The Kalida venture. [volume] (Kalida, Ohio) 1841-1865, 1847-11-16
THE SLAVE.
BY ROBERT DALE OWEN.

IlCn plHIIef named monsieur ttaltna. fOS
sessed of a prineely fortune. gifted with .
polished address, and mild and friendl,
character, he was one of the most popular
and influential cooHists on the island. Hi.
plantations we're numerous, ahd houlishing
and he was the master of many bundled
slaves, whom he usually treated with human
ity and gen,leness.
TO one of these ha accorded the most i'm
picit confidence. Antoine was slave ii
nothing but the name. lie had but 10 OK
press wish, and it was gratfied. His mas
ter made him general overseer Of his prop.
erty and manager of his affairs, aud Antoine
nigh, be seen mounted on a suberb charger;
with silver Bit and spurs, the adopted son, it
seemed, rather than the servant of the opu-
lent planter.
! Monsieur Haima's possessions consisted,
besides his landed property and slaves, in
large droves Of mules and numerous herds
of oxen. lie had been for long peri
cd fortunate in bis stock, which increased
year by year. AT last, mortality appeared
among his mults, and he lost a considerable
number both Of these and Of oxen. A few
Of his negroes, too, died suddenly, and the
nature Of the disease which carried them off
did not appear to be understood
Tho next year the mortality continued,
apparently with increasing virulsnce. The
negroes died in numbers, and among the
rest, the parents and relations of Antoine
fell victims 10 an unknown disorder. The
ablest physicians OH the island were consul
ted, and several of them gave il as their
epnion that the mortality was caused by poi
son.
The third year it ragged TO frightful ex-
tent Men, women and children, as we'll as
cattle Of every kind, died daily, until this
mysterious calamity seemed TO threaten M.
Hanna with tho loss of bis entire property
The symptoms Of the poison were now too
evident TO be mistaken; but who could have
conceived and executed so frigh,ful re-
| venge unknown and even unsupported.
M. Hanna had always lived on the most
friendly terms with his neighbors; scarcely
any man had fewer enemies than he, and no
enc could imagine the cause ofan animosity
50 persevering and so fatal.
One day when the mortality was at its
heigh, several friends of M. Haima called to
consult and condols with him. "Let me ad-
wise with you," said tine Of them, TO apply
10 the sorceress who lives at the foot of the
mountain"
"Whal!" said Hanna in surprise, cold
Catiche! You surely do not Suspect me of
lending credit to the foolish stories which
are circulated and believed among the slaves
of her supernatural powersi"
"By no means But character like hers
iu seldom acquired without some foundation.
Do no, imagine that give her more credit
than yourself for powers OF wtchcrait. But
for shrewdncss and sagaci,y, | do give her
credit. By her spies, or otherwise she OBJ
tans information regarding the most secret
doings of her neighbors; scarce a whisper
can be spoken, but it comes TO her ears;
and if any enc can inform you who is your
secret enemy, it is old Catiche."
Hanna recurred next day to his friends
advice. 81 shall be bcggar," thought he,
il this mysterious mortality continues much
longer. And, after all, u wise man may pro-
fit even by the superstition of fools. AT all
events, | cannot lose much by the trial.
So he mounted his horse and rode, unaitcnd-
ed, to the hut Of the sorceress.
She sat in its (urthcst cerner, muffled in
q huge blanket, and muttering unintelligibly
to herself, and did no. by word or gesture,
intimate her recognition of the planter as he
entered. He seated himself by her, and in
quired if she could throw any light on the
cause Of his late misfortuhes.
SHOW should ~ returned the hag, in
her sharpest key. "How should poor old
creature like me know anything OF such do
ingsS"
Hama repressed bis impatience, while he
replied, 81 do not suppose, as many do, Cat
iche, that yeu have other means to obtain in
formation than any one else might have, with
The same acquaintance and opportunity
But you do get to know almost everything
that passes in the island"
Sand if cannot speak with spirits, why
do you come TO me, when you have your
own eyes and ears, and can use them as
well as | camp
The planter was little accustomed to be
teased or contradcted, but this was not a
moment 10 resent the old woman 3 peculiar
temper. He drew couple of gold pieces
from his pocket, and as he put them in her
withered hand he SAID, " Catiche, have not
time 10 argue with you. Tell me, if you
can tell me, who it is that poisons my slaves
and cattle"
The old woman looked at the gold, cast a
searching glance around the room, and then,
approaching her lips TO the planters ear,
she pronounced in low whisper the name
of "Antoine."
"How!" said Hanna, out of all patience
"Him who have treated as son, and load
ed with benefits You rave. What are