The Sunday Oregonian., June 24, 1900, PART THREE, Page 30, Image 30

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THE SUNDAY OBEGONIAtf, JPO.BTLAN0, JUNE M, .1900.
n
Synopula of Preceding- Chapter.
(Copyright, 1900. by F. A. Cummlngs.)
Five years before the outbreak of the Civil
War, love of adventure, hatred of slavery and
the desire to help my friend. George Wesner.
led me. 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. He discovered facts -which proved J
that Lucy was -white and of good family. A j
secret love match followed, -which progressed
well until Coverley propose to sell Lucy to
his son. and refused to sell her to anyone else.
Wesner became desperate. I agreed to halp
him steal Lucy, -and -went to New Tork to ar
range with the anti-slavery society for the
care of any slave we could bring North. "We
arranged our end of the underground railway,
with my woodyard, several miles up the river,
as the main station and hiding-place. At homo
we set up a general merchandise store to avoid
suspicion. Wesner makes the first venture, and
starts North with 10 of Cover-ley's slaves. In
cluding Lucy. The venture Is successful. Wes
ner delivers the slaies to the agents In New
Tork, and places Lucy In school at Andover.
I take charge of the second raid. DlsguUcd as
a peddler, I see and arrange with some of the
Raymond negroes for their escape. Dave, their
leader, gathers TO slaves together, and after
great trouble and many narrow escapes -we ship
them North by sea along with a cargo of cot
ton. Our total profits on the cargo are $0000.
In the following Spring we plan a third ven
ture, .and the Lanman plantation Is our first
objective. We collect another lot at the ren
dezvous, and Wesner takes them north to Cairo
over the old route. Lucy Is recognized by a
Southerner In Massachusetts, and Is betrayed.
Meantime Pierce, a friend of Wesner's. hears
of the warrant for Lucy's arrest, and he starts
out to warn her. Pierce and Lucy are over
taken, and the Sheriff. Gregg, starts back to
Louisiana with Lucy by train. Pierce tele
graphs the agent at Cairo. Wesner Is there,
and, aided by the Cromwells. he boards tho
train at a station a few miles north, and res
cues Lucy. Wesner puts Lucy among friends,
and then starts back to Attakapas. On the
bteamer he dlcoers two blave stealers, and
later rescues a band of their vMlms. He takes
the slaves to Canada. Meantime, I send eij,ht
slaves North by th old route. I go to Shreve
port to do some sur eying and detective work.
Wesner comes to see me, and barely escapes
detection by the Sheriff, Gregg. At the sug
gestion of Wesner, Pierce opens up negotla
tlations for the purchase of Lucy. We make
our last venture oy taking the slaves who have
collected at the rendezvous across the coun
try, where -ne hope to put them safely on a
steamer going north.
CHAPTER XXXIIL
"We kept a sharp lookout and set forth,
decermined to make the distance in one
day.
At noon we halted, made coffee, ate
our dinner, rested and chatted awhile,
and with renewed zeal resumed " our
journey, heading well toward the eouth
west. Wesner and myself were mounted,
"Wesner leading the pack horse. The
prairie was spotted with cattle feeding
singly and in groups, making It diflicuit
to distinguish at a distance mounted men
as such.
Mason, whose sharp jeyes -were ever on
the alert, soon called to Weener, that
away toward vhe west and norch, of our
course were mounted horsemen. Wesner
brought his Ileldg.ass to bear and could
plainly distinguish them riding diagonally
toward us. Judging from their move
ments they had not yet seen us, but their
course was nearly across ours, unese they
hhould change. We were now upward of
75 miles from the Teche and had no fear
from that direction. For emergencies we
had prov.dtd chains and shackies. These,
"Wesner now produced and shackled to
gether two of the ugliest looking darkles
in the crowd.
This was to give a more realistic con
firmation to our proposed story that we
were' slave traders.
"Now boys," raid he, "keep cool and
If one of you understands a -word of
Acadian, don't show it. It Is not likely
anj questions will be asked you. Don't
answer if they are."
Wesner and myself carried at our belts
caliber 44 Colt's revolvers and slung at
our saddles rillcs of the same make. Obed
had brought his rifle, but he had taken
It to pieces. The barrel he carried over
his shoulder, having Ingeniously hollowed
out and filled an oak limb over It. Upon
this limb he had slung his bundle. Both
he and Mason had pistols but they were
hidden from view. The others haa noth
ing but their bundles slung over their
shoulders. An arsenal would have been
of no use to them, for they had been
slaves too long to raise their hands tow
ard a white man. "We were 27 all told 16
men. Including Wesner and myself, with
II women and girls. Xegro women cou d
usually endure as much hardship as the
men, but this lot included mulattos, and
mulattoes are not as hardy as the ordin
ary negroes and do not thrive so well
under exposure.
In the course of 15 minutes we could
make out quite distinctly the forms of
both men and horcs. When first seen
they were riding leisurely, but upon
descrying our party had Increased their
speed and were fast nearlng us. The
nearer they came, the less we liked
their looks. They were well mounted
upon wiry Texas mustangs, and re
sembled Mexican rancheros. rather than
natives of the states. At the pommel of
each Mexican saddle was colled a horse
hair lariat, bdt that was nothing uncom
mon for a Texas herder.
Wesner called to me: "Watch them.
I think they are cattle thieves and will
want the negroee."
They were now close by. and, slowing
up. they walked their horses close to the
negroet. scrutinizing them as they passed
along, for we had cautioned them to kap
moving. Wesner and myself halted. There
were five men. The leader of the gang
was apparently 4u years of age and of
gentlemanly appearance. He bpoke very
pleasantly, inquiring where we were go
ing. I replied that we had purchased
these negroes In New Orleans and were
on our way to Texas, nnd a market; that
we lived about four miles from Houston,
and that Shultz (a well-known negro trad
er there) was Interested In them.
TMs story was straight enough, al
though this was not exactly the
route a sane man with a lot of
negroes for the Texas market
would pursue, especially If he wished
to market them In good condition, but It
was the best etory for the occasion, and
really It was none of their business. Re
garding themselves, they voucteafed no
Information except that they were ranch
men looking for "mavericks." and eagerly
raqulredi If there were many cattle to the
north of us, how far It we to the nearest
ranch, and if we had seen many herders.
The questions showing them to be stran
crrs, I asked the leader if they were not
am west of the Sabine. He replied that
ly were, turned his horse and followed
the rest rode off waving their hands
in cf a po-d-by. In a few minutes
!ea called to me and I rode alone
fcMm.
:n. ' said he. "that Janey (Indl-
or tse women) says she knows
men are and lias seen them
kt Inquired, "do you know who
tre"
lie cf them, massa."
leT"
ie, on the sorrel horse, that
spoke to JIaesa "Williams. I seen him in
Texas." .
"Who is it?"
"That feller, Massa. Captain, is Bert
Morrill for sure. I know him Just the
fust mlnlt my eyes seed him. He color
hls'n whisker black, and him got on
black wig to hide the red hair. I know
his voice and his eyes."
"What does he do. JaneyT"
"Him steal cattle, steal niggers, robj
bank, burn cotton gin, murder, anything
to get money. He awful devil, awful!
Masta Capen, dey all be back after dark
and kill the white men and steal de nig
gers." "Well, Charlie, this is consoling lrrfor-,
mation," w Wesner's comment. "We
shall undouSdly be obliged to fight
these land pirates. This Morrill I know
by reputation. He was a terror around
Austini for four or five years, but I bad
no idea of seeing him and his gentry
east of the Teches. They must have
been hard pressed by the Sheriff and
lied the state. Lucky for us, we know
who they are. I don't like this open
prairie. These devils are well mounted,
and can ride around and pick you and me
off at a long distance. The negroes they
want alive, and won't kill more than Is
necessary to enable them to capture
and hold the rest. There is $10,000 for
them right here. Tell Obed to harness
up his gun. She'll shoot a mile to kill.
Meantime we will keep on toward the
timber, and if we sight them coming, we
will look for an old buffalo wallow and
make our stand there."
These wallows were hollows supposed
to have been made by buffaloes when
they were plenty and pastured as far
south as Louisiana. They usually had
water in some spot, and, being below
the surface of the surrounding pralr.e,
made a very decent protection from shot
If a person lay flat and under the high
edge.
We were within three miles of the tim
ber, and the afternoon was pretty well
along when Wesner, with the aid of his
glass, sighted the gang returning. We
had just crossed a wallow, and were not
a fourth of a mile beyond It. We turned
back on the run, and as every negro knew
his liberty was at stake, there was some
smart hoisting of plantation shoes. One
of them said they ran so fast "they
stepped on their own heels." ,
We reached the shelter, and found it
a very good protection from the bullets
should- they fire -upon us.
Morrill and his men were yet some dis
tance from us, but were approaching, com
ing at a hard gallop.
We placed those who were unarmed in
the most secure place. ,
"Now, lay low," said Wesner, "and
don't one of you show so much as a
kink of wool, for I think lead will fly be
fore these men are done with us. Obed,
come here with your rifle, for I shall or
der those men to halt before they get
near enough to ride us down. If they
won't, we will kill every one of them. I
know you are a good shot, for you were
with me at "White River. Morrill may
ride toward me to talk. If he does, keep
him covered with your rifle, and watch
him. The minute he attempts to bring
his piece to his face, do you fire. I am
willing to take one chance, for I want
them to fire first. Remember, I trust
you."
Wesner took his rifle, "and when the
approaching- party were within rifle-shot,
stepped upon the edge of the wallow, ad
vanced a step and ordered them to halt.
Their bridles, were tightened, and with
their powerful Mexican bits they brought
their horses to a dead stop.
"Morrill," cried Wesner. "I know you.
another foot and your a dead man. I
don't propose to let you murder me,
nor steal my negroes. Now go, for I have
the drop on you, and shall use It!"
Morrill hesitated a moment, made no
reply, but wheeled his mustang, and,
followed by the gang, rode off at a swift
trot. When about 503 yards from our
position, they wheeled again, facing us.
Instantly one of Morrill's men raised his
rifle and fired. The report was answered
by a shriek from the left of our line, fol
lowed by that most mournful of all hu
man sounds, the wall of the negro for
their dead. The lamentation of the Irish
people has no comparison In intense
pathos to this hopeless wall of the
southern slave. The sound rose and fell
like the slghlnjr of the wind. Katie was
killed. The dismal cry ran through the
Hnes. Poor girl! She had given way to
her curiosity and risen to watch the Mor
rill gang as they rode away, and was shot
at sighL The sharp crack of Obed's ri
fle mingled with the cries of terror-
stricken negroes. He fired the Instant
Katie fell.
His aim was upon Morrill, who reeled
in his saddle. He was evidently hit hard,
but Instantly rallied.
I had been lying flat on my face, await
ing Wesner's orders, but at the first shot
from the Morrill pang. I fired with -an
unsteady aim and mlsied my man. Mor
rill, still sitting erect in his saddle, turned
and, followed by his men, rode back be
yond the range of our fire. Our rifles
were of considerably longer range than
theirs, and this contributed to our suc
cess in a marked degree. Grouped to
gether they consulted a few moments,
separated, and at a long distance from
each other, came toward us like the wind.
Morrill leading and every man yelling,
to distract our attention. "When within
four or five hundred yards, each man
threw himself upon the opposite side of
nls horse, and. describing a circle about
us. they commenced a rapid fire, shooting
from under their horses' necks. The air
was full of whistling lead. Obed was
struck In the arm. Wesner received a
slight wound In the head, which con
fused him for a moment. The negroes
except Obed and Mason, lay perfectly
"Shoot Morrill's horse," cried "Wesner.
"Don't let them narrow in upon us. You
may m!as the men."
The advice was good. A ball from my
Colts rifle pierced his breast and the
beast fell dead upon the prairie, pinning
Morrill beneath him. Upon Morrill's fall
the gang rode toward us and opened with
their pistols, but the range was too long
for execution, and we had already taken
a secure place In the wallow protected
from their shots. Wesner now opened on
them with his repeater and Katie's mur
derer fell by a shot from Obed's rifle.
The survivors perceived that It was
perfect madness to continue the fight, and
as another riderless horse rushed over
the prairie the remaining horsemen fled.
The horse ridden by Katie's murderer
ran a few rod6 and then returned to his
dead master's side.
During the few minutes that this af
fair lasted we were firing as fast as wo
could take aim, but as their horses were
urged to a wild run, the time short and
our aim necessarily hurrld and faulty,
we did not accomplish all we tried for.
But Morrill and three of his followers,
fatally wounded, lay upon the ground
and awaited our coming, and the two
who escaped I do not think were scath
less. We sent a few useless shots afteT
them, as they rode toward the line where
the blue sky rut the distant prairie.
Katie was dead. She was a bright,
smart girl, perhaps IS or 20 years of
age, and could read and write. Her whole
being wm imbued with the Idea of frce-
dom. "When sick In the swamp, she had
, no fear cf death. Then she would be free,
"If I .can only get north," she had once
'said to me, "I can earn enough In one
, year to buy mother-she Is ailing, and all
. massa asks for her Is $300."
With saddened hearts the colored peo
ple had gathered around the body of the
dead girl. Their tears were falling fast.
"We must not stop here," I said. "Let I
us go and see how Morrill fares."
Before moving from our position, wo
loaded the empty chambers of our rifles,
and then slowly approached the spot
where the dead and wounded lay.
The man who shot Katie lay nearest
us. Obed's bullet had sone through his
neck. He was dead. Morrill was the next.
He and his horse were dead, Morrill be-!
in crushed beneath. The last man who
fell was alive when we came to him, but
died in a few mlnutea
He gave us the names of the others
and his own, but for obvious reasons I i
will omit them. The other two we never '
"BOYS,"
heard from. This Is the true version ot
the death of Bert Morrill, and the break
ing up of his band, October IS, 1S59. All
other stories, some of which I have heard,
are. false, one In particular, that he be
came a Colonel In the Confederate service,
and after performing deeds of valor, was
killed at ShIIoh. Another, that he es
caped to Texas, with Klrby Smith, and
was seen after the war at Chihuahua,
Mexico, Is sheer fabrication.
Morrill and Maxwell were both shot
dead by the negro Obed, October 18, 1S59,
and the writer of this narrative helped' to
bury them, not 20 miles east of the Cal
casieu River, County of Calcasieu, Louisi
ana. We removed the men and hurled them
In the slough, leaving the horses where
they fell. Morrill and -the others were
buried side by side In the same place.
There was nothing to mark their graves,
neither stick nor stone near.
CHAPTER XXXIV.
Our journey from this spot to the Sa
bine was devoid of further incident, and
we met only the usual hardships naturally
connected with such a Journey. Our pas
sage was slow, and frequently we made
long detours to And fording places on the
different streams.
It was October 23, about noon, when
we arrived at the timber-cutters' camp
on the Sabine. Everything wag as quiet
as the grave. The woods at this season
of the year were alive with birds, but
they sang but little. Now and then the
twitter of some small one would enliven
the solitude of the deserted camp, but
the majority hopped from twig to twig in
silence.
We did not know how far distant the
settlements were, or when some prowling
hunters might stray in upon us, and, al
though we disliked to take the people to
our swamp refuge, we dared not risk a
long sojourn where we were. Therefore,
after two days' rest, we moved down the
stream toward our swamp home, arriving
there about 4 o'clock, having made our
way with Incredible labor through four
or five miles of almost Impassable swamp.
We were now about a mile from the
river bank.
As our stock of provisions was fast dis
appearing, Wesner and myself concluded
to strike out, and see what we could find
in the way of eatables in the surrounding
country- Starting from the hummock
camp, one afternoon, we followed the
trail we had cleared coming down, stop
ping at the timber camp that night. We
had noticed on our first visit a trail lead
ing up the river; this we determined to
follow. ,
We had now four horses with us, as
we had brought along- one captured from
Morrill's band. This we left behind to
pick up his living In and around the tim
ber, as, indeed, we did our own, except
that we hobbled them to prevent them
from straying too far away.
We easily found a pretty well-defined
track, that had been used by the timber-
cutters the year before and was originally
wide enough for a dogcart, or as It is
sometimes called, a jumper.
This road we followed for perhaps five
miles, finally coming out upon a cart
road, evidently not much traveled. This
led us to a sort of a ranch or plantation,
kept by one Kimberley. a veritable no
mad, who had straggled liere from Mis
souri. We had no difficulty in impress
ing the truth of our little story upon him,
that we were after provisions for the
timber cutters, who would be here again
the coming Winter, and we were sent
ahead to get supplies for a beginning, and
for the men who were to take the timber
already cut, down to Sabine Pass. We
bought bacon, meal, and about 250 pounds
of Jerked beef. He" also offered us a gal
lon of corn whisky.
George never tasted the article, there
fore I sampled it and found it rather
young, as the disposition of the people
of Eastern Texas forbids corn whisky liv
ing to a great age. A dollar and titty
cents bought jug and whlrfty.
We had brought two of our own horses
with us. Here we found the sledge that
had been used the previous Winter: this
we borrowed and Improvised a temporary
harness of cottontte rope and bagging.
started on our return trip. Just before
we left. Kimberley brought us a bag ot
tweet potatoes. This made a load or
about T50 pounds upon our sledge, whlcn,
considering the road, was enough.
The next day without accident, barring
i a half-dozen upsets, we were back at the
timber-camp. Here ttb t left " the horses j -whiskers ,and things I never knew -who
and loads, and at noon, of the fourth day , you are for sure and, never tried to."
we -were at the hammock camp. The) "Come, boys," Captain Cheswick Inter
next XEOrninsr taklncr tHa mm with us. "wp mntsj ,,. .tu4 vmtr- omml.hrui- mo
. " " " . .. " " '
i returnea. to tne umber-cutters camp ai-
ter the provisions. These the men loaded
on their backs, taking .about one-half of
what we brought from .Klmberley's. Wes-
ner and I remained to. watch, the horses1
lneThltor.tonn thVr'
ihonfcv X?L ,TInt?,
from thS-e '
tv. hm ," iu ".. rf,,- A,..
before November 15. If she got "over the
bar before that we should be agreeably
surprised. To say that we were anxious '
but half expressed out; situation. At the
croak of every rave'rf In the woods, or
the cracking of a twig, were we sound
aoleep, instantly we Were awake and vig-
llant. I
On the morning of IJovember 13 I was Sabine. The last exodus was at anv ena.
sitting on a piece of sJlp timber that lay George put his hand to his neck,
quite near the water. It was about 18 "Come, Charlie, let's be off. My neck,
o'clock and we were as usual discussing js' 0ng enough without stretching, and
the possibilities of a disaster to the brig from this time forth Bradley and "Wes
and the appalling situation in which we j. aro not agents for the Underground
would be placed should"- any misfortune Raiiroaa. p00r Katie will never see the
Overtake her. 'Norf.' That Is the only regret I shall
nara, cnea worse, was mai iuc
sound of ores or an echo from the j
woods7" J
Straining every nervcv I listened. Thera i
was no mistake. It was the regular
cHck of the Towlock, m'aCe as the -prac-
tlced oarsman feathered' his oars. I
called to Wesner, who cape running
toward the bank: J
"Listen, old boy, llrten! Charlie. It is
a boat. It must be ours, but, let's look to
our pistols and not be careless in our ex
citement."
From one of the little- wlrjdows of the
camp we could view a portion of the rlv- '
er. We ran aulcklv back. and. taklmr our
positions inside, watched the stretch of
water. In a few moments the boatap-
ntxit-ari TViom rmlri nn mlctnVo nc xn
its character. It was no river craft, but
plainly a vessel's yawl boat. There were
SAID WESNER, "WE MUST, BID YOU
four men at the oars, while a fifth han
dled the tiller, and, as she shot out from
a bend upon the opposite bank, the steers,
man eyed our camp earnestly, ordering
his men to rest on their oars.
George said, "That's a sailor."
As tho boat glided slowly toward the
bank we stepped from the door. .
"Fend off." ordered the helmsman. The
bowman obeyed, and held the boat steady
until the others landed.
"Make fast," said the helmsman, brief
ly, and approached us.
"Gentlemen." said he, "this boat be
longs to the brig Cyrus Adams, and we aro
after this timber do you Know anything
regarding It?" t
"Are you the captain of tho Cyrus Ad
ams?" Wesner asked,
"I am," he answered.
"Have you papers to show?"
"I have," he replied, and he banded
Wesner a piece of patent leather with a
ragged edge.
Wesner laughed and pulled out his piece.
The two made a perfect square, the notch
es fitting exactly. Wo looked at each oth.
er a moment, burst Into laughter, and
shook hands all around.
"That Bntwlssle," said Captain Ches
wlck, "Is long-headed. Now to business.
The timber must be put into the water,
floated down to the lake, kedged across
and loaded on the brig. It will take a
week or 10 days."
"Captain," I replied, "we have a' half
dozen hands you can have to help."
"Bring them on, then."
"Theyare seven miles, from here. Let
two of your men get Into the boat with
me and I will get them," I replied.
"No;. I am going back; Dut will leave
you where you wish, anji day after tomor
row will call and get the men."
The captain left two men at the camp,
taking the others anw ourselves: down
the river. In less than, two hours we
were opposite our hummpek. I left the
boat to carry the news. Wesner kept
on with the captain of the brig. I floun
dered hurriedly along until I reached the
camp, where the wholo party gathered
around me.
"The vessel has arrived."
"Bless God! Hallelujah! Glory! O.
massa, am dat certalr for sure fact?"
were a few of the doyfql expressions
hat were shouted at the excited refu
gees!
I explained the. sltuatlontn as few words
as possible, and remained with them the
next da, but the momlns after, taking
all the nble-bodled men with me, except
Obed and Mason, I repaired' to the river
side, and Impatiently awaited the coming
of the boat. When, she appeared we
boarded her and returned to the timber
camp. In a few days the timber was
rafted ready to be Abated to the brig.
Four, days after the last raft passed our
landing, the boats returned' for the ref
ugees. At early morning, we were on the banks
of the Sabine. Obed and Mason were
to bid good-bye forever to the South.
Elghttimes they had been In sight of
the promised land and returned to dare
danger and doath In their efforts to lib
erate their fellow-bondsmen. "Now," as
Obed expressed It, "the Jig was up, tno
underground railroad station at Turkey
paw was burnt, and the track dun bust
ed." Never again under our lead would
the flying fugitive turn his face toward
the North. We felt that our mission
was ended.
"Our course was run, our errand done"
Two boats lay by the river bank. One
by one the escaping fugitives entered,
taking their assigned places. At last,
none save Obed and Mason were left with
us.
"Boys," said Wesner, "we must bid you
good-oye. We shall never meet again
west of the great river. Henceforth your
home is In the North. Look well to these
Ignorant people, who are In your charge.
Lemuel. Obed and yourself have money
for all. and in case ot accident, you know
our friends' names and addresses In New
York. Write when you arrive' In Philadel
phia, address George Williams, box 726,
New Orleans. La. I shall get It."
"Massa Williams." Obed replied, as the
tears coursed down his cheeks, "there
arc two white men in -this world I shall
never forget, men who were gentlemen
In the days when gentlemen were scarce
you an Massa Edwards. You Is both
Tucapaw man. Tee known it all along;
so bus Lemuel. You is so mixed with
u',-H .HW OUW&4. JVU4 QWWU .r.., -- w
must be off."
Tm,ii m, nnf ttMnc- -with his heed
w... , , vi r heaving
u, 1Trr,TOC .'m nnH inr like !
iia
At the Captain's words he sprang to
Wa feet, seized both, my hands in his.
wringing them In mute grief, and, turn-
Ing to George "Wesner. could hardly speak.
ut as Lemuel released my hand. George
Put out his. The poor fellow seized It for
one moment, ana tnen aroppea it. ,
"Good-bye! Good-bye!" and both were
In the boat.
The sailors bent to the oars. A few j
strokes and they were out of our sight, j
"We were alone upon the banks of the i
have If I do hang." ,
CHAPTER XXXV.
had now only ourselves to care
We
for, and with lighter hearts than had been
ours for four years, we struggled through
the tangled brush, on the way to the
timber camp. The place had the .home
sick look of all deserted camps, and the
very quiet was oppressive.
I "We built a Are In front of the camp,
. boiled our coffee and fried our bacon over
th embers, had our customary smoke
and lay down to sleep.
.The next morning we set our faces to-
ward the Teche, leaving behind us our
packhorse and. the one captuted from
Morrill, tionles of but lltrlp value. Our
own we rode, taking our route by way of
Klmberlys place. Klmberly was not at
GOOD - BYE.'
home. We told his wife about the two
ponies and rode along, keeping clear of
plantations and traveled roads, as dwell
ers In these remote places have usually
excellent memories, and withall culti
vate the habit of observation more thor
oughly than do people who live In thickly
settled communities.
We crossed the big prairie very near
where we encountered Morrill. At the
woods beyond we stripped off every vest
ige of disguise we had and burned them
to ashes, leaving not so much as one hair
whereby a clew could be had.
Two days later, George Wesner and
Charles J. Bradley rode through the town
of Opelousas, taking the straight road for
New Iberia.
Home again, Wesner went to the store.
Fall trade was commencing, and as the
goods we had purchased at the North
had arrived our clerk was right glad to
see us.
Wesner hegan to be uneasy about Lucy,
as he had heard that Coverly was quite
sick, his fever having been reinforced by
a rheumatic supplement. I went to
Franklin, and with unusually good for
tune, met Selwyn a few steps from his
office. The Arst thing he asked me was
If I remembered the morning Coverly
requested him to make out Lucy's free
papers. I told him that I did.
"Well," said he, "the old fool backed
down; but yesterday he wanted them
made out, and brought for him to sign.
He Is sick and wants the money. How
soon are you going- back?"
"Oh," said I, "In 10 minutes. All I came
for was to Inquire for the mail, as we
expected a letter from New York, a week
ago, and Wesner thought It might have
been directed to Franklin by mistake."
"Hurry up then, and I will wait, for
if it Is not too much trouble I would
like to have you ride over to Coverlys
wltn me and witness these papers, as they
should have one witness outside tho
family."
I accompanied Selwyn, saw Coverly
sign Luoy's free papers, and never signed
my naniewlth so much pleasure as when
I scrawled "Chas. J. Bradley" as a- wit
ness, and wondered how the old scoundrel
would feel If he- knew all.
Returning to the store, my road was
separate from Selwyn's. and I drove the
spurs Into my horses side.
Roland, who brought the news that
alone could save Alx from her fate, made
no better time than did I from there to
Wesner's. With nay horse flecked with
foam and plastered with dust, I pulled
up to the platform. George came out.
"WTiat's up?"
"I have Just witnessed Bben Coverly's
signature to Lucy's free papers, that's
all." I answered.
-,Come In, Charles; come In; never mind
tho horse let's hear about it!"
A few words and. tho story was told.
"O, my hunted one, free at last!" cried
Wesner. "It has been a long four
years."
In a few days Wesner left for Portland,
Me. Knowing the man, I asked no
questions, but looked forward to the de
nouement. It came as I expected.
The Christmas holidays were past and
I had received no news from Wesner.
Feeling uneasy, I took the steamer and
went to New Orleans. Postofllce box
726 was ours. I had one key, Wesner the
other. I unlocked the box and took out a
letter. The cramped, schoolboy hanu
bore no resemblance to "Wesner's, but
I knew It well. It was a labored compo
sition of Lemuel Mason. The Adams
had arrived In Philadelphia. AH hands
were well and had found friends, meet
of them work. Obed and Mason were at
work In a shipyard on Beach street. The
rest were scattered, some one place.
somo another. As I found nothing from I
Wesner I returned home, where, await
ing me, was a long explanatory letter
from him and a copy of the Eastern
Argus, an Intensely interesting Demo
cratic paper, printed at Portland, Me.
At least a score of people In the three
parishes had received a copy of the
same edition. It was not Us politics that
made it interesting to the Attakapas
people, but this little notice:
"In this city, Christmas Day, by Rev.
Mr. Libbey. George Wesner. of New
Iberia, La., and Miss Lucy Lasalle, of An
dover. Mo."
The question was aeked me until I was
cross ever It: "Where did Wesner find
a Yankee girl, and was not Andover in
Massachusetts?" To this lost, I answered, "Yes"; to the j
first, "I' never was in Massachusetts."
George's letter was written to me'wlth
the usual caution, on thej day after his
marriage.
He eald among other things: "Now
when I come hack to settle up my affairs
I shall begin my researches Into the fa to
of the family of my wife. I can pursue
them by agents, once the
matter Is cau
tiously opened up, while I am. living up
here where I expect to establish myseu.
Those researches he did pursue for years,
but he never got evidence of the kind that
would have been necessary to give Lucy
facr rlgntfui standing lnthe South, though
u was enough convince him of what he
airea(jy believed, and Indeed-Jto bring me
tQ hlg atandpolnt. It was a strange
nnu- sickening story much on the lines
tnat ne nad j-ueseed at when he knew
mtle, but with Lucy's biography, be-
,yond the part that concerns her escap!
from slavery, we are not concerned here.
She made Wesner the best of wives, and
when I saw her in after years presiding
over his home, ehe was one of the most
perfect ladles In the land.
(THE END.)
WHAT TO DO WITH SNORE RS
Their Isolation a Puzxllnj? ProWera
for Hotel Clerics.
Among a group of newly arrived trav
elers who clustered about the desk of one
of the large city hotels the other even
ing, was a big. Jovial looking man. with
a Roman nose and a collection of double
chins leading down to -his collar like a
Alght of stairs. He nodded to the head
porter as he came Inr"and before be reg
istered he shook hands cordially with
the clerk. It was evident that he had
been there before.
"Well, my boy," he said, after he had
inscribed and blotted his autograph, "what
can you do for me tonight?" The clerk
consulted the room chart. "I can give
you steen-'leven," he replied. "It's a very
nice room at the end of the corridor;
plenty of light and air and lots of privacy.
Front! show the gentleman to "steen
'leven!" "But hold on," protested the large man.
"I don't want that room. It's too far
off. Why can't you give me my old room
on the third Aoor?" "I'm very sorry.
Colonel,"' replied the clerk, "but that on
the corridor is the last on the chart. Hon
estly, I'm lucky to have anything for
you with all the lardl Gras rush." "Well,
if it's Hobson's choice I guess I'll have
to take It," said the big guest, and moved
toward the elevator.
Later on the clerk made a confession
in strict conAdonce to a curious bystander.
"Yes, I admit I have a few other rooms,"
he sold, "but they are all In the middle
of the halls, and this gentleman Is the
champion snorer of West Virginia. Last
time he was here. I couldn't keep any
body on either side of him, and the result
was that we hod two rooms tied up from
which we were deriving no revenue. We
can't afford such a waste of space so
near Mardi Gras, so I put him in one. of
our special snorers" apartments, of which
we have four, all Isolated, at the ends
of tho corridors. The wall spaces are
Ailed with nonconducting packing, the
transom is nailed shut, and he can snore
there until the cows come home without
disturbing anybody.
"Oh, yes; we keep a record of snorers;
also of folk who talk In their sleep and
holler murder In nightmares. Have to
do it to protect our other patrons."
Phrases From Paraphrases.
We were good Presbyterians, sitting
round the church hall one evening, wait
ing for choir practice. Aleck Daniel was
exhibiting one of those little darky
china dolls, about an Inch and a half
long, which sell for a cent each, and It
was not dressed, either. It transpired
that it belonged to Isabel, and however
Aleck came by It, Isabel wanted It back.
Seeing that she was in earnest, he pa
thetically recited:
The blessings lent ue for a day
Are soon to be restored.
Some of us started an inquiry as to
where he found that famillar-30undlng
quotation, and Annie, who always had
her lesson when she was a Sunday School"
scholar, announced that It was in the
Third Paraphrase.
"I am not sure which verse," she began.
"Oh, Jim! there's a Bible In the seat bo
fore you. Turn to the Third Pharaphrase,
won't you?'"The slow youth of that namo
fumbled the leaves about for a while, and.
Anally, sent us Into convulsions by read
ing the Arst lines of the Paraphrase, In
stead of the quotation. Here the tale
ends.
. For the beneflt of those who are not
Presbyterians, the first lines of Para
phrase ill are appended:
Naked as from the earth wo came.
And entered life at first.
m. c a
Bachelor Reflection.
After a woman has once kissed for love
of a man she no longer kisses for love of
a. kiss.
When a girl can't get up any other ex
cuse for loving a man she falls in love
with him because she thinks he has been
unfortunate.
When a woman goes to a restaurant It
tekes her three times as long to decide
what she thinks she wants to eat as it
does tb eat it.
There are a good many kinds of love
that a man would rather have than to be
rich, but there Is only one kind he would
rather have than good health.
Things are always blamed on us when
we are little. Half the time babies don't
cry because they are cutting their teeth,
but because their teeth are cutting them.
New oYrk Press.
It Has esppe&eft
More than once that a child has been
carried off by an eagle. "When, such
a thing does happen the press rings
with the story. There's not a line
given by the press to the babies ear
ned off daily by disease. It isn't the
fact of the child being taken away
that is startling or interesting, it's
only when the method of taking off
is novel that it excites interest. How
many children die who might have
been saved if the mother who bore
them had been able to give them
strength and vitality. Dr. Pierce's
Favorite Prescription makes healthy
mothers and healthy mothers have
healthy children, strong enough to
resist disease if they are attacked.
Mrs. Axel Kjer, of Gordormlle, Cape Gir
ardeau Co.. Mo.,writea: ""Wnea I look at my
little boy I feci It mv duty to write to yoo.
This is my fifth child and the only one who
came to maturity; the others having died
from lack of nourishment so the doctor
said. This time I Just thought I ironld try
your rrejeriptfac.' I took nine bottles ana
to my surprise it carrid me through and
gave us as fine a little boy as ever was.
weighed tea and one-half pounds. He is
sow five months old, has never been sick a
day, and is so strong that everybody who
sees him wooden at him."
Dr. Pierce's Pleasant Pellets keep
the bowels healthy and regular.
THE PALATIAL
(ffiEGOH
Not a Carle office in the Imlldlaxt
bsolntely nreprooft electric Ushta
and artesian waters perfect saalta
tlon anil thorough ventilation. Ele
vators rnn day and nlsht.
Room.
AIXSLIE. DR. GEORGE. Physlclan..00S-G03
ALTJRICH. 3. W.. General Contractor C1G
AXDERSON. GUSTAV. Attomrv-nt-kaw...6ia
ASSOCIATED PRKS3: E. L. Powell. Msr..S0
AUSTEN. Ji". C. MannKer for Oregon and
Washington Bankci-s" Life Aarilatlon. of
Des Molre la 502-503
RANKERS' LIFE ASSOCIATION-. OF DE5
MOTXES. IA.;F. C. Auster.. Maraeer..B02-303
BAYXTl'K. GEO. R.. Msr. for Chas. Scrlb-
ner's Sons , 515
BEAT.S. EDWARD A.. Forecast Offlclal U.
S. Weather Bureau 010
nEXJA.MIK. R W.. Dentin: SI
BINSWAXGER. DR. O. S.. Phys Si Sur.410-Hl
BROOKE. OR. J. M Phys. & Exits TCS-T03
Itnowx. MTRA. M. D 513-314
BRUERE. DR. G. E.. Physician -(12-413-414
BU3TEED. RICHARD. Asent WUacn & 5tc-
Callay Tobacco Co C02-603
CAUKIX. G. E.. District Agent Travelers
Insurance Cc. ...T1S
CARDWEIX. DR. J. R ". 309
CARROI.U W. T.. Special Agent Mutual
Reserve Fund T,fe Ass'n 604
COLUMBIA TELEPHONE COMPAXT
004-G03-60C-607-Jl3-Ct4-:i3
CORNELIUS. C. W.. Phym ani. Surxeon 2Ca
COVER. F. C. Cashier Equitable Lite 303
COLLIER. P. F.. Publisher: S. P. McGulre.
Manager 413-419
DAY. J. O. & I. N. 3IS
DAVIS. XAPOLEOX President Colurrbla
Telephone Co C01
DICKSOX. DR. I. F.. Physician 713-714
DRAKE. DR. II. B.. Physician 512-313-314
DWTBR. JOE. F.. Tobaccos 403
EDITORIAL RCOMS Eighth floor
EQUITABLE LIFEASSURANCE SOCIETT:
L. Samuel. Manager: F. C Cover, Cashler.309
EVENING TELEGRAM 325 Alder etreet
FENTOX. J. D.. PhyMclan and Surgeon. 509-310
FEXTON. DR. IIICICS C. Eye and Ear 511
FENTOX. MATTHEW F.. Dentist K
FIDELITY MUTUAL LIFE ASSOCIATION:
E. C Stark. Manager MI
GALVANL W. II.. Engineer and Draughts
man cot
GAVIN. A.. President Oregon Camera Club.
214-215-218-217
GE4.RT. DR. EDWARD P.. Physician and .
Surgeon 212-211
GEBBIE TUB. CO.. Ltd.. Fine Art Publish
ers; M. C. McGrcevy, Mgr 518
GIEST. A. J.. Physician and Surgeon... "CO-710
GODDARD. E. C. & CO.. Foolwenr
Gronnd floor. 120 Sixth street
GOLDMAN. WILLIAM. Manager JlanhuUa-v
Life Ini-urance Co. of New Tork 200 219
GRANT. FRANK S.. Attoraer-at-Law 017
HAMMAM BATHS. King &. Ccmpton. Prope:30a
HAMMOND. A. B 310
HEIDINGEB, GEO. A. & CO.. Pianos and
Organs , 131 Sixth street
HOLLISTER. DR. O. C. PhysL & Sur.. 304-503
IDLEMAX. C. M.. Attorney-at-Law..41C-17-13
JOHNSON. W. C. 31C-316-311
KADY. MARK T.. Supervisor of Agents
Mutual Reserve Fund Life Ass'n 604-603
LAHONT. JOHN. V!cc-Presldnt and Gen
eral Manager Columbia Telephone Co 604
LITTLEFIELD. H. R.. Thys. and Surgeon.. 204.
MACRUM. W. S.. Sec Oregon Camera Club.214,
MACKAT. DR. A. E.. Phys. and Surg. .711-712
MAXWELL. DR. W. E.. Phjs. & Surg. .701-2-3
McCOT. NEWTON. Attorney-at-Law 713
McFADEN. MISS IDA E.. Stenographer 201
McGINN. HENRT E.. At,torney-at-Law.311-313
McKELL. T. J.. Manufacturers' Represents
tlve 1 303
METT. HENRT 218
MILLER. DR. HERBERT C.. Dentist and
Oral Surgeon COS-COS
MOSSMAX. DR. E. P.. Dentlflt 312-313-314
MANHATTAN LIFE INSURANCE CO.. ot
Jw York: W Goldman. Manager.... 2C9-219
MUTUAL RESERVE FUND X.IFE ASS'N;
BUW
H '
Mark T. Kady. Supervisor of Agents.. 604-001
McELROT. DRTJ. G.. Phys. & Sar.701-702-703
McFARLAND. E. B.. Secretary Columbia
Telephone Co 09
McGUIRE. 8. P.. Manager P. F. Collier.
Publisher 415-419
McKIM. MAURICE. Attorney-at-Law 5
MILLER & ROWE. Real Estate. Timber
and Farming Lands a Specialty..., 703
MUTUAL LIFE INCURANCE CO.. of New
York: Wm. 5. Fond. State Mgr. .404-405-409
NICHOLAS. HORACE B.. Attorney-at-La-jr.713
NILES. M. L.. Casnier Manhattan Life In
surance Co.. of New York 208
OREGON INFIRMARY OF OSTEOPATHY:
Dr. L. B Smith. Osteopath ,....408-409
OREGON CAMERA CLUB 214-215-210-217
POND, WM. S.. State Manager Mutual Life
Ins. Co. of New York... 404-405-408
PORTLAND PRESS CLUB 501
PORTLAND EYE AN DEAR INFIRMARY. "
Ground floor. 133 Sixth street
PORTLAND MIXING &. .TRUST CO.; J. H.
Marshall. Manager 511
QUIMBY. L. P. W.. Game and Forestry
Warden 716-717
ROSENDALE. O. M.. Metallurgist and Min
ing Engineer 313-5115
REED & MALCOLM. Opticians. 133 Slxst street
REED. F. C. Fish Commissioner 40T
RYAX. J. B.. Attorney-at-Law 41T
SAMUEL. L-. Manager Equitable Life 309
SHERWOOD. J. W.. Deputy Supreme Com
mander. K. O. T. M. 51T
SMITH. Dr. L. B.. Osteopath. im ......... 403-403
EONS OF THE-AMERICAN REVOLUTION.50a
STARK. E. C. Executive Special. Fidelity
Mutual Life Association of Phila.. Pa GO!
STUART, DELL. Attorney-at-Law 017-G1S
STOLTE. DR. CHAS. E.. Dentist 704-7C
SURGEON OF THE S. P. RY. AND N. P.
TERMINAL CO 70S
STROWBRIDGE. THOS. H.. Executive Spe
cial Agent Mutual Life, of New York 409 A
SUPERINTENDENTS OFFICE 20
TUCKER. DR. GEO. F.. Dentl3t G10-6U
U. S. WEATHER BUREAU 007-OOS-000-919
U. S. LIGHTHOUSE ENGINEERS. 13TH
D1ST.. Captain W. C Langfltt, Corps of
Engineers. U. S. A. SO-"!
U. ? ENGINEER OFFICE. RIVER AND
HARBOR IMPROVEMENTS. Captain W.
C Langfltt. Corps of Erglneers. U. S. A. .SIM
WATERMAN. C. H.. Cashier Mutual Life
of New York - 409
retary Native Daughters ....... ......71S-7ir
WHITE. MISS L. E.. Assistant Secretary
Oregon Camera Club .... 21j
WIL30N.DR. EDWARD N.. Phys. & Sur.304-3
WILSON, DR. GEO. F., Phys. & Surg. .708-70T
WILSON. DR. nOLT C Phys. & Surg.507-5C3
WILSON & McCALLAY TOBACCO CO.:
Richard Busteed. Agent G02-e03
WOOD. DR. W. L-. Physician 412-413-414
WILLAMETTE VALLEr TELEFH. CO
..6J
X few more decant offices mny ha
bad by applylBS to Portland Trust
Company of Oregon, 100 Third at., o'
to the rent cleric in the bulldlnff.
men a
o Cure
No Pay
THE MODERN APPLIAXCE A positive-
way to perfect manhood. Tno AUUirsi
TREATMENT CURES you without medicine oc - ;l
gans. such as lost manhood, exhaustive drains,
varlcocelclmpotency. etc Men are quickly re
stored to perfect health and strength. Wrlta
for circulars. Correspondence confidential.
THE HEALTH APPLIANCE CO.. rooms 47-ilS
Sato Deposit building, Seattle, Wash.