The Manning times. (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, November 06, 1901, SUPPLEMENT TO THE MANNING TIMES, Image 5
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Copyright, 1901,
CHAPTER VIII.
ARTICLE 3510.
HEcooling air of November
had checked the fruiting of
the cotton plant and quicken
ed the sweetening of the
sugar cane. The harvesting
of the one was ending, of the other
about to begin, when a small company
came together at "L'Esperance" upon
Oakfell's invitation. Though not nu
merous, it reliably represented the best
sentiment of the parish-Baldouino and
Brulleton from lower Bayou des
Glalses, Millechaze and Colmesnotte
from Borodino and Moreauville, Jewett
and Fyrth from Bayous Bauf and
Huffpower, Bizet and- Dufosse from
Cocoville, Valsin Mouillot from Bayou
du Lac, Father Grhe from Mansura.
A truly satisfying dinner, topped by
venison and mallard ducks, had main
tained the good fame (if the Oakfell
board,. and, the servants being with
drawn by Mrs. Wyley. giests and host,
over their coffee, considered the case 6f
the jockey Leon.
Briefly and clearly OQanfell stated the
result of his examination of the law
and the fr As. In proof of Quillebert's
guilty knowledge that he bad not even
the shadow of a claim of ownership, he
read this extract from a certified copy
of the deed signed by him and Poydre,
the agent of the heirs of Queyrouze:
"The oldest son of the said negress
Olive, called Leon, is not included in
the present sale, a condition without
which the present sale would not take
place and is void if the ;urchasers dis
regard it.". And, as estailishing Leon's
right to freedom. he cited the article
3510 of the civil code:
"If a master suffer a slave to enjoy
his liberty for 10 years during his
residence in the state or for 20 years
while out of It. he shall lose all right
of action to recover possession of the
slave unless the slave be a runaway or
fugitive."
"This provision of the law," said
Oakfell, "the distinct exception in the
act of sale and Quillebert's perfidy in
entrapping the unsuspecting boy have
determined me, gentlemen, to institute
suit in behalf of Leon for freedom, and
I have felt that I should declare my
purpose to those friends and neighbors
whose judgement and sesteem I value
most."
All looked to Baldouino. who after a
moment of silent thought confidently
spoke their response:
"Your resolution increases our re
spect for you. Quilleber': is a shameless
demoralizer, an evil influence in the
community. His chief gains have no
toriously been from gambling and usu
ry. His instincts are lOW, and his
practices are scandals hurtful to our
young men. This theft of a man from
. e4
They found him at a sharp bcud in the
public road.
himself Is the crowning disgrace he has
put upon ottr parish. In undertaking
to thwart and rebuke him you do a true
service to the good people of Avoyelles,
Mr. Oakfell, and shall have the support
of all of us here."
"Not only our support, Mr. Horace,"
exclaimed Valsin, "but our protection
also."
"The danger is not to me, but to
Leon," Oakfell replied. "I fear that
Quillebert will kill him outright In the
rage into which the suit will throw
him."
"Then," said Fyrth, whose presiden
y over sessions of the lynch court in
the early days of the state had made
his name a dread to evildoers and
whose countenance testified a terrible
courage. "he must in advance be warn
ed that he cannot live 12 hours in
*Avoyeles afterward, and I suggest the
priest as the proper person to notify
him. Do you object. sirr' addressing
Father Grhe.
"I do not," replied th*e latter, and the
party dispersed.
As prearranged by Oakfeil, the sher
1ff, charged with the ser'vice of the legal
processes, called at the house of Father
Grhe, and the latter azcompanied him
on the visit to Quillebert. They found
him at a sharp bend in the public road
skirting the Bayou Rouge, seated upon
his horse and conversing with I.aure
Zuneau, sole occupan: of her graund
other's exaggerated buggy, to which
was harnessed the colossal mule. Comn
ing suddenly upon the two, they saw~
the girl quickiy snatch from Quille
bert's hand a small wvatch and long
golden chain and furtively bestow
them under the seat of the vehicle and
were amused at her confused efforts to
recover the loosened reins and drive on
before they spoke.
"Pray do not be disturbed at this in
terruption of your tote-a-tete, made
oiselle," said the sheriff. dotling his
at. "I have but to deliver these pa
pers to M. Quillebert and be off, with
apologies for the intrusion." And
he handed the docuinents to, Quillebert,
who received them mechanically.. with
out so much as looking at the large
written characters indorsed upon them.
"Before reading those papers. M.
Quillebert, allow meo to speak with
you," said Father Grhe, tiding near
him and in an undertone commuhnicat
ing the particulars of the meeting at
"L'Esperanee" and the wvarning in the
words of F'yrth.
In the struggle to sup'press his un:ger
Qullebert's face was that of a demon.
It became knotted with swollen veins;
his bloodshot eyes glartd like a bated
brute's; his heavy lips, though tightly
pressed together, shook like storm
swept waves of a muddy stream. and
rs v
0*
by T. H .Thorpe. *e0
sha!pcless l aqp. En'.tier GIrhe turned
his eyes away from the0 revOiting Spec
tacle, but Laure gazed upon it fas
einated.
"The cowardly creoles join the bully
Ing Americans in threatening a French
man *vith lynch law, and you, won
sieur priest, are their herald, eh? That
is the casel,' at length QuIllebert mut
tered hoarsely.
"It will only a-.gravate the situation
to use insulting- adjectives," answered
Father Grae. ",Those citizens have but
adopted a hieroic mode of forestalling a
possible and deplorable outcome of an
appeal to the law In humanity's cause,
and I have borne their messagZe in the
hope of preventing two murders.
Mlle. Luneau, you seemn to have the
confidence of M. Qu~llebert." He ac
Scompa ied these words with a signifi
cant look at the r-11. "Advise him
against his dange-.ro;s Impulses."
Her face was instantly aflame, and
her eyes became orbs of wrath, but she
made no audible reply nor returned the
bow of the priest and sheriff as they
rode away.
"You see, my little Gasconne," said
Quillebert, "what flows from a com
bination of maudlin hysteria of the
Estelle Latiolais type and abolition am
bition azd avarice of the Oakfell
brand."
"The Horace Oakfell brand, you
mean," Laure retorted sharply. ".M.
Evariste, I am sure, has no part In
these doings."
"So, so!" mused Quillebert aloud, as
if detecting1 something, yet doubting
whether the discovery pleased him.
"Not M. Evariste, eh ? Aha' Well, let
us see. Estelle. yes. Oak fell, yes. But
not M. Eviiriste; no? She has lost her
reason on Oakfell, but not M. Evariste,
eh? And I have thought he was pray
In- at her church!"
"Not so. I do not believe a word of
it," snapped Laure.
"Nor I now. I must hare been mis
led by the frequency of his visits at
the Latiolais house." Observing that
Laure's vexation was approaching the
limit of restraint, he adroitly gave his
cominents another direction. "'My ha
tred of the one made it too easy for me
to do Injustice to his half brother. I
should have remembered that Evariste
has French blood. IMs grandfather
was a grand rascal of '93. Estelle's
great-grandfather was a grand gentle
man of '89. There should be more
puissant sympathy between hlim and
the true Gasconne maid than between
him and the simpering descendant of
a supercilious and skipping emigre.
We_ may have. a frien inhe% enemy's
camp."
"Butthewaring ustbe ed,
Laresad -
"Forthepreent yes" Qillber re
luctntl assnte: "bt m daywil
come."
"Thatis enugh. And ith stng
thiseyoin awher the rdtcut theC-e
thenae wbideadhe.osig h
behe coardlyteoes oine side bully
bIgl outian if theampin fro the ch
reain ofthe lynhra, and though she
scud prest. hae thser oerd h Tstra
isor thm shchse' lnth Quallbt heut
tersedg oandaw thiuleeyfo
nt willered aheravae the emergedo
from use iosutno awacivshe anwredo
Fher resec -nTlhoe hadbegun he bu
asce of theroicmo sheeresalingt wat
appaento teklawssns hutanith' cause
aned cIdee one ther surefooedi teas
thaoe ofm preking tis murrs.
hepbridesepprscih an siguting
Heur fagne y was isaid: fam,
"Ares bouzmaeoselle.", utsh
mde no haude epyinor reytre the,
bowho repere and moehe as te
"Tlle,"ash, "what isro athem
bnatin of thispersecutri of theon
stnt? Isaolitpeighborybolito am
abitionist?" rceo teOafl
"IThae oart inathe bsinds, you
leme," Lhe rnswerted isply.the
sortdofething toointrestnm. y douting
wther anther disovehic plea tom
his semotnal yaue. Obut fell, yesveu
not charistre, nd? She haes los her
unertAkn thae thought was pray-h o
ing woul her l churht ho heha
o t srao."Id o eiv odo
it"T inape ared."Luefrih
ed btheoncluncyrof his reaisit at
the Tovers inothe Oboosen ta
hoertanother diretion "Myhe wha
trod ofve the emaderI o s or inEept
toido Einruste tWo icair brother fir
slado thave ememerlo haiEa?"t
hastFee Loodi." IShe gshotfther
grat-gafathent wastchirndgentle
fane of '8uhed Thereshold Bet ore
igan sm ptheansween man
"You re butconuesi, madetwieen
aHuracilios n sppinglemaiogaes
sine maywent awa frenoi the coney'
neampou." asag.
"Bt ishyo waron us be adld."h
Lracid.o h otes ed o
"ora tyhe sntwes," Qoyuebrt re
er, tl asent sed:'-utmda willreus
that heyoul pretlrempythouedsfe
whic leten."h rth sh e
serhed isougbrother withpresting-h
handlo of Etewhe Laureai pssiartelth
ig muIn an psedingingmself toward
schem fucton the ayos.Re."n
thes tins? where teye ad utie lee
andwwoun don ae sote ban to
the narrow btritte lessh cossng, she
beawhe avatnteohrsderdn
"Tis out no theswamp fmaethelle."
ectido terirish ndlyouh.h
"fIcould faeped under dty," said
befre, sihing. sn, chsechinal ath wae
her grndoherun coansees she ad
edoth bere hr wherstn beeraneds
fromnow, fors, hor wa hae awareconvn
erupresenc ntih hadmplshenthe deam
cnt oe theas sheer adcoclvt prethn
apparntdecvesKness, btn wtha ld
Oliat boeo' moti. hecrn hims hret
the brige'aprothe and sealutng
these tauhingy she searnd: tefo
Odee thez madeoselle."Te r
"Probably. I thank you, mI.;ni
selle. Good night." The young mnui
raised his hat with his right hand as lie
tightened the bridle with his left.
"But!" i xclaimed Laure, as i^ to stay
him: then, suddenly changing her pur
pose, amiably repeated "Good night,
monsieur," and, crossing the bridge,
toiled slowly up one bank, while Eva
riste's horse bounded up the other like
a chamois over an Alpine wall.
He gave bridle and spur to the fleet
animal, whose speed was timed to the
storm that raged within his breast.
Ills brows were drawn downward and
together, and from under them his eyes
looked fiercely, but saw only the im
ages created by his frenzy. He could
but believe that his frequent visits and
warmth of manner had plainly notified
to Estelle his passion, though it was as
yet undeclared in speech. and the os
tentatious suavity of her reception of
him, as he now regardc.l It. was suffi
cient warrant for confidence that his
devotion was acceptable. Hls brother's
patronizing munificence and studied
show of candor had lulled him into a
sense of security against any possible
clash between their desires. Yet those
two had met on a memorable day. An
arduous task had been imposed by her
and taken up by him, which necessa
rily Implied reciprocal regard and trust,
reward of the tenderest nature and the
hope thereof. Their hands had clasped,
and he, for the guerdon of her favor,
had set forth in a venture perilous
alike to his life and his political pros
pects.
Only a perfect undersuznding of the
most ardent character could explain all
this, so skillfully hidden from him.
Herace, taking advantage of his (Eva
riste's) dependence in fortune, was ruth
lessly trampling his heart underfoot,
for he could not but have known his
love for Estelle. ShouNd be submit to
be thus ignorcd in that which was most
vital to his happiness? Would life in
such submission be worth living? No;
a thousand times no! Horace boasted
American bravery. Evariste would
meet it with a trait. inherited from
his ancestor, which had contributed to
deepen the red of the French revolu
tion. The unguided courage of his
brother was a dolt; his own talent was
a patient, calculating engineer. He
would await the proper time for Its
employment, and the effect would be
the horrid crash of all that had been
builded on his wrongs. This was the
first shadow that had fallen upon his
life, and his soul surged darkly as a
tempest tossed sea when the winded
horse stopped at the gate of the Oakfel
home. Seeing Horace advance toward
him, he gave the command of Gloster
"Dive, thoughts, down to my soul! Here Clar
ence comes"
and greeted his brother with a smile.
CHAPTER IX.
QUILLEBERT ENTERTAINS.
T is in the nature of some men to
maintain and defend the wrongs
they do more obstinately and cour
ageously than their rights and to
stake more for the retaining of an
unjust acquisition than a legitimate
gain. There are those who would die
rather than restore ill gotten wealth,
yet would yield their honest earnings
to avoid a threatened inconvenience.
Such are they who restlessly cultivate
alumny to the undoiug of the victim
and laugh at the truth which damns
themselves.
Constant Quillebert was no weakling
There was no lack of vigor in his char
acter. His was .a strong mentality, his
ision straight, though his courses
were oblique or tfortuous. Neither was
be the passive creature of circum
stances nor yet a mere form molded by
ny:.ronment. Such as lie was he made
imself by the exercise of volition,
forcing his selective power into each
trait of his character and every phase
f his life. He could without strain of
reason have been a pious churchman,
but preferred to defy piesteraft, and
from choice, not conviction, became a
saucy infidel- Wife and children would
have sobered and softened his progress
to the grave had he willed, but domes
tie restraints were as distasteful as
moral limitations, and hence he scoffed
at matrimony. Nothing was less diffi
ult or expensive than become an
American citizen, entitled to political
rights and honors equally with his
neighbors; but, weighing the induce
ments on either side of the proposition.
he refrained from swearing fidelity to
the constitutions and laws which pro
tected him and his accumulations and
remained the subject of a foreign po
tentate. His genius and accomplish
meats would have enabled him to
achieve by approved industry and com
~mendable methods a competency, even
wealth, in the generous country where
e dwelt, yet chicanery, commerce in
the failings of his fellow -men and free
booting excursions to tihe horizons of
the law appealed to him more cogently.
and, as said by Baldoulno. "his chief
gains were notoriously fromn gambling
and usury," and he was rated a rich
man with a goodly store of gold. While
it had been p)otentially his to be in the
community an elder, giving judgment,
e enjoyed eminence amiong the cav
lers against order. Shrewd. bold, un
scrupulous, tireless, he was no mean
foe whom Oakfell had called into the
arena.
During the quadrennial period pre
eding the civil war no other word was
ha the back room of Dcdc's cabaret.
so eloquent to stir popular wrath in
Louisiana as the word "abolitionist."
Its exposition came from a press and
hustings which were at one upon the
slavery question, and its definition was
confined within the synonymous scope
of "hypocrite," "assassin," "'insurrec
tionist," "house burner," "negrophile."
Its blight upon the name of a man was
as subtle and sure as that of dishonor
upon the fame of a wo:nan. And the
rancorous and intolerant, the quickest
to respond in fury to the hated word,
were the very poor whites inhabiting
the infertile highlands, who never own
ed and seldom hired negro slaves. All
sentiments have their extreme expo
nnts, and it was not anomalous that the
most inimical to the abolition move
ment should be those who apparently
would be least damaged by its accom
The cunning wit of Quillebert was in
stant to see advantage in this condi
tion of the popular mind. le had nev
er pretended a legal right or title over
Leon. He knew he bad never pur
chased him. He had not forgotten
the exception in the deed. le was
conscious that his possession resulted
from a shamefulI:ddnapiL... !d his do
minion had no other basis than might.
He felt that, tried upon its merits of
law and fact alone, the issue would be
determined against him. Therefore
other influences must be brought to
bear upon the contest. and ready to his
hand lay te anti-American prejudice
and antiabolition passion. The thought
of Oakfell triumphing over him stung
as an ox lash. The barrenness and un
worthiness of his cause stimulated him
to exertions and inspired tactics which
were revelations of endurance and in
genuity.
In as many nights he rode to Man
sura. Le Coigne, Dordelon slough, lie
de Cote, Marksville. Bayou Blanc, Pa
ren Haut, Coude d'Guf, Bout de Bay
ou and Pointe Maigre and sounded the
head man of each of these settlements.
Laure Luneau was his embassadress
to the women of Coude du Francais.
These were the colonies of his country
men or their descendants, small plant
ers of the nonslaveholding class, keep
ers of catarets and roadside shops,
blacksmithi, shoemakers, gardeners,
charcoal burners, fishermen and hunt
ers of the mallard and the papabote.
The insinuation was dropped among
them that :he suit was a move on the
part of the abolitionists and Oakfell
was their agent, and close upon it fol
lowed the rumor, traceable to no source,
that while at Baton Rouge he received
numerous letters from Boston, Albany,
Philadelphia and Oberlin.
The night of the Sunday preceding
Christmas found Quilllebert presiding
at the baize covered table in the back
room of Dede's cabaret at Mansura.
There were no cards or chips on the
kloth. but In their stead were dishes
and a great bowl of steaming gumbc
prepared by Dede's wife (he had Lo
negroes) and gliasses and pitchers of
hot rum spiced by Dede himself.
Around the board were Dr. Do T*oux,
Aristides Portvie, Fulgence Jadot, Mar
tin Brille, Alce lohelin, Hlomiier Tit
bout, Norbert Cazebat and Tibource
Pratjcan. The last was a swarthy, big
t awed, low browe:l muia, short and
broad shouldered, a lawyer who in the
last election had been an unsuccessful
can'idate for the Judgeship. Is rest
less black eyes, small and set close to
gether, hooked nose-and twitching lips
over an assertive chin reveald the spir
it and faculties suited to further the
purposes of Quillebert. The outer doors
were locked and windows barred. Nine
saddled horses stood under the long
low shed at the rear of the cabaret in
closure.
"Listen, Constant," said Pratjean.
"In the court I shall say the plaintiff
was born a slaye: his master never
emancipated him. Emancipation must
be express; it cannot be inferred from
conduct. Born a slave, never emanci
pated, whence got be the right to sue
and stand In judgnient? Answer me
that! First, the question, Has he the
right to sue? If you can answer yes to
that, only then the second question,
ownership vel non. If you must an
swer no, then, though M. Quillebert
owns him not, the plaintiff is out of
court and cannot be heard. No right,
no suit; that's all."
"That's so!" came from his auditors
in enthusiastic chorus.
"Softly! Softly! Not so fast!" ex
claimed Quillebert, thumping the table
with his glass.: "All that fine logic
may do for the day of trial or it may
not. The judge truckles to the Ameri
cans too much for my taste."
"He does," assented Pratjean.
"Therefore," Quillebert continued,
"we would be fools to run to him. Slow
is the word. Delay, postpone, put off,
tire them out, threadbare the case,
starve it, so that when it finally gets
into court It must be carried on a lit
ter. You can do that, ehi. Tibource?"'
"That is my forte," the lawyer an
swered, chuckling.
"Meanwhile," Quillebert went on,
"prove to your neighbors, your wives
and daughters that it is all an aboli
tion trick; that the people are being be
trayed by this bragging American and
the aping lowland creoles. Why, that
Latiolais girl is already ashamed to
speak French in company."~
"Bah!" ejaculated three of the listen
ers and spat on the floor.
"When the true French get to under
stand rightly what this case means,
Oakfell will not have courage to try it,
or, if he does, the judge will not dare
to decide in favor of the negro." Quille
bert emphasized thiis forecast with a
noisy blew from his fist upon the table.
"But, Constant," De Rhoux inquired,
"what about Leon in all this delay?"
"I have considered that," Quillebert
replied. "Thie rascal has gone, spirited
away, of course, gakfell. I tracked
him to the steamboat wood pile on the
Atchafalaya near Simsport and will
hunt for him no farther. If I win this
case, I will sue Oakfell for $20,000
damages for abducting my jockey and
$20,000 more for giefaming me. I will
teach him what it is to threaten a
Frenchman with lynch law. And old
Latiolais shall weep a bucketful of
tears for the meddling of his pearly
granddaughter, for I hold $6,000 of h:9
notes."
"Aye, yi yi! Leonidas be hanged!"
cried Dede, and the glasses clattered
approval.
"So you see there is a fine campaign,
with spoils for you, Tibource," said
"And planned with the skill of a
general," the lawyer declared, his mean
little dyes sparkling, while his tongue
caressed the jumpinag lips.
"And now" -Quillebert produced
notebook and pencil - "which of you
has heard Leon admit he was my
slave?
I at the race track," answered Ja
dot, Brille and Titbout.
"And I at the church." said Portvie.
"And I"-Dede's utterance was thick
and his pose unsteady -"right here
with me."
"Never mind. Dede; you can be spared,
but tbe rest of you wvili remember this
when called as witnesses at court," he
said to the others, writing in his note
"We will, sure, sure, sure," they prom
ised, and he returned the book to his
pocket.
"Bn!" said Quillebert. "Fulgence,
tell old grandpere to let you have
that gun, and I will pay him for It
next Thursday. Aristides, come to me
tomorrow and sign a new note at one
year. I'll give you the old one and not
count the interest. Martin, you can
conmc and drive those two saws home
any time after tomorrow. Homer, tell
Tatin to pay your taxes and bring the
receipt to me, and I have a pretty sil
ver cross for your little girl Felice,
Fill your glasses, my friends. It is late.
Dede, have you the flasks ready, as I
wished?"
"Every one full, corked and in the
hot ashes," Dede assured him pon
pously.
"Then"-Quillebert raised his glass
tie clewcked the impulse and saia: '
"You but continue to befriend me and
my cause, and all will be well."
Long after he had passed out of her
sight she stood upon the veranda press
ing her wildly throbbing heart and
whispering to herself:
"Oh. why are there not more men
like this man?"
CHAPTER X.
SWORDS CROSSED.
ILL you go with me to
the trial today, Eva
riste?' asked Oakfell at
the conclusion. of an
early breakfast.
"No, brother, unless you need me or
Insist," Evariste replied. "I am feeling
entirely out of sorts and should suffer
from the excitement. If you are will
ing, I prefer to remain at home and.
take the place of Blnker Wyley, who
must drive with his mother to the
court. But for your sake'I wish you
success."
"I find no'fault with your choice and
thank you for your good wish," said
Oakfell, who was soon flying upon his
fastest horse to Marksville.
Plantation affairs concerned Evariste
but little that day. Riding through the
fields to place himself in evidence be
fore the squads of laborers, he plunged
into the very heart of the dark Choc
taw swamp and gave himself up to
thoughts blacker than its shades. He
flung himself from the saddle and
walked furiously to and fro through
the tangled growth as the captive hy
ena restlessly tramps his cage's length.
He sat upon fallen trees with head
buried in hands over wifich his long
black hair fell as a pall upon expired
hopes. He leaned on the patient, won
dering horse, muttering curses on the
conditions and persons that were the
causes of his unhappiness. But in all
this frenzy and wrath and mad acting
he kept before him always and dis
tinctly, as a registered oath, the pur
pose to possess Estelle, even at the cost
of his brother's undoing should the
power ever be given him.
It was the day of the great trial. The
tactics of Pratjean had at length been
exhausted, and now he was compelled
to the combat.
Though Oakfell started alone, be was
joined by supporters at every planta
tion, store and settlement he passed
and entered the village escorted by a
numerous cavalcade of the most sub
stantial dwellers in the lowlands. Im
mediately about him were Baldouino,
Jewett, Valsin Mouillot and Father
Grhe, the last meeting the party at
Mansura. But the Quillebert forces
were also up and moving, and from ev
ery point of the prairie they could be
seen in bunches, galloping on their lit
tle ponies, occasionally yelping: "Vive
QuIllebert! Hurrah for 'Quillebert!"
And already their diminutive steeds had
forestalled every hitching post in the
streets and about the courthouse yard,
and the riders had swarmed in the cab
arets, calling for absinth anisette (at
Quillebert's charge) and denouncing vo
ciferously the cursed Americans (at
Quillebert's instigation). In the his
tory of the parish no such concourse
had ever filled the courtyard or tested
the capacity of the courtroom. The
0
Hs Zong, black Isairelas a paUl upon
long bladet~ pocketknife was ,in many
a hand, hungrily demolishing tree bark
and fence board, and the ugly hump of
the Colt pistol was 'seen under many a
blouse, while not a few shotguns were
observed to be carried from pony sad
de to cabaret and there put out of
sight. The general expectation was
that blood would flow freely before the
setting of the sun.
Quillebert was at the office of Prat
jean, scowling, morose, surly and deaf
to his advocate's assurances of vic
tory. He caused his witnesses to be
brought to him singly and rehearsed in
their expected testimony. While this
was proceeding the commanding figure
of Jewett was seen to emerge from the
crowd In Oakfell's office and, his red
whiskered face set in an expression of
grave determination, walk slo'wly across
the courtyard to Pratjean's office. The
movement was quickly notified to the
cabarets, which were instantly emptied
of their patrons, who drew near to
watch and hear what they could of his
mission. Arrived in front of the little
office building,- Jfewett stopped and
called:
"Pratjean!"
"Hello!" answered the lawyer, ap
pearing at the door.
"Step here a moment. I wish to
have a word with you," said Jewett.
"Will you not come into my office, M.
Jewett? You are perfectly'welcome to
come inside." Pratjean assumed his
most suave manner and lieked his un
quiet lips.
"No; I have but a word to say and
prefer to say it here in the open.".- And
s Pratjean approached him Jewett
continued: "I hear there is a good deal
of devilish fool talk going on among
these absinth soakers in the coffee
houses. Now. I just want to give you
a bit of Information, and you may
make use of it as you see fit. It i
this: Oakfell's friends have come here
prepared for anything that may hap
pen. If a gun cracks, they are not go
ing to pay any attention to those prai
ri rabbits over there, but will ff11
Quillebert's body so full of lead that
he would furnish shot for all their
papabote hunting next summer."
"M. Jewett,'" said Pratjeani, erecting
is head with an air of offended dig
nity, "do you mean"
"I mean just what I have said, Prat
jean, and you understand me perfectly
well." And Jewett stalked back to
Oakfell's office In his customary delib
erate gait. -
As Pratjean was turning to re-enter
the office his name was again called,
and, looking around, he saw Dede hur
rying to him.
"Listen, Tibource," said the latter,
panting. "Valsin Mouillot went to
Totorin's cabaret this minute and told
him if there was any trouble today he
and six others would shoot at you and
nobody else until you were used up."
"I will attend to him later," mutter
ed Pratjean, the fright of this com
munication settng lhisjipls to thumping
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-tb. Paper...............38c per roll.
30-th. Paper...............50e 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.
CRON PORILND OfM 0.
94-96 E. Bay St., CHARLESTON, S. C.
nro-exem.
I have opened up a Sewing Machine
store next door to Mr. S. A. Rigby's
general merchandise store August 1st,
1900. I will carry the .
N81 [Ing 018000io MONe MONe.
The new ball-bearing "New Home,"
the best 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. I. BARRON, Ag't.
Tax.Notice.
COUNTY 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 I5 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, 1 mills (separate from Special
School Tax.)
Special one (1) mill, School Tax,
School District No. "124". Total 12 mills.
Special two (2) mills, School Tax,
School District No. "16". Total13 mills.
Special three (3) mills, School Tax, -
School District, No. (21". Total 14mills.
Special four (4) mills. School Tax,
School Districts No. "7", "9","19","20
and "22". Total15mills.
- 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 deemed taxable
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.
W H E N YOU COME
TO TOWN CALL AT
WELLS'
SHAVING SALOON
'Which is fitted up with an
oye to the comfort of hi
customers. . .
HAIR CUT TIlm
IN ALL STYLES,
SH AVIN(G A~n
S H AMPO OING
Done with neatness .an
dispatch... .. .. ..
A cordial invitation
is extended...
J. L. WELLS.
Manning Times Block.
TO CONSUMERS 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 per doz.
Kuffheiser-Pints, at..90c per doz.
Germania P. M.-Pints, at 90c per doz.
GERMAN MALT EX
TRACT.
A liquid Tonic and Food for Nursing
Mothers and Invalids. Brewed from
the highest grade of Barley Maltr and
Imported Hops, at....1.10 per doz.
For sale by all Dispensaries, or send
in your orders direct.
All orders shall have our prompt and
areful attention.
Cash must accompany all orders.
T HE -
ERMANIA BREWING CO.,
Charleston, S. C.
MONEY TO~ LOAN.
1 am prepared to negotiate loans.
n. good real estate security, on rea
sonable terms.
R. 0. PURDY,
Sumter. S. C.
Salary YEARLY.
Men and women of good address to represent
us some to travel appointing agens oersfo
alary guaranteed yearly; extra commissions
a expnses; rpid advanementol etb
berl income and uture. New brli ines.
Write at onca.
STAFFORO PRESS,
3 Church St., Yew Haven, Conn.
Money to Loan.
APPLY TO
WILSON_& DuRANT.
SURVEYOR'S CARD.
Parties desiring surveys and plats
made will receive my most careful and
ccurate attention.
I am supplied with improved instru
ments. Address,
S. 0. CANTEY,
Summerton, S. C.
ADVICE AS TO PATENTABilItTY FE
Ntic in "Iventv Age
eoo "Ho Nootain c t iss" md
abolitionists and success to the sons
of old Gascony."
"Down with the Americans! Victor3
to the Gascons!" cried every man, ris
ing to his feet and emptying his glass.
Dede brought forth the nine flasks of
hot rum and distributed them among
the company for sustenance on their
ride in the chill night air, and, quietly
mounting horses and ponies, this re
markable gathering dissolved. The last
to leave were Quillebert and Pratjean.
The latter said admiringly:
"You are a genius, Constant."
"No fool, at least, I hope," laughed
the latter, disappearing into the dark
ness of the swamp road.
Tbere were but two sessions of the
court each year for the trial of suits of
a civii nature, ani tese were arrangea
to meet the agricultural convenience of
the people, one in February in advance
of planting, the other in September be
fore the commencement of harvest.
Hence the procrastination prescribed
by Quillebert was no very difficult feat.
Dilatory pleas put in by Pratjean serv
ed to toll the case over two terms,
ipanning a year. His professional en
gagement in the court of another par
Ish and the sudden sickness of Portvie,
an important witness for Quillebert,
certified in writing by Dr. De Roux,
sufficed to carry it over the second year
without trial. Throughout this space
the interest and activity of Quillebert's
adherents never flagged. It was the
theme. of talk at every store, cabaret
and steamboat landing in the high
lands, at every Saturday night gumbo
ball and Sunday mass. At sessions of
the court and police jury the attending
crowds discussed it with ever increas
ing heat and bitterness, the prosecu.
tion of Quillebert and menace' to Cau
casian superiority constituting the be
ginning, middle and end of each sym
posium. Inevitably it took on some
what of a sectional character, the rich
planters of the lowlands being the sym
pathizers with Oakfell and the critics
of Quillebert.
As the administration of President
Buchanan approached its close rumors
of aboliflonist aggressiveness grew in
frequency and proportion and so charg
ed the public mind with combustible
Ideas that the simple mention of this
lawsuit caused a number of small ex
plosions in the form of fisticuffs within
the courthouse yard, even "under the
drippings from the eaves of the tem
ple." To the women and children of
the uplands, many of whom had never
seen him, the name of Oakfell was as
execrable as Judas Iscariot's. So acute
had this unfriendly feeling grown that
some of the conservative minded sug
gested to Oakfell the policy of with
drawing the suit. He firmly rejected
the advice.
Throughout this turbulence of senti
ment Evariste held calmly aloof. When
ever the subject was obtruded upon
him he dismissed it with the remark
that he was neither a lawyer nor a pol
tician. His brother regarded this in
difference as in harmony with his poet
Ic temperament and was not displeas
ed. Evariste became more seclusive in
habit. He rode often and far into the
solitudes of the swamps, where the
deep shade accorded with his somber
mood. Rivalry with Horace for the
hand of Estelle he felt was hopeless
while his sole expectancy of fortune
was from his brother's grace, and his
visits to the Latiolais mansion were
made atfintervals of increasing length,
degenerating into brief formalities, but
he bitterly cursed his dependence and
silently fed the flame of passion within
his pent breast. Laure, brown and
vital, surprising him now and again In
his wanderings, lifted him from the
deeps momentarily, yet he struggled
to escape her and descend to his gloomy
yearnings. Still, upon the progress of
the public agitation he kept a steady
and observant eye.
Estelle was dismayed at the conse
uences of her demand upon Oakfell,
which she was made to realize by the
dismal reports of her grandfather and
the malediction of herself by the Quille
bert faction. To her own impetuous
ess and presumption she charged this
strife among neighbors and its unhap
py possibilities. She wept and prayed
'or guidance and finally, sending for
Dakfell, said to him:
"It 'was at my request, made upon a
girlish Impulse, that you entered Into
this contest, which has aroused such
itterness and so altered your position
in our parish. Then you had not an
eemy. Now I dare not think of the
umber who wish you harm. I did not
hen foresee this dreadful result, but
oday I am quite a woman and know I
hd no right to involve you so grievous
y for the gratification of a mere whim
f mine. I entreat you to proceed no
further in the lawsuit. To press it
ow would result only in your injury,
.ut in no one's good."
The girl's speech was earnest and
er prayerful face so beautiful that
akfell gazed upon it in a wortiless
apture until his very silence suddenly
alled him to reply:
"You say further prosecution of the
uit could result in no one's good," he
aid, smiling. "What, then, becomes of
eon's freedom, which is its sole oh
et?"
"Oh, but Leon is gone. M1. Quillebert
ill never see him again." She spoke
s one to whom had been unexpectedly
iven the opportunity of successfully
losing debate by a word.
"Ah, mademoiselle, do you not know
hat under laws which now exist and
are enforced by the courts of the Unit
d States Quillebert can take Leon
herever found, drag him hack to this
place, hitch him to a plow, whip him
efore each meal and compel him to
sleep standing, and 'that man's last
state shall be worse than the first?'"
"Impossible! Impossible! This is a
hristian land," shudderingly exclaim
d Estelle.
"It is possible, I assure you, and prob
ble, for, as you well know, Quillebert
Is no Christian man, and, while I grant
-ou this is a Christian land, yet Chris
fianity forms no part of Its law. This
ins been distinctly declared by its most
ugust court," Oakfell answered.
"What, then, are courts, Mr. Oak
tell?" she demanded, astonished.
"They are human institutions for the
nterpretation and enforcement by man
gainst man of man made laws, and
Fet humanity is the least of their attri
>utes."
"And before such you will persist
with this case, so unpopular and so
lurtful to you?"
I will, because there is no other tri
unal to appeal to; I wili, because to
bandon this wronged man to the law's
:ruelty in the face of the brutish mob's
breats would be cowardly, traitorous
o my standard of honor and unworthy
f your respect, mademoiselle, which,
[ trust, I have and will endeavor to
:erit. I will flgat this fight to the end
f'or the sake of the right and, just be
cause you did inspire it, for the sake
f you."
The young innais face glowed with a
warmth of-feeli:g which his words but
partially expressedl. Estelle's soft eyes
filled with tcar-s of tue supremest joy
ier life had yet known.
"Go, then, and may God befriend
you and your noble cause," she said,
giving her hand, upon which he was
abou Jo ntprcss a 1mrnine kiss. but