" Suzette know you are here?" ; N '.- ; v. '_' '.

I-' ' .-7; :'-'^'^:v'' " No,"-..half-whispered, -hal^spoken ;. ." she is'

v'

'- -' '' -' " '''--' : - ''' ' '

H : v--^^^->;'; "-L.; am' going to-morrow, you know.- I

li^^i-^-v^--,'wanted.to tell you-good-by. I shall miss you '

j \-^. :'^-^:'^when I am away. " I wish I-did,not have to go "

L..:.^^l_.-^^-now^-.: :-father..can.V..get away,.v.and*some.. one..

;i^v.-^r^y^^-'has'to see after .mother. I wish I could do

^ ; X-;V>-i'^ ;^iomet:hing to make you happy.^ I did not

3'^ /-''^':'^v^;''>;/think/ of. your being this way before, and it ;

^'^;:!^^>^'makes'me miserable. Marie, tell mer have I*

r -j '.. ^''V'"*'..<."' '-"' ' .

.

'

'"*-_

j- ; ;V't l.-'"r''"*-'.^^''jdpne.^ anything to make you unhappy? For-

]; /-:':^'^;-:;.^''.give' .me," but_ I listened to your prayer--I-

^'',',r^::^.'^:could not help, 'it; it has wrung-my heart as

\)^:.--'*l'-^'r'^

'--,;

lib"

iv'(^v/.^.:;;;v {. FAREWELL TO 'OAtCLAWtf.

183 '

.'":.!.,nothing has ever .wrung" It before. Tell me
.':'.cwhat I can do to aid-you. 'Is it my fault?"
''';..,
";- 1.,^ << No,no> you have been too good to me/' ^p"she- said ; "now I 'must"go^"~~ ~~"* "-' **--^ -*-*--

'vv";.She turned away quickly. .

-

.:

"."'

;''v^"-":Stop^Marie, tell, me good-by!"- He fol- , ;

' -/.lowed her with his hand extended. '

" 'v

;-.-.'f-"'.She turns'and gives'him her hand with true . .

;|

'.'.".virginal modesty. . It is cold and inert in his

.';.-,.warm hold. : While they.'stand thus, a foot '..-.- ,

'/^sounds- its tread' on the grass, and Johnson's

',>..;.-burly form parts 'the foliage of the young ' ' }

,';,-,trees. He pauses a second^ then grunts signi-

(|

/.fficantly and disappears. . :..'* . "' '- '" :"V; .> : /

;v/"..' *":-Ma'rie, 'w h^o^^has withdrawn her hand, " now, * '- . < ; darts away toward her cabin, leaving Harry * . '

; ;.V-to"'his reflections. He sits down upon" the -

/

/,.-:. altanMarie..has just leftf.a strange.ibenumbed_..L-v'-L^'... . '

f\ ,

t

.

;T.' feeling holding him in its power.

He

remains

,

*''''!
: .I

/-ffor more than an hour in .miserable com- '

:\

;. muniqn" with" himself. Then he rises and*

j

"..goes homeward. . Suzette's cabin is dark.and " '

'

."'.silent as he passes it. '

:

- -. . - ;;'" : : ;( i

''';T:.-/He is astonished to find th, e front door of , . , . ^\

.'/-.the farmhouse ajar, and as he crosses the hall

*

;}i: ^-.:.-lS4 , ;: ;. ; , WHITE
' v/^v ."'to.reach the stairs,, he.meets his father com;.VV//V-;"ing from the library, with some letters and a ','.'- ';;;; lighted candle in his hand.-"/* ..:'.'' . / // ^/^ ;,;./' ;rt'Son ! " exclaimed the Colonel in surprise,; ./:////" what* is th'e_matter? . You are as pale.as a -;-.-" corpse, and have been crying." _ . -;.;./>': ' ' ;V:"/'/v ;;';-Harry is very much confused; he would b-'.,':/;" 'have made any sacrifice to avoid meeting' his r'/'V'/ father at that moment. v .; -.,- ".-". .-'.'. .' \//v /- v>': 'M xrould not sleep--I drank coffee for sup. /'~~T:*' per/' he/stammered.; " I think i-t must have ''/,/.; been that. .J'-went-for a.walk toward the^river ^;.//. r ; to drive away my sleeplessness. /Sometimes I ! C/- :;/'/'get so." /''...'' :.-'.''"'/'">'-- '-*.''/ -.-/'"':> /",-.
^"-/:;': '<':"Butwhat ails you? ,1 know you have been ^: /'^-//crying,-I - can see-it on your face.'..You and /:. ////.Laura have not quarreled, have, you ? / I am.. . /.' ^'v^~;*>^v-\;':::,'.~;-i~s^ure you-ne-ed not have any .. rfears on that' score, \ V-'r/^ '/for I- knQw_Laura- loves you. /" Your .mother r-':T^^v-j'C -;'.vv'a: n"-' d - r-I .-wer' e talking-' about"" it: this ...afternoon. ://'-/"}'/Indeed, she said she feared you were.almost . V-.^r/^r top ; indifferent to Laura. ; So. you>- see your /i//^:1; actions may have .vexed- her a trifle--but it.will :.-. :, /:. //// blow over.' r ._; ''""-/; '/-:.,'"/:--"' :v\'V':v.r-.>> f "."- ;"/'../'
'^:^//i^;': vLaura/and I have not. had .any .quarrel, . , t

]- ": ->: .";v ;-: FAREWELL^TO OAKLA Wtf. ' 185
.father/' said Harry, too candid and confused to .',',: take advantage of the loophole his parent's .^'.suspicions had made; "don't have,any fears
I-". V-V about'us."--' ----- ---- ----;~;;-T;--~----; j r ;, "Well, -then, . what ails you? You .look' [,;/ X ; badly, and--" . : ..' ; '.. ".-'v'/ ';';.';;., I- ;; ?v-.."Don't, bother '.about me, father, I v am all ! '; - right - I am going to bed now," With these, ""'"'r-*.;l; words/which fell far short 'of allaying Colonel ! ; Bickerstaff's fears concerning his son's welfare,
;' .^Harry went to his room, and after tossing and '/'',.'.r.o lling"_o'n"his bed for a couple of hours, he fell,
;.', out of sheer exhaustion, into a troubled slum';. ' ';,;-ber, from which'he was awakened early in the
' '^morning by Pomp, who, with^a candle in hand, ,. had 'come to get his trunk. The negro in-
\ ;, formed him that it was time for him to get up ; Vand dress, as the early breakfast was almost
^,,r ready. . '.'-. ". : . : . - 1..'" It. was. not a cheerful party that went to -,.' 'the. table' in. the candle-lighted dining-room. . ... -..Through the windows the gray morning light ;! ' ,-. came an d whitened the yellow rays of the
.. /.v>. ;. "'I declare I do hate to leave the old place,

\%6 : :.~: : \ ''.'::wxfT MARIE. '_'".:?' ,,'
: , ; _:'.;'':'" VJ" ; J''- !; '.' ' -' '<' .''' ''.'"' '-' ^Iv-'. .-'>.;>'

"Harry," said Laura with feelingK 'as they.stood on the lawn'ready for Pomp to drive round the carriage," and I know' you do, .too; for I _can_3ee".it.in your face,- despite - the- dim light,"*;' and detect it in your voice. I adm.ire your ;sensitive,' feeling nature ; so- few -young men. rhave any.feeling nowadays." ... v -,;- ';''';,;..'/ '1 .- ''* We have had some pleasant times' here/' . he-.said tersely.. ; .. ; ,'// *'-,*': 'i -'\'::' ' ' :< - ..',... :\ . ,'

'^ ."But we w.ijj not be. separated--our party

will.not be broken up. . We.will all be together

except your father--p"oor dear man, I do love

him, he is .", '*.- *' so kind and considerate." ,. . V

;!': :>"I will ride' out on front with "Pomp," said;,

CJ;Harry, putting on his overcoat as the carriage

v'.drew-up'at 'the steps. After he .had seen

^"Mr. Wilson and the three 'ladies comfortably.

T-:^

V "seated, he climbed up by the driv.er. ' .__.__ .\ .

3^7~aurars~last remark had cut.him jn a sensi-

; tive part..' In" connection ..with, her Oaklawn

v';'.visit she had not even thought of .Marie-at the .

'.Atime of departure. The. party.to Charleston

;. 'lacked much of completeness to him without

'..the winsome, neglected girl. Then he.began

$$2

'Vto' form his plans, on top 6f .those regretful.^

v reflections, to tear Marie from his heart. It

;'



;';.'";.''.was : a

great

' 'ttJ' .,
mistake, this

'
almost



'

uncontrollable

-

.

.'-'"interest which 'he had allowed himself to drift

./; 'into.; -Had his sympathy and regard not made



..,;,< her life; miserable and his?' Fate was against
.' ;:,rthem '_" ',"..:; ".'-.:. % "'.-'>. :. '-s ^V'-^'v V-;^'v:'-"..' ':

y,:.1;'; ; He ''would- devise some excuse to remain -'

;;. ^longer than; his mother in Charleston. He /

,V:T would marry Laura, and if possible never visit .

,." ^. '. th'e pl-an.* tation** 'aga' in. * ' H' e was not - c oward. ly,' ' * '.v;;.butf from his standpoint, there was nothing ^

-..else he could do. .' ,

-' ; ."'..' .-'>'

..', .. He shrugged his shoulders and dre\v himself ".>

:'. deeply" into the upturned collar of his over-

;

"coat.; He 'looked back. Oaklawn was out .of >

^ - sight behind some hills, but the sun was just

. .' : beginning to gild the mountain tops, and shim-

~-^-mer-wer-the -valley -where- the -farmhouse and -------- --

v '-cabins lay. * t ....' ", '. ' -..-' \\'<* ." .'. ^ '';.'.'' " .

V--^; CHAPTER^XVL" ;',-'
'-' "'-. ..' ' .. ' -.'"'*'. .-.." ..' .-:--.:'-^':''
JOHNSON TALKS TO THE COLONEL.

plantation' wears a dejected look'after

".''; : ;/.; JL the departure of. the"visitors and Harry

,.->-:";;', and his mother. -The overseer walks -about.

".; , .^v-with a prouder strut than has characterized his

v.I .';.'- gait previously. .This is 'owing in part to -his

"".'."*



'

"

-1:-. l/v;.-'-V:having persuaded the mistress of Oaklawn to

---f;-:;..'permit his wife to superintend* th.e household

v"'-;l'V'; ' during her absence. . '\ -, ; ./ ; . >.;;'^; >^-

\':'^;^;^-Mrs. Johnson, round .and obese, moves

;'" \$:'A about^ with an arrogant'and weighty tread in

'

-the negroes'regard as sacred precincts--

..mistress's. parlor,.sitting-room r and.

--much to their disgust, .for they

-Mrs. Johnson's ability to manage the

^ affairs, and sneer at her;uncouth-

." -f-'^'lf- v<i".':;^-.:""-'At's er purty sight now, oh my Lawd ! " r' -:;- s >% ;.>-.: v;."- says'Pomp, with a profound contempt in his V>-;0;'" -- s'^'/''tone, to Poll. .And, in a fine imitation of Mrs.
-; ;JV": ".-..*-,-''.,/..'.';.;.,-. >.'.-,-, !.''.'''". ,--';.."'v.-v., " .'' .. ,,:"--V'v. 1T 8a aQ _ .-. .v"V.' , "-*.'-,..."- '"^';V
';:-' ;-'.;^: '\ ;*''"'^:r^''^..s''^!-''"' > ^A''' :^ -.:/ ;: '."'',V :< '." "''''- : ; " :.-'--x -^ '-^ ' '" ',/".-'' '*>-<?'' ^-"r /'."''"."';
-,/ ;y.::'.: .--.u:;-^-^;,i/.,l.,< ^.^;i:# /;_>: -.-..,. :^..., / ^-..,.-:.,,:-..^^..^ ....*..,, ^^..-.^. /..

I;* ;': r>^: . -JOHNSON TALKS TO THE COLONEL. ' 189

l/":/.^;.-.'','/:. '.''/. '

', .- .

,

^";; -.*Johnson's lusty, propitiatory'tone in address--

;C-^;ing the^servants, he goes on with an insinuat-

^;:y-ing grin.at Poll, meant to twit her for bearing

4.;.C-':! the brunt o.f'Mrs. Johnson's patronage': ^'^X'-'AtVaU right, Polly, you kin des go .'long ' ';':'y.,'''same ez you is been er doin'--I aint no tyrant
,.: v^of er woman.;.I hafnt hard ter suit/"

.V.'.;r Pollys blind enough with' prejudice to per-

1,-'; ;. :; mit the guileful fellow to inveigle her. into

! " -anger of the warmest temperature.

;';'';y : > Aint hard ter.suit!" she explodes ; "I ''/""v reckon- she aint; de"*.Lawd God up on high

W;-v know she aint hard ter suit, nur any uv de ;. '"-whole.kit en bilin' er um.. 'Des tek one look

" at 'at to'down house er dern. De ash-hopper

....-in.de ve'y do', kase dem white trash, tow-

:' .'..-.--headed gals, wid watery eyes, is too houn* dog T','.;;razy ter'tote* de ashes out'n de- ya'd.: En, so- '

'.'j.he'p me Gre't Marster, ef chickens don't roost

.";;.; on- de. waterbucket she'f, whar dey all drink /;. .^ out'n> er dipper 'at leak wuss'n er waterin' pot.

> ; /En, beds--shucks ! Now w'at on dis earth you

' "-reckon kin got in Ole Miss ter go 'way en lef

Yt.'dat woman ter waddle roun' dis premis'?

V: En de wuss yit, on my souF, she is got Ole'

.
r .Miss's. -keys." Yisterday ,shex hat all .free "gals ; ; scrapin' roun* on de fine cyarpet; in de parlor;'"" .en Miss Ann, wid er long curies des streaminV^ ;in-bear grease, open de planner en flop''erse'f ', dowri"qff'de stool'eff ^mek lak she is'playin',wid 'er o!e raid paws lookin' lak saltpetered. hams. W'en she git thoo, she start',ter let de planner- ' lid down, but/suh, she' aint got , sense 'nough' ' ;. ter. put de music-rack down fu.s'. % She. got . 'skeerd, en Ole Miz Johnson en de urrs try^der. evle bes'ter .git it_. down, but dey cayn't, so : Miz; Johnson "come ter .me en > say: 'Polly, /we'.don't'know zactly how ter put de pianner down ; 'tafnt des;*,lak. any Lever seed before/, ,en.-; we;.aint never^hatrone fur we-all's gals/ . I ..-hat'er notion ter' tell um dey haint '.hat no. . rbusines's wid de "pianner u^p, but Lde's kep'.my ?mauf-ishet en go let it .down. Den" dey" .went- ' r aH;;.oyer de house, pokin' der- nose's in' ever1- , -.thing, fus.in de pantry, den in de closet .whar, rOIe; Miss keep 'er silver. Po' whitex -trash is er: million times wuss'n niggers. Thank de ;Lawd, I anr^black an' . know my place ! " .
intensely; enjoyed .the fire .""he had . >''/ fanned alive in Poll's breast. His next remark

ftjftf ,'"v; ~fJOHNSON TALKS TO THE COLONEL. . 1.91 '

.C'-V'.4:'. was designed to add yet 'more .fuel to the .>^/?j.';;.^Vnva"m-:e s':.;..>/ -- -' --. ' .' : , ./.- '-."-. ..,, '.?.;.-;;--..1 - : .r. :";, -

^.J^'i(^W^

mus* git

/:^;;/' fur dinner, Poll^. *'She 'Io\v ter Marse Johnson

;'':';>. ''she ; gvvinfe mek you step roun' er lill mo* lively

,,(^<V':en "git rer good mealTor ole Marster/' Pomp's

K -"; 'twinkling, eye and inter-ebon display of ivoiy

. '..I made his-" words cut .deeper. ' .,; ' '"* ' '..'

';\'- ' .' " Who 'low she gwine mek me step roun'? "

iiJ^- '" Why, yo* new mistis, Miz Johnson, -'at's

> '''

' : --

' ''

-y-^r-v.-' 'Toll's.-reply is a flounce from him, a slam f . /.I:1;.',;. of a frying-pan on the stove', and a vigorous^ -. ^'.'"-.'.scraping of it with a carving-knife. Then : /;;^;V^/ l .Huh!.;.Oh,.my lawdl'' boiling, "you des
%''..watch me !: Look" yer, Pomp," with a queer 7;:.'!': .smile" of "defeat, as "a"'rfpipIcTof his' duplicity X7;.\-reaches'her understanding, "you go 'long; IS'': '. got ernough yo'gab. ( You kin beat Peter er :-'^v'jyin'; en de . Bible say he could hat one ready y/t-,'..ever'time er rooster kin crow. Now g'on-- ./'g'pn, Tsay, g'on ter yo' stable." ;/;'.;':;<; Colonel < Bickerstaff was not in the- most : ",,-agreeable'frame^ of min_d lender the n?w''do-

i'^V^'-VYV;- :r 9 2,' -'''.V':. ' ; "'v WHITE

!^.^?'.^vy- ?;:^'mestic regime. ' He always dreaded-the occai; ;':;-^4';r';^^i^'sional absences of his wife, but he never had S^;i :^;;v;:: ;> : \v: ''.vVthe heart to raise objections to them, as they ,jY:.:r ',;V';';":' ;:-%, : occurred so.,.rarely and seemed".to. be"'of' great ij-.-; . '.,,,'..-;'^.benefit to the good lady's health. ;.:. ' , :. ." '. <!%';';'-'f/Y: J-^;;-.His present ennui should hardly be called|l .->''<".'.'; V:: 'K N , rv':iY by that narrfe,'however, owing to his feeling |j' v-.;-X : '-^;'^ v that Harry and Laura were together and would! |i; ' 7l N V/ ,< --\ 'he doubted not, come'to a perfect understand. |;.;:. ;y .*. : ''i1.''. ing ere Harry's return to Oaklawn.. In addition,' 'i'-'. : :V'\'% : \:-''" --to. Laura's promising financial, future, he adtl' -- /;.": \\ t .',;-. mired her warmly^ and felt that she would in
;' \\:O:'-v;'.^vi'-every, way prove a. most excellent wife;, for .:': '^'\' f''l'^f'--:'':' :- -?'his. son." ..... - ^.'.'.v.v'Y- ''.' . -;;j : ." V.--= ! '-."' 'V."". - :r

...' :^;.Ji;:; :^: -\:i'';The Colonel's satisfaction on that score was

Y'^-I'^-lV'-^;:..suddenly and most effectually dampened by a.

:-. .-1^^:::.;'>;';chilling flood turned on -him by plotting John-

i.;\?--:i'Y ^son^ :." The overseer khew__that..the-weakest"

^^^l^T^r^"place""'irf the'Colonel's bulwarks was where his

...':.*/;Ji.T;:... *V.TV V .;- ..'.''. ;



''

r-* -:c ^->':l:B;^^:pride: and hopes were strongest. '.At that point

'^^^^''-^-^e directed his virulent shafts.

;';; ;--. /.-:- : \ /-/I

l:'^i: -:^k:^'!'-^

said . one morning, shortly

;'7, ,'^;X^".-TIV " after the exodus from Oaklawn, while the Colo-

.i^^:^.V;';;':;'/^ nel was conferring with him. about matters . .

' :'^'^. :>^^^which concerned the general good of the plan--

', ' . *''-' '." ; ''''..' ' * . ,'** ''' r ''"'^ ' -''. '"' '-.""'' ' N ' .

~

.. ~ < .'.'*'' -j '..'-'.'.".' ' ' i'.',"'

' " '* *-\ *">'' * '.<'' ''" *'.-/' * .'*' ;*..' '- A "':''. "^'* '"' "'.'

fi; : '$&& JOHNSON TALKS TO THE COLONEL. 193

'

'\

" Colonel, I'm shore thar aint a HviV ,' ...;, man- that -Vd go furder to do another a good ',.'.'. turn/an I would^fur you,, fur you've been,all X^.to.'me that a~'man could, . You Ve got a good, ( ';;.^Ylastin'- thing- of it .here in this plantation, ' ' ^ ';;. enough 'fur you^an* them .that takes yore place V,'".'; fur time to come. You must excuse me, but . ^.Tve been a-studyin* you jest out o* puore grate , Vr.ful.feelin', an' :;L think I know yore heart purty ;/"', well, Colonel, But to tell you the pine blank "; 'V-'/^truth, 'I catch myself lyin' awake at night . . .^'.^thinkin' over yore wishes an' plans, an1 hopin' ; _;' :v -to. heaven that nothing wont step in 'twixt you :\-^:an' them." : ..-'-,- ,: .V, V-. ' * '. f
".:>;:' -'What do you know of my hopes and _>-. plans?" asked the planter in no small surprise. . V'; ;/.^i'-\-;".Oh, Colonel, .any one kin see that you've ~~~7gdt~yore*" mind, set " on Harry's ' rnarrym' Miss .'. -.vLaura.- You ort, you ort--she has everything ; ;;. -.;,a gal" needs, to make her a .desirable wile. k 'V;'/:;; 'Two aid n't be nothin* but nat'ral, Colonel; we. "'.T-'all want our childern to do well in this world." 'V.,;.-v , ; -The Colonel was pleased with Johnson's :;.* subtle ; flattery, and not averse to talking over. * 'his^cherished plans with a sympathetic person.

'Vf94

-:'. /,: * WHITE. MARIE. .

"' ; ;'." Well, Johnson," he smiled, with his hands ; in his pockets, and', performed a trick he. had . -: of 'standing on one fo.ot and striking the other ' 'against it,-whichjvvas.as. significant''of his in-. ~.ward satisfaction as sunlight' is of the 'sun's heat,--a Well, Johnson, I fhave no-objections ;to the way. the young folks are drifting^ to be. 'sure; 'birds', of a feather will flock together/ 'you know. Wilson an'I are. old and stanch, friends. He's just got one and I've only one; "both of-us have enough'-to make them: com-, portable in life. 'He may-be .better off than ; I-am; "I've heard.that he' can draw his check for a cool quarter of a million., : Oh, yes, I ;-guess it is 'for the best." .' l!-:';-V>v'-^ ::V^''V V ' .V - { Yes, ."yes;" says Johnson, .'reconnoitring . with o'rial skill.; "yes, of .course,, that's't'he. idea 'exactly.' '.But the plan is to be shore.on all .vp'intsr-' I know" it"does look at tynes-as if the -two could fix .up matters /twixt. 'em. They do?seem matched well 'nough, as you say; but -thar ^ is-, some things that, as a father, you ;'would be the last pusson-to obsarve--a father /never" kin, Colonel, he never kin. It mought .not -jri. the end:.tyrn^out b^d, but thar's whar,.

f'' 1 ,'^.^^

-/'..."! ' ;' '

X TALKS 'TO THE COLONEL. ' 195

,',/ '-[':."" "- . ;' v .-.'- '

. .

\the." shoe pinches in this. case,. 'an', n'o ,mis.
'^j;'/7^ What '.in .the.' devil are _you ..driving, at, ,

'l': :.t : Johnson ? " thundered the planter in an almost

/';/". angry tone, as he looked at the man sharply.'

.';.'. v;;: -;.'.: "Why,' Colonel, now, you mustn't bile over; .

^ :"all young men have the'r scrapes an1 the'r fool

, ; '^notions; the paps is the last in the worlf to

. '.. - v drap onto 'em. You may ^'a' had triflin' little

' ;-.] love scrapes yorese'f tha.t you didn't run right'

,. .;-: -'.''to;. yore daddy with. .NowdonYbe too hard

,, ; :yr' on -Master Harry ;. he is jest- flesh 'an* blood

'';.;V:Uak the rest." . . -..'"" V-'' ''' /- '

* * -.'*?" ' *



*'''.-

*

; l/y',/;; .The Colonel was pale with suppressed im-

: * ,' : J ^ patience. ..' v . " ..':-- ';"" --. * ^

y.y-'-^What is it, Johnson?' 1 he asks in a

V/' -.'.troubled voice"; ."out with it.". ; ; \. . \';.-.---r^-rV Why," Colonel; it's jest this-'^an^minci,"

. *f'.;no\v,.it aint too late to stop furder trouble if

->.'/ you'll * take the bull by the horns/ as- the

'.-;;> \feller 'said, right now. The trouble is this:

( t C'; '; .Harry's tuk it in his head, someway--may be

' ' .*..' the g'al herse'f ur Suzctte put it in his mind--

, %. ; ::that , Marie is of white 'birth, an'- no kin to

,\ '/; ..j i Suzette.. He's .been a-goin' with the gal en-

''

\ >/ ".!;.'"r'tirely too''much fur'his'good an' no mistake.

.~\1 :,'^.^/Here's a letter I picked up to him' from ' ;/;';*;;-;yore_nephew, Tom Bickerstaff. It shows that'

.''...'.' ';^::: : Harry has been tryin' to rake up proof about '/;' ;;":-i-s-V:j..'the gal. Read the letter." ~ \.,'., :'/:'.;''.';'-':."'">

, : ;>V;^. ; Colonel Bickerstaff s countenance grew piir-

'.'---''.>v- pie as 'he rapidly took in the contents'of-the /

^'^'.^i^.::nU:^^fc^om'-m-.un'ic-ation: . x When

he"

lifte'd.h.is- '.ey.es'

'

^y"-^r^'fyom'it he could only look at the.villain before

' - :;;.', v: .him, in abject helplessness. , - - ^ .' ' .'.;'/ '. *\

;V ;- r;.;l.;;\-;''v - v< That.only proves that my son is interested.

/ " ".t--.;T in her ^birth," he advanced feebly ; " my wife : . *'.'''''?'. was ,too, when they^first came here,-and is V ^. ; v^( : *.still, I believe. I shall never think that Harry . : %-:--> ;: ;V;is thinking of her.in the way of--as--'".'.^- : * .

; r--'": ^--^-:;s\ -The- Cplonel's weak defense showed-,that ; v/ ."'"fj/f: Johnson's wiles had not failed. ' ; .'"/'..'/ 7, ^'-7,v>T:.~'r No/f7nterP ose

'-/ 'J-' :'r^::'.;*'i:- planter";;' "no, -of course, 'not 'the letter by

''.'"'.' ' ;:/.;- 1^ itself but all along I'ye noticed it, an', so -has

r^\-V>-'':;>v:^.m.yVfQ^s.x..Theiy^ have been together sence .:^V':;;;^;'they was little bit o' things.'.'* (The Colonel -' ..:.;'"";: ,:;:; groaned".) /'He larnt .her to read an'; write..

v/.V;.->v:'If,-you .could V" seed what I did by accident

, '".Vv^^t'other; night, it wouldn't'take long to con-
"-'." ; " v >": :.'.-"-." .'" ' ' . ^"-: ..' .'.-'A' :;;.".. :',."'' .-.,-"'* ..''/ ' '

TALKS TO THE COLONEL. ' 197

you, Long- atter you all went to bed

n1 the lights was out, I happened long by

hat' wood, beyant the cabins, 'bout twelve

>:,.i',o'clock.' -It'-was the night 'fore they left, an' .

'.^'j1 'Harry.was. tellin* her good-by ur plannin' to

''; V>-run'Off with her--it looked'mighty like it."

;'?,' ''"."'.'



'

'



'

'

^,V'.'r ','.-''-/' .T.h.e.C*ol,on.el turned chill and deathly* faint.-

': -V"?..Too -well he remembered, his son's pale, tear-

';'.'' / ful face that night when he met him in the hall

':;;/".;'-.ahd could get no explanation from him for his

: ''..: unwonted demeanor. The crushed old man

;..,'.' 'stood, as a .child in the hands -of- a giant, too

,/:- N horror-stricken 'to feel anger, and hearkened to

'v the soft tongue of the overseer:

. .^

';.' S'.:! '.f;"'.,' "It's nev" e'r t' oo* late to mend,Colonel. The's ^-7jest one thing to be done, an' in doin* of it you '

';;.>> kin" undo some o* the damage. In fact, you"

-fv-rrhave done the-gal-wrang." -She is a bom slave,- - -

>:-v/,but owin' to her good Ipoks an' one thing an'

'.'^another/you--"

-.';'. ';.' . '.''.'''-.;.: .

'''Cv; *^ r She 'saved Harry's life," threw in the

"'.-.^Colonel lamely.

''"/ ; '

'" ' N ,. ".Yes, that had somethin' to do with it at the

'.; ."start,;T've.no ^doubt^but_as_I started to say,

: you. all begun to dress her an' notice her an*

; u^./;-;--..-. :': / -,:' . .. -, ; ... .:, i v../ ..v . .. .. '':': :*;-'^Kv teach her, with Harry at her' side" a thousand '

;; >:,^-; ;:":-/" times when you nur yore wife knowed it. So'

;:''" v' '"::-'!' this way o' turnin' out of it wouldn't surprise- ''"

;-v:-^-::--:- no

n-ovv

'-' Vj '- - nothin' short o'' marryin' the heir 6' this place; . ^v^'"-. ^^/u'd nigh suit her." . ' '.' .- Jj ^^v;^;''^'^-^;;'''r ^v. ;; ,^;What caa be done ? Tell ;me ; .quick !" ^' . ',:,.' : -*:^.. ejaculated the Colonel in ^extreme, agony. :"~ ' : ^^i; ; : lc Why, the's jest one thing'left.. Make'hei: . . ..' 'f:.'.'.'"..,'-,'J...'-;-.-'-".'.'.m arr'y-on.e 'o'' her kindv ..W'h-e.n" Harry hears, ofl-1 '.-^;"^/;. it,; he'll be ashamed ~o r hisself -an-' take. Miss '". .>-; '-'.v .'T- Laura without a :word.' .It is the only-thing '. /-.' :/ 'f'.Ueftto you ; if-she goes on in this way tell she's ' '. - - '\. ^y//mtrch. older,. she-'ll be the wuss spiled woman' in .'. ; 'v : .'^;^v:*the- \yorld.- You see how it -started ;^now ax .. - ;;-' ./'.T.-'^-'yorese'f whar it's goin' to end:'. Look at yaller: v ;xC:-.'"v:>2V^';j3,ke ; he Js- ruinin'. on account. o' not havin''a " i~~^;:V;l^iwife'J_...Every/planter I -ever: worked fur always ^ ;-..;;"..:::,.^v^tuk.'sech things in hfs own'-hands. It's the / <;. '.'^r^^-qnly "salvation '.-fur her, Jan'11- save you .a ,
-: c-^:\^i'>-,sight -jo\. shame an'- disgrace. An', thar's Ibe l ";r";" .^.;;i.'an*. Elvira who prt to be hitched ; put them W^ : >-';^y,two;-:together. an' you'll see . snaooth-workin' "
" fr:.^>C.;'^/^. darkies."
do,-Johnson," sai'd the planter .brojc-

:; 'iV;'''^;, JOHNSON TALKS' TO'THE COLONEL. 199

;C :'.' (enly.' " For God's sake, go away and leave me.

''#>I am-going to Atlanta to-night.' I will be back

"';.'';:. day after to-morrow. 1 ' "'~^:T:"WdI,Tll^^^

. ;''."'.-~-S ."

" ..' : .you-are'.goiie, an' it need not bother you a

";;/ minute. It-jest has -to be done. If it'aint,

' :V'Harry'irbe back here soon, shore. He's like

,'_'-.'; most o ; young fellers--mighty hard to turn--"

' ' .';'--The Colonel fairly exploded at this thrust:

' .:;- ",D--n you ! , D--n her! Go do as you like,

: :but never let me *s.ee her face again. Tell her

-""'; mother to keep out of my sight or I'll sell her

".'at. once... We've treated the girl well, and this

' .. Vis .the way she repays us."

' ' -'

- :'^..Johnson smiled in satisfaction as he watched

' '": "the planter ride furiously toward the station.

'';';'.'.'That--evening .the 'overseer made an an-

__j;nouncement.that telegraphed a thrill of strange-

:;V surprise over every hpart-cord on the land of

; Oaklawn, and" bent .two shackled souls, who

'..'.- kn^\v naught beyond obedience, down into the

\ /-quicksand dregs of despair.

.. . .-*

" * ' ~*f" "'"/ .""'' *''/' '* . '

- * " " ' i''.' s ' r ' ' * .

' ' , ,, r '"'">....*' '+ ^ ' " '.': ' I .'*.!_ ^ r; " % .'-...'. fc. .".'. ^- ..'.;--- wi t.:A' .. ...-- - f

7^:;~-^7^^

V- I.
im
m
ii ;r'"t-T"'-^>"';.
miffv.-.:H?

>''.;;'-,"""..TWO CHARACTER, PICTURES. "" - s
T HE sound -waves/,which 'at first lustily' shouted, and then tremblingly echoed the ',' hoof-beats .of the Colonel's galloping horse as. he-sped over the stony road, sank again into ;, repose,;and the night/as if pleased to unite !/with'a placid atmosphere, broadly fell over hill " and dale and stirred the .music in the breast of every creature who was'created to be heard in ^darkness. The clouds have hung'vaguely over v the sun all day, and now it waxes very dark. v.^Suzette-'s cabin is lighted by the red glow of L_a;--Sputtering pine; ._knot Jn the_chim_ney.__She_ ;'bends over the- smoke-dyed^ flame, her hand-. ''kerchief-covered head sunk deep in her fat -.'---arms.
:^'~>Extreme and tortured disquietude is the saliV.ent symptom of the character of her thoughts. :; -.'<She looks over her shoulder into the darkness .-;-behind her. ' Her own bulky form is exagger-
''.*-.>. '-2".0'0

r;

' TWO'CHARACTER PtCTUXES..

201

,.'.-.V/atcd into 'a shadow giantess on the wall, and

, v ';^./round this silhouette, weird, snake-like sprites

,^yy; :of shade, born of the ropes of smoke from the

^'^^gine'rpirouette gleefully." Traces of dried-up -- '-

r;V/: 'V tears are^ in the wrinkles of the 'dusky woman's .

, :. /^'/cheeks. ' Her work-hardened fingers tremble on

,, ' ; '-;her knee, and her frame quivers convulsively.

. .."J.-f" "Oh, : my La\yd ! " she prays, in deep an-.

.,' ':, guish,. "show po' Suzette de right way. Now

" ", w'at kin she do in dis yer trial en tribulation ? .

..','. Dis is de fus time, you know, I actu'iy give in.

;. ;>. Dehaint er spark er light in de wilderness, en it's

'.;. ; fill wid swamps en dark ez pitch en no way out.

'. v-.'Oh, my. Lawd ! you mus* fill my lamp ergin."

.. ..;,: - She ceases to pray, but does not look up

, f; when'a slow, light step nears the door on the

...dew-covered grass. Marie stands on thethres-

...^Tii_hold^..a'p.icture..of.youth in the ..clutches, of. dark._____....

./--despair, drawn on the vast space-canvas^which

- is stretched from earth to the stars. ^ - . - .

..- 1 ;^.;^";-Sinc}e Marie, can remember, Suzette has not ,,'failed"to meet her'with a smile--the smile is

'

.-not forthcoming to-night, As the girl lan-

.. guidly places her hat on the bed she eyes the

i .^dejected old" form in a way that shows that .

'

~''

"

'

"

*

... 202 ;/. -: ';; ~ WHITE MARIE.

'

''""'

i

''

. '.

. ..**..,.

. she fully comprehends the woman's feelings.

. She sighs and turns to the door. She peers

- : T-out ihto the far-spreading blackness as one in

^; a dream sees"strange, threatening aspects and

feels unable to flee from them. -..'-',- '' "' '

- Sometimes, when the rapidly -scurrying

.; .clouds are thinnest'in 'front of the moon, the . .

; ^majestic convexity of the .nearest mountain

' ;.'shows, clearly cut, against the starless sky.

.;-; Soundsof unalloyed merriment from Elvira's '

."unpretentious domicile subordinate the sing- ' ,

of .the breeze-touched trees near by'and

soft complaining of the river. They are

- :, : .the'harmonious thump of .a banjo and the -

:-:-:: --resonant, drum-like beating of bare feet on a /

puncheon floor. Now and then snatches of ;

:.;rv.vr happy, inimitable plantation-songs are sung.-

.':..-y',.-.amid bursts of hearty laughter. " ^ '.'; '' !t '

-v:"'i'-:;'.' This merrymaking is intended to do honor

j-^y;;,to-the-dawning wedding-day of Ike and Elvira,

'A>>.Neither had sought marriage, perhaps for the

.V"'- :reason that they had not been taught to think

->'.," and 'decide for themselves iir matters where

-i their own welfare was concerned ; butnowthat

their banns had been coed by their master's'.."

'

;-V : V;;'"-':.TWO CffARACTER^PICTURES.

203

//relentless agent, they could raise no word of ,. objection. -Indeed, after the first faintly queer ,/f;;'sensation-incident to. so -decided a change in v-v their simple lives-was over, they began to feel '"/quite happy in'being the cause of the revelers*. V" turbulent fun-making. ." ''-' X- '" . '../' .Elvira,.tea 1 years Ike's senior, is'now'the. :.. rightful owner of charms and graces, as the
future Mrs. Ike, that this dull-minded fel! low has never discovered before. And from V Elvira's airy ^standpoint of prospective pro-, //prietorship of. a real live husband, Ike is sud;" -denly metamorphosed into a most interesting ;:L somnolent hero. Fate has opened to both a '..-' hitherto undiscovered vista which spreads out "'charmingly in their treadmill livesv Fond by^ /nature of .imitating their superiors in all pos-! ::-sible things,, the, to them, .indefinable word ;'"; marriage has an inexplicable fascination.///"" /-" The u banjo player *^and u-my crowd 7 as he ' '-"terms the stentorian-lunged loungers who join
.ii\ ll\o chorus to il\is ihymulew sliiivws be hh ;.-vents, are seated, some ' in the door of the
cabin, others on the floor, with willowy bend ing bodies ai}d clapping hands. Cries one :'

-:;.\. ' 204. ,.;.,; ,":: WHITE. -MARIE. : i:;';' ,

^'^Vi11.Dance, Ike ; shuffle"yo'se'-f! M '''"',- '

A^'.y:;: "' "Shake dat long foot,' .you fool darky P' ' ';'

.;.*!: 'Y I shrilly pips a pickaninny who is*wriggling and ; '"

ro';/ : "gyrating in a corner and kicking and slapping

"- the wall with his feet and hands as if'bewitched

. '-.' with the music.

' :.V'. > *.; -' v ''; ' '.":'

k -' f Mek.um bofe kick de high weddin' fling!"' ..'- t sings out another. Then' from the musical ,'. '" mouth.of the leader: . . ' . . / , .'_.-', '/: ;'.:. ;','

. - " De holler er his foot mek.er hole in de groun', i'-'; ^ ( .; Hole in de groun', hole in de groun 1.; ''. .;'"".
: . '. - >''' Who's been yer sence I been gone? . . . ;' ....',,'- .' . Er long, slim darky wid er white'shut on."- . . .

'' ;': ' Willing Ike' rises from the floor with a

*.,-.^'mouth-stretching grin, and plants himself in

'the center of the ring of faces, and begins his

-v;.',performance by simply swaying his body to t

' "fro and "now and then slapping his brogan

against the floor.

^'- '. / ' :

-rV;>!r " Git/ out,. I'm wid you ! n he ; ejaculates

"-.^vauntingly. /' Dis flo' ainj: gwine ter hoi* me.

/ r;. Oh, Fm erslidin' down de snow, mountain,! "

' ,' :.''. " Hump, hump, he humps cr long, '.- /> - (', . . Po' olc darky aint much strong,"

"I'Vchimes in the random soloist.

; .-y.--v'';;'<. , TWO CHARACTER PICTURES.

205

-H*;- '>" He gettin' in er weavin* way./ Ike, do yo* ,-iy/^bes'--cut er clean thoo !, Show um whar you
^:.Cbeen raised ! ". shouts an enthusiastic admirer ';;.;v';;.iaa spasm of glee. ' ''/"' :- '." : ,: : V. .';'!.';'.''.'^ Mek Elvira'jine im ! >f yells the banjoist. '''^"between his lines. " Pull 'er out, mek f er sho\v . \:;f'up.._ Deyaint fittin 1 ter. marry less'n dey kin .';,. dance tergerr. '... See w'ich. kin - outlas* de '

In'an instant Elvira is drawn into the ring. Mke ..emits a defiant guffaw to greet his. an tagonist.. ' . ; .... ' ., .'' " ' t .""; '".- v . ."/'You'll find, me 'ight yer on dis plank at sun-up, Elvira," he says ; "you better not try me; tek er gal, en one 'at aint long-winded."
" ShuhJ " .This exclamation of supreme and 'defiant disgust is all .that Elvira can spare the. : breath to say, as she vigorously bends herself ' to the contest. -' : '. ' r .." v :-..-'/''"^- : r'..; :.,~ :"She aint gwine talk,'\ laughs a woman above the roar of Voices and music.- " She's er savin* 'er win '; I boun' you see Ike laid out lak er tree fell on 'im. I done seed too many women shuffle.. Ike's e* blame fool; she^kin do-.it en' not half try. See rer hol'''er dress ...

"", 2O6

, - WHITE MARIE,

laic she is drivin''er bro'od er young chickens; she aint even wuk 'er han's." .' *' '" .".-.-''-/;.' : 'v.' :
V-'The dance;continued'till Ike began, indeed, . to show signs of flagging! Under the applause ' and enthusiastic praise of the audience, Elvira
kept up. brightly, "and Ike slunk with hanging ' head.and,quivering knees from the ring.'." For. i;v.'.Vv'j-'^v/. -'some moments afterward lElvira refused to.quit h^:- "0 't;-'/O;;v.^; the circle, but at last she allowed two other as- ;% j.^;^";'^ -v''Spirants -for- Xr/a/ to take' her place, and,she ^'^r--'^/-'"-.;^"swaggered proudly from the ring. '. . .' ''. ;
p^?-.--,v-; -'.i '1''"''"': ;;;Marie turns gloomily away from'the door, closes her._ears to the -sound of this merri-

;vlv''5-^- : ft Mammy," she says,' standing -behind .Su-

^ ;';''".-.^rzette,'who is lifting a live coal of fire' from

v-l:;^Q'the hearth- to her pipe. The 'woman has; ac-'."'.'.'i

-r;'^' complished the trick innumerable times before

:^:;/V';^with;infallible dexterity, but now her trembl- ' .;.

y-s \-^\:ring : fingers fail in.' adroitness,-and the angry.

;/,:..;;.coal inflicts a burn on her hard palm. "Mam-

;.---.;'*''' my, tr Marie goes on, panting so that she can

I:; -: ^:C*-hardly-speak above a. whisper, ''have you

^"^-"^v-'.'heard what Marse Johnson said about .me

r ;?."'V^/and: Jake ? " ' y

^ '..-'; V'.'^V. ^.^v^v -: ' "

:-Qi;<:-~:';;''.:;: TWO CHARACTER PICTURES. . 207

^ r ^'./:-.:The momentary sufferer of. bodily pain

.^Sfe applies the smarting spot to her tongue, and

I;:^-':. then.rubs it. on her gown over her ro'tfnd knee

[i /:;:with a greater show of pain than the incident

;0;7;t -'calls-for, and obviously to excuse herself : from

. ;V making a reply to the girl's earnest query.

..'V^ _.t "Mammy/' continues Marie, -her meager

'';/-words "'almost inaudible, and touching her

[, ^';-;j* bowed companion with/ a gesture 'of despair,

';. "I;carLtbear"it,' Oh, God, I want to die! "

;. ' '; <'r "Honey/'--but no effort of Suzette's can in-

:,. 'duce the words to come forth which tremble-

'/ :.' in H her brain and clog her'utterance. She

r.-^-ylowers her turbaned head almost into her lap.

'-;?|'.?' -'Marie turns from her to the door with a deep

"':$ sigh and a face .void of blood. ; , .

".

" ^.v'.\lf Wharyou 'gwine ? " asks Suzette quickly, '" *v'/' and anxiously lifting her head. >',' :

:/v.;.t jv.';.",Let.me alone a little while, mammy; I'll '">-v.be back soon.". I'm burning up,soul and body. "',-/Let me'go out in fhe night air/' ., , ' " ' She goes out into the fields. The clouds are

/.'.' swirling 'dark overhead, and dazzling electric ./ ; ; hieroglyphics split1 their density. On, on she ..'-:;;";. strides,, the turbulence of her .mad thoughts

_.: ;-:V;:,. 208.;; '. ;.y :'.: \

..

- :r:'- ;':' f .''.'"!."''; .:**:''..;'''" "':'. '"'' "' '~ "." .'"< " "'"'' '''./' ''**'.'

;'!-. ;- -'giving springs to her feet.;... A fine mist is

.,/;-;:, blown into .her fevered face. A low, threaten. .

V- : ,';:v- ing rumbling comes from .the clouds, and the '.

V^'VVy-xmighty trees on the mountain are tortured to."

' "'/' ,. ' groaning in an upper current of air. . .' ' .

;'* . The music in Elvira's cabin dies away into a

.-faint hum.. At last, she finds herself on the

;\' .~. ..river bank,, and experiences' a faint sensation

;VV;: of surprise to see that she has walked so'far.

-";-,.,V- : v'-.-In fact, she can't, remember when she crossed v

-. :-,-. --.'7'.;'-the branch, about half-way between the river.

;-.";,'";.': and her cabin. ..She. does not wonder over it

vj> v ;^ long, however. The water lashing'the sandy.

.;;.v\;':':; beach is deep and dark, and seems to have a ,

: -V\7"voice"of its own, a solacing kind, of murmur.

-_'o''"--,/^which seems to promise to. relieve', her of her

? V':V. ? great, weighty, heart-breaking burthen if she

i,,:iTM,.:wilLallow it.

' . . .-' '.' ' .*: /" %> :v''-:-."' 1

''.,.''' ./The stream may be the great, limpid, restful

,. V- . v arm'of God extended to embrace her., They

-/-- '(:-;': should find her floating somewhere on the

:-""v'v.''"morrow, and should know then that they had t

^7rX"7T*made a mistake in trying to dispose of her as

'^:^V^; tliej^had. 'Perhaps the sun- would,be.shining

. . .:';'./;' then.-.over the place she loved .so well,, for the

Tiro CstTnM fKTVHL
hurrying cloudy ^th their vivid gleams of lightning, teemed only to boast of their power to storm. The pood, kind old Colonel* ho had not. she was sure, give* the order for her sacrifice, would be back At Oaklaw* ere her burial. **d would look on her pale face with sadness. She kne he would, and that the water of sorrow ould rise into hit kind eyes. for h had a magnanimous heart and loved her in his way, and had spoken kindly to her many times.
Mrs* Bickerstaff. away down in Charleston, should read the news and cry, for the kind* hearted lady had wept over the death of slaves ot o mu<h favored as she had been. And Harry might be at Miss Laura's side when he heard of iu His manly fare should undergo a change. He, too, would recall some scenes which were before her mind's eye. and uhich pained her even more than the prospect of death. He would want to be back at the plantation on the day they laid her away in a grave among the other slaves. If h* could be at Oaklawn he would lay some ftowers on her coffin and look sadly upon her

.:NX-' '.-y. .':;/*-2X0 ; .':;y..-.S . ; \ -.WHITE MARIE.. , ' Y Y/^
:v>^:;;^;Y^ face.- 'With the-flowers' might be some red ;;;Y;Y;;;Y Y*Y- roses like' those he once twined among her ;;YYYYY ;?Y' ;' '-raven 'tresses. V ."'.; . ' Y- : Y v; -%.-\: "^1 'Yl/vY 1 Y""^.Y >Y^Y"'-"She moved down to the eddying water's 'Y' ;-:.:''Y''-^*Y'i-*v**-"Y.'.' edge and ' ~la' ved her' hand' in it.' 'A*--d'azz,l.'ing .' ;'^^^;^>;YY-^ flash from the clouds reveals the rugged river v Y~Y~Y- -'Y_'bottom. . Mud-clogged ' .logs and, monster ' :"_.; Y'".Y_Y;^slimy bowlders lie in repose 'there. Absently. Y^ :. .^Y^Y./she'tosses a stone into the whispering, bubble>YJ VY';^-'-"strewn, liquid--thus would she sink, save her .... Y/r.Y:::"AY: 'l n S> unbound hair, which -would throw'out "; Y^'""_." Y'; its many arms to ,the stream's clutches/ She
ie there among'those finny and creep-, 'things; they would crawl ...over her face
their, tiny feet and craunching, hungry Y'A'Ymouths, and rest in the orbits of her', eyes as ;--Y-v they might in the crevice of a stone. Y.-. ..'. , . '..',' ":rrj"f" Y.She shuddered, but she knew she should not^ 1 'j-^Ykaow it. % She herself would.not. be.there, for,,^ ;/>;V'she would be at rest--rest, sweeJY rest.- But r-;;;,Yshe'would not want them to have trouble .in * -/'C'finding her on the morrow.. She had.read.how ''Y .^people were traced,to their^ watery graves by . '.:/-"; some part of thejr.attire being", left on the/ : ; shore. -.She must leave something.. The rib-

iV^^v;^ ^:V-:r^' ; -''"^ ; '-V1 ''"L{;'--' "- .-:'

211 ' ./':. ' V ' ' - " ' - '

';;-.":;;7_bon in her hair will suffice. She unties it from

;'*'!',.;/'.;'.> her warm mass of hair and makes a bow of it

;^1-.,.;^;-/. on a bush. ' She remembers now that.she es-

j'" ";:':.''^sayed to' teach Harry to tie a bow once ; as

' ' : ,.':^:J this .thought' warms her mind, she lingers.and

! ';-V;v-;,draws'the bow's flying streamers in and out

..'.-^/ta make 'its parts smooth and proportional.

/^V^-Then'.she -unlades her', tiny shoes and tosses*

, . VV.' .them ortthe shore"behind-her. _ "

-

;.;' ' r ;';>; ;'\"Her features are now passive. She wonders

,. -,^,-,'if the plunge into'blackness will give her pain.

,/ ., *;::v\^Something touches her on the shoulder.

;; '> r'--^\-It-.is Suzette, with gleaming eyes .and bili,-.,;J*;v.---; lowy bosom. ' ' ''''..'; --./ ' " "':'"'-..' ?\ % ,.

'.'. V:'' -".No/no/. honey/' she pants, as if she had ' f ,^,,x\.been running. H No,'at aint right. You tek ., -: ;"v-'-' yo'liil shoes, my precious baby, my onlies' lill ''.*-- .-'girl. '-'Yerle'me 'put um*"on fur'you. No,' my .- .i-'Vi-*-.chile aint gwine to furgit w'at de Good.Book ..: .'.^Y^.; say/' You musVput. yo'~trus' in Him en never . .-,.';/: shrink back. He mus' try His sheep, but it '' .'-v-:'. all'in His name* .I know w'at you is got-in
':'..,':.-.. y' 'mind,, but, honey, dat aint de bes* way. -, ^;.: - r :>Yoa mus' bear up. * De Lawd got His eye on Vs^" you, 'hind 'at .black cloud up deh, same ez dc

' '. , .-212". '. -' ' -WHITE MARIE. . .' V^ -;..V-;'.'

'';VV:' :--'l' \' / moon kivered over/ N.ow, honey, lay yo' haid

I : ;-' : 'j5v.>-'-.in my lap des'lak you ' uste'r," she went on

| "''' . : ";'' suasively, pulling the stunned girl'down upon-

I r^,J- r..':-^---^--the ; sand at her side. "I done been prayin',

! : : ';.-;, en now Gawd sent\me vlight. 'At's right,

. "" cryin* gwine do you good. Now lay still; I

1!, : ."-. \' ..:-'-".. mus'* ta_l-k, ter' t. de.La.wd' e' rgin,.ka's.e .I.,,'ki^n see -'i ...'-";"..*.'' '.:',". you* is'gittin* ' in de-re-co-- ncile way. "" " ..'. v ? ..'/.".':.'.. ;..."'..-"Laiwdy my Gre't . Marster/'. then prayed

'j'-.-;".^/.''V^.^Suzette, with uplifted 'eyes ."and her hand on

^;.y> :/v. /- -'"Marie's tresses, as the girl sobbed in her lap. , .

:'.>';/-.:::':t;rt;/,";:";.." Lawd, you know all 'bout me en dis yer lill

^,;/^:Sv'i;::-^: chile.. I done been comin* ter'ypu time en..', .,,

'l ^^ ^; ;^;"ergin'en got new strength ; .but, Good'Lawd,' .

fj :"/.:''-.':',;.'; ,,;,Vdis yer is de wuss. yit--wuss'n .all put togerr. , v

; .:'/'. -'^/^r-vyShe.^ need some he'p.fum high up, fur she is

jj. v ;.;.;^-x h^;:sore 'plexed wid de cup at wont pass 'er now. ;;-.;

;!; ; v;;' v;^\;.^^Lawd, I "gwme hush up now,-.but I'm ..still .,-.>n

Dis do seem lak.it wrong,, but you

'/: --;,., T-.U:.: *r.-""~v bes, en me en her -is willin'' ter ^ide, by

l^^'^'Z&Jzi yo'.wilL He'p us ter keep we-all's feet in de

V^fl-v^:Vv:^v:';narrpw road. I done feel submissive, Lawd, .

|j- . r : '.; ; ;v''.'.but show de po' lill chile, too, lak you done

(! *' '-.-';'' -V/show me. Amen.' 1 -. - ".': -' .' ' ' ' . /; '. Ji.. '

0 '..',' -,,..'-.''.



.



"

"*

T-*'> ':; '.v<-'-"'-.The humble supplicator dropped hei; trem-

itll|-1:;1'.:"''^r'.^:-:..:--^v'--'..-''.":--^^-';;--"., \:.-'.,,. '::.'.-. /.': '-;.i ,; ;.^...:,':.r-: '^..1:>-.;.:/",,1:;-. --/--'' -.,-,:'.' " -'

!''li ;?>^;^V^- 'r "-. '." /'^'/.^-- :^'- :: rr-'-.'^V-J/V..;:<.:' ;. ';. r jj , ;;;-...

{!;'::-^^;/;v:^i: /:^

CHARACTER PICTURES:' ' ' 213

lips upon the white nape in her lap, and

';:''';?;'^both were still for a moment.- Then Suzefte

;:;';";;\.}vhispered earnestly into the ear, half-upturned ''/.;; Y. in its bed of tresses: .' - ".'.'*'',''"''' '

';_'; ./;;'-j'l'J " Pray--pray ter 'Im,honey/1 "' ' / ^ ' '.-

'.' ";!'.':", 'Suzette could feel the girl's dumb lips moving

V 'V:''.; ,.in her apron. 'Then silence-fell upon the pair,

; ;-Vj.\-..-;'. save the murmuringof the lapping waterand the

/ ./Voice of the wind in the trees on the mountain.

;".-';, ;> Mammy!'--the virgin's'beautiful face rose

._ / from Suzette's lap damp .with tears.

0;:^; f^W'at, honey ? "/ . . ...-:,;- .''^

'*.,.'.,.''.m?'>*,''-''" I kno. w I was wxong, a nd you are right. ;'/,">--God shows me now/' The wide sleeves fell

.;,7 '^ from the white soft arms that stole round the

'' ;Vvwoman's yellow neck, and the young face was

.;'/J t: ; pressed 'close ' against the old.. "It seemed

!' .' % '' *"-^'-* '.'''

.

.



:,,:.,.. ,LH*..lik^Ljust could not stand it," the-young voice,

' '^''^, continued/'!* Let's,go home now. God put

.'; /:.;;.'; > me by birth in Jake's race, but, I proudly re-

< /^.1:^! ;: belled, and had my vain soul ,placed on a

,.'; -.: ''-/"-':v"'*'hig'*he-r.*w'o*rl.dly life, and so locked my Creator " '.^f.^-.'out of my being, I will do as they say." .

- ^I'-^^-i:';She shuddered as they walked arm in arm

''"\-" -r - homeward.

'.-'.. '- : '... ; -' , / - * v: " .

R ' '-*' " ' v'/ T:
f..\ *!? '.: '' t.' t
k ".*V' ';i ; t' :

^^^^^K^^^E^- ~xvm,"'.''". ;.'," ;.,. ';;'

l^'^'k' -"- V; '^^V^;/: ^.MARRIAGE. '" '.'".'."""' ."^-'*>-- ' ' ,^'^/' f :- .;-.,--. '."c"----' 4-' ; :''.. .' /.:''.."'-'.-. .V* -\ '-- ;.'

T HE morning sun is shining down upon .-Oaklawn- and sparkling gloriously in the

,

n-'-1-. dampness of the'night shower as if the green

J1 f'^v<" robe of earth were beaded with diamonds.

'. .

wakes with the first red glinting

from the'brow .of the -mountain. Her ;.yx,.eyes hint that she -has had. little rest during.' \;--':'-';.;the night, and her haggard face confirms the 'X'x suggestion'. While with Marie on the river / . ' v^jv'.bank. her' cue had been'to hide as far as posA;i,;sibie'her own anguish, which, despite her trust

Xv^-in'a Divine power, held sway in her breast. :'^'-'if*.'"^ Sh'e^rises and softly steps to Marie's luxu7':: Various bed. " She bends over the fair, blood-

. '.\VVtinted-Yace on the white pillow. Marie was
'/-./. . dreaming--some- delightful fancy was charm.. .' ing her sleeping senses, for her features were
: "*,warmly aglow.. Suzette'sighs irresistibly, and

t
' f.

_ i-*., '.'". ,,.-.- _....; .r,
216 '(y-^-wmTE

'"".-:-k;''-'->.- shudders to think' of the diversity between the"

. :.; '-. ;.r ",':.'girl's sleeping'and future thoughts. , :> % " ' ".'" ; {;.': i?:"'-:;^-,. The faithful woman steps with catlike soft\V~;-:-'-: '''""* T: ness across'the floor and' out' upon 'the grass/'"

- v7." " :^ She goes to a pink and red. rose-bush, and" 1 .-., .>-.. V/.;..- plucking a great bouquet %of. the flowers, she v^V; '^^> "^f;^noiselessly; treads back to. .Marie's bedside. ,v ' v*;-'--"'^: '-'"'o''- 'Standfng a-tiptoe with fear of breaking into

" . -- ; ' ^'..Vthe. dreams of the slumberer, she lays the \

; ..;V;-vV;;: :/> ;; floral' offering, on .the-pillow near enough to

/'";:. : .;---. /;V. %the maiden's* 'nose for their perfume to per-

: \i. T,.<;-; ?>:;'.vade the dream-god's spell. .

. ",;..':>

., ,.. ' ' * .'. ; (''

*-*

*

'

' -..,

'."''"*.',."''*:-'

-" '

'



-

'

" '

^j;}^'"'^^.: >"'-. While Suzette^ stands "watching the'gentle

Vvv ^-':..^'V ; heaving of the 'fair young breast and mak-

-;./:-fl::'^V;v'";^V;-ing-a great effort to keep the tears of her"

;.'';';; "':'-b---weeping-heart from her telltale eyes, Marie

r.^'.:.::;^.^.^ wakes.: A puzzled v expression falls in to her.

-v:3fri^'i'Jvi.eyes..-^Plainly she has not grasped the present-

'^J -r/;;>: -: :; in full, so strong is the flavor of her dreams in

'..;/..'"''''',

*^



-'

:

. '

^r/;:^;^''c ;-'^.\her mind. Then she draws a long sigh'i

^;;r^v^''^^^'Vj--^.Oh,"mammy! ''.' . '.;-' ..V ; ;.;- '_>" .: >; ' ; * /.:'/-j-'> :

n^^^-^-V^V".^^^ 'honey? M ... ; . - .^.''.:/"'"'-. /;':'- ;:-';:

',.,';^:^-.rj\:f.:/:j^--''I dreamed I was with my mother--I mean ' V^.^-:^:^:^the lady I thought was my mother. It was,' ^-^"^^v'^^oh, such .a.pretty, dream-!.- Heaven could.not

;;;'-: v,:'- ':>.''; '^^^MARRTAGE. / / ' ^ 217

^ make me happier than I was then. She had
hf'c?-;-v: th e- same 'fa.c'eas:s-he wh'o came and kissed me [;:J;",along. time ago." I thought her face was sad, .
i;!:;;..-but I made it get bright again; and she held
;!$> my hand and said nothing should ever part us anymore."' ';' ' '"*.* ' ^ '^-;"''. ... : '-' --." '-

:\: :::V- Suzette groaned and turned partially aside

'?;' as'Marie went on : * \

' _ '' '- ./' ' .,

,.*,. ;'r"She took me up in her arms'and called me

.V.,'.daughter/ oh, so sweetly! My dreams were

;;.:'.not'all so' pleasant, though,, for before she

>:;{:,.'came I seemed to be standing on>the bank of

^" the river to drown myself, and you;came to ,

*.''.",; 'The speaker paused, startled. 'Something

.'^^in Suzette's features quickened her half-awake .

','.','. mind. Then she uttered a sharp shriek, and

t{; ...sat up in bed and fixed her horror-filled orbs_

;^v, on'Suzette's shrinking face.

. . ^ -.-"'

^;; j;;;/.':.<< Qhr God !. now I remember what it was all

;V- /:'about; this is my wedding-day, and last night

;. v'v'I became, reconciled enough to go to sleep!

;'.'.*.Pray, for me again, mammy.' Did God or

:/';.Satan send the tantalizing dream ? Heaven

:;.> must "give' me strength. The dream was to

'/'tempt me. God answered my prayers last"f; night, but Satan stole upon me in dreams and 1 .'.- has'roused the "same* fires of'discontent and. .;' desire to'rebel'in my heart agaip."' ;'"" ',/.' "'; -:;v._She sprang up, and leaving her bed ;she A
d-.with.buried .face beside it in-agonized' .: e .prayen--. ' "-\ '" V " .-- ; '/.{ .';;-. : V;.-'.|
r:/;v.:"fTv:;\' Suzette looked as if she were paralyzed with '^ '>:* i;,'-' :: conflictfng.emotions. She glanced an instant ' ^;-V;'.: > at<the g' r^ then turned with faltering, slipshod !;/ :. V: ':steps to the,door and went outside, In drag^'V:^'.'.;' ?:'gled skirts .and soaked, shoes, she makes her ';;': ; : v'; /-.way through 'the .damp grass and weeds to /tx/^';:^Johnson's house. . She stops at the rail fence 3 ?">>>.';> to note if any one about the house is awake. :^V/ ; ;^jV ^''Presently. Johnson r comes out into the entry ''*':/V;X' ?',and washes his full-bearded visage in a wash- ' ^s-Vrv'"!;"..'pan, and 'blp\ying and snorting, he-wipes his ^: "/,.".7 face and hands on a towel, Jiung against the '; ;^V'';;'.j./AvalI on a roller. / \' _ ' -,. . ; '''^^ -'C.. .':.: '-y*'\
>.;-The', trembling woman, w,ith.- an. unspoken prayer on her lips, clambers untowardly over the fence and stands before the plantation Tartar. .. ; '.' : :'';.'- : -.' '".':";"''- ' '..-.,- ....;'

\\ !^^^':;^

a dusky incar-'

-^^^'A:;!-'T*' '-''-.MARRIAGE.'' -,"".'..v 219"-'.

:'; nation of humility, and quaking suppliance,

'V,1/^';..".k- in L.see y_ ot u. ,. suh, des etr minute?" t

. ..

v-' " Well, I reckon you kin, ef you aint plumb .'

; blind/' he- replies .doggedly, surmising the '-

; object of her early .visit.

''" ;; ' ...'."."'"..

''; v " Marse Johnson, I des want ter "quest you, '

^.'-please, suh, ter wait'bout de weddin' er my

-. >.c'.hile tell Marster i. s back--"

' >.*' . - '

.';'./ I .haint got no right ter wait, "he inter-

':. rupts with a frozen glance which will not rest -.

even on her meek face.; ".The Colonel ordered

. : it to be. over when1 he got back. It will come

... off this N very day as soon as the squire gits

..herey an* don't you put in./yore tongue/ of.

', it'll, be the wuss fur you."

'

"

.

;.1 .The -tangled heads and unwashed faces of

.~.~ th' e spea. kef r's wife and daughters,,wi.th' mouths . . v.agape, appear-at this juncture at the doors on...___...,,

';each side of the entry.. Suzette could no more

. notice them under her present pressure than a

: condemned' man on the gallows could notice.

; .a casual acquaintance. ', . . -'.;' . .

';.;'.''" Marse Johnson," she pleads, with eyes but

for .his' sinister face,. " my Gawd! fur Gawd

sake, des think er minute 'fo' you decide !"

'.-.: 2*0.
, v ',-'v;':'''^i'-[ "" D--nyou/ git out o' my yard an 1 hold yore V.:"v-';'-'V.V-. tongue, or I" will';thrash you in "a inch qVyore
life. "-Here you've gone . alvsp'ijed the '.'gal :^_ ;;.\'^i> r-'wlth yore d--3 notions--set 'er up .fur the 'soci//.^:-\;} y. ate o'her"betters 'an* sech.. -The' aint another" ; iKC^U'r^sech-a. stuck-up wench in No'th'Geo'gia. .Too ;^/^'/v^.d'--d good to ride to the picnic with.yore own , \ ,,-/;: ..'v.->:/.. :: kind,~an' hung back'tell you could fo'ce your- .. ';,,*'":'; .-;;V;self 'on . me an' my- family. "Marryin' her .to . ''V.,- '',"--'V- ' one o-' he.r kind -is a' l l'that'll ev- e*r show'her her . :":.z-.\^: '.'lt right place.- She'll.never be any account as
as she is in yore hands/'. t * "-.. _ .-.-.: ; :- ' '".' ' humble .petitioner turned silently .away;
last hope, was "gone.... During.the silent . . ^V-- :J.---;. patches of the nightshe had -planned this visit. .' ;:.'Jv..^'::;:^/She had even, chosen the w6rds.which were-to\. 'S^;c-^v/:"v: ;:frame her.plea/and. had,thought of the manner ,_ T-'-./V-V^^'lIn'which she was to'deliver it... $he had prayed. '!-y;.:'; .v-/V^ that God would make" them .soften the stony/ '>'::-:;!i:J"-;^ jieart and .grant a respite until her master re-.; !^.;,.^^:^ turned. She-little suspected the tumult the. 'i-^^i^^-overseer .had roused in, the 'Colonel's breast-- ^r^'^r-'t "She only remembered that he had-always been .'.*; '*:-'%T.;''--,v. i;^,':\;5;'I:_;'''ki^n.,.d .a^nd * ind..u,l*e-f*dnt to. M'.arie-, ..a.nd'she felt that ^;;:.:;i;>;^'^:: he-would not refuse^her request^ : :" . .\/.^. .-.* "

';V^/:H r- .V;> ,/v'.'.' ;.- ' : '-'MARRTAGE... : -\.. .' ; " , '. '221 ;
"";''''',";.''>:;'.'..When she returns to the* cabin, Marie is sit',. '-'/T"; ting in the door, looking very pale, but with a v-'-.p-y'tranquil expression in her face. ' ; ' :-:.';--'./.<'Dis is pow'ful early fur you, .honey;' better - ;:'V.-:^: 1ie back- en, tak ernurr nap w'ile I cook .yof " ,^-j;-;-'-.; breakfas'/'-said Suzette tenderly, \"'f: ';:.;-VV'lVe' slept enough/'-was the low answer; '..;. ; , "v,'*.1 where have you been ? " ' . t ' . * .-' ,\ , ;" ;;/r';-V'; ( ;. n I, went over ter Marse Johnson's ter ax 'im ;', >>; 'ter^put off dis till, .ole Marster git home. But ':'.'-,v:\\".he des cuss en kyarr on en wont listen ter me. ; "'V^'^fl .b'lieve he, say w'at aint so.w'en he say ole ^\\ Marsterlef 'orders to' have it over wid 'gin he ; jf- ^got; back---taint lak ole Marster, you know^ -'iv ^'taint..' Dis man al'ays is bin pickin* at you ;' x\-' : y'" ;Lawd .only know w'at 'it is 'bout, I'm sho I :;!.;..r' vdunno. 'Sometimes I think'it kase you stanv *V\-..V so high wid urn' all at de big house, en dey aint - 'r'X.willin'ter have/his wife en gals roun whar
.
'':'~.' --Vi:'. . M^rie makes; no reply, and Suzette, with a "V-v. ^.lingering look^at her, goes into the cabin and
, 7 ;'. proceeds to co'o'k the morning me' al .med'ian!-.
;.!; After the breakfast is over, Jake, a tall, yel-

i''F'^iY-:*^

/.'/ ;.'' Y^-'v'

/;>.'v-v/i^:-;.'low : negro, who .has been desfgnedly kept- in t ;''' >;'l':/;:=:>''"'?--;""..the,\background of this narrative till now, ." v-; 7 *':-''.: slouches sheepishly up to the; door;~and. seats __ , y^';j;V/r 7;""himself on the step/ 'With a shudder Marie : ; \:;.';'-; : ." -''*: quits her place near the threshold arid moves ,. ..-,-;;. :';; :;> r_." to the small glass.less window. Suzette comes ;\;:V'.^'*;:;' 'forward to speak to.Him. ' /' ;' -. ri-f:- ( .': - ^';: " ,.-!s*y: :-. ''..;!" " Jake--M glowering fiercely down on'him-- .;. '',; <,.:' .;''"' : a you' done :heerd w'at Marse Johnson done say ;^V-^: ':'" ;'bout you en Marie? " . ' - .. v 'v .: :';Vr. .y;:v'.'-.' " :; ;;;," -/:,'.^'-Yessum,.. yssum/'. with, a vague,' inane . r^; .vV";-- -\smile; "yessum, Lheerd it las' night--hit's all _ ... .:.>-v> '^^O de talk., Elvira-and Ike in it too. : Pomp'low. ,, .""./';''? :"Vv,-'.'-:^Elvira ole .'nough ter be Ike daddy ;- he/he ! ,'. V;-:'j;C'Slke gwipe be- black Tobe's step-daddy. Yes- . _. ; :-7;V^^vy.x'//surn',;;uwaxing' a. shade more, serious, /'Marse-';.
/?::^.V^Johnson ~say ole 'Marste^/low. Marie been er,. ; '^'': '';^^:^Ti'.''^^lolrig.1time'r en aint mek no choice 'mong um all " y ;";:;.';;:V>^C'yit;,enl'me too,.en so it boun' .ter come % off. : ;.;,;j7^V\vi-v-Turr :'night .overt 1 de Baker place, six er'um. , '.,-;.'..'.'.\i ./wuz~married -all in- er .row--Pomp say lak so '. -v:;':;-v-;: >; ^';:'many hawgs all hung up on er pole-atter dey " ,v.v : X^^ redone kilt- fur de, blood ter dreen'out'n um.-. r ^'^;-*V':.v'. :Dat muster put Marster in er hurry, I reckon/-';.'^3;^^.rvEvei:'thing Marse' Baker do,.you know we-all's

\::/^yy^;.-.-'^^:. v;.^ :^' T-'x."-'V>'./;>rJ'V ^V;^:'';^:^-^^^; i';^v?.'* !'v

- '.V*. "

'^: ^:':;'^ .-\MAK1AGE^^\ ; *'*'''': 223
^V.marster-gwine pattern atter''im--ole Marster (?''"'never'is gwine'ter be outdone." J^'ilv..!-.! En is you willin', Jake?" asks Suzette in a ""'.";; .tense, impatient tone. ' ''"'< '." ' i
;^:';,'''^"Me? ;'It don't mek no diffunce ter'me ; ;>}]?*[ w'at's'de use ? . Marster and Marse Johnson
: gwine have'der -way; nobody aint gwine balk :;.um.~'- Marster know he own dis lan* en dese. >: niggers, en don't hat ter ax nobody ter manage .fur.'im--'at!s Marster ter de backbone." ; . !.Marie,. who. : had 'heard, all this colloquy '..-4'? through unwilling ears, leaves the cabin feeling .vi:"'\ sickat'heart.'*' She passes by Jake's legs, which \\;^?lie s"prawling over the ground; without deignv,( ..v~ -ing. to give their owner a single glance, and f^X... goes to 'the spring hard by. The lazy fellow l;v/v': looks after her receding .form; a live look of ^''."'1; curiosity, mingled- with .embarrassment is at ';.'-"';.*-v:pray on his yellow face. '" .'_." . "' "*"-, (\;.^.'-'.^: " W'at she say?" he' asks, sententiously, //,-'*Hf;.drawing his itinerant feet up to him and falling I ":.'t 'c into sudden.seriousness, as if his dull brain had. ! i; .'v,-,:v ': -.for.'the first time received a faint twinkling of ''' ;*:"/.the idea that she was indeed far. removed frora
y nature, ' ' ' . - ; ;/;,-.';'*-"v.

'v!V:: V;-^';:":'.'-;- //VV^v* :~;:'.:: :-v\~~::" r. "..-'* "' '" - '" "'^'^l 'V^V^v- '''^-V ;'
Sy^-;^

^k: ^'^

be dead,"is the almost mali-

^^.^^^cious reply. /'But, Jake, it musr not .take*

don't know--Marster don't know /' v:.l"O^:.",v-V:-^. all/-; De Lawd have mercy, I--I---she--she---"

'^v y5;-:.;^^',vSuzette broke clown with emotion, and turned

i.- :' ;,'. :^>:- :::^L^ aside-trembling in every part of her corpulent

| r\ ' :.: ;:i v"x : ; v~ body like shaken jelly, her beetle brows lower-

r v^"-";.'Vv-:;-::.ing like black stormclou.ds over angry, snap-; I /^;;//.y:/;: : ping eyes, ,-.,. :> ."..-;. :.'''...'. " ' / : '*":[* ' '',

[.''' -:.- --V..;';, :;-V". vThe 'dreaded ceremony is no't long in draw- .

:.-.'!'-';..^.''.:'"''' v.i ng to hand. ; Johnson came with his prodigi- ' .

) :;/':^'./A.'-;'OUS, plaited leathern whip' in .hand, followed by

i1 '';^-;;:^-^'"..^ "wheezy,'hatchet-faced individual who was a ..'. ,

]..' ;; ;;,;:^sl-.''r's^-justice of. the peace,, and a queer cluster of

l'''':c-f^:Q^-r curious-' negroes, who had just-witnessed, the . i^i : ^^V-";-^::' nuptials of. Ike and Elvira. ''..,, . >.- /.':^:; '?;vi'':-,'.

^.:^,^ ;X;;"?;^-^'Come here, Marie ! " called, the .overseer,

j// :-'jvV^"^

the spring, so deep

l;^:;-'-^;^'^ in-meditation that^ she had not observed the..:,

I!:.--.-^;;vx;.*:;.:v, .'>'-7;>.--"/'^^"c-rowd-. w- hich' stood' b' efore t he 'thr eshold o f the .-. ' j '^/^//-'^'^^rycabin.T'She approaches,-looking like the shade

_.-.."' >:,;/ : of her former self. / . ". .'.V "'.' "' '

; ':^ :f-:-'^'^-'C^M Stand ..up thar both o' you.! "'pointing to

; \ ;.-;'/^:>^:t.he'middle of ..the. xcabin-floor with the butt of

|:: ; ^ ;X:>^::!>::.his whip.; Jake's dark face 'took on a look of

'", '.'^ ',';'" ^.^".V.'%-':' '/ ''-.,..' ';/""_ k^ ;.,''.-JP\^'.'/. >v,':-."..- ,
':' ;v7Y-.-- r<-:'^~\-;v.;.;/--r- '. : ''- ;'^ V''^-'.';'.: .""..^T.-,'^"'? 7T.- 'v:-.'.*-;"';"^-'"-? '. ,- -. '''

-At--^-^'^-:-/'.'^ 'iMARR/AGE.- 'V;'_ " 225
>'more decided moment-than it had ever before. ^-Reluctantly they did as they were ordered, .'r/t-- Suzette.ffell '.muttering into a corner, and
in aimlessly'and. huffishly to rub'a, table , dish-rag. The murky-faced spectat9rs
''^'j"'./.';^ outside, silent and'awestricken, peeped in at .;:,. <V:--/lhe door while the piping voice of the squire O'vA began -to- ; prono\mce 'a: stereotyped marriage

. -V-- J ust ^ en Suzette, as if suddenly electrified

* -''.; with, a, thrill o^ .hope that she might move

>;'// the.., man to pity, sprang forward and laid .

*'. i" . ' '

-

--

....

,;;.;- her. hand upon- the squire's upheld book,'and

v'V".'"exclaimed :." ' " % - .';,"' '.--. v; ',;-."'*'.' ; , : " * v

;--:'- "Oh, Marster, fur Gawd sake, donft~do dis,

;.' "^y\f\^ .-'.The. overseer's whfp whistled 'through the , --. air, touching the rafters "as it .ascended, and J. : \ came down with a heart-cutting whack on the v. - v;.vp6or woman's shoulders. * ; - ' * , ' - ; : '.^ :" v ."Stand back thar an* rtiind yore own busi: ' :,,; ; ness I ""ordered the heartless scourger with an , .Y,--oatth. V- The woman, writhing in fornvand with .-"'. .,; features awry from inward and external pain, . r '.- !'.-'. fell mo anfng back' into her corner. ' . - .''\

'..;.: ",. '' ' '".* ":' -.,,'''. ' ' - ',, 'T--;. : '^. .'.'-* . ... ^ '".'. V_' ',,. ''" ";'*'-.'' v* '' "-V " "I
'':-. . \ .'.. v. " : "" . ^ '.''''': ' . L<"*'.' >.".' '_,..'. '-',' .. - ;.*" -'if-I
, ^ ^/;'.;''>':. ', 22 ^ /-.:' ;' " 'v WHITE MAJRI&.'I'': ' " . :>;iC 1 V'-f]-j
; : '". ^Si^f^ " My Gawd, it's' too late now ! " she prayed, ] " .;V :-/ -.- -'..with-eyes and ears closed to the ungodly, rite,. --y 'l ^'l^;V>I^J'; ; .;,!'.Lawd'.tek it in;yo r han's, I done .my besV' ; '.''] '''.':;":.. v. :'^/ -.'*' :^The ceremony . ended. Here it is the : " ( .; ":, : !;-( ''-.;,; ..v :;:".t^authqr>s wish to drop the charitable curtain of V^-.^V';;^:j:-:.:r-v time"on this tragic story which is founded on / ' '; /.'.:--''".'-:>''>'.-;w-;/;-r-\ t h e true' his,t'o:r:y.-o.f the lifeo.fan. ill-fated. white . , ..'"'-'"'/;/ slave* -The- concluding chapters will show, '
' 1 ;;:- .'-7 :\v'':' : ; .how the strange life dr ew to a close . '.-'." ';. , , :'

l|!-^:^^^:;V^^^>4;-/v^';^.V*;-A^-:'^;-C::H.vA-P-T,vE-R ;;'.'AFTER YEARS.''"";'';.' ?.;' i; '.;

F OR forty years Dame Nature has worn her. alternate attires of., green, yellow, :::and gray.', i ' ; / ' V- ,.'- v .'.'? ..-'. ''/'; :-

;/"'. We see- Oaklawn again, and as before, ex-

vcept for some alterations time and civil war

:.have wrought. 'The shingled roof of the great ;-house is sagging in decrepitude and is moss/gro\vn. - The'once white walls are now.pubes-.

'cent;gray. -\ The great white-columns, which

.in time past looked like fluted pillars of stone, .

have.become wa/ped.and.split as to" their thin-

plank exteriors, and in; places the brown,'un-'.

planed .insides show through yawning clefts. .. , .'The cabins we remember being in the rear, %

are there in part, dismantled, moldy, worm-

eaten 'structures, used sometimes as recep.tacles of-'produce, in lieu of the barn which '

was destroyed by fire during the war.

\

:'-:^:/v ->' ;/ 1"-4; '-]'* - :- v-r-aa/v'.:"' ;"- -^ ; ";.' ^'..:"" ; :-'' -

vr 228

> WHITE MARIE.

r;':;:: \Nearer the'- iver, a hundred yards 'or; so ";..; from these rotting relics of "more auspicious -times/now'stands a cabin" of nevver appear'^ance, ^having three-rooms. " There" is little in* l^f'.itS' general contour to offer contrast to its '-!-: neighbors or to suggest marked architectural ^advancement. \ ; :'\'' :''.-.:". ;.-"':.^..'.-.'^' : ; '"-J
">-; "The, new batten'shutters, iron-hinged,'bear.' ;.-'ascertain resemblance. to those on the old '-..huts, which swing oh crisping'leathern hinges' v;'with* grating cries under the scourge of. the

>; .Tn.'front ..of'this homely domicile'is a group jof'negroes', giving to the eyeiafair picture^f doLinesticity 'amongst a', people' bending the'proneer hardships bf.-aniuntried. fre ^vThe'aged colored man seated..afthe'.side of 'the door in a leaning chair is the father, either '.by natural laws or the rites of marriage, of the .half-dozen young men' and women in. the group;, the yellow children playing In the sand .at'.his'feet are his grandchildren.- ; " 'V ; " ':fv This^picture lacks something .tor its comple tion--a.chair, against the-wall on the side'of. the-door opposite to -the old man, is vacant.

^.-:--::l

^.:^-' : "^

22 9- '

Xv'.''V '-l^ '**/ 'V* *;'"'.. ; '^'.' 'v."%: <: ' :'-'; ' '"''" <.'

;V>V'r\\twhen the wife of the sire emerges from .

J-JV^.the cabin'with mild, passive mien, and glides

;^'.:^; mto the -unoccupied seat, her white, drawn face

>;;'; with; its-'indissoluble closeness tends, in truth, -

^ :":-; {;towidea the gap rather than to close it.'

'. "

r'^:V:;'' .'.This old visage, I douBt not, would baffle the

r,yf;; .most sedulous attempts at analyzation. Dick-

x: /; ens during his-life of observation, in his mani-

'; 'T ' ''fold .discoveries and creations of character

>-' : types,, perchance- never saw ".exactly such a

' J : confluence of facial lines, and even so uncer-

>':\. ";'./.. taiir-is it. that .it was ever that-great master's

/V'v',''.""chance to 'peer-into just sudh a complex heart

'''.""':-,'as. belonged to this tottering, withered form.

^^^S^^^9^>' a^?yi:l4> ^^.^9^.r.>not her quietude.

'I'-]* /X'ong-has she been to them a most incompre- .

/;,; :.;;-:! hensible creature. Her face has been.for years

; :X^"';.:the meeting-ground for.the shades^of.humility

-.->.-..;:and patience,, marked by positive content as *

C'-.-v ;'-v; rarely as1 a shadow casts a shadow. A melan-

'(:' ."^choly : as profound as space is \vritten there,

'*"','/-."*''/'"breath' es in her listless voice, and invests her ' ':':,-'V'./'*'*"every moveme nt. A~ cloud% *as insolvable as
C" ~;' * the 'unwritten laws'of the universe has ,hung

/f;..v';'about her for a lifetime. Into her now imp^r-

':-," ^-^ ^'^^

TE MARIE. . i?,;.''':*;',''Vv'V
being, not one .ray of joy has'"shone to its darksome penetralia. This inexplic- . \". :-"/>1' v .; -'" able ..existence- is no\y slowly drawing its. curv' ::V'-:/;,vV.';''''tainsr to. for-the .night "preceding the' day of -^^fev^ ?. eternity,,and she comprehends, it less than. .

simple wayof reasoning,'in the deep-

'profundity of her ignorance of. the

;: V'; :'."'/':."A;'world's-ways, she sometimes argued, to herself ..

%vv^v'.,^vJ that'all the .war,' which was raging within her

'.-,;'. v'l-^ ; \.against her fate, rose from her nature being so '

;;/:;:V':.;'> r^faintly negroloid that she was debarred from

I .sympathy with the race with which her lot,

^^^/Jv had .been cast.: \ : '\ - . .

: "'

her dread marriage, long ago, she had>

-to 'death, some bright, heart-easing '^

"-v\ ;^--^ memories, and strove' wi.th'prayer and^ fortitude

r;.lier--b

.know,,

lay aside. " Suzette,. while she^ still :.'_

!>x v-^v gloved her, appeared after the_marriage to give

^'^"^.X'^up/to the-inevitable, in utter despair. ._ ';'..._ ;

'^j:,''.\ -V ^-.u You en me,1 honey, cayn't do nothin'.now

:-^ :*.^V.'cep' leave it wid Gre't Marster.; -He'll show :

Vr*f. ;/Ti: ,'.us de way/* she used to say by way of.conso- , .

iV.''^'--^> laiion to-. th6 wordless and facial' lamentations

. YEA&S. .
'. '*:.:'*.''.'u.;-. .,V.<'v'"*" .' .-" ' -... * ' ^X

"' 2$ t
.. ' .

Marie.-"'Dis done been 'nough ter try us

;. all we" kin do is ter waft patient tell de

/i Sometimes you gwine understand it all, ^

,'Vr^ rv: (v an* I reckon'you gwine say I is done de bes* I

:,- '>;.'!. . '

-

^...r/.^.^could wid it all."


' / -'

'

:-.'./ ,

". .'. '' \. > ,;;' :-: "' '". '.:-'.

'Vr'cVv"" Colonel* Bickerstaff had remained away

:'>v.v-"'from -his plantation for several month's. A

'; v ',,-., il -.couple of weeks after the wedding of Marie,

X-';/'*,.-', Johnson received, -a letter from him at At-'

. .\'r : \.lanta, in-which he. said he had just heard

: \;y; ;: M from Charleston that Harry had. taken to

v.' /,;\ drinking badly, and intimated that it was owing

j,'jv^vv;;to the report which had reached the young

,^v4;-;:;;: man concerning the disposition of Marie.

, r',;:>'V,': .>v Neither the Colonel nor his wife could in-..

'::." : ;;-,- fluence their son, and he went from bad to worse

'v..'V.'.v ; after refusing to return to Oaklawn, until he

,,;;;,,.'.';'ei-C^finally lost_his life in a drunken* brawl by ac-

, /f;;y:"cidentally' discharging his own revolver.

*'; ''.A';:''**.'*J'.Laura, who had learned to truly love Harry,

^v-C^/Hvas almost heart-broken by his death. At last,

:;;,^however, she was. married to a wealthy young

, ,"!\ ; -;v ',merchant of Charleston, and became happy.

;^ ^^^'..-Wheji^the^ childless master and-mistress re-^

-. <* turned to .-.their' mountain home they were

'; WHITE"MARIE. '
-greatly changed.' VThey never forgave Marie''' .-for the part she had played in .the tragedy, and//ordered that she should never cross the thresh-.. .
old of their house. ' Years dragged past, and /Mrs. Bickerstaff died. . Then followed the Cof/onel,. after the war had taken' from 'him 'alL he ' ;. gowned save-dilapidated Oaklawn, which was v 'purchased by a Mr.' Burfc. and his wife, who .took up their residence in the farmhouse. v, .':: In the years that' fojtowed, Marie, stunned' 'and blunted in mind" and spirit, gave her re- .'
love to the yellow children' w"hich had. *, to her, and so strange is nature that she 'became/in a. way, accustomed to. her easy -going mate.; I/ '"',-"'. !.v ';-''/:";- ~:.V '''"/''/''.";-//" v^>.A few-;days after her presentation to the 4*_ /reader'"in the opening, of this chapter, news ,is:broiight to her that Suzette; who.has been ^ ;,remarkable long' of life, Is .ft* .last., rapidly ^.nearing death. ; Old "White" Marie,"-as she ^is/.now. called by negroes and whites on all t . .'sides/.goes alone to the cabin, a few mil^s -across 'the fields and. hills/ and -arrives in
to ' see ~the ^aged woman alive. The ^rorP the'new-comer
. ,: --. . ; -',, v.--: : .. ;-7Vl ,^v ;,1*^ -^ ^-' '' -' '^ ^ ' " 'r-V.'..' *",
:!'-^:^^"'^:'/'--^~'-^r'^'^"r'- .T-'-J.-- -.- --.^--i ^;(^-v-r"*:%i'~ .* r: :r^- '*.'

'YEARS. ' ' "." ' 233 v
;r^r':'''v / "/'' -' /': : ' .' " ' ; '" .":' - .

: vl^^:>'instinctively; there were few negroes who did

'.,>'/.:::",' not stand in awe of.her. - '-. ': ":.- . '' : .-

',:'.} ;'.'-"\ -.

' ' "- s - -

"

' '

'-.'

/'''V.;-rvV .^he.was alone with dying'Suzette: Years

;; :' ::.'/:-;-' had wrought a vast change in -Suzette's way of

'

^./': A.V: '.;thinkfng,'as;is nat.ural.tq.: one of her race.. In

/i'^v-. :-J ..lien.'own increasing trouble, consequent upon

',;: ' '. '-.the hardships of poverty, the trials of war, and

/' :;r- separation from Marie/ she had' grown less.

:'v'4'-.' '"' ''.-' a^ve to the interests of her charge. ' ' -

"..*-'

'>>.'.','"'.-]. '.'-'.,.*"'.f i_ "Y*ou* yerat l*ais', honey/' she whispers; y: ;;'.., ; .V;/''no> $l remonstratingly, as Marie bends to kiss

i-Vy.'",-;'""'',.the chilling"bro\v--n no, mebby you better not

;' v-';'-:.-: \kiss-me. yit,. kase I got sompen ter tell you

; 1 >;X;, ;.'.'. ;fus\ . You. lookin' po'ly, chile, en" you aint so ^

i >!^ J SC" ole nurr. My. time is done come ter han*, but

^^''v^v' you^got er long' time 'fo'you 'yit ef you tek'

r^''V:;-v;;V'keer-er yo'se'f, dough you is gittin' mighty

^:-,.-: ^''V. wrinkled ; en gray. - Dey .done say I cayn't

- :> : J ^ stay yer long, en so I sent fur yau,' Marie.

-) ;~ '-Tj. . ^7-'

^t *



_.<">_,.._...

. p, .

.

.

,...>.

.,

..

, . ...w_ . . ^., I .- ,+,

..'\~',;-;. *;I-thought I. wuz dom* right by you en--en--..

(, ;.::._!:-;; ;;. evybody, but yer lately, sence I been down

"> :I .;;>-Vwid dis. yer,sick spell en all, it is been'Iyin* t \

'-:^.: /;": -: on my mind day^ en night* tell I cayn't git

^": *': /;';any res\ Somehow I feel lak.I kin die easy . >

*.. .*, : ( w'en Ldone tol^you.

"- '

. ,. , '

#;^.--V.^^

vVi '''1 -'-: ' ''' ;

r'r 1"'-. -^ -:;/>:-:'": v^;:/' *".'':; *", ; ''-.. V:,;- ': - T.V ./.--/;: ^

':''!'': - ":__.3 34 ;/:.:>;'. ' - : . WHITE MARIE.: . ^' < t (: -/,:, .'; '. ,-g

v^:":v: ^'V:^,- '".Oh, my Gawd I -furgive me-ef I alnt done, ., /../ . ^v';^;/.-right, but.dat way wuz de onlies'one. I'm . .' \/^ :'\V\'i^Y;-;?:..'.'gwine l telL'you 'it 'all now, honey. '.Yoirmus1 '; ;' : ;;v'-.!t;V:'^,'.le'.me know fus', dough, is you satisfied, whar ....,,.., ./: V . ' ^:?'-:rV-'-"you iX en wid'Jake?. I know you wuzn't at -,'-'..'rs ;:': .;;-- fus', but dat wuz erelong time back* Is you .-:^\
.i'-.^:v:^-"/:^;>xsatisjied now ? '\ ._ .-" : -. ].\ :.' .: r -':: "T{\'^''';-... ,".":'-.:i."T.-':.;
'.'' .;.;Vr-.:/?;-r :- % There-.was a. pause. The gray brows met .'' '. .^\-r;.^''.;*f ;V.across the white"* corrugated forehead. The -.,:.' i;^^-;./; wrinkles, 'cutting .the .face. from. eyes, to .lips. .;:7v'--.;^;":>.and- ::.curvi3g -around-, and through hollow [/.".-'^o";-.;; cheeks/grew tense and more observable. The .';.-":'.: '>'';.:;.-tardy reply, clothed- in. a sigh, was. belied by. . -">"'.' :/-v-!'': ^^.'-the garb it.wore :; '-..'. ': v.'.-.' ::; /":'-V--'.;^--'-'.'/;;'>i :'.'." '>''. ,/ - ''/' ^^jTrtj? Yes, mammy.". -" ' -. : V',.V^:; ': A/C^^'V '^' '":. ' : ]^:-'^''':^:'^:'^^s yo-'fambly well?--all .er!urn-?."_ .,-;..;..;-' -', -' ^V-t::'-^.^^:Yes- 'mV'"'-- - '' '".',':',-.''--"'.^A-f ^^:-^-'^ ' >',.,'

heard um; -say, hain't .you, rat I potter . . ( soon ? "_,, '.'.'.". ,;x:v..^;-\- -.,*:>- v;'.^^--, -',' "":

.7^.njl:^

a pair of

>/C;v:v-; white. bony hands. Silence, .the chosen ele^ ,.

:UrV'^";"ment of \- death, crime, or sorrow, : filled. the

-r^V-'^^room.'save the whispering of. the breeze over-

;'H-':;;.v\'the: shingles on the roof. -^Stray beams;of sun-

", W--;:'^ '. light"_from the\world/of brightness withc/ut . .

';;;--':-:.';- AFTER YEARS.

.'

235

-through'the cracks between the logs of walls and'lay in creeping"yellow stripes on ragged^coverletand puncheon'floor.. The
white-faced listener ' formed no

^^

mur-

; \' niured .on; In ebbing monotone, as a stream '/- :';-- voices its farewell' to sun-lighted meadows ; -,^ v when gliding: into -a deep turbulent ocean. ;.':,.,,'/.' Marie, I gwine teH'.'you sompen/bout yo'se'f v'--''at.you^orter know. 1 ' . '" " f '; ^ "',

/:."\^' :-* The "auditor's eyes flashed, a steady lurid

" v -^ gleam began to -burn in their depths. Her

,?''"heaving breast fell and lay trembling as she

'/;'';,drew nearer the whisperer. The;steady gleam

-'"; - ; qiritted the orbs resting on the dying face and

.-;, >beams lighted "by dreadful expectancy took

,V';.:-its.place. /The.brpwft emaciated fingers closed

" round the white ones.

. :. /..."'. ' -- .-.:

''.- " ''"Marie/'., faltered1 the speaker, with her

.. unsteady eyes feebly averted, "you'aint my
,:'. chile.0- .- ' :- : . -; ...-.';-'- *- .*--'---. ,. ;-. : ;

.'" "" White Marie"" "interrupted the dying con ;'A fessor. with a violent start and a rapid with-.;;. drawal of her hand.- A change passed over her

'.'.;< "V-"-X-*" face 'more rapidly than clouds fly athwart the* '

''/. C'; '- '.I''''.'. - .

' '-" ;

'.

,-

..

' .'-

*".

.-

''

.. .1

.- '

' w ~>

\;.^-:;%V'.vT'sky.iri a high wind/, .-,';/ ^ : ".-':- ,'.h. :': ;.:- ^'-.'v^v

;;.': -:'' C;-,. (< No/' resumed old. Suzette^ not heeding the

;;%: vv:,r' transformed features before 'her, and speaking '

:'^;, V:,.'r'with 'greater volubility now that the ice .of the

v"' :" / ; .'-dreaded confession was broken. " En vv^at's -

;'*'""" ."" ' mo 'you ^'in t St er speck er darky blood in you/.. .'

''1 ,/ "? ' -'/Now deswaitwid yo' judgment tell I done told v<

";'-, *,; .you all 'bout it, den you kin see ef I wuz right.

_.-;/",r'.'/.' '::..',// .My young' mistis whar you'wuz born--de

: '?,:': -VXyErench .fambly, you know.; well, she wuz yo''

;;"? <: --V'/- -.^mother. ' For Gawd sake, honey, don't look at

"."'!';':- -v'-'Vjmeso hard!' She- wuz in ersight er trouble en.

v ;'!;:.'^-'.;;v"s6,< young en desprft, en I. did love, 'er 'mo'a

: 'J.; .-''^anything else. Nobody, wuz so. good fer me..

%-' v;"x' ; ez lier, en she.Jtole me de gre't trouble she wuz .

v'c;^/v:^'in...kase er young^man she -love wid .all 'er ,

' .^^v- : ' heart. 'ceived 'er en run er\vay en lef 'er. "Her '

"

en paw; wuz mighty rich, proud' people,

n; ef dey wuz terjciiow der -ohlies* daughtvy '

- disgraced, dat way, dey would cr'die sho,

:;-"SO yo' maw axed me ter he'p 'er out by'passin'

den glad ter do it,

-. 'I- ; d"itd'.n: -'t '-.h''at/ n"o'*"id e'''e:' "-h'ow,.-'..'.'th-vin; g.s'w',u-z'' : . end. ;\r , ^ ./*-. .v.. :.*x-.vo '.'" * ."'.'

r~^;^*':AFTEK YEARS.

- - 237

she mek me tek er'solemn vo\y on er : 'at, come w'at may, I aint gwirie -tell it ter ,.';'.' ersoul.' 'En she 'mek me swear ter treat you j,~ des ez well ez I kin- en 'tect you thoo all trou^f'ble.. Atter t'you wuz born Ole Marster aint ;.-; -dreamed of de trufe, en yo'maw uster come j'X'.-'.ter my cabin: in de night all wrapped up en ';;; !u fd tek you' in 'er arms en cry over you en ' pray Gawd ter tek you in charge. ',';-. r"; '"Dey tried ter mek 'er marry ter "er ole man ;' 'at wuz rich, but she got down sick from all de . V- trouble en. died. I wuz 'longside 'er bed w'en Y' she. breathed 'er las' breath. She didn't .hat, :;'V.-"er eye fur anybody but me, en! could under. i stand-mighty well w'at she wuz'thinkin'*, en so .".;.; I mek up my mind, den ter tek.de secret wid ",X :. me ter m7 grave. But oh, my .Gawd, how I -'-.did hatter suffer-wid.. you on my ban's! I :;; knowed, 'fo*. de Lawd's eyes, yo' farhbly wuz ./-mighty high up,'en I hat.one er um in my _V. charge en all de worl* thinkin'she wuz er slave. ( .' *". ."" De new marster, atter \ve was sold, 'gun to ..-.treat you des lak er darky, an you de bes* ;/ ;r blood.; but w'at kin I do ? I done my bes' ter - keep you up wharyou b'longed, kase I felt des

-

. ...,

: ... - . . :

'.-*: lafc yo^ maw's eye'up in heaven wus on. me all

^de time." De night I heerd you hatter marry

:;J*kt 'I .come ' ;ntgh 'tellin' all, but. I hatter

;;'^ream > en ^ seec* yo1 - young maw ; ; 'er face

;;:' wus all streamin* down \vid~ tears, en she 'say ;

\ ter.me /at's: mighty hard on-you, but it is too

e 'now-- dat nobody will b'lieve me, k^se I

't prove it^ en de. scandal would ruin all 'er

'.-j' :-;;. ; fambly, so I'mus1 let de,Lawd tek'jt in hanV- '

s--,!;'4^;--;':"f " Honey, ^1 done de ties' I know how ; ef' I ',

V --'done wrong by you, it kase'I haiht hat no light

'.-?;>;--; ten 'guide .me ; nob'o'dy in ; dis worl' kin. know .

w'at I hatter go thoo' wid while you is

^^'y;:;'f Dat/s 'all ; ' my bref comes ,'mighty .hard . .; ^:;- :sbmehow..' I know I^gwine feel .easier over it, ;
.'^- ea Twisli'now I hat to.le you 'fo''dis. You say ; ^7fr-you;is got satisfied wid Jake ;; well now ef you . :::.k-^ P ut" yo* trus' on high, yo' path gwine be easy> ^^'ea yo r burden light." . ' V- ',.. '"' '-'-: ' ' vvr^-'j '^ r.?.

-V^^^

swept over.the humble '

;;'":' cabin bed, the events *in the white woman's In-'

^

passed in file before her. Now,

^,TM!\vith swelling heart and flooded eyes/she beheld

{v

fancy her young, high-bort> ^mother,

3'

^^?.':s'^^^'; '/'" * J ^'"' : '''>*:1'-.-. **' :- .--''"^.': .'~~: v!:':.- ; '239;''

:^*'7'!;. .-'-''.'Anon, with curled' lip of scorn and gloomy "

^^r^scowl, she writhed under the reminder of the

?;^^;^ban birth and marriage had placed upon. her.

;C:-"A'*A;51.: ' Suzette, the heroine"of a long existence, lay

.if

:'^]-^Or'lifeless'-at jts goal. *fhs frotegte of% the dead"

^^'/y^^.woman rose as if in a dream when the negroes

v^-vri^v came' to the; bedside. With head ' proudly '

'i^l'^'V/.-erect/she*.1 swept, as she_ fancied her mother

^' ;;:":^:; ;/. ;had walked, past her inferiors out into the

''v-v^^^.ppen air. "Every blood-channel in .her rejuve-

:?";-.;^;-f;;.v;-nated -frame wa.s aglow with the .realization-

5::>i:;-v.';.";.-. /'..that'her. dream of earthly bliss was fulfilled.

'</ ;"''7 ;i^<L ">\" : '-After a while she returned from the moon-.

i'?^':.'^:^ light, and" stood over the form- now ready for

i;::,.^:;.'.;>C burial. ; She did not shed tears ; her heart was

f.^'^^

A woman, in

'^V-^'^'^'speaking.to her of some matter relative to the

': -/;V^vv,:. ^.interment,.called her'^Marie." She shuddered

;!. : ^: ^V,;(vas-if/she had been smitten, and withered .the'

'>:v;>;^;;;;r" questioner with her glance of resentment. '' She

X ^iT'-i-':'/was a scion of ,a great and powerful race", the dc-

v';'.;'r'5t:.,; ..7'scendant of a people who associated with "kings

C-i';,r;: ;;.-.";"and queens,, and she, was called to look upon

'. <~v 'V\..', the face of an old and faithful'slave who was

';. ; ^ '..- dead and about to be put away .for eternity, .

j;-i-'-' ''//>:"/ CHAPTER XX.- "./":' \:'''v-^V/-^

.-CONFLICTING EMOTIONS! '

:! V : ^/''/v'!;--TT was, in truth, an" inexplicable home-going ' '''''--'''*'" /.i for'the possessor of warring-emotions the

..:." /.:."' '.^--/..next day. Home? Could, it be .home to her

. . ;'.''//;.-.';-any longer? She hardly knew why she turned >'.../'/ v-"'// v\.her.'steps thitherward. .-Her* feet moved,.now....'....

/ v'/"/l//'T/ Maggardly' as" misery chilled . her heart,~anon- ' .

/^///; v/.':V;/''.;x quickly, as joy fired her soul,, through the ver/:.. >:'"^\'-X'/,.'^dure of the fields. ^ " /\" "*.-'. .-,'/^^:^''''^^'--''.:--''^^

'/'\: ''-^^^ ^^:ShtpSiUSQd^- the bars near her.home) and

!./;;.//.'j'Y'/-gleaned, wearily against them. : Before her eyes .,./.

L^/:/^i^^^^s-^e '^rm^ouse . an d .her cabin's-roof \ the .

H"'- ?.;.///i'^'one suggestive of earthly comforts/and Cau-. ;.'

i;.. / ;;: c k,-;-^./ casian refinement, the _ other of. poverty, / ./

J'^.^^^t-V squalor, .servility. 'Her - besieged soul was / . .

^/X^^::';/^'-"-/jaundiced, at the sight.//How could she re-

the 'old routine of her daily existence'?



-



..

/;^:'';;''>-Better to . die there under ."God's blue roof ., .':..,.,

^'!^;:?-:!Vand ver-watchful eye than to take/her strug^ . /.'',.-' :

..^'^'r^-^//.-/--;^''^.::-''-" /' ' "V'''" 24 *''" .' " <'.. :/- -*-*.v ""'*-VV.".'-'- '.'V., : ' //-'',;,

'' ''''"'"^ '"v '''

'' ' : " t ' v

EMOTIONS. . 241 '

, rebellious heart' into a'family blessed contentment. ' . .'. ,. -'.-V- ' '.

whispered'in the same gentle, insinua-

.fe:'!-1'-'-Voting- waj^as ,ofr,old; but to Duty it was hard-.to

,":'\.'"''':;'-,; gi've 'an open ' ear with Her wrongs ris*ing-like

;>>."; 2'.' an impassable wall.before her.

'"

:.'>:. f.-. 1 Then* her. eyes grew dim; the fires of pride

:/'i-:; : smoldered as-she. drifted with the current of

',V:v/~ A her reflections back to the days of girlhood.

''/'\-Harry, with his musical laugh and sunny smile,

i^ the picture. Harry, who had taught

to -read, to think and--yes--to love.

;/:.' k; :Harry, who was dead, and had died, she some-

-',v--'times "thought, on her account. 'Ah, he had,

'-'^'.Vm fact, made all the supshine she had ever felt.

.V^': How far away seemed those days! 'She puts a

"'.'"-^. hand to' her hair and draws one of the iron-gray

. --.' wisps .from the coil at the back of her head,

,-.v-before;her eyes, remembering, with the action^,

,'*^'- that he had once admired her tresses/ Can she

"..^\' believe it to be the same, that gray twist? Is

;'^'" the ^ cheek', -which feels wrinkled, rough, and

. iC'/sunken under her hand, the same that was

;v; once-so soft and rounded? Can it belong

r ;. to the face people used .to say 'was beauti-

242-

WHITE MARIE.

ful ? Can the scrawny hand, dried, withered,

and drawn, possibly belong to the mind-pie-

turecl girl of the past? '.

. -.' /

Then her real life comes to her as a miser

able soul wakes from a delightful dream. The

sun was'setting in a bath of blood and gold

under a canopy of pearl. ', She must, go- on,

Jake and her daughters and their children

would be anxious about her. But she,did not

stir. As she yet stood irresolute, in her dire

wrestle with fate, merry childish voices made

glad the sleepy air. It .was her grandchildren

playing down the road..;;. She:.bends forward

with quick-eared eagerness. The blood jumps

into animated streams In. her veins, her eyes

grow dim, her heart beats glad''and. warm.

They see her.

' . ' v' . . -

. " Gran's come ! Gran's'.come ! " is shouted

in childish glee, until the-mountains and vales

joined-in the tumult-with laughing; frollcsoruo

echoes. Six little half-clad dusky forms-

'gathered round her, begrimcil fingers clutch

her gown,

' ; , ' . . .

" Tek me, GranM tek me !", It was the last-

born crying in fear from the midst of his bois-

.; CONFLICTING EM01\

terous fellows.^ .She stoops,-eager to rescue-

him and allay his fears.' She takes him into--

her arms. His warm cheek touches her own...

. Close, close she . presses him. to her breast.

1

Tears well up into her eyes and roll down her cheeks. 1 . -i ; .V.';;-' :" ;''' -;V ;, . . '" . -" V ' ' ,' : '.

.';: On. she hastens'in 'the noisy,.clinging group with paunding heart and swelling breast. She . reaches the cabin. Hands, of which she had remarked no tenderness before, now untie her;

bonnet-strings- and place, her chair for her.

There she sat/answering kindly-put, consider

ate questions.and inwardly praying Heaven to

grant her forgiveness--poor woman--for the

rebellious thoughts she had harbored, and for

her lack of gratitude. -

..

After that she continued to live in struggle--

struggle between what she termed her tempta

tions and her duty. "One temptation which

was hard to keep from her heart was the pride .

that would creep into it unawares, because she

was free by birth from, all taint of African-

blood. . - : ,'. '.;' -'

When she gave way,to this temptation, she-

became confiding, and would proudly tell the

Xl; : ;V^.2 44': ' v: - ';;'''> ;: WHITE MARIE^'. ^ r "'/.''. r ;."

"" : v-^ ; "'';.:;story of 'her life to some 'good white women

.";!*. ; r'.;J;V;V.-:^who sympathized deeply with her. "In a whi&.

V ' v1 .,-:'^ per. she would invariably enjoin them not. to

':';- / ..v;'-";i ."repeat the story where it would reach her hus- .-'..' ' ||

,""' '.,', ^ ;, band and children's ears". It might cause them

V .'VvC"'\;^happiness, and make them think she was dis-

';".; '"'-'..''/'V satisfied. '

- 'w' .;>'r;s '-;v< .'-*."\ ;" ;''.; ..;'v;.v> _ . .. t ,

. ' ':.'./;,'. ^'-These good-hearted women comforted her as

.--.' _;/:."much as was In their poweri ^They told her

.'...'.:.' "': -' she^was right in not trying to establish proof

: ^Ti";', -of her birth ;^her life was almost^ at an end,

v ry'/ ' "\ why:.need she bring disgrace on an innocent

vC--. 'v--v?'i.,;;-family of rank,' and mortify her own husband

; '^;>v - ; ;- :,^and children ?
**' '-. -''.v '";'-.. ._ "

"

-:


'. ''">.:';v>^: j' !< -vv.' -' <:j "'
"','.'*''''.'' } '. ' ">'"''V - ''

.', / '-L.'. Her .story spread from mouth . to [ mouth

....''-':'^.'.';" vuntil.-."all. the- neighborhood possessed the

'' vy^"v strange^ history, Some laughed at the tale,

,^r_.l....;.:.:.W,and said, it'had got its' origin Jn the-feeble

/\V^;; :;^; - i vbra'in, of .White Marie; -others-believed, it in,

^\;;^;f:';"^;f;^

study pf the;-odd .

';;^iVv^;'., A character. ''.'.' \- ,.; '^";' '':-,;;:; ...;./: ^:>."/-t:-V: '':.-''-/.'!'-V

V^ ;': :;'>'*^.r --v Mrs. Burk/who. lived, as* we; have ,said, in' :. i^--^^; l .^-:>.7;the : old farm-house'at Oaklawn, was her truest |4:;/^;v-;^-\'; v:friend.;,'One day, in conversing with this lady, ;>.'^:^;^- : ^^White Marie said.: -^. ;''../ ^^'':;^.^':- /.. ^,
;''"-'." '-..,'.;"'.'"':'-'.""','-:!*.'..'' 'i....".-"''"..*.;>';.'.''*., .,','-.*'.. . r<-''.'/,^'''.'.'"' i-"'-.-:/'**'-'-''*.*''''\;r*.: '''*.'.*"''.'!'v '' ''..'''-''''\': --'""-':

^:'^^

. 245

,'" -Miss Ruth, I know the Lord requires it of

",

.

* s'



e, but it is mighty hard; it has been so ever

I 'was a child. I believe that I'm 'the

oneT that, .ever lived just as I have IFved .

^V-:v :'^ and!/ am living now. You can '.t have no jdesu

j: -* ' ' *;-'

' "'



.

.



.i

:; ;'-r{]'.:Jiow I feel -unless you was in my place. Some-

"'/*'*'; '-: -l-times I wonder what caused God to pick me

: ":'-"L';-VOut .otall His flock to go through what I have.

; .."' .Byt'whea the time comes, I'll be ready. I'm

'";;' ';'"> as sure that Til meet my God up there as I'm

! /*;' r .a-standing here." . .

".

/. '/'

:-, '; --.v But try how she \vould, she could not keep.

.' .:';;, her "pride wholly under subjugation. - One ofx

'', ;;;';v her. chief pleasures was to .steal away from

'./.'.:> her' family on .Sundays and attend the little

, '.>::. country church of;.the white people. .

- ;^;^ -As regularly as, the sacred day spread its.

v.ll.. wings, *she^could be seen^ her coarse, sunbon- :.

';<v:- ;' net 'Over -her face, in a. .corner of .the. edifice,

' >.';", glistening-, attentively to the .minister's dis-

~<i -.;*: coiirse, and joining in the hymns wjtli a voice

- : hardly above a whisper.

.'. ' ' "'

V. ;'. ;' :' At that time and place she seemed to feel

.;"; 'that a certain amount of* race recognition

"v*" was -not' denied her. She would not have

_J

o:'-:;. ::-.* ~r ;. --;.: '-- c;---'^-;-;;--^:\.;: :;:;--^;;:';.^,:s^
:: '-.:"---. ;'-;r .-W^^
-1's"- -'../ dreamed of entering the house of, a white'per- .'' ' ' 'I--."..."-. ..i'^;-son by any save the rear door, nor would she .V '- .';,:'..'- j; ^ have thought of sitting at the same table with' '" \' v , " -:^ r>,them'; : but in that little church, where ntfne"'V'" ;/:"-*,"//;:-:-^-but .whites worshiped, she'-was welcome, and *''.' :"'];'";" r;^V*'-she :felt' it, for God, whose, house it was, was '' ". ' 'J;^;.-.;.v.4 ^-.';her. host., as well' as theirs, and knew no dfs-^/. . . ':":;'; : ,''.''O&4"rtihction.; / v ; "V'^--:^.:-1-^"1 -::1':^:':'::^^'^^^
-^ \ r .';..:; ^v?'" "Once the minister : had invited all who felt / . .' ;/,;--r*-\vr -that : they.had been .blessed by God to come ' 'v :';'* r .?>> forward and give him their"hands. After they : {V;; '-- ; ^^ jhad:;all' gone to him who felt so inclined, the . : '-. (^-',;*;. :l-^-^ good;man. remarked the humble-^nien and ' '
;''..- X^,;vlook. of;anxiety on the face in the corner. - '- ' ' , ;^ "'./.,^v;T : Y^/^You^;are welcome,' too, good sister/' he . , ; /'.""*'. "'-v/said, .holding out his .hand'/ She'shambled . ^ :> '-:-;;-";;^ meekly^up' the aisle and gave him her hand; . , ',. , >l;'':..-^.:;'and^.as.she. returned to. her seat, her.face was
v".;v\.rv:,'laglow and damp with glad tears. ' , \ .- f -... .. ; .,: : *'

&^
|'&5^

1 ^ :-:;Xr;.T^-.v -;-^-' v^;v '-'--,' t:*'V-'.' *>>;--:;->":;'"''', >/.:;"""'V
>^*r^V^ *-;-5' ^f.^'-^ v ; V--: - 'V-" > .- . w, / ; ;: v.-- -V :^'. r *-'CV>-;.: '^ , , '";'

^':^f-'^:r;^.;K^^^'^'V- ' : ' ' '*' v'"k '"''' ! \ >v ~ : : : -; '^': '.-: ' ' ; ~ :.% VV: -- *'

''

YYT '"" '"''' s>>

AAi. ' -, .

. ..

day Mrs. Burk, standing at the win- * ,

*dow of her sitting-room, sa\v White

; Marie slowly coming across the meadow from ' .

: her cabinr supported "on each side by two of

her .daughters. ' * '

The "lady -

was

greatly

sur-

*

fl

-prised/and troubled at the sight, for Marie

' had. been quite ill for several days. .-_ .- -]'

-/--J.4 You -both stay in the kitchen/' said the '

i'sick woman, as the trio reached the back-door v*

of the. farmhouse. . ./ ..' / .-.. - ' > - -.-

' : ;'Alpne with Mrs, Burk, she sat silently in a

large arm-chair, looking frightfully pale and

.weak. . Seeing that Mrs. Burk was greatly dis*' '

, turbed about her, she began: / ; ' : \

^-'.' c Miss" Ruth, .I'm poorly this morjiing. I

^aint' got long to live now. -You've been a

good.friend .to me, and I do know God. will

bless -you for^ it* I have come to ask one

' more favor of you, please, ma'm." ... ,- . ' '; A fv : v:, ;"."; v * ,,; -247 ." -.'.. -, :y .;' :-\. ,V

vi:^::\V 248>; *;.'. " V': ' -. WHITE MARIE. ^ v ; r ^^^; r;'^:

^'''l&'-'- : ' : ' Her..voice'" or her' courage failed her, and""

1-VlK- -r1;', she remained softly moaning 'and -rocking' - ?' ''^i^'1 .' her.''trembling -form backward * and for* ' ^j'

i... ..V'," ward .with her wasted hantVbver her 'face'..'"- "' ..^;;j v:";.>Being requested, to state her wish," she ''-!'

on :;-- ,'- :^^\'^.': ",Miss; Ruth, you know what I am 'and the .*' " rv': ;^ : ";; ; :-: rkce I belong to by rights ;. so. I've' come to-" "' ;... :;.7V;;; > -.you for help--" f ' : ' ., ; \.. (' ':;;;' '.' : '>-:^'^'l'':' :^

''' /.'-: v::.- .-./^ 'Her voice was sinking into a husky whisper, ' -

V. ..-'L''';: V but"' she .cleared her throat'- and continued:

. ';::;.';." r.4 M've. been with 'em since I first opened my '.-'

.

.. ' . "..: .'.

"

.'.

'

'"..;; '.V-.: eyes, and I think

IVe

'.'
done all that's

'> .

V<".

required

V-v ^-;?V ''. v' of .'me. '"But . now I'm ; called "to 'leave this ,

.' '\!sV: -:.*;^.r''World, and I fully. expect to meet 'my mother. '*

'-";-^C:^V;;v:It Jisn't much that_I want, but it may be more

-;>'','':v'^- >^..-,;;;".;J. :-^'-'.than'..yo.u or-' M-:rl.- B'u;rk' will" wan.t''to-,-a'll.o>w'me/,. '-..'*: ;-!K^:--^ .considering the prejudice that, exists. 'Don't r'

.. /r^T.T; >:: tHinlc I'm ungrateful, but you've been so good <v

'/^i^;-C'^^

thought I would ask it. .-I want' .. .

;>.^.,:;^.^:to > :breathe; my last .breath " jn the house" of a ".

'^''''-:/^'^^white person. It may be foolish, but I've'/ .-,'

;.. ''.'jf '' 'Vj i*i .'^>:". -- ..'

'.

,

-...'





'.,'', ^"^

^'^Jv>r^S^wante<i to ^ ^ ever since I heard- about- my '

-^W'^'^

P^t 'me just- anywhere^-it .

make any difference."- - ": ';*'' : . '

. ''

' **'

-'

''''"

: " ' ' ' " '' '

.'J-1*>. '*'

FINALE.

"'249.

:\V:v. Fumbling in her pocket, she produced an (>.:old knitted purse filled with coins. ~ . V . ' '" v.'v^/.'Take this/'., she said;.. " I've' saved it up '/lor. this day... Buy me what you think I will

was touched to the innermost :-:u' .'recesses of. her soul.' She quickly assisted

;:;*;;-.;.: the dying woman into : her'most "comfortable .

-lv^room, and sent with.all possible- haste for a

;V: - M physician. When he arrived and had seen the

:;y '-.'.'.sick woman, he whispered his opinion that she

rapidly sinking and, that nothing could

her* .

'": " -.'/ : ;',>":' : .

^V '?; Old Jake and his sons and daughters were

.:V^y.in the kitchen, a most peculiar group. Marie

;:?;:i;, was asked if she wished to have them brought

.y%*'to.'her.bedside, and replied with^firmness and ;:-;,^;'a trace of surprise: ' -'-'^ "/. A- : /i ./'- ^. . " -.

:^'v^^.; '< Ayhyv'"no,""Mrs. 'Burk, 'they know their

T^->-place-7-rve already told them good-by." *

:'i"';;:''>; Just before her failing strength deprived her

1:^'";\ of. tlie power of speech, she beckoned Mrs.

;;.:.Burk' to her. " ' : '.'^.: " ": - ' ', -.-..

:y^iV;, :"Misa Ruth/',.' said she hesitatingly, "if

X"r. everybody is - willing--every single one--I



.:/ '250 ;< ;^ v . "/; ./: WHITE. MARIES'.: :'^ }I "- ^^^^^'^^'j

.;" ,/..";'.;.'- ^-^V-V v;,,;v.;<,;:-.;, ^^^

: would like to. be laid in a white" graveyard/'/ 'f ; . j

:/.".. If .they have any objections, just--just put.me'-'. - :> x 'v ' '^.'j

i '.*:. :;';/'.:;'somewhere by myself. ' I've been out of my T ^:^ V ' ;:,|

//--'; place 'all my life, and I-donVfeel that God" ':' .'':

\/'- ;>1/ tv; :.".:'Will fcrequire it of me after I am dead/' ' ;, ';"/: v^. V^ '/

';';';;, i^:-l:>^iAssured that her request-would be granted, "; "_/" ';. :

;/^.;. ; '; !'-she ^smiled, thanked Mrs. _Burk,; tried : to ' ..".'.,/./'";

//-.-.C-;/ sw.eep-her eyes'over the faces round her bed;,/ ; ./ -/ ,-. '^.-'and died.; , " .-.*- :,-. ; -: -v,--', -v.^^:^\' i;^^v'ii::i^i.i;^ ^^^'J'''j
'/;/ / ; '' .: ';_.. . ''., -' s-'i- ]/- '(]- > ''-:l [*..;.; ^^

' : '. - '-^ ^'.^'^/'/- ''>?*:':'.:.-~-:f:'\-'.&'^^ i ; ;,;\;;;;; ^> . ':>. :; " :.^:>; ;-^;;^\V;;:^

-"" ^^^'^'^'S^-^x':^

END/ r';"v /->!' ir^,*&^^.?&

'. '^'.:'<^^^ffi:^<^'^^v-v" i^^.:l'''?''&y^^l^i-&w^-:" '$:''?// /.i