The Manning times. (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, October 30, 1901, SUPPLEMENT TO THE MANNING TIMES, Image 5
MOTHERHOOD
The greatest aimbition of Amer
ican men and women is to have
homes blessed with children. The
woman afflicted with female dis
ease is constaiitly menaced with
becoming a childless wife. No
medicine can restore dead or
gans, but Winc of Cardui does
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vent conception: does prevent
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and does bring babies to homes
barren and desolate for years.
Wine of Cardui g;yes women the
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thy children. You can get a
dollar bottle of Wine of Cardui
from your dealer.
WINEorCARDUI
143 Market btreot,
Memphis Tenn., April 14 1901.
In February 1901, 1 took ona bottle of
Wine of C i and one pactte of
Thedford's Black-Drnugh. I ha6en
Taried fifteen eanad had nerer
given birth to a ceild untl I too!: Wiae
of Cardui. N~ow I am mo;-.er of a fine
baby irl which was born March 31,1901.
The baby weighs fou-tc;n pounds ar.d I
feel as well as any person could feel.
Now mzy home is hap?:. and I ne-2r,%wil
be without Wine of irduf in my heuse
again. Mrs. J. W. C. SWITH.
For advice amlM ?:er.-e. addre*o, zv~ng
symptonis. "Tht, JAtd.% tdyisorF ?T'Trt
NprThe Cltnnooga Me' o
NOW OPEN
TO TRAVELERS
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Livery Stable Near at Hand.
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FOR SALE BY THE
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Dyspepsia Cure
Digests what you eat.
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tt cau't help
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rpareoyby E.C Da Wrr Co. Chicago.
The R. B. Lnrya Drmg Store
I.
Z*
*00 A
:S LA VA
.*. 4 Copyright, 1901.
CHAPTER IV.
AT "L'ESPERANCE."
L 'ESPERANCE" was a fair
domain of 1,S00 acres,
which, with slaves, live
stock, mills, gins and imi
plements, had descended
to Horace Oakfell from his mother at
her death in 1S37. She as sole heir had
Inherited from her father, Colonel Bix
low. A thousand acres were under
fence and in culture of sugar. cotton
and corn; the remainder was woodland.
A yield of two hogsheads of sugar and
five barrels of molasses per acre by the
open kettle process of reduction then in
vogue and 500 unds of lint cotton to
a like area attested the prodigious fer
tility of the fields.
Oakfell's father endured widower
hood a year and married Fidele Gas
pard, a Spanish looking girl of 16,
daughter of Antoine Gaspard. who, it
was said, had escaped from Paris with
a price on his head after the fall of
Danton and who was remembered as
a man of cruel aspect. taciturn and
furtive, as one taunted by a terrible
fear or horrible memory. He was
shiftless and poor, but his daughter
was humble, pious and beautiful. She
was mistress of "L'Esperance" six
years, ministering to her stepson as to
a superior being, and on her deathbed
prayearfuly besought his 'interest and
protection for her own little boy,
Evariste, whom she left at the de
pendent age of 5 years. Mme. Fidele
was universally loved and by none
with greater fervor than by Horace.
The fullness of his boyish affection he
transferred to the half brother, now
like himself motherless, and genferous
ly assumed responsibility for his wel
fare. The demise of their father in
1854 gave to this assumption the char
acter and obligations of actuality.
Evariste was dark and beautiful as
his mother. Ills figure was slight and
exquisite, with hands and feet small
and delicate, like a woman's. Neither
the squirrel nor the swallow surpass
ed him in agility and gracefulness, but
his manner was undemonstrative, se
eretive, and, avoiding playmates, he
was ever content to be alone. His
eyes were black, his lips thin and firm.
To these sons the father had left
nothing but a debt owed in Kentucky
for blooded horses, which Horace
speedily discharged. Evariste was
portionless; his brother bade him con
sider himself half owner of all the
estate and assured him that partition
should be made on his attaining ma
jority, or as soon thereafter as he
might deem it desirable, and made un
stinted expenditure for his mainte
nance and education. The elder's fra
ernal love was sobered by paternal
solicitude relieved of all austerity. The
difference between the -ages of the two
was five years, Evar-iste being 19 when
Horace was sent to the legislature.
The home was nowv presided over by
the Widow Wyley, whose long experi
ence as the wife of an overseer had
given her a knowledge of the negro
character which enabled her to rule
efficiently and kindly. Thrift and neat
ness came naturally from her Dutch
mother, as did also her passion for
cows and bees. Her face was big and
red, and so was her heart; her hair was
white and strong, and so was her na
ture. Binker Wyley, her stalwart son.
was the abstemious, tireless overseer,
who had announced on taking charge
that the lash was Only for oxen, mules
and dogs and to whose shrewd, fr-ugal
management was due the fact that the
prosperity of "L'Esper-ance" wvas second
to that of no plantation in the parish of
Avoyles, with the possible exception
f Baldouino's. on Bayou des Glaises.
The dwelling was a brick structure of
two stories, with broad, covered v-erant
das projecting from the second in front
and rear. On the ground tioor, which
was tiled, were at one side of a wide
hall a dining room and housekeeper's
sanctum, at the other an office, library
and mnedicine stole, in wvhich were kept
onsiders ble quantities of medicaments
of approved use on large plantations.
The second story contained parlor andl
sleeping apartments. high ceilinged and
spacious, separated by a hail corre
sponding with the one below and reach
ed by exterior stairways piercing the
verandas. The furniture was heavy,
old and rich. An acre set in pecan, wal
nut and fig trees and inclosed by a high
white fence made a shady lawvn be
tween the house and the public road
along the bank of Bayou Claire. On
the left were the overseer's house and
plantation stores, a hundred yards far
ther the negro quarters, barns, stables
and cattle sheds; on a bend of the ba
you was the steam cotton gin and at
the rear of the fields the brick sugar
rill, with long, low roofed purgery and
massive chimney for lhagasse burning.
The warm day was closing. Oakfell
sat at the western window of the office
near a table on which lay written re
ports which had been left with him by
the overseer. From a perusal of them
he had turned to a volume of English
poetry and read these lines:
lie finds his fellow guilty cf a skin
Not colored like his own and, having power
To enforce the wrong, for such a worthy cause
Dooms and devotes him as his lawful prey.
And what man, seeing this
And having human feelings, does not blush
And hang his head to think himself a man?
The book was closed upon his finger,
and with lowered eyes he pondered
these thoughts when the open doorway
was filled by the generous figure of
Mrs. Wyley.
"Mr. Oakfell, where is Evariste to
day?" she asked. "I have not seen him
since morning."
"H went to attend the races at Man
sura. I believe," Oakfell replied.
"You will not. I hope," she said, set
tling herself comfortably in a rocker,
"think me meddlesomie ir I quest :on tihe
propriety of one so young frequenting
such gatherings, where gal mibling, drinik
ing, profanity and sometimes homicide
are the features. I forbade them to
Binker. Evariste goe-s to them so of
ten." The old hady's manner evinced
the sincerity of her anxiety.
"I appreciate your interest and de
sire you always to spea'k your thoughts
without restraint on any subject which
may concern my brother,." said Oakfell.
"In this instane, howvever. I think you
need have no appreheitsion. Horse rac
ing, you know, is expre'tssly encouraged
by our law, which puts betting at it
on an equal footing with other con
tracts. It has received the countenance
of our best citizens and has thus had
its r.esnabilitY m"'oew. ---
T.H. TPHORPE
by T. H. Tlorpge. )*
turf would soon dege-nerate to a mere
gambling affair and contest of chican
ery. So long as honor rules the track
the excitement is hevalthful to mien. I
have no misgiving of Evariste. He is
thoughtful and prudent beyond his
years, has a perfect control over him
self, which I envy him, and his spirit Is
too hiigh and proud to y.%ield to, a low
temptation or to be led by an unworthy
example. My faith in him is perfect
and I love. him as if hie wiere my son."
"IHow blessed hie is to have such a
brother," said Mrs. Wyley, hier fears
for the one forgotten in her admiration
of the other.
"There he Is newl" exclaimed Oak
fell, rising- and going to the door. "Was
there ever such a little mnan beauty as
he? And lie is so free from vanity
that I do not believe he is at all aw are
of his good looks."
Evariste had alighted from his foam
Ing horse at tlae gate and, having
thrown the bridle to a negro boy, was
walking up the brieked path to the
house with the easy step and calm air
of one r-eturnin~g from a short and
leisurely stroll in a shady grove, his
regular breathin.g betraying no sign of
the hard run of 11 miles be had given
the panting beast now being led to the
stables. And Horace's tribute of un
iconsciousness of self was scarcely sus
tained by the faultlessly fitting- suit,
unflecked collar and fashionably ad
justed neckscarf, the dainty shoes and
carefully oiled locks resting on his
shoulders in a glossy black roll. And
a suspicion of dandiness miAght have
:had confirmation in the delicate per
fume scattered from his handkerchief
:as hie passed it Lecross his brow.
"How was the s-port today, my boy?"
iHorace asked cheerily as Evariste en
tered the room.
"One excellent half mile race between
.Quillebert's Charlotte Corday and
Judge Elgee's Belle Cheney," said Ev
ariste. "The others were only ordi
Inary."
"Hov was the betting?
"Quite brisk. The odds were in fa
ivor of Belle Chieney. I took Chiarlotte
1GCorday and won $60. She came in by
a neck. Leonidas Latiolais backed thle
-eEl-e mare and lost heavily. Father
;Galotte parted with some of his tithes
on the same risk. Somebody told EI
,gee that his jockey had been tampered
Iwith by Quillebert, and he swore he
;would kill them both if the charge
could be proved. For a time it looked
as if some blood might be let, but
friends Interfered,. and the -matter
Iquieted down."
"Who rode Charlotte Corday?" H1or
ace iquired. *S004
"Qilbr'sylo oyLo.B
th abohr"adEait,"ule
bertgotint a oastul einwhe hi
mare ame i winer. H sai he ha
coul ovrmtc h im Little& F er
the be. He sadhto asr otyoeta
tuillebert ws stnnd Ie ha never
suspectnd thatr~ yondeahan in chan
ey beom lurios aond Iruliee trask
tcemplitmentry realrks abou you.
heno heicagivm eloing ol rsteadHeis
ty atghtim and concudedto bondl his
eaprssn sere upontro mon's count
Dael a which cahme n over Qiite
btoo's and peturnd toayie. to fa loi
eourmotle ene faironm tis perfeon.
Bedre lof him, asrothe re so.
"He1is bssead htfu to tuhea
bommunit" said MakWe, "bhe fesrs
ford e onegen not er fadrdon
watchere.h Is eyuc regraied yak
coelrsi over gohe chitenngo the rll.a
tr ewasuite cotar lto man beash."a
hell wAndhe heore grnfaro toldt
te hat Fa nthberle had satid, awr
regret goud look s." ognn.
"in hosee tier gatere?"hain
tinsite pormdini toeroeoy withhe
Ewakiseaa:ng up the yricked p a th
house wit the husyctp.n al i
ofane herafhrom a sht you.
brothrely tries is you shdy gre,hi
relar threatngetraybeng ino thign ofr
tshe yourd eruan flle he ood uaitien
tfhea ann beast nwbild tho te
theablestn Hafe'sar triue pople
consdcose. ofstelle' ees scarleds
and bye face fllsslywitt ingsuit
thfeed collsupnaou and fahonbe d
chared nmeswithe odainy shes mes
careful ogiude lo resin ohatsm
hosedeas Ilon up withs bthe weoght And
ahm susicin hr dacdiesghs muph ithae
ad conureati0n il the elthe er-s
oasnps i Lisinu isbrow
"1ou a bemint etd, goin bo
araptue. ask cherilais muast ne
tere th vison o uvyutusfo
"Oe yecet halfeyo mil e ra till
Quingerbefrte Chste willdbe 20."
"From thgesis ell Chody." said Es'
ariste. withe ather wfbteres nl ohi
"uie, "yubrisk the odds wnerestedfa
vor ofwetlet bihdy, nok hrott
Cordl, suppe won by She men byfa
af nc.oias thtitoedais. ackey
god hmreadlos "andiyu Fatlhas
get the dust of the road brushed off
you before I have the bell rung."
As the young man, acting upon this
reminder, disappeared into the house
his brother remarked:
"What a boon it is to be gifted to
live the fullness of life as that boy
does. Though of grave and sedate ex
terior, his whole being vibrates in
sympathy with the life around him.
Every breath he inhales is a draft
of sparkling wine to another man. His
sleep is but the opiate effect of the
(lay's joy; his eyes close in thankful
ness for the day that has passed and
open in eagerness for the day that be
gins. Apparently impassive, 'he is
keenly observant of and responsive to
every event, possessing a marvelous
power of seizing and assimilating what
is pleasant and rejecting what is dis
agreeable. He delights in the grace
:!ul spinning through the air of the
:falling leaf, but will not look at it
when it has touched the dust, and with
all his air of unconcern he is a phi
losopher, quick to adjust men =nd
things and give them their proper esti
mate."
"If I heard another spiak in this
way without naming the person. I
would understand him to describe Mr.
Horace Oakfell rather than Evariste,"
Mrs. Wylcy remarked.
"No, no!" said Oakfell. "My tem
perament is too opaque. Everything
affecting it throws a shadow. I antici
pate dangers. I brood over events. I
busy myself to guard :aainst troubles
which may never arise. In some of
my moods life seems a grewsome ne
cessity. Not so with Evariste. To
him it is all a glad song."
"What do you think will be his call
ing? Will you make a lawyer of him?"
"By no means."
"How so? Do you not like your own
profession?"
"As a branch of learning, a science.
a mental discipline, yes. But as a
practical profession I loathe it already.
No, Evariste will never be a lawyer by
my advice."
"What then? A physician or a min
ister?"
"Hardly the latter," said Oakfell.
smiling. "I do not think his bent of
mind Is toward religious enthusiasm.
You have put a question the answer to
which I have not thought out to my
own satisfaction. This is the nearest
approach to a plan that I have yet
been able to formulate. I fancy poli
tics and dislike the practice of law
and theref're at times incline to pro
pose to Evariste later that he shall
manage our joint interests on the plan
tation while I exploit a political ca
reer."
"That seems a wise arrangement,"
Mrs. Wyley assented, "leading to the
happiness of yourself and brother and
the good of the people."
Binker Wyley, in clean apparel don
ned after his day of toil in the fields,
joined his mother and Horace, and, Ev
ariste returning, the four at the signal
of the bell proceeded to their evening
meal of poultry, hot bread. rice, cof
fee, milk and preserves of figs served
by two quitlc moving griffe women
and fannedl by the waving of peacock
feathers in the hands of two silent boys
of ebon black. As they ate and con
versed songs and laughter and the
jingling of harness chains told of the
coming of the laborers from the fur
rowed reaches of sugar cane and cot
ton plant.
The supper ended, the three men,
leaving the room, found standing un
der the veranda, hat in band, a young
quadroon of small stature and intelli
gent race. He was well clothed, and
his manner was- polite and humble.
"Well, Leon," said Oakfell, "this is a
surprse. I should have thought after
jockeing so skillfully for Mr. Quille
bert today you would have been kept
at home .tonight to be exhibited to his
admiring friends."
"He did try to keep me. Mr. Horace,"
replied Leon, "but I would not stay."
"What! You ran away, Leon? Do
you not know the patrol law and the
danger of your being out after dark
without Mr. Quillebert's written per
mission ?"
"I came away, Mr. Horace. I did not
run away, and I know of the patrol
law," answered the young fellow firm
ly, but not offensively. "I had to see
you tonight, sir, and I have come to tell
you my troubles and ask your advice
and help. If I am wrong, you will tell
me so. I will believe you and submit to
punishment. If I am right, you will tell
me so. and I hope you will hell) me. I
have always believed you to be the
best man in this country, and I know
you cannot do or aid a wrong. I beg
that you will hear me." Tears rolled
down hIs face, and his hands were held
out beseechingly.
"I cannot refuse to hear you, Leon,"
said Horace. "Walk into my office."
"Mr. Horace. will Mrs. Wyley be so
good as to be presecnt when I tell you
about myself?: she has known me all
my life. I want her to hear me. She
may know much about me that I do
not Will she he so kind as to come into
the office, Mr. Binkery' turning to the
overseer.
"I have no doubt she will," the isetter'
"Request your mother to do so." H~or
ace said to Binker, "and you, Leon., go
to the kitchen and get supper. Come
here half an hour from now."
"If you will excuse me, brother, I will
go to my room. I believe the tragedy
of 'Richard III' will interest me more
than Leon's melodrama," Evariste said
and mounted the stairway.
Oakfell lighted a cigar and awaited
Mrs. Wyley and Leon in the office.
CHAPTER V.
LEON'S QUEST.
(s' QU desired my presence,
Mr. Oakfell?" said Mrs.
Wyley, entering the office,
folwdby a servgnt, who
placed lights upon the ta
ble and retired.
"Yes, Mrs. Wyley, if you can spare
the time to assist me in giving an
dlence to Quillebert's jockey, Leon,
who in apparently great distress, en
treats it," Horace replied.
"Indeed I am more than willing 1o do
so," she said, resuming the large rock
er, "for 1 have always felt there was
something foully wrong In that French
man's treatment of the boy."
"Have you any personal knowledge
bearing upon it ?"
"I know a good deal about the begin
ning of it and am anxious to tell you
all I can with certainty."
Leon appeared timidly upon the
threshold and was bidden assuringly to
be seated. He hesitated; but, the invi
tation being repeated by Mrs. Wyley in
a tone conveying something of com
mand, he complied, first laying his hat~
upon a bench outside the door. He was
manifestly agitated, embarrassed an d
apprehensive, and, though ample timej
was given him to open the conversa-f
tion he sat confused and silent.
"This interview is of your own seek
ing, Leon." said Horace, "and has been
granted by Mrs. Wyley and myself. You
ask for my advice ad help. Whether
eIther or bojth will be ; 1iv miust de
pend upon the char'acer of your state
met. Now proceed to tell your trouble
poseafto you, but tell it with absolute
truth. You must not mislead me into
action or speech by a falscbood. Give
me facts only. Upon this condition I
will advise to the best of my ability for
your good and possibly assist you to
make the advice effective. We are wait
ing to hear you."
With visible effort to repress his ex
citement Leon said:
"I cannot speak well like you. Nlr.
Horace, and some of the things I will
tell you I do not at all understand. I
know that until I was 10 or 11 years
old I lived with Mrs. Wyley on the
Lallande plantation, on Atchafalaya
river. One day she sent ine to 1. Con
stant Quillebert's plantation to see my
mother and get some presents from 1.
Constant, who was my godfather. IIe
would not let me go back to 'Mrs. Wy.
ley and has kept mne on his' place
since."
Oakfell looked inqniringly at Irs.
Wyley, whose eyes respo'ndcd a cc::
firmation. Leon continued:
IKe
"Wc are ivatifng to lca'r you."
"M. Constant has treated me diffe
ently from the others an his planta
tion. I have never been put to field
work. Up to the time I was 15 he
made me stay about the house, and
after that lie put me in charge of his
best horses. Now, as you know, Mr.
Horace, I am his jockey and ride for
him at all the races."
"And from what I hear you give him
satisfaction In that capacity," Horace
remarked.
"Yes, sir," said Leon, "except -wben
he loses a race, and then he curses me
for not punishing the horses. That I
will not do, for I know they try their
best, as I do mine. But he has never
whipped me - the others, yes, my
mother and all, for he is terrible in a
passion, but not me. My mother has
said that I do not belong to him, that
I am not a slave, that I am free, and
'he whipped her for telling me so,
though he never said anything to me
about it. I do not understand It. Fa
ther Grhe, who christened me, has
told me the same thing. But I cannot
explain how it is. One day when I
was crossing some horses on the ferry
at Bayou du Lac M. Valsin Mouillot
said to me that he had heard M. Con
stant admit I did not belong to him or
to anybody else."
"Can this have been true, Mrs. Wy
ley?" inquired Horace.
"I am not prepared to say no," re
plied Mrs. Wyley.
"Though I have feared to speak to M.
Constant about it," Leon resumed, "I
have always believed I am not a slave
and have hoped that something would
occur to pot me in my freedom. But
my hope has been today destroyed.
All that cheered me has been denied.
Please, Mr-. Horace and madame, do
not laugh at me and think me foolish
for what I am going to tell you now.
I am in love"-he hung his head like a
guilty child-"and my love has made
me strong, obedient and patient. I
love Odette, the maid of Mile. Estelle
Latilais, and she has said she would
be my wife. She isa good, faithful,
true girl. To me she is lovelier than
the yellow jasmine, and the thought of
her has kept me honest and cheerful
and has made me kinder to my horses.
Her mistress loves her and more than
a year ago promised to set her fr-ee
when I should be ready to marry her.
But last night she met me weeping
and broken hearted. for mademoiselle
had informed her that she could not
give her freedom, because the law had
changed in spite of Mr. Horace's noble
opposition so as to forbid the emanci
pation of slaves. I could not console
her. It seemed as If this news took
all my life away. Not a moment have
I slept since. All the night long I
walked up and down in the stables
save when I rested my head on one of
the horses and cried like a woman.
But with the daybreak came a hope. I
remembered that if I myself was not a
slave I could buy Odette and make her
free by taking her to a free state, and
I determined to ask M. Constant to
lend rae the price of my bride, to be paid
him in services in the stable and on
the track as long as would be reasona
ble. Knowing how set he was on beat
ing Judge Elgee's mare today and that
he had bet heavy sums on the race, I
made up my mind to win It for him
even at the risk of my neck, so as to
have his favor when I should ask him
for the loan, which I would do before
sundown if my mare kept her feet
e would not refuse then, I felt sure.
Agiln I cried, but from joy, and I
danced with happiness, and I whistled
like a n eking bird as I patted and
rubbed Charlotte Corday and prayed
to her to carry me out of my trouble.
Belle Cheney has better points than
Charlotte, and I trembled as I saw her
leap to the stand. But when the word
was given I leaned down and shouted,
'Odette!' in my mare's ear. At the end
of the track I saw not the post, but
only Odette's sweet face. In the
crowd's roar and yell in the last stretch
I heard only the inme Odette, and
when I shot under the line I saw
Odette standing with her mistress on
the veranda of Father Grhe's house,
waving her hand to mec. After caring
'or the mare and kissing her forehead
I went to Mlle. Latiolais and asked her
If she would sell Odette tq me and at
what price. She said sne would for
$100 and, laying her snow white hand
on Odette's shoulder, nddcd that she
would give the price and something
iore to the bride as a dot on her wed
ding day. Odette kissed that little
hand and, with a smile of happiness.
expressed our thankfulness. Mine was
then the lightest hear-t that ever beat
in a poor mani's breast, and I made my
request to M. Constant on his return
home. But, Mr. Oakfell, a knife run
through my body could not have given
the pain his answver did. ils eyes al
most closed and his face tr-embled
with anger as he said: 'You scoundrel!
Why should you buy a wife? If you
did, she would be my slave. -Whatever
you acquire will be mine.' '11ow so, M.
Constant?' I asked. 'I am a free man.'
ike a mad dog he lersped at me, clutch
ed me by the thr-oat and screamed: 'You
lie! You are my slave! If -:ou ever
lare again to deny it, I will lay the
lash on you till you will wvish you were
dead!' And he flung me away from him
but blind. I *ig;red to the stable and
hid my face in Charlotte Corday's
mane until my thoughts came back to
me. Then, not knowing or caring
whether I was seen, I went to Mlle.
Latiolais and informed her what had
occurred. She said to me: 'Co at once
to Mr. Horace Oakfell, the only real
man of this country. Tell him I ask
him to hear you and thwart the evil
purpose of that wicked Quillebert. Mr.
Oakfell has the true eye to see what is
just and the brave heart to do It.' As I
was leaving the yard I met M. Leoni.
das Latiolais and asked him whether
he would not buy me if I was M. Con
stant's slave, and he said he would
think it over. I came directly here. I
have told nothing but the truth. For
the sake of justice, for the sake of Je
sus, who, the priest says, was friend
less as I am; for the sake of Mile. La
tiolais, advise and protect me, Mr. Oak
fell, and you, Mrs. Wyley, who were
always kind to me and never had cause
to chide me."
The poor fellow in his excitement had
unconsciously risen at the close of his
narrative and assumed an attitude of
supplication eloquent In Its naturalness
and earnestness, and his two auditors
looked from him to each other with
expressions of astonishment and
wounded consciences.
"A dreadful recital, if true," Oakfell
said.
"Even the mercy of heaven must be
stretched to cover such wickedness,"
was Mrs. Wyley's comment.
"Do you feel inclined to give me your
recollection of this matter, Mrs. Wy
ley?" asked Oakfell.
"Yes, sir," she replied, "not only in
clined, but eager to do so. When Leon
was but an infant, Febien Queyrouze
owned the plantation adjoining Lal
lande's, of which my husband was the
overseer. It was in those days that I
first saw Quillebert, who visited Quey
rouze on Sundays. It seems they had
known each other in France. By the
request of Queyrouze, Quillebert stood
as godfather at the child's christening
at Mansura by Father Grhe, who had
but recently arrived in this country.
Queyrouze was very fond of this child,
but was greatly displeased for some
cause with the mother, Olive, who,
with her children, was his slave. The
year the cholera was so bad-I think It
was in 1833-on returning home from
a visit to New Orleans he told his over
seer, Belisaire Poydre, that he intended
Leon to be free and directed that he be
sent to me to be raised. The following
day he died of the cholera. He had be
friended my husband in a serious trou
ble, so that when, two days after his
death, a nurse came to us with the
child and a message from Poydre con
veying the wish of Queyrouze we con
sented, and I took charge of the little
one. Of course he was favored by us
and never caused me to regret our ac
tion. As child and boy he was good na
tured, respectful and obedient.
"Queyrouze was a bachelor, and his
heirs lived In France. His will in
structed Poydre to wind up his af
fairs, sell his property and deliver the
proceeds to the heirs. This he did four
years later. Quillebert bought Olive
and her three other children. Leon
was not included in the sale, but re
mained with me. Belisaire Poydre died
of yellow fever in 1840. My poor hus
band was carried off by the sazie dis
ease in 1843. About six months after
my husband's death I received -a re
quest from Quillebert to send Leon to
visit his mother and receive some pres
ents from his godfather, and, suspect
ing no trick, I did so. Leon did not
come back. I wrote Quillebert a. note
asking why he detained him. He re
turned the verbal answer that the boy
preferred to remain with his mother,
This I did not believe, but I felt myself
helpless and took no further steps In
the matter. This is all I know of It.
I do not pretend to understand the law,
but I have always thought Leon was
free."
At these last words . Leon's face
brightened, and he looked eagerly and
anxiously to OakfelL.
"And my thought agrees with yours,"
said the latter.
"Oh, thank the good God!" exclaim
ed Leon, falling on his knees. "And
you will secure and protect me in my
freedom, Mr. Horace? You are white,
you are rich, you are wise, you are
powerfuL Defend me from this man
who enslaves me against law and jus
tice."
"I will, poor fellow, to the utmost of
my power," Oakfell promised. "And
f I succeed in establishing your free-.
om I will lend you the money to buy
dette."
Leon wrung his hands in a paroxysm
f joy, but could not speak his grati
ude. Mrs. Wyley, however, was mov
d to say, "God will be on your side in
he fight, Mr. Oakfell."
"I can only prevail by the humanity
ad justice of our laws," said Oak
fell "Listen to me, Leon. 1 must
roceed in this undertaking with de
iberation. My course will arouse bit
er opposition and bad' feeling, which
should not be provoked prematurely.
Meanwhile you must be absolutely un
er my direction and pledge implicit
bedience to my instruction, though it
may involve suffering. It is proper
that at the institution of your suit for
freedom you should be under the ap
arent control of Quillebert. You must
nt be a fugitive when you sue for
reedom. Therefore you must return
o his plantatIon, though he may put
he lash to you for being away tonight.
Do not disclose that you have spoken
to Mrs. Wyley or myself, though he
should torture you to extort the con
ession, for if he learns that you have
onferred with us I do not doubt he
will kill you. Can you keep your
ounsel and ours and endure his cruel
ty until I send for you and give you
further Instructions ?"
"Mr. Oakfell, I will take the lash
nd any pains he can put me to if I
an gain my freedom and Odette, and
either whip nor fire can force from
me one word about this meeting."
"Go, then," said Oakfell, "and be
irm."
"God help me to be firm and to be
rateful for your goodness and that of
Mrs. Wyley," Leon repled and with
:rew.
"What is all this, brother?" said Ev
riste, smiling and enj~ering the office
with noiseless step. "Are you holding
bolitionist meetings and receiving
messages by the grapevine line? Be
ware, for there is danger in that."
Oakfell explained fully the evening's
incident, requesting Evariste's secrecy.
"Certainly," said the latter; "I will
be silent as the tomb. But indeed I
warn you there is more peril in your
undertaking than in a genuine abolition
rapeine conclave. That fellow Quille
bert is a devil Incarnate. He is as ven
omous as an adder and as conscience
less. To deliver a thrust from behind
or a shot in the dark is as easy to him
as a gulp of absinth. IHe is a relentless
hater and already has his evil eye on
you as an American and as the champi
on of Estelle Latiolais. More'ver, he
has a following among the lowest fel
lows of this parish. Reflect before you
draw the Ire of such a rascal for the
fak e f enin-nfn jockey who never can
he imore than he As at this present mo
ment."
"Evariste, your affection for me leads
you to magnify the dangers and mini
mize the cause," Horace answered.
"You are perhaps young yet to weigh
the considerations which have appealed
to my conscience tonight. I feel that
this disclosure has laid upon me a duty
which it would be disgraceful and cow
ardly in me to shirk. I would assume
it were the perils ten thousand times
greater than those you Imagine. But I.
do not wish you to be In the least trou
bled about it. Only sacredly keep what
I have confided to you."
Evariste again promised, and good
nights were spoken, but the lights in
the office burned till the smallest hour
of the morning.
CHAPTER VI.
A nEAT T OF PEARL.
TWO items of Leon's recital lin
gered pleasingly in Oakfell's
thoughts, Estelle's generous
consent to sell Odette to her
lover and bestow the price for
marriage provision and her confident
reference to him (Oakfell) as the one
man of the parish able and willing to
defend the weak against the injustice
of the powerful oppressor. His admira
tion and self esteem were appealed to
efectively, and he found himself won
dering why he had not seen the grand
daughter of Latiolals during the past
three years and whether the child he
remembered could justify Evariste's
rapturous description of the beauty he
had met at Father Grhe's table. Her
responses to the appeals of Leon be
; V
OakfeE starled Estene.
spoke her a person of superior qualities
of character, tender sympathies, cour
age In high resolutions.
His truly chivalrous mind kept all
women upon pedestals, and in his re-!
gard all possessed some of the sweet
perfections with which his mother and
Mme. FIdele were endowed. Yet, though
he was keenly sensible (,iL the attrac
tions of the bayou belles and prairie
lassies, he had remained -heart free .
Evariste had before repeated to -him
commendations spoken by the fair,
and If they had fallen gratefully on
hi1s ear they had failed to stir his Im
agination, but the words of Estelle sur
prised and thrilled him. Such emotions
st . eeprecdn dfclyie
idngtahel shoutld withouteoso
spoe heal perhsogntl ofleiragtesot
ocharespousende delicates, cur-e
age reicnc igh rstoprs.neo eou
His rndfathirwos malleplty all
woen uponepedesadsn of Quiseber
ngrdal oseswsed seome ofthe swet
peurfctons ithhichhshen
Thne bidle were endoweght thougamp
teindo the bayou els artnd prain
Evaerlhdistace befrreetween to'Es
commnendthen spoeais patfain.
aIf'he haadw ofallern erefu but
yeginnting bt ethen whens ofaEsellr
rstted andthlled ih broadha emtidons
efy analysis, and thuas, winthut hndr
standings why, ebrased tane te
tas the haden fromh coienes amoe
:o hmsed, tookd oetccflo wicme
eiitor who aedt or her ner-a
cidengetat the sumon wout lomstress
timemcllen hgente lleagu bth
:hrpeeer have loay touh case she
hadr espouedrandeltatIcaely wnlde
tov recgninzte pruesewfher volu
thre aterful homad oafeQullebr
migh otheisey elize thet,"ruitfue
he bridle ptthdgreotye samp
behirndpee bayou fiedras shteen
sierIabl the dsan oldwman wle
perancmpandon the Ltilals plntatiros.
Thue shaws o aferonldere t
Ebutegining two legtenr whenger."
staed Oaktelle.wt ra htte n
"er he chnon sears inther andu
ed es anwrd Ease anner tes
ifned her madenl tmidsim, but quik
"tohrl,"a sherefully feelomd
hero viiodo a sato hel milna,o
were ae ther smmones of can distress
wth mreo mandrihodnfagemet
"Yo wyQillbet' ho e y, o dLeased,
maoiselle, wfl, hen telaimedha
three eersaed such cul wcdwrngi
youer appearanc that Ierocely an wuld
haveurecognd yovedlmywmend ta
heat ourtoe,"h said.Okel
"An ouicly suceiedta," shelred,
ied, wrmhn I"FkaterGr aond
the atu theechttle daurtpeeIsntr
toainstnthatdisgraceu lansfobiddn
mairstin tof slaovent ometimes
werIsl brae an d wanoman hile
mynsi cofmnin are eltiyoungo grls
,obthe ookhee twol ear youger
gen eo ne ofereor compntiLonsto
asked Wasfe obodladli.Id
Weg ha know eae th adlls woth
livs, gandfaterdEt.l" "n temn
f"o- aeosle.M igvn
Is beg ou ownailt Butl ihter
Btregt" h shallbreieted e bond"
wleth more lilhould uces meemyeft
foritae the messague Leou ent Odtte
mel by Qulebt' jockyLen.
"Oh, Mrne oafou," she eOamedS
tyou will rte t poor Le on aeld de
iere." omta ercosmawl
"Your comandther, mywe mind tot
sheat outon" Oahel i. ird
"Hed youit wll, ucce, sh elred, o
ith whmh. HeFroder Gwynhou accon
against tha Quisgrebr's, Ela fridn
anipatsion of slavesoi tol ero
aere brav d wise, d yoram-ate
maot fo th bell t d man, er
gednrus nthefre I se dreon"
wrog. anolas imto adve withon
ismes to my wakenediby. Botat wht
st oreh haesalle eereless,"
rtegratitud of Leot nd et.1
Roofing Paper.
3-ply Roofing Paper.......75c per roll.
2-ply Roofing Paper.......52c per roll.
1-ply Tarred Paper........$35 per ton.
Rosin-Sized Sheathing Paper, 17 lbs.
per roll..................30c per roll.
20-t. Paper...............38c per roll.
30-lb. Paper...............50c per roll.
All prices f.o.b. Charleston.
For direct shipments from factory in
lots of 25, 50 or 100 rolls, we can make
closer delivered prices.
NROl PORlND GEJ go.,
94-96 E. Bay St., CHARLESTON, S. C.
I have opened up a Sewing Madhine
store next door to Mr. S. A. Rigby's
general merchandise store August 1st,
1900. I will carry the
The new ball-bearing "New Home1 -
the be't machine made: also "New
Ideal" and "Climax." from $18 to $40.
I sell on Instalment, Easy Payment
Plan. I clean and repair any kind of
machines for least money possible.
Call and see me.
A. 1. BARRON, Ag't.
Tax Notice.
COUNT TREASURER'S OFFICE,
CLARENDON COUNTY.
Manning, S. C., Oct. 4, 1901.
The tax books will be open for the
collection of taxes for the fiscal year
commencing January 1st, 1901, on the
15th day of October, 1901, and will re
main open untll the 31st day of ,Decem
ber, following, after which time-a
penalty of 15 per cent attaches to all
unpaid taxes.
The following is the tax levy:
For State purposes, five (5) mills.
For Constitutional School Tax, three
(3) mills.
For Ordinary County Tax, three (3)
mills.
Total, 11 mills (separate from Special
School Tax.)
Special one (1) mill, School Tax,
School District No. "24". Total-12mills.
Special two (2) mills, SchdoI Tax,
School District No. "16". Total13mills.
Special three (3) mills, School Ta:,
School District, No. (21". Total 14mifl.
Special four (4) mills, School Tax,
SchoolDistricts No. "7", "9","19","20"
and "22". Total 15 mills.
Every male citizen between the ages
of twenty-one and sixty years, except
those incapable of earning a support
from being maimed or from -other
causes, and except those who are now
exempt by law, shall be deemedtaxable
polls.
The law requires that Commutation
Road Tax shall be paid for thesucceed
ing year when State and County Taxes
are paid.
S. J. BOWMAN,
Treasurer Clarendon County.
WHEN YOU COME
TO TOWN CALL AT
WELLS'
SHAVING SALOON
Which is fitted up with an
oye'to the comfort of his
customers. .. ..
HAIR CUTTIlNG
IN ALL STYLES,
S HAVIN G AND
S HA MPOOING
Done with neatness an
dispatch. .. .. ..
A cordial invitation
. is extended...
J. L. WELLS.
Manning Times Block.
TO CONSUMRS OF
Lager Beer.
We are now in position to ship our
Beer all over the State at the following
prices:
EXPORT.
Imperial Brew-Pints, at $1.10 per doe..
Euffheiser-Pints, at..90c per doz.
ermania P. M.--Pints, at 90c per doz.
GERMAN MALT EX
TRACT.
A liquid Tonic and Food for Nursing
Mothers and Invalids. Brewed from
he highest grade of Birley Malt and
[mported Hops, at....1.0- per doz.
For sale by all Dispensaries, or send
in your orders direct.
All orders shall have our prompt and
are'ful attention.
Cash must accompany all orders.
.TH E
ERMANIA BREWING CO.,
Charleston, S. C.
MOEY TO L.OAN.
I am prepared to negotiate loans
n good real estate security, on rea
sonable terms..
R. 0. PURDY,
Sumter. S. C.
GTllalallteed$90
Salary YEARLY.
Men and women of good address to represent
s. some totravel appointing agents, others for
ocal worke looking after our interests. 2500
ad epenses: rpid advsnemet ol estab
lished house. Grand chance for earnest man or
beral ineome and fuue. New brilin lines.
Write at onco.
STAFFORD PRESS.
3 Church St., New Haven, Confl
Money to Loan.
APPLY TO
WILSON & DuRANT.
SURVEYOR'S CARD. -
Parties desiring surveys and plats
madewill receive my most careful and
accurate attention.
I am supplied with improved instru
ments. Address,
S. 0. CANTEY,
Summerton, S. C.
PATENTTAS
ADVICE AS TO PATENTABILITY F E
ok"Howtoobtai Patents"
E.G SIman flLawWash .C