CHAPTER XIV

September 28.

To-day's mail brought me a most agitating letter from dear C. She wrote

from the hospital, where she was to be operated upon for appendicitis

that day. She begged me if possible to go at once and take charge of

her household and three little boys until her return. It seems almost

impossible to leave just now—but I have determined to drop everything

and go. I feel very anxious, for her letter took a long time to reach

me.

UNITA, September 30.

Left Peaceville yesterday at 3 P.M. and reached this flourishing town at

12 to-day. The boys are splendid fellows, aged eight, seven, and four

years, full of life and fun and chatter; it is a great contrast to the

silent home I left.

On the journey up I had two hours in Columbia, which I spent with B. I

was very pleased to find that W., her ten-year-old son, had recovered

from the effects of the great shock he had when I was there in June.

All the children were at a large picnic on the outskirts of the city in

a very pretty spot with a stream running through which opened out into a

small lake in one spot. There W. was playing with a comrade of his own

age, to whom he was devoted. They were wading in what seemed a sheet

of shallow water and were throwing up a lemon as a ball, each trying to

catch it.

Suddenly as the friend leaped to catch the ball he sank from sight

in unsuspected deep water. W. saw him rise and sprang after in an

involuntary impulse to save him. He too disappeared. Both rose, then

sank again, W.'s second sinking being the friend's third, his arms being

clasped around W.'s waist.

About 300 yards away a young matron who had brought her four children

to the picnic, one being quite a baby still, heard the cry and started

toward the pool at a run. She reached the water as W. rose for the third

time. Though panting from the run she sprang in where she saw him sink,

and after what seemed to the onlookers an age she appeared holding W. by

the collar, and slowly and painfully dragged him to the shallow water.

A lady seeing she was nearly spent, waded in waist deep and helped her

bring him to the shore, and said:—

"Come out, you are exhausted."

"No, no!" Mrs. M. answered. "There is another, I must go back for him,"

and she turned again to the deep water.

But every one saw that she could not possibly go down again, and she was

pulled gently to the shore and placed in an automobile and taken home.

It was a most heroic action for that frail young woman, exhausted from

the run, to plunge in with clothes and shoes on. I asked B. to take

me to call on her and that visit will always remain in my memory as

a beautiful picture. She was sitting on the vine-covered porch at her

sewing-machine, while the children played around. She did not wish to

speak of the tragedy and talked of lighter things.

She told us she had grown up on a plantation near Beaufort, and she had

only consented to come to the city on condition that her home should

be on the outskirts, where she could have large grounds with flower and

vegetable garden and keep a cow, a small farm in fact, and her present

home gave her all the country occupations and pleasures, while her

children could reach the city schools easily. I had gone for the purpose

of expressing my gratitude and admiration for her presence of mind and

heroism, so before we left I spoke of the tragedy. Her lovely face went

white at once, and she said:—

"Oh, but the other boy! If only I could have got him too! I think of

that other mother always."

My very heart was stirred by the heroism of the whole thing, and the

mercy of the rescue of my dear great-nephew and the terrible tragedy

of his companion's death. Altogether my admiration and reverence was

excited for all the actors in the drama, Mrs. M., and my great-nephew,

who had tried to save his comrade, but Mrs. M. above all;—just a flash

of tragedy, heroism, and nobility out of the clear sky, when often life

looks so commonplace.

October 4.

It is a wonder to me how I can cast away all thought of things at home

so completely, specially the pea-vine hay, which had become a kind of

fetish with me, but truth to say, my time and thoughts are so fully

occupied that I have no chance to dwell on anything outside of these

four walls. It is time for the incubator to hatch and I find myself

in spite of active occupations wondering as to how Chloe and Patty are

getting on. Neither of them seemed able to make out the thermometer, so

that my kind friend Mrs. S. had promised to go in once a day and look at

it. It will be a wonder if any chickens hatch under the circumstances.

This is a lovely place, a charmingly comfortable house and so surrounded

by trees that I can forget I am in a city and only feel the comfort of

having the butcher and baker and every one else you want, call at your

door. I certainly can appreciate that part of city life.

"Seven" and "Eight" go to school and the excitement of getting them

off in the morning is intense. They have a long walk, entirely across

the town, and there are many snares and pitfalls in the shape of circus

pictures on the way, so that it is necessary to give them ample time to

get there before the bell rings.

"Four" stays at home and is my constant companion. If he were not a

fascinating child it would be very trying, but besides being strong,

healthy, and handsome he is perfectly obedient and very original. I

was sitting on the porch sewing and he was playing with my trunk strap,

greatly to the injury of the strap, twisting it around a tree. I told

him to stop, which he did at once, and with the greatest agility, to

use his own word, he "skinned" up the tree. He went up until he was on

a level with the second story windows and then began to discourse.

"Aunt Patience, did you see how quick I minded you, an' stopped doing

what you tol' me not to do?"

"Yes," I answered, "and I was greatly pleased."

"Well," he went on, "I did that because if you do what grown-up people

tell you not to do, God don't like it, an' he'll surely make you stump

your toe."

I could not help laughing, it was so funny, his little bare feet are so

battered and bruised by stones and roots; but he got very angry, and let

go his hold on the limb on which he sat, to gesticulate fiercely as he

went on.

"That ain't nothin' to laugh at, its puffectly true! An' if you're a

grown man an' won't mind Him an' do wrong, He might make you break your

neck, but if you're a boy, he'll only jes' make you stump your toe."

I was so afraid that in the earnestness of his gesticulations he would

fall from the high limb that I became solemn at once and said how

pleased I was that he was so wise and realized that evil doing always

brought its own punishment. At the same time I begged him to hold on, as

it was necessary to take proper precautions not to get hurt as well as

to do what was right. As "Seven" fell from that same limb and split his

tongue two days before I arrived, I was truly thankful when the little

preacher got down safe and sound.

The last time the boys stayed with me at Cherokee Chloe nicknamed them

the doctor, the lawyer, and the preacher, and the names seem to suit.

I was walking with "Eight," the doctor, yesterday afternoon and as we

flew along, for I walk fast, he threw his arms out and exclaimed:—

"Oh, I just wish I had all the money in the world."

I was quite shocked. "Oh, my dear boy, what makes you wish for money?

You have everything you want."

He answered: "Didn't you see that poor old daddy, all ragged and dirty?

He has an awful foot, I saw it, and I gave him a dime the other day,

but if I had all the money, I'd load up my pockets with big bills and

as I went along the streets and I saw him, I'd just slip a fifty-dollar

bill out of my pocket and into his hand and say, 'Shut your hand quick,

old uncle, here's fifty dollars; go get your leg cured and buy all you

want.' And then I'd run on quick before he knew who it was. And you see

that poor, thin, pale-faced little girl coming out of the factory? I'd

do the same to her, and walking just as fast as we are now I'd just give

everybody that looked needing it, a good big bill! Now wouldn't that be

jolly? And wouldn't I be happy!"

I told him if he ever wanted to do that he would have to work hard at

his arithmetic, over which he has so much trouble, for there was no

chance of ever making headway in the world without conquering that—which

seemed to put arithmetic in a new light to him.

But I really was very pleased to see in the boy that love of humanity

which made him wish to relieve suffering, though only in imagination,

instead of dreaming of autos and other grandeurs for himself. "Il chasse

de race." But we certainly understand spending money better than we do

making it, which is a pity and made me point out to him that money had

to be made before it could be given away, and that money was made by

arithmetic, so to speak, rather than by dreaming.

October 20.

I have got on beautifully with the boys and am so happy to know them

well. I have had many trials of strength with them, but I never give

in. The "doctor" came in from school the other day and threw his arms

around me and said:—

"You are just the sweetest aunt in the world!"

I said, "What does this mean?" laughingly, for we had had a mighty

tussle that morning over his arithmetic.

He went on as if not hearing me: "I just get praised in school all the

time, since you have been here."

I thought it was the most magnanimous thing, for I had been very severe

on him in the battle over the arithmetic. I really think the mental

arithmetic is quite too hard for a boy of eight, it requires such an

effort and so much concentration; but as the lesson is given him, he

must put his mind on it and learn it.

The analysis is more puzzling than the questions themselves, and he

fights it, and I don't wonder, but as the lesson is given it is his duty

to learn it, and I make him shut his eyes and concentrate his mind; and

I thought it was wonderful that having felt the good result in praise

he should wish to pass it on to me. Oh, the joy of having first class

material to work upon!

CHEROKEE, November 10.

A perfectly exquisite day. I reached Gregory last night and spent the

night by invitation at Woodstock. I had written for Gibbie to meet me

there at noon, and he arrived punctually. I rested the horses about

half an hour and then started back. The horses looked jaded and I let

them walk, as it was intense enjoyment to feel the soft balmy air on

my cheeks and to study the variety of lovely wild flowers which autumn

brings, as we went through the pine woods, following the rough and

winding short cut to the ferry.

I asked Gibbie questions, to which he gave the most prolonged and

elaborate answers. I am sure he had composed and arranged them all as he

drove down. He told me every item of home news; everything rose color;

potatoes dug and very fine, "about t'ree hundred bushil." "Great crop of

hay," he having saved it all. More peas than I "could 'stroy." He spoke

of Bonaparte altogether as "the Cap'en," which showed me they were on

good terms, a most unusual thing. All the cows in fine condition, he

reported, but when I asked about Heart, the Guernsey heifer I was so

anxious to raise, he said a sad accident happened and she was dead.

After we crossed the ferry the horses looked so downhearted that I asked

if Ruth had had any holiday. No, he said, Ruth had been driven every

day; but Romola had done nothing since I left home.

"What," I said, "not been in harness since September 20?"

"No, ma'am, just been out in de fiel' de eat grass."

"Mercy on us," I cried, "and you brought her on this twenty-six mile

drive to-day?"

"Needn't to fret, ma'am, Uncle Bonapa'te feed um well, he give um

twenty-eight year o' co'n jes' fo' we sta'at dis mo'ning."

I began at once to feel anxious about Romola and drove slower and

slower. She would turn and bite at her side from time to time and

travelled with her head down. Finally when we were five miles from home

she threw herself violently down. Romola is such a good creature; she

managed not to break a strap of the harness, nor the pole, only she

nearly toppled Ruth over, but by falling against her she saved the pole.

I sprang out and had the harness taken off quickly and got her up and

led her out of the road into a grassy place in the woods just in time,

for she threw herself down again, rolling over and over and groaning

and tossing herself about—a genuine case of colic.

First I told Gibbie to run home and bring Nana as quickly as he could.

Then I considered that it must take at least two hours, even if he ran,

which I knew he would not do, and to be left on the highway alone, the

buckboard loaded with my possessions, with a sick horse, would be a

trying ordeal for me and would really be tempting Providence in the way

of tramps, so I said:—

"No, don't go yet a while; perhaps some one will come whom I can send."

In about half an hour a neighbor passed and offered to help me, so

I asked him if when he passed Cherokee he would drive in, and tell

Bonaparte to bring Nana in the old buckboard and to tell Chloe to send

by him the horse physic from behind the dogs on the mantelpiece in the

dining-room. He seemed very glad to do it and I felt relieved, knowing

I would not have to spend the night on the road. I always keep a bottle

of aconite behind a very beautiful pair of bronze hounds by Isidore

Bonheur and Chloe knows just where to find it, for I have kept it there

for years.

Romola continued in great distress. I had a bottle of almond oil with

extract of violet in my valise which I fortunately thought of. I got it

out and told Gibbie to rub her, but finding that he didn't seem to know

how to rub, I just took it myself and rubbed her well. I had to be quick

in getting out of the way when she flopped over or I would have got

mashed; but I stood behind her and, leaning over, put my whole weight

on my hands.

As the sun was dropping below the horizon in the west she got up and

shook herself. I led her about a little and felt sure the attack was

over, so I told Gibbie to harness and put her in. He had been kept busy

by Ruth, who as feeding time approached was eager to break away and get

to her stable. We moved off slowly, and in half a mile we met Bonaparte

with Nana and the other buckboard and he took the trunk. I gave Romola

a dose of aconite and she plucked up a little spirit; but she did not

pull, she simply walked beside Ruth, who took the whole load.

It was after dark when we reached the house. I gave her three quarts of

hot water with soda in it and another spoonful of aconite. I was truly

thankful when I finally dragged my weary limbs up the front steps and

found a bright fire, nice supper, Chloe, Don, and home.

Sunday, November 11.

My blessed mother's birthday. I am too stiff and ill to attempt to

go down with flowers to her resting-place as I usually do; a great

disappointment. Bonaparte asked for a private interview, so I went

to one end of the piazza, though there was no one within hearing. He

told me after a long and mysterious preamble that he was engaged to be

married.

I was distressed when I heard he had selected a comparatively young

woman from Gregory. When I expressed my anxiety, saying a woman from the

country would suit him better, he said that when I saw Jane I would have

no objection to make, as she bore a fine character with white as well

as black. Of course I can do nothing now but give him my good wishes.

Two or three months ago when I saw his restless, miserable frame of

mind, I knew he was thinking of replacing his good, faithful wife and

I tried to help him. After a careful survey of the matrimonial field, I

concluded that good little Jinny would be the best person for him. She

is an industrious, smart woman, who had been a faithful wife and mother

and is now a widow. One day I said to him that whenever the time came

that he felt he needed a companion I thought Jinny Robinson would make

him an excellent helpmate. To my surprise he answered quickly, "Jinny

too old for me, Miss Pashuns."

She is twenty years younger than he is. My mother was always appealed

to for advice and suggestion by those left desolate, and I never knew an

instance when her selection was rejected or the match turned out badly,

so I was quite unprepared for this rebuff.

Jinny lives on her own farm and all her children are married, so that

she would have suited him well.

Nat came up from Casa Bianca to tell me my fine yearling steer Knox was

dead. He was perfectly well apparently when Jim went down there last

week. It always is a trial to talk to a negro in such cases. I asked

of course what ailed the steer. Nat scratched his head violently and

answered:—

"Miss, 'e time cum, I t'ink. W'en we time cum we 'bleeged to go. De

black steer time cum en I cudn't keep um; en beside dat 'e had de hollow

tail."

Of course I retreated from the effort to find out anything, but I told

him he must bring the rest of the cattle up here. The pasture being very

fine down there, I leave the cows there in summer, but as soon as the

corn-fields are open here I bring them back where I can look after them

during the winter.

CHEROKEE, November 12.

Great activity prevails in this household; I am moved to brush up my

dear old home a little, so I have bought some kalsomine, and every

minute which can be spared from getting in the hay Jim is kalsomining.

He has finished the breakfast room, which was a disgrace, and then he

finished the upstairs hall, and is now engaged on the lower hall.

The dear departed peacock, whose mate was eaten up by a fox while

sitting on a nest of beautiful eggs, lived three years in a state of

single misery, during which time he broke every pane of glass in the

windows he could reach. It was so pathetic that I could not give way

to wrath and have him beaten away. He was looking for that lovely mate,

with her graceful long neck and dainty small head, and seemed to think

she was imprisoned in the house, for he roamed round and round it,

first on one shed and then on another, and when, peering in through

the window glass, he caught sight of his own iridescent form, he would

plunge forward in an ecstasy of joy, break the glass, cut his poor,

proud head and hastily fly away, only to begin the search again as soon

as his wounds were healed. In this way the windows were broken one by

one, and the dirt daubers (a very busy flying thing that looks exactly

like a wasp, but does not sting) came in and made their wonderful clay

houses in the halls, so that it looked like some old, deserted, haunted

place.

It was impossible to get all the glass put back. The hall window has a

pointed arched top like a church window, and that shape of glass I could

not get, so I just felt helpless and hopeless while the little workers

in clay triumphed over me. When, however, the hall window was covered

with fine bronze wire on the outside from top to bottom these little

wonders of industry and perseverance were foiled.

It was funny to watch them when they first reached the window loaded

down with red clay and flew up against the wire. They could not believe

that that pygmy man whom they had got the better of for years had really

foiled them at last. For days and weeks they continued the attack and

many, many perished in their determined efforts to squeeze through

openings too small for them.

But to return to the peacock and his search for his lost love. He

reminded me of that tragic scene in Gluck's "Orpheus and Eurydice" when

he dares to enter the vast terrible kingdom of the dead in his search

for his beloved—the eager, pathetic gaze into the lifeless face of

each veiled form, the joy of imagined recognition, only to fade into

disappointment and horror as returning life shows the mistaken identity.

The peacock grew thinner and thinner. Occasionally he would go into

the busy poultry yard and spread out his beautiful fan and salaam to

the white Leghorn hens and win their cackling admiration, but those

exhibitions became rarer each year, and finally he disappeared. I am

quite sure he sought the solitude of the forest to die.

I miss him all the time in spite of his mischievous activity, for he was

a part of the place. I tried very hard to get a mate for him, but never

found one. In the years gone by peafowl were very common through this

country. We used to call it our episcopal dish, for every year when the

Bishop of the diocese stayed with us on his visit to the parish, mamma

had a roast peacock as part of the dinner. The breast is very large,

like that of a partridge, and of a very delicate game flavor.

Since the clay workers can be kept out it seems worth while to destroy

all traces of them and have the wall white and fair once more. As the

work progresses and the air of desolation is subdued my spirits rise,

and I wonder how I have stood it so long. It is well there is something

to cheer my spirits, for the financial outlook is appalling.

The storm-tossed crop is hopeless, the corn all damaged; in the little

that there is, not a perfect ear.

November 14.

Great rejoicing! To-day's mail brought a letter from J. L. H. saying she

would be here Monday. Day spent in trying to get the house in winter

trim, for it is very cold. Got down most of the carpets and rugs, but

could not get the curtains up. They are all sewed up in homespun bags

in the spring with camphor or moth balls, and it really is a day's work

to get them all out and beaten and aired.

November 15.

A tremendous day. Took my dearest J. down to Gregory and then to

Woodstock, where it was so pleasant that I lingered too long. I had had

a great deal of business to see about in Gregory, so that we were late

getting in to Woodstock. I had fortunately bought a lantern and I needed

it very soon after leaving Woodstock, the road being very winding and

intricate for the first three miles.

At the ferry the man called to me to drive in quickly, as there was a

tug coming down the river bringing him a new flat, and he must get me

over as quickly as possible to return and change flats. Goliah, who

had gone behind on the buckboard with me, was much excited and added

all his strength to the two men in pulling the flat over. When we got

about halfway over Moses, the ferryman, saw that the tug was coming

down rapidly upon the wire. He called to the captain, a negro, to stop.

This did no good at all. On, on, came the snorting tug like a relentless

fate.

It was a dreadful situation, for I feared Ruth would turn her head, and

then I knew she would jump out of the flat. Fortunately I had driven her

hard and she was thankful to be quiet. While I was wondering that Ruth

was so quiet something happened, I did not know what.

The four men and Goliah, who were pulling, were thrown to the floor of

the flat, Ruth was nearly thrown flat, and the steel rope with which

the flat was pulled lashed round the buckboard's wheels, fortunately

not reaching the mare. I was thrown out on the wheel and before I had

righted myself Goliah picked himself up and flew to Ruth's head, which

I thought a wonderful evidence of fidelity to a responsibility, and it

was lucky that he did so, for as soon as she realized that we were out

of our course and not making for shore, Ruth became very restless and

impatient.

Moses yelled to the man nearest the broken end of the rope to seize it,

which he did, and that was a mercy, for if it had escaped we would have

drifted down the river without any means of regulating or guiding our

course. Then the men all pulled together on the rope and ran the flat

up into the bushes about 200 feet from the slip where the flat lands.

It was quite dark, only two lanterns being in the flat, mine and the one

the ferryman had. After tremendous effort they got the flat to touch the

slip at one end, leaving about four feet of water at the other. I saw

that was the best they could do and that it could only stay so for one

second, so I called, "Hold it so for a minute." I told Goliah to let go

Ruth's head and spoke to her, and as she hesitated gave her a sharp cut

with the whip. She leaped out over the gap and we were safe on land.

I drove home too thankful for words for the great escape. Just the

thought that we might have been swirling round, drifting down toward

the sea with the current, made the drive home seem a delight. When I

went to get out of the buckboard, however, I found I was a rag and could

scarcely stand.

November 17.

Went out immediately after breakfast and saw Gibbie put half a bushel of

cow-peas in the big pot, fill it with water, and make the fire under it

to boil food for cows. Then I told him to start ploughing in the half

acre of oats. Bonaparte had already scattered the seed. Later in the

day I walked down to the field to see the work, and found Gibbie had not

done a stroke, had simply gone home, leaving the oats on the earth for

the birds to devour. I was too angry to go in pursuit of him. I find it

very unwise to speak until I have cooled off. As Bonaparte said to me

once, "Ef you don't tek keer dese peeple'll mek yu los yo' soul."

The corn has been so stolen that there is scarcely a fifth of a crop—all

the big ears gone, leaving only nubbins. The horses are all weak from

lack of food and I feel desperate. Even Goliah is changed! All the joy

and fun and play seem to have left him, and his fat little black face

looks like a thunder-cloud.

His household at home are urging him to demand more wages, and he does

not wish to do it, and yet the clamor there makes him discontented. I

brought him a suit of clothes and a pair of shoes, in which complete

outfit he sleeps. The weather being very mild, I beg him to save the

shoes for cold weather, as he has never worn shoes before; but in vain,

unless I put them up for him, which I do not wish to do, for I wish him

to have the full enjoyment of them. He found an old pair of white kid

gloves in the buckboard. I had used them to wear about the place and

somehow left them there. Yesterday he asked me for them and now he wears

them all the time—cutting wood, eating dinner.

I tried to translate in concise and striking words the French proverb,

"Chat ganté n'attrape point de souris," but it had no effect; he sits

gazing at his shoes, his white-gloved hands folded in his lap. I have

sent him to school, as the public school is only half a mile away, and

there is a good teacher, but nothing can restore the little gay Goliah,

who jigged as he walked.

He has eaten of the apple and been driven out from the Eden of childhood

and from henceforth will always be wondering how much he can get out of

me. I knew it had to come, but I am so sorry, and I miss the little boy

so much.

Sunday, November 20.

Our rector's Sunday with us. He gave a very interesting sketch of the

church convention, which he had attended. I had to play the organ as

well as do all the singing, as Miss Penelope was not able to come. I

thought it was impossible, but really nothing is impossible, for when

I got home feeling like a rag I found Zadok waiting for me—"to ask my

advice," he said.

I had not laid eyes on him for years, but he is the son of a faithful

servant and was born in our servants' hall just before the end of the

war. He has prospered, married well, and has a large family, who all

help in the cultivation of his farm of twenty acres. Now that he has

got into trouble he comes at once to me.

His great snare is the dreadful firewater. He told me he had got into

"a tangle." Coming back from Gregory one day when he was "not quite

himself" he had been accused of cursing and making a disturbance. He had

been notified that he would be indicted, and when he went to remonstrate

the man said if he paid $25 he would drop the case; but he had put off

and put off, and now hears the case is to be tried to-morrow.

I made him tell me everything and felt sure the only thing for him to do

is to pay the money as quickly as he can, for if the trial comes off it

will go hard with him. He is known as very obstreperous and noisy when

under the influence of liquor, though peaceable and civil otherwise;

so I told him to get the money as quickly as he could and try to pay it

before the trial came up. I was greatly worried about it and had Jim put

Alcyone in the small buckboard and drive me down to Mr. B.'s. I took a

very pretty apple geranium as an offering to his wife.

I told them I had come to see what I could do to help Zadok, that I was

much distressed to hear he had misbehaved, that his father had been our

trusted and faithful servant during the war when there was no man at

home, and I begged them if he promised to pay the $25 to drop the case.

Mr. B. said he thought it had now gone beyond his power to drop it,

but he would try what could be done. On the way home I met Zadok in his

buggy, which is a very nice one, driving his horse, which is a very good

one. I told him I had done all I could and begged him to make a humble

apology. He said he would and seemed much impressed.

Little Alcyone is a swift little filly and went splendidly, but she is

not large enough to take two people in a buckboard that drive of sixteen

miles at the pace she likes to go. It is an unwise thing to let her

do it. She should have a light road cart only, for she will not walk

at all. I really felt when I got home as though I had been actively

employed from the time of Noah and the flood. Zadok promised me to stop

drinking. God help him to keep his promise!

[Illustration: Casa Bianca.]

CHEROKEE, November 27.

Before I started out this morning I called for Bonaparte and showed him

a large portfolio of engravings and prints and told him to make a light

wooden frame into which I could slip it to send by express. I specially

told him to leave one end open so that I could put the portfolio in

myself. When I got back from Casa Bianca this evening I found the very

neat little light frame and was delighted, until I found the portfolio

was nailed up in it so securely that I would have had to break the frame

to get it out. It was too provoking, for I had not meant by any means

to send all its contents.

The time for the payment of taxes has come. Mine are over $100 and my

little cotton crop cannot cover them after paying my yearly accounts, so

I must sell something, and I decided to send some of the things in the

portfolio on to New York to be sold. There are a lot of queer old things

in it which many would call rubbish, but which I delight in—a map of

the city of Charleston in its veriest infancy and engravings of a horse

and dog which had won beautiful silver prizes in 1760 or thereabouts.

These things are of great interest in the family and especially to me,

who live in the past so much.

Then there were some water colors I wanted to keep. Altogether this

seems the last straw to a very tired camel. Bonaparte had gone home, it

was late Saturday evening, and Jim is to take the box down to Gregory

when he goes to-morrow to send off by express Monday, and I just gave

up and let them all go. The eternal struggle against contrarieties and

difficulties is too much for me.

The time for tax paying has nearly passed and if I do not send the

things off to-morrow they will have to wait another week.

December 7.

The pace has been most rapid for some time and I find that when I have

pleasant companionship I neglect my faithful dumb confidant.

Bonaparte's wedding preparations have caused me much anxiety. I promised

him some money for the occasion and sold two of my precious young

heifers to be sure to have it, but there has been some hitch and the

money has not reached me, and when he came for it yesterday I had to

tell him I did not have it, which hurt me.

To-day by mail arrived two large packages, both with special delivery

stamps on them, a beautiful frock-coat and waistcoat. My dearest L. had

sent them to Bonaparte. I hurried out to his house with them. He was

out, but I put them in his daughter's hands. He had confided to me his

anxiety as to his wedding garments, as he said the wedding being in town

he wished to be suitably dressed. I wrote all this to L. and she truly

did the impossible in getting them here in time, as she only returned

to Washington from the mountains two days ago.

Just before dinner D. arrived, having brought a present of two mallard

ducks. I was so charmed to have them, for C. leaves, to my regret,

to-morrow. Later I received the check I had been expecting, so that I

had the satisfaction and relief of sending for Bonaparte, who had not

yet started for Gregory, and fulfilling my promise.

He was radiant. All's well that ends well, I suppose, but I have really

suffered from the tension of fearing that the faithful old man was going

to be disappointed.

December 9.

Sent C. and her delightful little Albert down to take the train

yesterday. Their visit has been an unalloyed pleasure. Jim, being in

Gregory, attended Bonaparte's wedding at 8 o'clock last evening. He says

it was a most elegant and well-conducted affair, with an abundance of

good cake and wine, and his respect for Daddy B. has risen immensely,

which is a comfort and relief to me, for they are not very friendly.

Bonaparte boasts, "Yes, Jim kin mak de crop, but Jim ain't got de key;

I got de key," and of course that is aggravating.

I am very sensible of the thorns which accompany the roses of faithful

service with both Chloe and Bonaparte, but all the same I thank the good

Father for the thorns, because of the roses which sweeten my life.

December 13.

A good steady rain last night, thank God. There was a frightful danger

of fire getting away in the woods. Every one was nervous about it. I

am very tired, for I had to burn the chimneys, which always scares me

terribly. I always have Bonaparte to help, and this morning he did not

want to do it and said there was not rain enough and was rude to Chloe

when she called him, so I determined to burn them myself.

I take a large newspaper, pour about a tablespoonful of kerosene on it,

holding the end in the tongs, and as soon as it takes fire thrust it as

far up the chimney as my arm will allow, which is not far; that is the

reason I like to have Bonaparte do it. In an instant the whole chimney

is ablaze, with a terrific roaring. Patty was stationed outside to see

if any of the blazing soot lighted on the roof; I on my knees in front

of the fireplace prayed with all my might; the terror that there may be

a crack or flaw in the chimney is always with me. The great matter is

to burn often and then there is no great accumulation of soot.

It has always been a thing I had to wind myself up for, and requires

all my will to make me do it. Once I was so demoralized about it that

I got a man to come with a regular little chimney-sweep from Gregory.

The little fellow went up one chimney, but when he came down he wept and

pleaded so not to go up again, saying the chimneys were so long, three

stories, and the flues crossed so that he could not breathe, and I would

not let the man send him up again. It was an expensive experiment, and

I concluded the old time way of burning out was the best, and try to

make myself do it once a month.

CHEROKEE, December 14.

A July day, rainy and hot. War in the kitchen zone. Goliah roused

Chloe's ire and she fell upon him with fury. When I went down to

remonstrate with Goliah he was in a great rage and I heard him mumbling,

"Yes, if I only had my axe I wud 'a' settle 'em," and nothing I said

could have any effect, so I had to tell him to leave the yard and not

return.

It will be a loss to me, because I know all his faults and can generally

meet them, and he is very competent for one of his size with the horses,

and drives very well. I take him everywhere with me on the buckboard,

but he has a morose, morbid temper and he has been very rude and

impertinent to Chloe, so I cannot keep him.

December 15.

While I was wondering how I was to manage, Jim being away, without

Goliah to put the horse in for me to go to church, and again in the

evening for the rector, who is here on his monthly visit, to go to St.

Cyprian's, the negro church, Chloe came in and said:—

"Goliah is yere. He dun ax my pa'don en I gib um, en I tell him I keep

nuthin' agenst him."

I think it was as great a relief to her as it was to me to see him

installed again. I trust now peace will reign for a while.

December 16.

Have the great pleasure of our Bishop's yearly visit. He came last

evening after holding service at St. Cyprian's, the Colored chapel. It

rained all night and looked very dismal this morning, but as we sat at

breakfast the sun came out and we were all rejoiced. It is the event of

the year in the parish and the disappointment of a rainy day would be

intense.

We started for Peaceville at 10:15 and I was delighted to find Miss

Penelope able to be at her post at the organ. It was a solemn service,

with confirmation. The Bishop, Mr. G., and I were invited to a delicious

lunch before going on to the little chapel in the woods. The chapel had

been whitewashed and well scoured and beautifully dressed in honor of

the Bishop's visit, being all hung with holly, moss, and evergreens.

The sight was touching. All the women had met together and scoured

first and then decked it with nature's wreaths. Poor little Alifair

had brought her month-old baby, which weighed about five pounds, to be

christened. She asked me to be godmother and I found she had named it

after me. Her mother told me this and asked anxiously: "Miss Patience,

you won't mind?"

"No, no," I said; "it is always a compliment." But when I found it was

a combination of my name with my dear mother's I felt a little abashed.

The little thing was so very white and so very tiny that I felt almost

afraid to handle her, poor little mite. The father, a boy of 18, found

matrimony too serious and slipped away some months ago.

The church was very full and I think they all carried away real help in

their daily lives from the Bishop's sermon. We did not get home until

nearly dark, but it had been a most delightful day.

Goliah has been behaving very badly lately. Chloe came to me looking

very portentous one day to tell me he had a gun hid in the kitchen in

the yard and that when anything went against him or she told him to get

more wood he would bring out the gun and threaten to shoot Patty and

herself.

Goliah was out at the time and I asked Patty if she knew where the gun

was. She said yes, and I told her to bring it to me, which she did,

and I locked it up. When Goliah came home and missed the gun from its

hiding-place he went on terribly, Chloe said, cursing and swearing to

kill every one.

I was busy in the house and heard nothing of this, but finally he came

to me before he went home and said Patty had taken his gun and please

to make her give it to him. I answered:—

"I took the gun which has made you behave so badly and have locked it

up."

"De my Brudder Bill gun, en' I want um."

"When your brother wants his gun he can come for it, but I cannot permit

you to have a gun in this yard. Never again dare to bring one!"

He went off very sulkily. The next day Bill's wife came and asked for

the gun, saying it was her husband's. I told her if I gave it to her it

must be on condition that she never let Goliah have it again. Lizette

was with her and I appealed to her to witness to Dorcas's promise never

to let Goliah have the gun. The promise was made and I gave up the gun.

Since then quiet has reigned in the yard.

I do not know how old Goliah is, but he is four and one-half feet high,

and when he is good, like the little girl we have heard of all our

lives, he is very, very good, and when he is bad he is certainly horrid.

Now he is in a bad spell.

December 18.

A beautiful morning. Ran out to the gate with a letter. When I got a

bundle of mail and opening it saw a telegram, I sank down on the ground

in fright—and sitting there read the message. Sorrow for those I love,

and it is too late for me to reach them in time for the funeral.

While I was debating what to do a boy came up with a note from Miss

Penelope: "Terrific fire burning around Peaceville. Miss Pandora and

Miss Ermine were nearly burned out. Miss E. worked like a trojan to save

it. Better look out for your premises."

I ordered Bonaparte to take Adam, Nan, and a wagon with hoes and rakes

and drive out to the village and give all the help he could, and protect

my yard if possible. As soon as I had given these orders I drove out

myself to take a telegram to the mail.

I found Miss Pandora and Miss Ermine looking as though they had been

through a great illness. The fire threatened for two days and a night,

and they had fought it all that time, but it was now put out. While I

was in the village the wind changed and the fire appeared in another

direction. I had Jim take Ruth and Marietta out and tie them in my yard,

so that he could go and help put out the new fire. I took a young pine

sapling and helped beat it out.

It is awful to hear the roar of fire through the pine woods and know

how hopeless it would be if it once crossed the line and rolled around

the rambling, elongated village. The negro men and women who happened to

be near behaved very well and worked with a will, and I will certainly

reward them generously. I stayed until the fire seemed finally out and

by burning a space to meet the oncoming flames, I trust the danger is

past. Those who are accustomed to wood fires, and there are men in the

village who have had experience and directed the work, now think it is

safe.

I sent a telegram to ask if I was needed, and if an answer comes I will

go; if no answer comes I will know they do not need me. It would be

difficult for me to go just now, as I am expecting some sportsmen as

paying guests, and must be at home. I am as nervous as though I were

going to execution.

CHEROKEE, December 22.

I was sitting at dinner to-day when I heard Goliah run up the front

steps and ring the bell violently. Knowing from the sound that there

was something the matter, instead of sending Patty, who is in a constant

state of war with him, I went out myself. He was panting as from a long

run and gasped out:—

"Pa baig yu for meet 'um to de front gate."

"When?"

"Rite now, soon ez yu kin git dey."

"Where is your father?"

"Him dey 'een de sheriff buggy gwine to de chain gang."

"How is that possible?"

"Dem had um to Mr. Haman to de co't dis mawnin'."

"Who had him there?"

"Dorcas en him ma, en pa dun condem'."

I waited for no more, entirely forgetting that I had not eaten my dinner

of delicious shad. I put on my hat and flew out to the front gate. One

feels very tenderly for those one has helped and poor Elihu has been a

care and anxiety to me for years.

His family relations have always been difficult and complicated. His

second wife and nearly all his children having died of a galloping

consumption, he has now taken a third wife who has eight children of

her own and is a termagant, so that though he works hard, and is honest

and law abiding after a fashion, and very civil, even courteous, in

manner, he is always in some trouble, generally debt. On my way to the

gate I met Lizette, his daughter, crying as she ran on her way to call

me. I asked what it meant, as I had been unable to get anything out

of Goliah, and she explained to me that Elihu had been away working in

a lumber camp when Goliah had threatened Chloe with the gun, and when

he came home and heard of it he was very angry, and said Bill had no

right to let Goliah have the gun; that he had lent it to Bill when he

was getting well from typhoid fever and able to walk about and shoot,

because Bill's gun had been taken for debt, he never having paid for it

after the first instalment.

Yesterday Elihu went to Bill's house and asked for the gun. Bill was

out and his wife refused to give up the gun, upon which Elihu scolded

her, no doubt in strong language, until finally she went to her trunk

and took it out piece by piece, trying her best to convince him that

she did not have all the parts. She ended, however, by giving them all

up. When her mother came in she reviled her for being so meek spirited

as to take a scolding from Elihu and give up the gun and proceeded to

curse and abuse Elihu.

Of course he was not found wanting in retorts and a neighbor had to

come in and make the peace. Elihu thought nothing more of it until he

received a summons this morning from the so-called Judge to appear in

court. He went with no idea of anything serious, had no witnesses even,

but found that Dorcas's mother had indicted him.

By this time we reached the avenue gate and I sent Lizette to run to

tell Jim, who was ploughing in the field, to put Ruth in the buckboard

quickly and bring her to the gate. Shortly after I reached the avenue

gate a buggy drove up containing Mr. Stout, the deputy sheriff, and

Elihu, looking too downcast, black, and forlorn for words.

Elihu is of a peculiarly rich shade of black, almost blue black. His

own mother when he was a boy always spoke of him as "dat black nigger."

Through all the trials and tribulations of his fifty years of life he

has never been in danger of the chain gang before, for he has kept a

good character for one of his hue, and now the certain prospect of the

gang unless some miracle happened had crushed the spirit out of him. I

scarcely would have known him. I walked out of the gate and said:—

"Why, Mr. Stout, what does this mean?"

"It means, Miss Patience, that I'm a-taking Elihu to the chain gang.

I've got the warrant in my pocket."

"And on what ground?"

"For cursing, Miss Patience, and making a disturbance on the public

highway."

"Was he not in his son's house?"

"Yes, Miss Patience, but the Judge says that is within fifty yards of

the public road."

"Has it been measured, Mr. Stout?"

"No, ma'am, Miss Patience, 'tain't been measured, but the woman said

it was only forty yards from the road, en the Judge said he knowed the

place and that was right."

"What is the sentence?"

"Thirty days on the gang, Miss Patience, or a fine of $50."

"Mr. Stout," I said, "you turn right round with me and drive back to Mr.

Haman with Elihu. That house is more than fifty yards from the highway."

This he said he dared not do.

By this time Jim had brought Ruth in the buckboard, and I got in and

drove out of the gate.

"Mr. Stout," I said, "I thank you very much for having driven this way

so that Elihu could see me, and I have a favor to ask of you. If you are

afraid to go back with me, at least promise me you will wait at the turn

of the road, until I come back. I will drive fast, you won't have long

to wait, but you must do it," and before he could answer I had driven

off.

It was a very cold evening and nearly dark. In my excitement I had put

on no extra cloak, but I did not feel the cold. In marvellously short

time the four miles were passed and I stood at Mr. Haman's gate. Goliah

opened it and I told him to wait there until I came back, as I did not

want him to hear the conversation.

On my second call Mr. Haman came out and was of course much surprised

to see me. He was most polite, and eager to invite me in.

"Come in, come in, Miss Patience, I beg you," he said, "this wind is

too piercing for you. I beg you will let me tie your horse."

"Thank you, Mr. Haman, but I cannot come in. I have only a moment's

business with you. I want you to give me an order to Mr. Stout to

release Elihu."

With a smile of greatest indulgence he replied, "You know, Miss

Patience, I'd do anything to oblige you, but my duty, my duty, madam,

is my first consideration, and even for you I must refuse to do anything

contrary to my duty."

"Tell me," I said, "of what he is convicted and what is the sentence?"

"He is convicted of cursing and creating a disturbance within fifty

yards of the public highway, and the sentence is thirty days' work on

the chain gang or a fine of fifty dollars."

"Mr. Haman, you must sign that release until the distance is measured.

I know that it is more than fifty yards from the road to Bill's house,

and until that distance is measured his committal to the gang is

illegal. Elihu is a hard working, docile, respectable negro. If I wanted

anything hard done to-night such as to send by land or water ten miles

Elihu is the man I could call upon, knowing he would not refuse. If

I had occasion to drive forty miles this night through the darkness,

Elihu is a man I could trust to take me safely through the darkness and

do it cheerfully. And you think I will see him put on the chain gang

illegally? You don't know me, Mr. Haman."

He listened as if he did not hear, so determined was he not to yield

and so accustomed to shake the law at people.

He said he would get the book and read me the section, but I said that

was unnecessary, I knew the law; the point was whether this case was

within the legal distance. Darkness was coming and I was making no

headway. At last I said:—

"If I were to sign a note for fifty dollars would you give me the order

for his release?"

"Oh, yes, Miss Patience, if you pay the money that'll be all right."

"Very well; bring me ink, pen, and paper and I will sign." He went in

and returned very quickly with pen, ink, and a check. I had not meant

to sign a check, but a note; however, I signed it in ink and then asked

for a pencil and on the back wrote, "Not to be presented until distance

is measured." He seized the check with delight; when he turned it over

and saw the writing on the back his face changed.

"Now," I said, "will you give me the order for Elihu's release?"

"No," he said, "I will not."

I was still sitting in the buckboard and I just leaned forward and took

the check from his hand. He was so taken by surprise that he was silent

for a second; then he said:—

"I'll go down and measure the distance for you, Miss Patience."

"When?"

"To-night, right now. I'll get my buggy en you kin go right on and I'll

follow you."

I was truly thankful, for it was getting very late and I was so afraid

that Mr. Stout would not wait. I drove rapidly toward the gate, which is

approached by a causeway. When I got well on that, a thought struck me;

though it would be a singular trial to me, to save time I would offer

to take Mr. H. down in my buckboard. I saw a negro woman near and said

to her:—

"Please run in and say to Mr. Haman that Mrs. Pennington will be glad to

offer him a seat in her buckboard and he can come back with Mr. Stout."

She ran off briskly and in a few minutes returned and said, "Mr. Haman

say never min'; say him ain't goin'."

Fortunately I had taught Ruth to back all over the yard before a harness

was ever put on her, for I backed her the length of that causeway in no

time and was back at the house. Mr. Haman came out looking considerably

worried.

"Mr. Haman, you will not get rid of me to-night until you have signed

that release."

"I can't do it! When I write a warrant it's writ, and everybody that

knows me knows that."

At this juncture his wife appeared and said: "Miss Patience, he ain't

well and it's too cold for him out here; please, ma'am, to come in."

I answered: "I cannot come in, Mrs. Haman. I simply want your husband

to write an order to Mr. Stout to release Elihu Green, whom he has sent

to the chain gang for thirty days, until the distance from the road is

measured."

"You're right, Miss Patience," his wife answered, and turning to her

husband said, "Better do what Miss Patience wants you to do, an' come

in out o' this cold wind."

Most reluctantly and heavily at last the words came: "You give that

check to Mr. Stout en tell him to turn loose the nigger."

"And," I said, "you will send down early to-morrow to measure the

distance?"

He was already disappearing in the door but assented, and again I

started for home. Ruth by this time had got worked up and needed no

whip; she knew there was something unusual in the air and she flew.

When I reached the turn by St. Cyprian's church, where Mr. Stout had

promised to wait, it was so dark I could not see whether he was there

or not until I came right up to him. There he was still in the buggy,

and when I called, "Please come here, Mr. Stout," slowly he got out and

came; I handed him the check.

He struck a match and examined it, then his whole face beamed and he

said, "Then I kin turn Elihu loose?"

"Yes," I said, "and I thank you with all my heart for waiting; you have

helped prevent a great injustice. Mr. Haman says he will send you down

to-morrow to measure the land. If it is more than fifty yards, you will

return that check to me; if less you will give it to him. Please come

early."

Elihu was dazed with the sudden release as the handcuffs were taken off.

After Mr. Stout left I gave Elihu a talk about the disgrace of cursing

and making a disturbance, and I said:—

"Elihu, the distance will be measured and if it is less than fifty yards

you will have to try and work that $50 out."

"Oh, yes, miss, de Lawd bless you, en I thank you too mutch, en I'll do

all you want me to do."

And I made the best of my way home with Goliah behind. All the servants

were wild with delight when they heard the result, and Chloe had a nice

supper for me, but I was too tired to eat. The depths had been stirred

within me and I could only go to the piano and play Rachmaninoff's grand

prelude over and over until I was quieted.

Mr. Haman, the magistrate, is a man of foreign birth, and speaks broken

English, a German, I suppose. He drifted here after the war and married

the daughter of a very excellent old German who had bought a plantation

and settled here at that period of change and unrest. Two years ago he

was elected to his present office to the surprise of every one.

December 23.

The household was astir early this morning. As I felt it was a moment

when I would like to have a gentleman with me, immediately after

breakfast I drove over to my good neighbor Mr. F. and asked him if he

would come with me and see the distance measured.

He said he would come with pleasure, and he got into my buckboard. Mr.

F. with Jim's help measured and found the distance from Bill's house

to the public road 250 feet, more than eighty yards. I was greatly

relieved, for though I can generally trust my eye for distances I never

had thought of this special space and had nothing to compare it with

in my mind. It was simply an impression, I may say a conviction; and if

it was wrong I would have to borrow $50, for I had not that much in the

world that I could put my hand on at this moment.

Still I would rather do that than have Elihu punished and disgraced when

he was really in the right.

Just as Mr. F. had finished measuring, Mr. Stout the deputy sheriff

drove up in a very fine buggy with another white man. I greeted them

pleasantly and begged them to measure the distance at once, without

saying that I had relieved my mind by doing so already. Mr. Stout

assisted by Mr. Oliver took the measurements and pronounced it 250 feet.

Then Mr. Stout handed me my check for $50.

Thank the good Father for His mercies.

Christmas Day.

Drove to church, where we had a pleasant service. It had been given out

that the collection would be for Sewanee. There was great excitement

after service when the word was passed around that it was $7! Our plate

rarely holds more than half that amount. Every one was very happy over

it.

Then went to take the few things I had gathered up for the St. Peter's

people to K.'s to be sent to them.

I had to go to the extravagance of buying a comfort for the poor Lewis

family; the weather has been unusually cold, and they are so destitute.

I have been quite alone to-day, but not at all lonely, for I have put

up candy for the children on the place and little packages for the old

people. To-morrow I am to have the joy of a visit from my two nephews,

one of whom has been living in New York and has not been here for a long

time.

December 26.

E. and A. came about 1 o'clock with guns and dog—perfectly charming both

of them—both full of zeal to shoot. I sent Jake up to get another boat

and engaged him to come at 5 A.M. to-morrow to take them out. He is to

get Aaron, who is a good paddler.

December 27.

Very early this morning Jake came and said he had failed to get Aaron.

Jim came into the house, made the fires, and waked the boys; then

went out to the "street" to get a paddler. First he went to Frankie's

house; he was in bed and refused absolutely to come, saying he was too

comfortable. Then he went to Gibbie's house; he talked a great deal,

but finally said he would come.

Meantime E. got off in the light canoe with Jake. A. waited until Gibbie

rode up on his bicycle to say that it was a very dangerous business,

etc., and finally that he could not come, so Jim had to take A. out,

though he is no paddler.

As soon as I heard what had happened I wrote a paper to Frankie and one

to Gibbie. "You will leave this place at once," and sent it to them.

Only yesterday when they came up for the annual powwow they made a

solemn promise to do all that I called on them for. I made them promise

this, because for some time there has been a growing disposition not to

do what I want done, and if I let it go on and pass over anything like

this I will lose all control of the place.

I am sitting out in the sun and have thawed out while writing this.

Oh, the goodness and mercy of God! A sense of it pervades my being

to-day. Though I have had my small trials already this morning, they

seem as nothing when I think of all His patience and long-suffering and

loving-kindness to me.

CHEROKEE, December 28.

E. and A. seem perfectly happy to be here, and their visit is an

unbroken pleasure to me. They have not got very much game, but just to

paddle round the creeks or to walk over the woods gun in hand seems to

revive all the happiness of their childhood.

To-day we went to Casa Bianca for the day, and went prepared for them

to spend the night if they found the ducks plentiful enough to make it

worth their while. When they went down into the fields, Nat paddling

one and Jim the other, I started back home alone. I got here after a

perfect drive and glorious sunset.

To my great pleasure I found C. here, and then began to hope the boys

would not spend the night at Casa Bianca. So I was delighted when at

9:30 the dogs announced their arrival. They had shot a good many ducks,

but not having a dog to fetch had not got one.

We had a delightful evening. While I was gone to-day a man had brought a

bushel of oysters fresh from the sea, so I could give them a nice oyster

supper.

[Illustration: Rice-fields from the high lands.]

Gibbie came to-day and among other things said he never could paddle.

"Yu knows yuself, Miss Pashuns, I neber could paddle."

"On the contrary, Gibbie, I know you to be an expert paddler," I

replied. "So much for that excuse.

"Three of your children were born in the house I had repaired for you.

Then the best house on the place became vacant and you asked me to let

you move into that because it was nearer your brother's. I let you do

it and charged no more rent. You were ill. I paid your doctor's bill,

which money you have never returned to me. I sent you milk daily until

you were quite well, and during your mother's illness of three months

I sent her a pint of fresh milk night and morning until she died.

"Your wife this winter burned down the house you occupied. There is no

use for you to shake your head and say no. What else was it when she

sent your eldest boy, 5 years old, into the loft, which was packed with

fodder and corn and hay, to get peas, with a burning lightwood torch

in his hand? Instead of telling you that you must leave the place, as

I could not furnish another house to one so criminally careless, when

you begged me to have another house repaired for you to move into, I

did so. The burning of the house was a complete loss of $300 to me.

"I let you off the rent of the house for the last month and waited on

you for the payment on the other house long after it was due. All this

time you told me you had no money and I waited, but you told other

people on the place that you had $30 put away from your last three

months' work.

"It would take a whole day to remind you of all the kindnesses I have

done to you and all the meannesses you have been guilty of to me. And

now my father's two oldest grandsons come to spend a few days at the

old home shooting ducks, and I send for you to paddle one of them in a

boat, not as a favor, mind you, but to be well paid for it, and you ride

up on your bicycle to say you cannot do it.

"There is no use to say a word, Gibbie, I will not hear it. The time

has come for us to part company. You must go."

He turned and walked down the step with a sullen look. I will miss the

$2 a month which the two houses brought in, but it is necessary to do

a thing like this once in a while.

CHEROKEE, December 30.

Mrs. L. has become greatly interested in the poor white people out at

St. Peter's-in-the-Woods and she sent me word that if convenient to me

she would come up to-day in her motor and get me to go out there with

her to distribute some things which she had collected for them. I was so

delighted at her interest that I said it would be perfectly convenient,

and though in the back of my mind was the picture of the dining-room

chimney place all torn to pieces, I asked the party to take lunch with

me.

So early this morning I sent for Bonaparte and told him he must make

some mortar and repair the fireplace and put back the mantelpiece and

please to have it done by 12 o'clock so that Patty Ann could clean up

the mess and make the fire and be ready for lunch at 1. All of which

was done, and by the time the sound of the auto was heard everything

was ready but myself.

I had been obliged to contribute greatly to the result and had not

time to change my working outfit before they came. That did not matter,

however. They brought a huge hamper and basket full of all sorts of nice

things. The dear little girl had brought lots of her dresses and above

all toys! Such beautiful things, Teddy bears and billikins and dolls

and animals and clowns. They brought also groceries.

We had our lunch and then I joined them and we went the nine miles in no

time. The visit to Louise Moore was most successful. She and her house

and children were clean and sweet. That term could not be applied to the

biggest boy, about six, however, as he had been skinning four possums,

which were extended on sticks in the little porch.

Then we went on to poor old Mrs. Sullivan and her Dickens-like daughter.

She was overjoyed at the groceries and nice things. Her great poverty

was very apparent in her surroundings, above all the flimsy garments

she wore, but all was clean. The next visit, two miles beyond, was also

satisfactory, but alas, the last visit was a shock. Mother, daughter,

and granddaughter were too untidy for words. I could not help wishing

we had not gone there, it was so disappointing.

Certainly nothing could show more their need of help and industrial

training. I had only seen them as a rule at church and had no idea

this special family was so untidy. I had been to the home two or

three times, but I suppose that was not on Saturday afternoon when

everything, including ablutions, had lasted over since the Saturday

evening before. This last visit rather dampened our spirits, though the

little Frenchwoman, who had carried a large box of stick candy which she

distributed as we went, found something pleasant to say even about that.

When we got back to Cherokee Chloe had a cup of tea ready and the party

returned to Gregory. I felt anxious, it being late and cold. They left

a large basket of things for me to keep for further distribution. I wish

so I could get at the poor Lewis family with some of them.

Miss Chevy, who was visiting Mrs. Sullivan, answered when I asked about

the Lewises in a high and righteous voice:—

"Yes, Miss Pashuns, they've gone away bag and baggage an' I tell you

truly it's a good riddance, Mis' Lewis she acted that ridiklous with

them children.

"A man come there one day in a wagon from de up country lookin' for

han's to pick cotton, an' he asked me if them Lewises could pick cotton,

an' I spoke up an' said, 'Yes, sir, they kin pick cotton every one o'

them, 'en he jes' drove right to the house an' asked them to go with

him en he carried them all off, father and mother and three children,

en I'll tell you, Miss Pashuns, it's me that's thankful.

"You see I didn't tell no lie; he didn't ask me if they would pick

cotton, but he ask if they cud, an' I up an' says they cud, but I didn't

say they's that shiftless that they won't do it."

[Illustration: "You see I didn't tell no lie."]

In the mail which I found when I got home I had a letter from a friend

referring to an adventure which I had four years ago that I do not think

I ever wrote down, so now I am going to do so, for I forget things so

entirely. My friend had come from New York to make me a visit of a week.

At the end of that time, wishing to be with her as long as possible, I

drove her to Gregory in the buckboard to take the train. The train left

at 4:30, which in the latter part of December is very nearly dark.

I had taken Jonadab behind the buckboard. When I started on the fourteen

mile drive home, I felt dismayed, for I knew it would be dark soon.

I crossed the ferry with the last light of the dusk and drove on into

blackness.

I had only gone a little way, however, when we drove into a forest fire.

Both sides of the road were aflame and Ruth at first was frightened,

but finding it did not come into the broad, white, sandy road, she soon

enjoyed the illumination as I did.

For about three miles we passed through this brilliant region, and then

I saw we were coming to the end of it and would soon be in the darkness

again, so I told Dab to get out and pick up a good piece of lightwood

for a torch and light it, which he did, succeeding in a very short time

in getting a long, fat piece full of turpentine, and just before we left

the fields of light he lit it and held it behind so that it gave a very

satisfactory path of light just ahead of the horse.

All went well until we came to a turn in the road where we had two

bridges to cross and I feared, as they were narrow and without railing,

that I might not see well enough, so I told Dab to get out and carry the

torch in front until we crossed the bridges. This he did, walking quite

rapidly, so that just after we crossed the last bridge the torch blew

out; the rapid motion somehow being in front, made too much draught.

Dab was much concerned, but I said:—

"It does not matter now, Dab, we are only three miles from home and I

know every foot of the road; get up behind and we will soon be at home."

He got up behind the buggy and we went on several hundred yards, when

there was a terrific report, and great flames of fire, blue, green, and

red, passed over our heads. Ruth dashed, throwing me out on my head,

upsetting the buggy, broke loose and disappeared in the darkness. I must

have been stunned, for I got up quite confused, found no horse in the

shafts, and just walked ahead, forgetting all about Dab.

As I walked on I heard the noise of the horse in the woods to the left

of the road. I went in a little way and called to her. Fortunately she

has always come to my call, and did not fail to do so now. I caught

her and led her back to the buggy. I found both traces broken and felt

hopeless.

By this time Dab, who must have been stunned too, came forward to

help. I gathered all the strings that the resources of feminine apparel

furnish, and tied up the traces, then without getting in, told Dab to

lead Ruth off, which he did, but the buckboard did not move. I had no

knife to cut holes in the leather, so no string could hold. Still making

the effort to secure the two pieces together I said:—

"Dab, what did happen? I never have seen or heard such a thing before.

Do you know what it was?"

Dab, stuttering fearfully, said: "'Tis—is—is—is de fiah cracker,

ma—a—a—m!"

"What?" said I.

"Yes, ma—a—m, I—I—I buy six roman candles to town en I had dem een my

bussom en me jacket button ober dem, en w'en the torch gone out I ben'

down, en bin a blow um fu make um blaze, en a spa'k fly een me bussom

en set off de roman candle, en den dem blow we up."

There in the darkness three miles from home, with no hope of mending

the harness, I laughed until I sank on the sandy road. I could not stop

laughing, to Dab's great amazement. Why his nose was not blown off I

can't imagine; it had been such a near thing that he was much nearer

tears than laughter, and he had expected certainly a scolding from me,

and now this totally unexpected and unnatural laughter awed him still

more.

When I resumed my efforts I saw far down the road a light drawing slowly

near. When it got within hailing distance I called several times before

I got an answer. I said: "Please come here, whoever you are. I am in

trouble and I want your help."

They seemed reluctant and came slowly. When they got near enough and the

light fell on me, one man said: "Why, my Lawd, 'tis you, Miss Pashuns?"

"Yes," I said. "Who are you? I don't seem to know you in the dark."

"No, ma'am, you don' know me, but I knows you well. I'se Rastimus en

dis is my fren' Joshuay."

"Well, Rastimus, I want you and Joshua to fix my harness for me. I've

had an accident and I can't manage it at all myself. Have you a knife

to cut a hole in the trace, because we can do nothing without that?"

"Yes, my missus; I got a very shaa'p knife, en don't you worry, me en

Joshuay'll hab um fix korrek, fo' yu knows it."

And true enough, though their motions were very unsteady and the air

was redolent of firewater, in very quick time the harness was tied up

in an ingenious and substantial way. Then I asked for the loan of the

lantern. This they hesitated about, but when I gave my word that it

should be sent to the store the next day with a little note of thanks

and an enclosure for each, they consented, and I went on my way with

songs of praise and thanksgiving in my heart for the many and varied

dangers I had escaped. The next day the lantern was duly returned, with

a quarter apiece for my knights-errant.

December 31.

Spent this last day of the old year writing letters of thanks and

affection, and after dark I made up a bright fire, Chloe and Patty

Ann having gone away on their Sunday outing, and sat in the firelight

without lighting the lamps and reviewed the mercies and blessings of

the past year. God forgive me for my mistakes and sins therein, my

blindnesses and lost opportunities.

I keep wondering if it is His will that I should give up this life.

I do not want to be headstrong about it. I have so loved the freedom

and simplicity of the life, in spite of its trials, and isolation. The

living close to Nature—the trees, the birds, the clouds, and all the

simple loving dumb things.

[Illustration]

But it almost seems as though I was meant to give it up. The

rice-planting, which for years gave me the exhilaration of making a

good income myself, is a thing of the past now—the banks and trunks have

been washed away, and there is no money to replace them. The experiment

of planting cotton has not been a success with me. The cotton grew

luxuriantly and bore well, but others gathered it, and I got but little.

I cannot sit idle in the midst of all this fertile soil. But I must

wait, and watch, and listen, in silence, for the still, small voice,

which comes after the storm and the earthquake, and brings the message

from above.

Some Gullah words and their meanings:—

unna you all

een in

ne in the

fremale female

tissic asthma

tetta potatoes

fai' fairly, actually

bittle food, victuals

castle coffin, casket

FROM AN EDITORIAL IN THE "NEW YORK SUN"

We print to-day a South Carolina lady's story of her experiences

as a rice planter on her own account, as the actual manager of two

large plantations in that State. It is a story which is all the more

interesting and instructive because it is told in a manner of charming

simplicity and without a trace of self-consciousness or self-assertion.

Independently of the information it conveys it has attraction for every

reader by reason of that manner and as a revelation of a feminine

character in which are manifested tender susceptibility and womanly

sympathy no less than rugged courage in assuming an arduous task and

persistency in overcoming heavy practical obstacles.

Mrs. Pennington is of the type of Southern womanhood which reflected so

great honor on that part of this country during the period of slavery

and may be said to have been a generation peculiar to the social system

at the base of which slavery lay. The executive and administrative

experience acquired by Southern ladies at the head of households on the

great plantations gave them a distinction among American ladies which

since the overthrow of slavery has been demonstrated by many of them in

the practical management of large estates like that presided over by

Mrs. Pennington and in other fields of enterprise usually believed to

be beyond the sphere of feminine ability. The mistress of a plantation,

with many negro slaves, usually so far removed from considerable social

centres that in its superintendence individual resource was taxed to

the utmost, was loaded with a multiplicity of practical details and

duties of administration, and in the discharge of these she received

an education as an executive officer which distinguished her among her

American sisters.

Accordingly, when the Civil War, with its incident of negro

emancipation, left the South impoverished and its social system

upturned, some of the most efficient and most important agents in

developing the new prosperity now so abundant were Southern women who

had passed through that severe school of training, had been reared

under its influences or been moulded by its traditions—resourceful,

courageous, well-poised women, accustomed to command, tactful and

self-reliant, yet at the same time endowed with the gentlest feminine

graces and the most engaging feminine qualities of character and

disposition.

The readiness with which Mrs. Pennington assumed the heavy practical

responsibilities, the risks, the vexations, and the cares involved

in her rice-planting ventures, and the sagacity, practical skill, and

indomitable persistence with which she has pursued them, are not less

impressive than the beautiful spirit of womanly humanity and religious

devotion to duty which is exhibited so unconsciously, so spontaneously,

in her simple narrative. No trace of resentment against the negroes

from whose shortcomings she has suffered so grievously appears in the

story. The feeling she manifests is rather sympathetic in its tender

consideration of moral defects apparently inseparable from their

inheritance as a race and from the conditions produced by the sudden

revolution in their relations to those employing them. It is to such a

spirit as Mrs. Pennington's that the welfare of the negro race of the

South can best be trusted.

Mrs. Pennington closes her story with the expression of a fear that

"this is a dull letter"; but she may be sure that every one of the

thousands of people who will read her story will find in it a human

document of touching interest, and will see in it a revelation of a

character in which are illustrated the best and highest virtues and

graces of womanhood.

FOOTNOTES:

[1] He planted at this time one thousand acres of rice

successfully.

[2] Marcus has since died. He was found one morning in his

stable, where he had gone to harness his horse, leaning

against the manger, stiff in death. He bore a high character,

and his death was regretted by white and black.

[3] "Yedde" means to hear in real gullah, which some of the

old darkies still use.

[4] "ne" is a contraction of "in the."

The following pages contain advertisements of a few of the Macmillan

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