We determined that as soon as these last services to the dead should
be concluded, we would at once strike the camp and return to Chicago.
When the labors required the strength of both Jim and myself, Mrs.
Felden accompanied us. I was unwilling to leave her alone. Her
calmness rather alarmed than assured me. It was the calmness, not of
resignation, but of despair. When all was as I thought, in readiness,
Jim asked me to get several bags of shot; I remembered afterwards, he
did not state for what purpose they were needed.
On my return before night, I noticed him and his mistress talking
apart from me more than usual. She had, too, strangely altered.
Instead of the look of agonized calmness worn by her face for the past
few days, her appearance was almost cheerful. I could not help
wondering, if after all this woman, apparently so passionate and
intense, was of the shallow ones of her sex. She seemed to enjoy her
dinner which was late, and ate more heartily than I had known her ever
to eat before.
She retired early. Jim and I sat up rather late; he seemed loth for me
to go to bed. When he retired, I lay awake for hours pondering over
the change in Mrs. Felden. Wearied at last, a profound slumber
overcame me.
I awoke in the morning to see the sun already several hours high. Jim
was engaged in setting breakfast. I took a short walk. He soon blew
the whistle--it was the call to meals. Mrs. Felden did not come out of
her tent. There was only one plate on the table. To my enquiries, if
she were not coming, he simply answered that I would eat alone. I had
slept so well during the night that my appetite was good, and I did
full justice to the meal. In answer to my question whether Mrs. Felden
would not like something, the negro seated himself before me, the
first time I had ever known him to do so of his own volition, and
said, "Mr. Jamison, Miss Rita 'll eat no more. She lies by Mars Jack
in the deep water. Her soul is wid his at de foot of de Throne of
Grace; de blessed Jesus I believe has brushed away her las' sin, if it
wur a sin--de las' and almos' only one she ever done."
The truth flashed across my mind at once. I sprang to my feet, and in
angry horrified tones demanded--"Jim, has Mrs. Felden drowned herself,
and you have done nothing to prevent her mad act?"
"Yes, Mr. Jamison, Miss Rita my mistress, who I loved nex' to my
maister, is gone ter God, an' I seen her go, an' ain't lifted a finger
or said a word fer ter stop 'er an' more'n that I helpt her."
"Jim Madison, you are a murderer!" I cried in anger. The negro arose.
His eyes dilated and his form seemed to expand. His demeanor lost
every vestige of the servant. He stood before me a man, black, but of
over-powering dignity. His face was stern, but not angry. From his six
feet, he seemed to look down upon me; he spoke to me ungrammatically,
but in words almost free from negroism, save in the intonation of his
voice. He was my equal, and seemed to feel himself my superior. The
servant had departed, and in his place was a man,--a man whose every
look and gesture bespoke virile power and self-confidence.
"Mr. Jamison, your words an' indignation ain't uncalled for. In your
eyes I am a aider in murder. In my eyes what I done wus right. You try
to be a christian gentleman, Mr. Jamison, an' I ain't ever seen a
single act to make me doubt your goodness. I've professed Christ, and
I want to walk in the paths He laid for me, an' as far as a sinful man
can, to be a follower of Jesus. If the Saviour'll forgive my old sins,
I ain't got no fear he will hole me to account for what I done, an'
seen done to-day.
"Mr. Felden told me the day before he died, that you knowed everything
about him but one fact. If the Lord could 'er spared him he'd 'er told
you all.
"The las' day he lived he couldn't help feelin' that some great
misfortune was comin'. He told me that if anythin' happened to him to
get you to be a frien' to his wife; if anything happened to 'em both,
that you an' me was to be friens in all things. He didn't tell you he
feared his wife's mind hung on a hinge, an' it might be easy broken;
that fear made him so keerful of her. He's been afeared ever since
little Jack died in Lunnun, les' some sudden shock might drive her out
her head. He said if he los' her he had some duties to perform for the
colored race which gave him his two trues' friens, an' if him an' Miss
Rita both died I was to do it. If it wasn't that I knowed I ought to
carry out his plans, I'd wish I was by his side at the bottom of the
lake.
"When Miss Rita found whar her husban' laid, she wanted to go to his
side. You 'member how calm she got. It was 'cause she made up her min'
and was at peace. She tole me what she wanted. I knowed she'd carry it
out. To her mine it wus right. Her mind you'll say wusn't balanced.
But who can prove it? I'd er killed any man who tried to steal her
liberty, and to lock her up."
His eyes gleamed as if the blood of his savage African ancestors was
surging in his heart. "She asked me to help 'er; what could I do? If I
refused, she'd go alone. If we used force here to prevent her, she'd
come back, an' then she couldn't reach him to clasp him in her arms in
death, as she promised she'd do when he told her their marriage wasn't
legal. I says to myself, I can't prevent her, ain't it best for me to
help her? It was self-destruction, but my conscience didn't make a
single objection. When you went fur the shot, I helped her make a
canvas gown, which covered all her body 'cept her arms. The shot you
brought I run in pockets all about the dress, I rowed her to the rock
in the canoe. I held the boat to the right place.
"Just before she dropt out, she cried, 'I'm comin' my husban', I'm
comin'!' After she sunk, I jumped in an' follered her. She laid by her
husban's side, with her breas' on his, an' her cheek close 'gainst his
face. One arm was on his shoulder. I bent it roun' his neck. I told
her I would. I expect she held her breath an' kep' her will till she
was ready, an' then she died. She was Mars Jack's brave wife. I helpt
her before she went down, and I helpt her down thar. I had to dive
down five times afore I got it all right. The water was cold, but I
didn't feel it."
He paused a few minutes and then continued: "Mr. Jamison, the man who
could 'er resisted Miss Rita's pleadin' when she begged me to help
her, would 'er been hard hearteder than me. I done it, an' I thank God
I done it good.
"Mars John when he was a school boy tole me an Dineh about a good man
before Christ come to save us sinners. That man took some sort 'er
tea"--"Was it hemlock?" I interjected. "Yes, that wus it; he took
hemlock tea, kaze the city ordered it. Mars John said that nobody ever
'cused that good man of suicide. He told us of a great many good men a
long while ago who killed thar selves an' nobody called it suicide. He
tole us of one great man running on a sword held out by his servant
an' nobody ain't 'cused that servant of murder. Miss Rita done what
the good man done a long while ago. She didn't drown herself; she went
to her husband kaze she heard him callin' her. I didn't commit murder.
I held the sword as 'er faithful servant oughter do."
"Now Mr. Jamison, is it better she'd be alive, the widow of a
unmarried-bed; married in Heaven, but her marriage not by the law; the
widow of no lawful husban'; to be pinted at by the finger of scorn?
Would it be better fur her to be here, with madness peraps in her
mine--maybe in a lunatic sylum, or by her husban's side, down thar in
the bottom of the lake?"
"Men will be judged, Jim, I believe according to their lights," I
answered.
With a sigh he returned, "I'm willin' to be judged! Now, sir, we must
finish our task."
We labored four days. Jim dived down and anchored long poles to guide
our work. By means of these and by diving he spread the canvas sheets
over the bodies. He anchored them safely with the chains and boulders.
We let the heavy stones down by cords gently to prevent them from
falling upon the bodies. The Big Rock arises in a small land-locked
cove, thoroughly protected from outer-waves, and almost hidden from
view lake-ward. But for this we could not have performed our task. We
strewed the boughs over the canvas, securing them in turn so as to
catch the sands and gravels over the last resting place of our loved
ones. Chilled though he was to the very bones, the determined negro
would not desist from his labours, until thoroughly satisfied.
When all was finished, with uncovered head the negro threw a handful
of dirt into the water, saying, his voice broken with sobs: "Dust to
dust! Dust to dust!"
We sang a hymn while tears streamed down our faces, and left the dear
dead to Him who created them, and to Him who died that man might be
redeemed.
It was dusk on Saturday, the fourth day, when our work was ended. When
we reached the camp old Akbar who had been sick since the night of the
rain, lay dead before the tent. We buried him that night near the
rock.
Never was Sabbath rest more needed, than by us the next day. For days
we had labored under intense excitement. The strain removed, we were
limp and nerveless. Jim advised hot drinks, very warm clothing and
wraps and absolute rest.
He covered himself head and all, sleeping heavily for nearly
twenty-four hours. Monday morning found him rested but "stiff in der
jints."
When we were about to abandon the camp, I intimated that it was
necessary for me to go to Chicago, to see to winding up my friend's
estate. The negro said with great dignity, "No! Mr. Jamison it is not
necessary, but I want you to go. Mr. Felden lef' a paper that makes
everything mine. Thar wur three copies of it. One is in the safe in
Chicago. Miss Rita had one in a belt on her waist and the other is in
a rubber bag here."
He pointed to his waist.
"Ef Miss Rita had er lived every thing would er been hers, excep a
good livin for Dineh and me. But now I must take every thing to make
good poor colored people happy. The paper tells me how to do it. We
don't have to go to the court. Mr. Felden didn't want nobody to know
that his wife did not have his lawful name, and fixed it so I can take
every thing."
For a few moments he was silent and then continued, "Mr. Felden the
day before he died told me a honester man never lived than Mr. Paul
Jamison, and ef any thing happened to him he wanted you to be a friend
to his wife. Now Mr. Jamison I am rich, but I am a steward an' must
use every dollar jis like my marster said I must. Ef you will help me,
I will give you a good salary and you kin carry out a noble purpose."
I reflected a few moments and said, "Jim, I accept your proposition,
and will devote all of my energies to the cause Mr. Felden had at
heart. It is a noble one; one which at this juncture is as worthy as
any other on earth. I will, however, take of the salary you offer only
what I need for a comfortable life."
He seemed greatly pleased, saying: "I need you Mr. Jamison. In
Cincinnati an' in Chicago my master began to educate me. I studied
hard, and it was hard work, but I've liked best when I was a servant,
to be a humble negro. But now I must be a man, with grave sponserbilities,
and must forgit what I was, in what I am. When I ac' the part of a
negro servant, I talk like a servant. It comes natral to me an' I
likes it. But now I am a servant no more, an' I spose I can change my
speech onbeknownst jess like Mars Jack. When he wus rosy and light
haired he was John ----, when he wus dark an' black headed, he was
Jack Felden.
My granfather was brung from Africy a boy. He allers claimed he wus a
great chief--a king. My young master John used to call me "King Jim."
He said the Africin heathen cropped out 'er me. I've studied, but I'm
ignorant. I know nothing of the world but what he learned me. I
learned to read, so I could read his letters. I learned how to talk to
fit me to do business for Mr. Felden. My learnin' ain't much, an'
that's what I want you for, to help me do my work."
We reached Chicago in due time. Dinah was almost inconsolable when her
husband told of the double tragedy. She began to droop and pine away.
We rapidly arranged our affairs, finding no difficulty in doing so,
for nearly everything was in good stocks and bonds. The bank settled
with Madison as per written orders from Mr. Felden, found in his safe;
making no inquiries except kindly ones as to his health. These Madison
evaded adroitly.
When all was finished, we took Dinah to a warmer climate. Madison
needed the change almost as much as she. His natural predisposition to
rheumatism had been greatly aggravated by his exposure to the chilly
water at the foot of the Rock. Indeed he suffered for many years
greatly from that cause. Change of climate did him good, but poor
Dinah's complaint, no human agency or climatic influence could reach.
One evening about four months after the sad event at the camp, she
went out as a burning candle--a flicker, and all was over. Her husband
said "She didn't die, she jess went to Jesus an' to her foster-chile."
We earnestly set to work to carry out Mr. Felden's wishes, greatly, I
think to the benefits of a down trodden race. We kept only enough to
support ourselves economically through the remainder of life. The old
negro never permitted anyone to know whence benefits sprang, or who
gave out charities. He said, "Mr. John ---- died long ago in India;
Mr. Jack Felden an' his wife sleep in their unknown grave; no one but
us knows who he wus, nor what he did, in fact, you don't know his real
name; no body except me knows that; and no body but us mus know what
he is doing now he's dead. If he looks down on us an' sees what we are
doin' with what he lef', his spirit rejoices that we don't ask no
thanks for him, but are doin' our best to make some sufferin' black
folks happy."
A short while before I met you, Madison and I went from Mackinaw to
pay what would most probably be our last visit to the scenes hallowed
by so many sad, yet endearing memories. We stopped at ---- and rowed
to the Big Rock a few miles away. It lifted from the water dark and
frowning as it appeared to us a score of years before. Lichens and
moss partially covered the space from which the mass fell when Felden
was carried to his death. The fresher cleavage was to us a tablet
memorial of the sad event.
With a long pole to which he had attached an iron hook, Jim probed the
secrets of the deep. His gratification was unbounded when he
discovered that not only were the boulders holding down the canvas
winding sheets entirely under sand and gravel, but the accumulations
nearly covered the boughs and brush placed over the grave.
Madison's aged head whitened by eighty-two winters was lifted erect
upon his broad shoulders; and a mild August breeze coming in from the
lake and gently circling around the little cove, bore upon its wings
his sweetly modulated thanks 'to the Almighty God for his many
mercies.'
For a while we sat silent in deep thought, and then he said, "Let's go
now, Mr. Jamison. I feels secure that Mr. Jack Felden and his wife
down thar under the sand and water, will sleep undisturbed."
I rowed out of the cove, the old negro keeping his sad eyes riveted
upon the fatal rock. We turned the point which hid it from the lake;
he seized an oar and working manfully, uttered not a word until we
drew up under the village.
The mental and bodily strain, however, had been too much for the old
man. I was compelled to call for aid to support his tottering steps to
our room. He staggered and fell upon his bed; his massive form gave
way, like a glass shattered by a blow.
His mind and speech remained unimpaired. He positively refused to have
a physician called, declaring if it was the Lord's will he should go,
he would obey the will of the Lord. He lay for several days without a
murmur or a complaint. One night I was awakened by a deep groan;
hurrying to his bedside, a single glance told me his end was nearly
come. For several hours he lay in a dull stupor, his labored breathing
alone showing that life was still in his breast. His breathing grew
fainter and fainter, until just as the rising sun poured through the
window, it seemed to die away. I hastened to his side to close the
tired faithful eyes in their last long sleep, when the wan lips opened
to whisper, "Good-bye Mr. Jamison, good-bye"! and then as if by mere
will power he sat erect on his bed and cried in a loud voice "Bress de
Lord! I see Mars John! Diner! Jim's gwine home;" and then he died.
Two Finns, fresh immigrants in the land, rowed me with the body to the
cove. There on the shore in a spot shadowed at evening by the Big Rock
we buried him. The sun hovering above the whispering maples lighted
the last sad rites to the end. The waves from the lake stealing into
the cove in mild ripples, sang with mysterious cadence a sweet, loving
requiem. The dying day, the whispering breeze, the sighing wavelets
and the solitude seemed to my over-wrought senses to promise a
fulfillment of the negro's prophecy; that the sleepers below would
rest undisturbed until summoned on the last and final call; that until
then "The Big Rock would keep its sad secret."
In giving this story to the world, I feel guiltless of violating any
pledge of secrecy. There is nothing in the names mentioned to enable
any one to probe the mystery of John ----. The terrible events of
the war about his old home, scattered its residents, and to-day the
places that knew them know them no more.
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