Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1861-11-27

she paid visit of mere curiosity to the fam
ous flower garden, and fell in love at first sight
with the handsome proprietor, who responded
to her affection with equal ardor. The fruits
of their union, within three years, were son
and daughter, who, as matter of course, be-
came the idols of their fond mother and father
for it seems to be a general, if not psyco-
logical law that human parents love their
children in proportion to their passionate ten
derness for each other. A charming white
cottage was their home in the flower garden
and the business of the happy horticulturist
prospered more than ever, SO that with the
addition of the ample fortune brought into
matrimonial partnership by his beautiful COM
panIon, he might we'll be considered, for that
country, man of wealth.
One bright morning of midsummer, upon
his return from a neighboring city, the garden
er was astonished to find his lovely wife in a
paroxysm of tears, and evincing other tokens
of the utmost terror and anguish. But all his
entreaties failed to elicit any explanation from
her lips, except the assurance that she felt op-
pressed by the dark foreshadowing of some
unknown and mysterious, but dreadful danger.
However, after she became degree more
tranquil, having affair of Importance to ar
range, he went to town.
On his arrival he was accosted in the street
by pers on he did not recollect to have seen
before. The stranger a man of middle
age, with coarse, sinister features, cleaning
black eyes, raven hair streaked with silver
and massive form revealing the appearance
OF hercu lean strength and agility. He was
dressed in rich black cloth, cut in the latest
fashion and profusely disfgured, rather than
adorned, with gems and precious ornaments.
a huge golden seal, enclosing costly stone,
-dangled from his heavy watch chain, which
he twirled incessently with his fingers. He
spoke in loud, brusque tone '.Mr. Parks
they say that is your name-allow me to in
troduce myself, am Colonel Powers, Of New
Orleans, and have visited Texas in search of
runaway slaves. | am told that you harbor
them.''
s'You have been misinformed,' - replied the
gardener sternly. s;There is not slave or
even colored person on my plantatlon.''
'No, sir, am not mistaken. The woman
that you call your wife is slave, and was ac
tually born in my kitchen. Here is a bill of
sale, containing the names of her father and
mother, for whose bodies paid down three
thousand dollars. There you behold the seal
OF the recorders court 20
The other reeIed as if he had been struck a
terrible blow with an iron hammer, and gasped
out h..
.sMerciful God it cannot be so. This man
must be insane, | am dreaming"
sIf you doubt my word,'' twlrling his watch
chain angrily, s'yonder comes old Judge Rice,
who is familiar with the circumstances, and
can prove every item of my assertion"
The individual alluded to, who had been a
member of the New Orleans bar for many
years, confirmed the strangers story in all its
particulars.
idea Of the indiscribable agony depicted in the
couptenance of Mr.. Parks, the astounding
truth, with its horrible consequences, burst
upon his soul, like flash of lurid lightning.
He turned pale as death, and staggered, as il
about to fall to the earth but, by great ef
fort, he wres:led with his grief, and, conquer
ing, became apparently calm, but still as pal
lid as piece OF white paper.
ssWhy has this matter been kept secret for
SO long ~ the gardener demanded in tones of
terrible meaning. 'Was it cunning device
to win gold out OF hnman tears and the blood
of innocent hearts ?''
The Colonel laughed with delight at the rs-
membrance OF his craft, boldly avowed his own
nfamy.
eyes he said, ssI was smart. / noted how
beautiful the slaves were, and determined
to make it pay to the highest figure. | had
them well educated, and made them, fools,
believe that they were free. Under this i'm
preston they removed to the Rio Grande. l
gave them money, which they have increased
with more than compound interest, and now L
have come to get my pay for all my trouble"
And the unblushing villain twirled his watch
chain joyously.
s.How much do you expect me to pay for my
wife and children 2" inquired Parks with an
awful smile.
ssI must have ten thousand dollars, besides
the return of her fortune, amounting to as
much more !'' answered the Colonel, with the
most business-like GOODNESS.
s.Scoundrel, coward, thief, assassin you
shall never own cent from the earnings OF
my years of toIl!'' exclaimed Parks, in voice
of uncomfortable fury.
ssMind what you say, for | will have bloody
ficf,n for ir,cn in nrH unn am
ploy,'' said the Colonel, growing white with
rage.
s.Then take it now 7'' shouted Parks, strik-
ing the other with such force in the face that
he rolled on the ground.
But Powers suddenly regained his feet, and
wiping the crimson streams from his mouth
and nose, vociferated-
ssI claim mortal satisfaction on the spot''
s.Yes, you shall have it-now-here !'' re-
piled the gardiner, in voice that resembled
the wrathfu yell of demon.
Some accommodating bystanders, who had
collected around the scene, ,proffered their SER
vices as seconds, and the terms of the duel was
Immediately arranged. 1t was settled that the
two principals should each be armed with
pistol, land assuming their stations twenty
yards apart, at the signal might stand or ad
vanceand fire which they pleased.
At the word, Parks moved calmly and stead
ly, with moderate steps, towards his enemy.
The latter remained fixed as marble statute
in his position, with his arm elevated firmly,
and his dark eye cleaned through the sights
with deadly aim at his mortal mark. When
the other arrived at the distance of ten PAGES
the pistol pointed at his heart, exploded with
a lond roar. But he faltered not-paused not
changed not his march. The bullet had hit
a silver coin, which happened to be in the
pocket of his vest, and that alone had saved
his life. He never stopped until he was with
in three feet of his foe, when for the first time