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30
THE SUNDAY OEEGONIAN. PORTLAND, MAT 13, 1900. ,
Synopsis of Preceding- Chapters.
Fi'e years before the outbreak of the Civil
'War, love of adventure, hatred of slavery and
the desire to help say friend, George "Wesner.
led roe. Charles Bradley, a civil engineer of
Attakapas County, Louisiana, to become an
agent of the underground railroad. "Wesner
had been nursed through the smallpox by a
young slave, Lucy, belonging to the Coverley
plantation. Ho discovered facts which proved
that Lucy was white and of good family. A
secret love match followed, which progressed
well until Coverley proposed to sell Lucy to
his son and refused to sell her to anyone else.
"Wesner became desperate. I agreed to help
him steal Lucy, and went to New Tork to
arrange -with the anti-slavery society for the
care of any slaves we could bring North. Re
turning home, I secure a boat and supplies,
locate a jvfuge station at my wood camp, sev
eral miles up the river, and lay out a safe and
secret route from the mouth of the White
River, to our yard. Wesner and I put
up a store building near home, when,
to avoid all suspicion, we carry on
a general merchandise business. In a few
days Wesner starts the first batch of Cover
ley's slaves, including Lucy, for the North,
and Immediately a searching party is sent out.
Under clever disguises Wesner evades the pur
suers. The venture Is successful. Wesner re
turns and tel's me his adventures.
(Copyright. 1000, by F. A. Cummlngs.)
CHAPTER XL
"Five miles above us was a little village.
Below there was no settlement for a num
ber of miles; to the west stretched a for
est. We built a secure shelter about a
mile from the bayou, and camjed, feeling
perfectly secure. "Wild turkeys and deer
were plenty, and the river, not a mile
away, swarmed with fish. The weather
was delightful, and for a week we stayed
here and rested. It was a prolonged pic
nic, and I never enjoyed myself more than
I did that week. Care I banished by
sheer force of will, and enjoyed myself
with the rest, listening to the plantation
stories and songs.
"Brad, those people think and feel deep
ly; there are brutes among them, yet
there are true hearts and brave.
"All things must have an end, and so
did our Acadia. "We were soon off again
on our toilsome passage up the stream.
It was night voyaging, now for a few
days, until we got above the settlements
along the route; then again we could try
day navigation.
"About sunset June 10 wc entered the
bayou with our canoes loaded and ready
for the voyage. We tolled for 1Z days and
at length, the morning of June 15, we
were within 10 miles of the Arkansas,
where we must cross and enter the White
River chute, and as I was not very well
acquainted with Its navigation, we must
perforce try it by daylight In the presence
of the enemy.
"Most of the day we spent In dragging
our boats over a portage between the
landing-place on the bayou and the Ar
kansas River. This was finally accom
plished, although It was nearly morning
before we were well over, as the carry
was muddy and the trail full of roots and
fallen trees.
"When light enough I went to the bank
to take a look at the river; the water
was at a fair pitch and not very muddy.
Most of my anxiety centered on the White
river; we could cross me Arkansas with
out Interruption, but when wc came to
paddle up the White river past plantations
and settlements. It looked a little hazard
ous. However, there was no alternative
but to try it So we lay dormant all day
on the banks of the Arkansas. About 6
o'clock P. M. we shoved off boldly and
shaped our course for the mouth of the
White River chute. By dark we were
well down, and at S P. M. our canoes
were pushing their noses into the chute (a
little passage from one stream to an
other). "We passed the town of White River
and the few plantations scattered along
the bank, and at daylight we had made
20 miles of the, most dangerous portion
and were camped for the day a few
miles from the east bank of the stream.
"I was sound asleep; by the sun It was
near 5 o'clock P. M. when a startled ex
clamation from Lemuel Mason, wtio was
on watch, brought me to my feet. Not 0
foet from me. rifle In hand, stood two
men. Arkansas was stamped upon their
features, and their eyes said shoot. For
an instant my heart almost stopped beat
ing; the next moment I was as calm and
cool as I am now. I realized that we were
In danger. In a country where runaway
nlggors wero plenty, so were coon dogs
and bloodhounds.
"One of them spoke: 'Phil, here's a bo
nanza for us!'
" 'Oh. no, I think not,' said I, coming
forward, 'for these folks have been In my
possession for three weeks.'
"For the first time they noticed I ivas
a white man. and their countenances fell.
" 'No, not this time,' said I, laughing.
" 'Who mout you be, now?' cried Phil,
looking hard at me. 'I believe you are
a 'lltlonlst from Hio. and are lugging
these men off to Illinois or New York
maybe to Canada for all I know.'
" 'Who might I be?" said I. slowly, for
I knew there, was trouble coming, the
appearance of my amiable crowd saying
plainly as possible. 'Swamp.'
"There was an air of swamp In tnelr
faces and In their clothes; their very wool
savored of the cottonwood and cypress,
while 50 days In the wilderness would
destroy any man's genteel appearance. 1
knew that airs would not do Just here.
" 'Perhaps you be from Kansas?' again
ventured Phil.
"Ignoring the negroes as of no account,
they both kept their eyes fastened on me
from the moment they perceived I was
white.
"Lorn and Obed were creeping slowly be
hind them. The stranger called Phil con
tinuously fingered the trigger of his rifle,
with his black eyes never for an Instant
wavering from their steady stare as he
watched my motions.
" 'Kansas, Kansas, repeated I slowly.
Just here Obed stumbled; at the noise
Phil's eyes for an instant left mine: he
had lost. I jerked both revolvers from my
belt and covered them.
J"Hands up. my lads; I have the drop
on you!'
"I spoke riowly, but not very loud, but
Colt's silent, forcible argument was ef
fective All four Arkansas paws went Into
the air, and the rifle dropped from Phil's
hand as he exclaimed: 'Downed by a
sucker!" In evident allusion to my sup
posed Illinois origin.
"In an instant Lem and Obed were
upon them, and they were securely boimd.
Here was trouble enough. What should
we do with our capture? It was impossi
ble to leave them to starve; we did not
wish to commit deliberate murder, and
could not possibly take them with us.
Finally I thought of the only feasible
plan, short o death, and binding them
safely, we carried them to an old wood
yard a few miles below and tied them to a
troe. advising them to patiently wait a
passing stoaraer. leaving them with the
assurance that one might be along the
next day. I afterward learned they passed
a couple of nights there before being lib
erated, the first steamer taking no notice
of their cries.
"At dark we again started, bending all
our energies to Increase the distance be-
j tween ourselves and the prisoners. At
daylight next morning we were at least
35 miles up the river and again encamped
I for the -day.
t "In addition to snakes, coon dogs, blood
I hounds. alligators, swamp mosquitoes,
j mud and Arkansas pikes, to say lothlng
j of Snelder and the Attakapas warriors, we
here met another enemy that nearly
frightened the negroes to death and gave
J me the chills for a week.
I "The' next morning after leaving the
prisoners we encamped beside the stream
where the banks were high. We dragged
our boats into the woods and going back
a short distance from the bank, selected
our camping place. About 4 o'clock In the
afternoon there came the most unearthly
yell from the woods back of us one pro
longed shriek, rising like the howling of
the "wind through the cordage of a ship,
and dying away like the sobbing of a
child. I was lying on my back about
half asleep. As this unearthly shriek
wailea through the trees it brought me to
my feet. I had never heard the like be
fore. The negroes were terrified. They
thought the devil had come to punish
them for running away.
" 'What's dat? What datr Pharo asked.
"Old Mose's wife replied, 'sounds like
a baby, may be a chile lost in dese woods."
"Again, still nearer, we could hear the
bushes crack.
"Obed spoke. 'It's a panther! quick,
the rifles!'
"Mine lay near Obed. He seized It, but
mistrusting his own marksmanship,
brought It to me, taking his revolver
from his belt.
"We could hear the creature coming
nearer, every moment. It had ceased
to shriek and only uttered at Intervals
a cat-like growl. We had left the shel
ter of the tent and gathered together In
a little open space a few yards distant.
Near us was a large uprooted cotton
wood, fallen and lying at an angle of
perhaps 20 degrees. To the top of this
the beast made a leap and stood in full
vicy; 'there's your baby,' said ilose to
his wife. He was a magnificent sight
as he moved his- tall from side to side
and tore the bark from the tree with
his claws. He crouched to spring. Bring
ing my rifle to my shoulder and taking
deliberate aim at his broad breast. I
pulled the trigger. With a. shriek he left
the tree, springing wildly into the air,
and landed on his feet close to us. Al
though wounded, he had leaped at least
20 feet Into the air, and was 30 from the
tree, and still capable of making a des
perate fight Obed sprang close to the
wounded beast and opened upon him with
his revolver, the first shot destroying the
sight of one eye. Blinded by the shot
and with the blood gushing from the rag
ged bullet hole In his breast, the tortured
brute sprang- savagely toward the group.
One blow from his powerful Daw strinowl
the sleeves from Pharo's Jacket, the red
blood following the sharp claws through
the clear cuts made In his arm. The
poor negro screamed from terror and
pain. Obed ga'e the panther another
shot. Snapping at the wound In his side
he endeavored to tear it with his im
mense teeth. It was his last struggle.
For ono moment he writhed In agony,
and In another lay dead at the" feet of
the negro.
"We bound up the wound in Pharo's
arm, removed tho panther's skin and con
tinued our journey, taking the skin with
us as a trophy."
CHAPTER XIL
"Two weeks later we- arrived at Brad
ley's yard. It was n!ght when we
reached the house. Before us, shimmer
ing in the moonlight, rolled the broad
Mississippi. My dusky travelers shouted
with joy at the sight oj the great wators,
for the darkest portion of their Journey
had ended. I Intended to take the first
Louisville freight boat, on which would
be few passengers except ourselves.
"Monday morning I went below to Bax
ter's landing, arranging- with Moore to
signal to him if all was right. I waited
a day or two at the landing for the
steamer. Finally a Louisville steamer
(the James Tucker) came along. She
was about what I wanted, eo I stepped
on board. When we arrived at the wood
yard Moore woe at the landing with the
negroes: he delivered them, ostentatious
ly taking my receipts, and we were off.
It was seldom that a party of negroes
were carried North, and I expected some
questions would be asked, but there vrere
none, so I kept quiet, volunteering no In
formation. I had arranged with Moore
that he should take the next passenger
steamer that came along, land at Cairo
and there make arrangements to escrete
our people (now numbering 13) until we
could deliver them to the agent. His
directions were to telegraph to Mr. Ent
wissle at New York.
"The next day the magnificent steamer
Uncle Sam passed us. She was a St.
Louis boat, but touched at Cairo. Moore
sat on deck, smoking serenely. As the
boat pasted, I saw him take out his
handkerchief and wipe his face. As about
all the passengers hailed us with some
badinage, he cried out, 'All right, old
fellow, I'll meet you at Cairo.
"No questions were asked me on board
tho steamer. There were few to ask
them, as we were tho only passengers.
I rcnoked and read most of the time until
we arrived at Cairo. It was 3 o'clock in
tho morning when we made fast alongside
tho wharf boat I quietly mustered my
party, walked ashore, chatted with the
captain a while, and told him that I should
take a St Louis steamer from there.
"Moore was waiting: with a covered
wagon. Irrto this he hurried the whole
part-. Jumped on the seat, and, taking
the reins, urged the hon?e at a rattling
rate through the black mud of the prairie
road. At 6 o'clock we brought up at
George Glllott's (Entwlssle's agent), to
whom Moore was ordered to report tWe
here found the most perfect arrange
ments. One hundred persons could have
been secreted so closely that the keenest
detectives would sc-.rch for them in vain.
"The house to built at the foot of a
long swell that rises so gradually from
the smooth level as to be unnoticed by
the casual observer. This swell Is cov
ered by a growth of oak. chestnut and
walnut trees that Gllliott had set out on
taking posfeslon of the claim.
"The hill Is excavated, and In It a room
20xG0. and at least eight feet high. Is con
structed, ventilated by an Ingenious ar
rangement of logs bored and so cut as to
represent hollow stumps, a very wise de
ception In case the woods were scru lnlzed
too c'csely. A pipe running under the
ground communicates with his kitchen
chimney, and the smoke from the chim
ney can attract no attention. The en
trance to this room Is through the kl'chen
wall, carefully hidden from observation.
There Is a mode of egress never used ex
cept In cases of emergency, and known
only to Glllott whereby the occupants
could escape at the rear of the cave. This
room was constructed at the expense of
the Anti-Slavery Society, who sent work
man from New York. Three months were
spent In its construction, the earth from
the excavation being: evenly distributed
along the road running past the house.
Glllott Informed me that he had at one
time a party of negroes concealed for
three weeks In that room.
"The bouse has been watched by the
Sheriffs; in fact Glllott Is always under
suspicion.
"At one time a negro was seen to enter
the house. Two days later the place was
searched by the Sheriffs. from Cairo,
aided by the owner of the negroes. Find-.
ing nothing they left; but their presence
had taught Glllott to be careful, and he
also watched. Two of their number
dropped out and concealed themselves
In the woods about the house.
"These two were never lost sight of,
cither Glllott or his men always shadow
ing them, until the last negro had been
smuggled away. Everything- went on
about the farm as usual; the slaves were
taken care of. Glllott has been searched
a number of times, but besides the furni
ture, nothing more suspicious than tho
bare walls of an Illinois kitchen ever re
warded the efforts of the Sheriffs. Tho
depot of the U. G. R. R. remains undis
covered. "Mr. Entwlssle was to have been here
AXD UP
before we arrived, but was delayed one
day. When he did come, and had seen
and talked with the refugees, he was evi
dently satisfied; he paid over the money
and congratulated me upon the successful
Issue of my scheme, but thought we had
both run a great risk. Well, so did L
"I laid my plans for Lucy's future be
fore Mrs. Glllott, and she recommended
that first I should place her In the hands
of a dressmaker, as, however becoming
her plantation wardrobe might be in my
eyes. It would attract undue attention at
a ladles' boarding school. Yielding to my
solicitations, Mrs. Glllott agreed to accom
pany us to Chicago and select a proper
outfit I bade a long farewe 1 to the rest
of the party, leaving them with Glllott,
upon whom all responsibility now rested,
and started the next day with Lucy und
Mrs. Glllott for Chicago. Lucy was, by
the way, arrayed In a very becoming suit
belonging to that lady. We did not ven
ture to take the train at Cairo, but rode to
a station 20 miles beyond. Mr. Glllott
drove us over, and we arrived an hour be
fore train time.
As the train drew near I felt apprehens
ive that there might be some United States
officer aboard who would suspect us. but
if such a person was on board, we did not
attract his notice, and sank Into the car
seat unnoticed as the otner .passengers.
"Mrs. Glllott entered first, Lucy fo'
lowed, I brought up the rear, clutching
the butt of my six-shooter, and seating
myself behind the two women. Lucy,
who saw a railroad for tho first time,
showed no signs of curiosity, earnestly
gazing at the scenery as we rolled along.
"We arrived In Chicago without mis
hap, remained there for a week, and when
I left for Boston. I was accompanied by
a lady arrayed In one of the most fash
ionable traveling suits in vogue, and whose
wardrobe, besides numerous travcl'ng
bars, filled one of the largest trunks that
Chicago could produce.
"We arrived In Boston, saw Bunker
Hill and heard Wendell Phillips lecture,
whereupon I made up my mind that 1
was the better abolitionist of the two. I
placed Lucy at school In Andover, and
am now here for the next move."
CHAPTER XIII.
We were well satisfied with our first
venture, and determined to make another.
The excitement arising from the escape
of Coverly's negroes had abated and was
almost forgotten by the time George got
back home. It was rarely spoken of; peo
ple generally came to the conclusion that
the runaways had perished In the swamps.
No man puspected, as we moved among
our neighbors, that their companions and
friends were two paid and accredited
agents of the Under Ground Railroad.
Lucy was free and George was happy;
he was a silent man, seldom mentioning
her name, and I asked no questions re
garding her; I knew he wrote "her long
letters under cover of some person in
Philadelphia; she never wrote to him in
reply.
Business was good with us; we had the
confidence of the surrounding population,
and dealt heavily In cotton; sugar we
seldom meddled with.
It was my turn to take the next lot to
the North; George had arranged with Ma
son to be at the rendezvous the 31st of
August and had written Moore to start
Obed along.
We grew bolder as time passed, and we
remained unsuspected. Night after nlgnt
when buslnens was over we discussed
ways and means. Another expedition by
the waterways back of the levees was
impracticable; the water was too low. It
fact, many of the little cut-offs and
streams we had used were now dry.
It was our Intention to take a large
number and try a different route. Like
most speculators, we grew bolder with
success.
Brashcar City Is situated at the mouth
of the Atchafalaya River, and was the
western terminus of the New Orleans &
Oppelousas Railroad. This road connect
ed with a line of steamers for Galveston
and Western Texas. The president of the
road had been North during the Summer,
and purchased a lot of iron and other
railroad material. I do not remember the
quantity, but the cargo was to be dis
charged at Brashear City. An extension
of thin road was in process of construc
tion along the west bank of the Teche
toward Oppelousas. The information with
regard to this case we obtained from
some Maine men who had charge of the
grading. This cargo was awaiting ship
ment in New York. There was at the
time, engaged in the New York and West
India, trade, a brig called the Millard
Fillmore, hailing from the Island of Santa
Cruz. The captain I had known In the
days of "auld Iang- syne." but of this'
fact Wesner was Ignorant I had met
him at Barracoon, on the African coast,
an, had seen him or the deck of a slaver.
I wrote to Mr. Entwlssle about the brig.
By a curious coincidence, some of the
active members of the anti-slavery so
ciety In New York owned an interest in
this vessel.
Mr. Entwlssle. having a thorough un
derstanding with the captain, immedi
ately chartered her, promising a return
cargo of cotton and sugar. I received the
following letter from him:
"New York, Aug. I, 1S55. Messrs, Brad
ley & Wesner: Yours received. I have
chartered the brig Millard Fillmore for
Berwlcks Bay and return. The captain Is
fully Informed In regard to the voyage,
and I have left all preparations with him.
She will sail about the 11th, and it wilt
take 20 or 30 days for the voyage. Yours
respectfully? S. ENTW1SSLE."
We immediately made arrangements for
our return cargo of cotton and sugar; this"
was easily done. Next for tho livestock;
that was a more serious matter, and far
from easy. The Fillmore was to receive
her return cargo at Franklin, 30 miles
from Brash ear. Plantations lined the
banks of the bayou Teche from Franklin
to New Iberia, and the stream was
spanned by a number of bridges. Upon
the cast side, opposite, and a short dis
tance below where the brig would lay,
we formed a shelter suitable for our pur
pose, should we be obliged to keep many
people for a day or two.
We supposed the brig would be searched.
That search rust be made after the
slaves were missed, but before they were
on board the Fillmore; therefore they
must be concealed while It was going on.
This undertaking was very dangerous,
but our love of adventure was aroused,
and there were large gains In prospect
Before any move was made we must
select some place for a rendezvous not
THE BAYOU WE WENT, "YV AltlLY WATCHING.
so far from the brig but that the distance
could be passed between 10 o'clock at
night and S the next morning; It ought
not to be more than 15 miles distant
The movement fully decided upon, there
was no procrastination. Firs-t we visited
our rendezvous. Everything was as
George had left It
The month of August is usually hot in
j the Attakapas country. This year was
no exception. In the swamp the vegeta
tion fairly steamed with miasma. No
person, except It be a negro, could live
there for a week, and we were really
afraid It would affect them. Each morn
ing a thick, heavy fog crept over the
treetops. wrapping them in a blanket of
chilly dampness. One could almost see
fever and .ague, like buzzards, roosting
on the limbs.
We could not hesitate our quota for
tho Fillmore must be forthcoming. The
Insanity of success was pushing us on.
We cared little for obstacles. Coverly
had replenished his stock. I wished to
pass him by, but George, who hated him
bitterly, would not listen to me. He said
Coverly was no Jew, but he would exam
ine his door posts, and unless he saw
traces of the angel's visit he should not
keep the feast of the Passover, with his
consent
Raymond's was another isolated planta
tion. Him we assessed for as many as
possible.
About 80 miles from our place lived two
brothers by the name of Wells. These
twp men owned 300 negroes, and were
hard masters. We concluded to draw on
them for the rest, for as many as might
be. How could we do this and not be sus
pected? Easily, for it only required a lit
tle shrewdness and some nerve, perhaps
pluck would be the better word. Tne
work must be done and the darkles spir
ited away before the brig was at Frank
lin. CHAPTER Xrvr.
One morning before daylight, disguised
as a French peddler, I stepped briskly
from Bradley & Wesners store. The ped
dler's beard was long and tinged with
gray. His hair was the same. One leg
was slightly bent and he walked with a
decided limp. On- his back he bore one of
those nondescript packs, so often carried
by the peddlers with which the Southwest
was Infested in those daya. In the pack
were needles and pins, ribbons and laces,
shawls, combs and all sorts of knick
knacks for the negro' trade, for, poor and
wretched as they were, they always pos
sessed a few dlmeo to spend for finery.
Most masters allowed their help to keep
a few hens, and from the sale of the eggs
and chickens, quite a sum could be raised
by the more provident. Some masters
gave out a certain stint, as it was called,
and paid for overwork. This stint was
usually a good day's work, and was only a
saving of an overseer's wages to the mas
ter. My disguise was perfect My eyebrows
were colored. My hair artistically dyed,
wrinkles In my cheeks and Indeed
throughout I would have been an honor
to the detective service, -If disguise were
all one needed to make a first-class detec
tive. I was perfect in the patois of the
country (a species of nondescript French,
caled Acadian). In pure French I was
an adept and was also au fait In the ne
gro slang that had been Incorporated in
both forms of French as well as in the
English language.
These acquirements I used to the best
of my ability in our business, but as a
general thing that was conducted in Eng
lish. If a Frenchman came along who could
not understand English, I gave him
French for his French; these accomplish
ments would be of great value to me, and
I had no doubt of my success as a ped
dler. I could also converse- in at least
three of the negro dialects used on' the
West Coast of Africa, a knowledge which
I had acquired during my residence there,
a fact of which George Wesner was en
tirely ignorant
1" walked slowly along the road toward
Raymond's. Now and then I would meet
with a horseman Jogging along on his
pony. Most of them I knew. These usual
ly passed me with an Indifferent stare.
The pack was heavy, the day was hot
and the road dusty. The sweat stood In
drops on my face, and my Inclination to
rest I frequently gratified.
Toward noon I met a gentleman of my
acquaintance with whom I was quite in
timate. Now, I thought, would be a good
opportunity to' teat the efficacy of my
disguise.
I halted beside the road and importuned
him to buy some of my goods. No, be
didn't want anything. Z was persistent;
and finally sold him a case containing- a
couple of double razors and a patent hone,
warranted to' put a razor edge on a case
knife Of the user possessed the requisite
skill and patience; I did not).
I had tried my disguise and was satis
fled:
That afternoon I was lucky enough to
get a lift on a team for five or six miles.
This diversion rested me and, about 5
o'clock, I turned oft the main road, tak
ing the road across the prairie toward
Raymond's.
Raymond was a. Boston man and had
come into, possession of this estate a few
years before. He was perhaps a little
egotistical and had boasted that he could
show the Acadlans how to run a planta
tion and make sugar, and he did show
them, going at It with an energy that
dazed the easy-going natives. From the
home place his land stretched for a mile
each way. On this home Raymond had
displayed a skill and taste that astonished
the people In this section of Attakapas.
He had Inclosed about six acres of the roll
ing prairie, surrounding It with a fence
of close paling six feet or more in he'ght
whitewashed to a dazzling whiteness.
Within tho ground was 'plowed and rolled
as smooth as a lawn. Across the lnclos
ure ran a broad driveway; on the left ex
tending from this, was another, perhaps
25 feet In width, which led to the mansion
house. These walks were covered with
gravel: the broad-leaved china, trees grew
In luxuriance along the side of the main
driveway, while rows of orange and lemon
trees were planted beside the beds of
coleus, variegated geraniums and other
beautiful plants, that never ceased to
hloom In our mild climate. The whole
place bore evidence of refinement and
prosperity.
The mansion-house was a. large two
storied structure, high In the walls and
very airy. On two sides ran a piazza.
A broad hall extended entirely through
the house from side to side, through
whose open doors the Summer breeze,
fresh from the prairie, cooled .the sultry
air.
A short distance from the main house
stood that of the overseer; this was
smaller, but constructed after the same
pattern. The chimneys, like those of
moat Southern houses, were outside. The
roofs of the plazsaa and the houses also
were painted a brick red.
On the right of the entrance leading to
them were the negro quarters, situated
upon either side of a wide street The
buildings were small, one-story cottages
of two rooms. These also had the con
ventlonal piazza and a lean-to or flat
roofed porch; attached to each was a small
kitchen garden, a few rods square. Be
yond the buildings were the orchards and
vineyards, intersected by narrow, grav
el el walks.
For Irrigating, Raymond had.Eunk two
deep wells,' using for pumping purposes a
windmill of his own construction; this
was visible for miles, and was a guldo to
Raymond's.
This afternoon I was tired and not sorry
when the attending negro swung open tho
big red gates and I had passed through.
Hearing 'that Raymond was in New Or
leans, I passed directly to the overseer's
house; he was in the fields, but his wife
was at home, and In this" Isolated place
even a peddler was welcome.
The crock of water hung suspended from
the ceiling of the piazza, swathed In a
wet cloth to keep its contents cool.
Asking hertor a drink of water, i opened
my pack and displayed my wares.
She loved to talk, and I led the conver
sation shaping my questions so as to lead
her to talk about the field hands. She.
as well as her husband, whose name was
Everett James, were both from Massa
chusetts. Mrs. James disliked negroes, and those
on this plantation she most cordially
hated. We were busily engaged In con
versation when her husband entered. I
made arrangements for my supper and
lodging with him, and what was of more
Importanc to me, obtained permission
to trade with the negroes, some of whom
I had learned from Mrs.. James were very
much dissatisfied.
Bob was lazy, Jo sick, Dick ugly, and
so on. Dave was the worst and though
often whipped, would never give up.
"In short." said Mrs. James, "I believe
he Is an oboe man."
An oboe man. In negro belief, is a cir
cles of sorcerer or wizard. The poor class
of whites, and. Indeed, many quite intelli
gent planters, are believers In the super
natural powers of the oboe man.
"What Is that power? Truth to tell.
I almost believe In It myself. In those
days I would have hesitated before offend
ing an oboe man. Call It mesmerism or
hypnotism, if you will. It cannot be de
nied that the weird, uncanny power that
rules men's minds, that leads them to
loathe, fear, and obey, is possessed by the
oboe man.
Ignorance Is easily Influenced by fear of
the supernatural. I know many over
seers who dare not strike an oboe man,
for fear that the curse of a withered arm
will be laid upon him.
I once knew a gentleman, on able man,
liberally educated; very Intelligent and
an eloquent preacher of the gospel In
St, !:: Georgia. Yet with the advan
taged of his education and reading to
combat its Influence, he firmly believed in
the oboe man, and feared his power. What
wonder that the negro feared him!
Of course this reputation gave Dave con
tinual control over his credulous coun
trymen. Night came and the tired hands came
straggling home from the fields. It was
noised about that a peddler was at the
overseer's house, and after supper they
came, bringing their little hoards of
bits, picayunes and quarters to exchango
for rings, combs, ribbons and all the lit
tle etceteras of a peddler's stock the
cheap finery so dear to the negro's heart
Closely I watched the oboe man came
not Him I bad decided to venture with.
It was late when he joined the throng.
A born African, he. had not forgotten
his native tongue, nor had he forgotten
that he was not always a slave. Digni
fied and haughty as when he threw bis
spear or wielded his warclub In the wilds
of the Congo forests, and Indifferent as
he appeared. I was sure that his negro
curiosity would bring him -to me, although
he 'seemed not to notice my presence.
Among my wares were some music
boxes. One of these I set to work; the
attraction was too strong for his Afri
can highness, and he- croVded his way
toward aae. Biding my time. I watched
him. When a attention was absorbed,
I dropped.'' one sentence in the language
of hte tribe. It was the rallying cry of
the slave hunter on the West Coast He
turned-to me. "Speak again, white man,"
he said; "It's many years since I heard
that tongue."
"Hush!" I said; "meet me at midnight
in the old glnhouse."
"Yes," answered be.
No more was said. At midnight there
were hidden in that deserted building the
French peddler and Dave, the oboe man.
Friends he bad rone. Once a leader of
men. now a slave, there was no craven
blood of a captive people In his veins. A
few words Irt hla native language were
sufficient to unloose his tongue, and In that
monotonous tone that marks the spirit
broken man be narrated his past history,
unfolding the hopes and miseries of a
lifetime of slavery. That night when we
separated ho had the feeling that he
was a free man, and with his terrible Con
go oath, agreed to be at the forks of the
road one week from that night, with 20 of
Raymond's men and as many from the
neighboring plantations as could be In
duced to go.
In all our talking we had used nothing
but West Coast dialect and If overheard
It would make no difference, for not a
man In the pariah could understand a
word. After the interview I stole back
to bed at the overseer's and did not wake
unfl breakfast time. I feigned sick and
unable to walk until about 2 P. M.. when
I took the road back, traveled until dark,
pitched the balance of my wares Into the
slough, and mado my way to the store,
elated and very much excited. George
laughed at me, took the cart and went
back to the slough, fished out the pack,
burned wtrat was left and scattered the
ashes, for, said he: "If any of these
things are found near or 1n our store the
people will move the earth to find that
French peddler, and. If found, It will be
very bad for that peddler."
"To this I agreed.
"Now Brad," said George, "you are In
charge, what Is the next move?"
"Don't ask me, George; you have had
experience. Suppose you take charge."
"No, I will be Lieutenant By and by
you will be jealous, and say to yourself,
'George Wesner is running this concern.
I want you to take this on your hands.
I will be free enough with advice, only
you lead off."
"Well," I replied, "let's wait until one
week from tonight That will bring It
to Tuesday evening. Look at tho alma
nac and see If there is a moon."
"No yes, moon sets ten minutes past
10 P. M.." said George, after diligently
consulting our almanac.
"That's fine; by 12 It will be dark, at 2
we will be there, and by 3 we will be a
mile In the swamp. Let's go to bed on
that"
The next morning we were up betimes.
and when the first customer straggled
along were ready for him. The week
wore away as fast as weeks usually do,
and Tuesday, the eventful night, came at
last, as It happened, cloudy but pleaeant
At 10 o'clock George, as a negro, and my
self, os a peddler, were lying under a live
oak shaded by tho long festoons of Span
ish moss and closely hidden from view.
This friendly tree was near the road, and
at no great distance from the forks. .
Dave's Instructions were to strike di
rectly toward New Iberia acros3 the prai
rie, and stop under the trees before reach
ing the main bayou road, keeping as far
as possible from the main road. The
bayou road was but little used, and the
road to Raymonda scarcely any. The
main road to Opelousas might have some
belated travelers, but there was a large
up-country travel, and persons often trav
eled by night to avoid the hot sun. Dave
and hla party must come out of the Cover
ly road (which was not much better than
a cart track) quite near our place of con
cealment and, as the trees were some
distance apart, we could see them.
(To be continued.)
Causes Sentries to Go Marl.
Peering into darkness or semi-darkness
while on sentry duty has a tendency to
produce a distortion of the vision, which
makes of every bush' an enemy, and this
has In many cases, even so recently as the
Soudan campaigns, so affected the nerves
of men that they have had a resulting
monomania as to eternally seeing various
creeping objects.
One man in the Soudan, says the Phila
delphia Inquirer, saw every object of a
vivid crimson for some months after being
on outpost duty during an alarm, and he
was only cured with great difficulty. Gen
eral Hamley tells of sentries who, on be
ing relieved, yet stood stock still. Immov
able, speechless and staring fixedly Into
vacancy. In some, cases, after the man
had been removed, this sort of fixity
would remain for hours.
Great numbers of soldiers In war time
have committed suicide or accidentally
shot themselves, the cause often being
that they Imagined they had lot some one
creep past them, and had thus betrayed
their trust
All the Elements of Success.
"Your poem used? I should say not"
answered the editor.
"Would you give me a criticism, of it?"
"Certainly. It's clumsy and vulgar, and
unspeakably Idiotic."
"Good!"
"Good?"
"Yes; set it to music, and it will be
come a popular song." Philadelphia In
quirer. The real rough,
rider is the man
who rides the river
frith a twisting;,
squirming log for
a saddle, on which
he stands, balanc
ing himself to its
every motion. .If
his coolness fails
or his nerve gives
way, disaster and
death reach oat
for him.
It's the giving
way of the
nerve " which
proves fatal to so
many a man. Per
haps he is simply
crossing the street,
as he has done ten
thousand times. He hears a shout, stops,
hesitates, gets " rattled " and is run over.
"When a man finds that his memory plays
.him false often, when he starts oft to get
something and forgets what he went for,
when lie knows he has locked the front
door and yet an irritating uncertainty
compels him to get up and verify ma
knowledge, then that man is in dan
ger at any minute when confronted by a
trifling danger. He is unnerved.
This condition can be perfectly cured
by the use of Dr. Pierce's Golden Med
ical Discovery. It strengthens the stom
ach, nourishes the nerves, and purifies
the blood. It contains no alcohol,
whisky or other intoxicant.
" The reason I delayed writing was because I
wasted to wait one year after I had taken the
medicine before giving my statement, and now
I can tend a good, conscientious testimonial,"
writes Chas. H. Serjeant Esq.. of Plain City.
Madison Co.. Ohio. " During the summer ana
fall of 1S96 I became all "run down." nerves
were oat of order and stomach out of order I
wrote to Dr. Pierce for advice. He said I had
general debility, and advised Dr. Pierce's Golden
Medical Discovery, and. thanks to you for your
advice, I used six bottles; and since I stopped
taking it about one year ago. I have not taken
any medicine of anv kind, and kavt teen able to
toorJk every dajr. My appetite is good, 1 can eat
tiree square meal a day. I do not feel that
miserable barain in the stomach after eating,
aad my blood and nerves are ia good shape."
Dr. Pierce's Pellets cure biliousness.
-. fi PW555
THE PALATIAL
OKBOUI BOW
Sot a darlc office la the bnUdlas;i
olutely fireproof electric Usnta
aad artealan water; perfect aaalta
tion aad thorough ventilation. Ele.
vatars ran day and alsht.
Rocroa.
ANDERSON. GUSTAV. Attorney-at-Law.. 613
ASSOCIATED TW!TRt!- T? T. Vnw.n -r MWm
AUSTEN". 5". C. Manager for Oregon and
Washington Bankers Life Association, of
Des Moines. Ia . C02-503
BANKERS' LIFE ASSOCIATION. OF DE3
MOINES. IA.;F. C Austen. Manager..502-503
BEALS. EDWARD A., Forecast Official TJ.
S. "VVeather Bureau Bio
BENJAMIN. R W.. Dentist 314 1
BINSWANGER. DR. O. S.. Phys. 4 Sur.410-4U
BROOKE. OR. J. M.. Phys. Sc Surg 703-709
BROWN. MYRA. M. D S13-3H
BRUERE. DR. G. E.. Physician 412-113-414
BUSTEED. RICHARD. Agent -Wilson & Mc-
Callay Tobacco Co. .... 602-603
CAUKIX, G. E.. District Agent Travelers'
Insurance Co. .. ... T1S
CARDWELL. DR. J. R 5041
CARROLL. W. T.. Special Asent Mutual
Reserve Fund Life Ass'n 604
COLUMBIA TELEPHONE COMPANT
G04-605-60a-6O7-613-614-613
CORNELIUS. C. W.. Phys. and Surseon 20
COVER. F. C.. Cashier Equitable Life 304
COLLIER. P. F.. Publisher; S. P. McGulre,
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DAT. J. G. & L N. 31S
WAVIS. NAPOLEON. President Columbia
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DICKSON. DR. J. F.. Physician 713-714
DRAKE. DR. H. B.. Physician 512-513-314
DWTER. JOE. F.. Tobaccos 403
EDITORIAL ROOMS Eighth Hoes
EQUITABLE LIFEASSURANCE SOCIETY:
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EVENING TELEGRAM 325 Alder street
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FENTON. DR. HICKS C Eye and Ear 311
FENTON. MATTHEW F.. Dentist 6C9
FIDELITY MUTUAL LIFE ASSOCIATION;
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GALVANI. W. H.. Engineer and Draughta-
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GAVTN, A.. President Oregon Camera Club.
214-213-216-21T
GEARY. DR. EDWARD P.. Physician and
Suoceon 212-213
GIESY, A. J.. Physician and Surgeon.. .700-710
GODDARD. E. C &- CO.. Footwear........
Ground floor. 120 Sixth street
GOLDMAN. WILLIAM. Manager Manhattan
Life Insurance Co. of New York 209-219
GRANT. FRANK S.. Attorney-at-Law 61T
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HAMMOND. A. B ..318!
HEIDINGER. GEO. A. & CO.. Ptanos and
Organs 131 Sixth street
HOLLISTER. DR. O. C. Phys. & Sur. .504-503 i
IDLEMAN. a M.. Attorney-at-Law.. 416-17-13
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KADY. MARK T.. Supervisor of Agents
Mutual Reserve Fund Life Asa'n 604-603
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eral Manager Columbia Telephone Co... ..004
LITTLEFIELD. H. R.. Phys. and Surgeon. .209
MACRUM. W. S.. Sec Oregon Camera Club.214
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McFADEN. MISS IDA E., Stenographer 201
McGINN. HENRY E.. Attorney-at-Law.311-3'3
McKELL. T. J.. Manufacturers' Representa
tive 303
METT. HENRY 218
MILLER. DR. HERBERT C. Dentist and
Oral Surgeon 608-608
MOSSMAN. DR. E. P.. Dentist 312-313-314
MANHATTAN LIFE INSURANCE CO.. of
New York: W. Goldman. Manager.... 2C0-31Q
MUTUAL RESERVE FUND LIFE ASS'N;
Mark T. Kady. Supervisor of Agents.. 604-603
Mcelroy, dr. j. 0.. Phys. & sur.701-702-703
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Telephone Co. 60
McGUIRE. S. P.. Manager P. F. Collier.
Publisher 415-414
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and Farming Lands a Specialty 704
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York; Wm. S. Pond. State Mgr. .404-405-404
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OREGON INFIRMARY OF OSTEOPATHY:
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PORTLAND MINING & TRUST CO.; J. H.
Marshall. Manager 319
QUIMBY. L. P. W.. Game and Forestry
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fn
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