The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1863-10-29

on the very day of Miss Letty's marriage
lFosbrook could not keep the news to himself,
Though at first promised to do so but, in the
general excitement, it seemed to affect nobody
lin the HaIl-not even Elva-which Mrs. Eos
brook thought an additional proof OF her sense.
IShe had undertaken the breaking OF the news
to the bereaved mother, and performed 1t to
her own satisfaction believe she also broke
lit to the Colonel and his bride when they re-
turned from that indispensable excursion
which people must take after the ceremony OF
white wells and orange blossoms, the half score
of bridesmaids, and elegant deje~aaer. They
do these things in style in South Carolina;
and Miss Letitia had come through them so
creditably, and had so much more to do III the
way of receiving visits, ard attending bridal
parties that there was no time for regret or
repentance.
| never heard what she said or did on the
occasion; but, while the visits were going on,
and the parties pending, poor Elva slipped on
the stair while running up with tucker, or
dered in great haste, that Mrs. Colonel Eos
brook might see how it would suit with her
cream-coored tabinet, fell to the bottom, and
broke her leg. She had the best medical at
tendance, of course u woman who could work
such sleeves and collars was not to be neglect
ed, though, as her excellent mistress remark
ed, ''She could work just as well without the
limb what mercy it was not one OF her
arms"
But, from some constitutional cause, the ac-
cident could not be remedied-the broken
bone would not adhere-the wound would not
heal; and the doctor at length announced his
dread of modification. He added persume
| it was to settle Mrs. Fosbrook-that there was
no use in attempting to amputate the limb; the
patients system had been so vitiated by her
sedentary life that she had no chance of re-
covery. His opinion was confirmed IN few
days; modification set in, and poor Elvas
death-warrant was sealed. -.s... ..
| The doctor had been seeing her for the last
time, and gone away saying he could DO no
thing more-the woman would not hold out
| till sunset-when called to pay my congrat
ulatory visit to the new-married pair. The
ceremony had been postponed on account OF
business but all the world was visiting, and
so must I. 1t was a glorious day,in the ear
ly spring time of the South, before the fierce
heat set in, and everything looked bright and
beautiful about Fosbrook Hall. The abode
of pleasantness and peace it seemed, and l was
admiring the prospect from the bay-windows
of the drawing room; while Mrs Fosbrook,
| ing on about the overlooking cup, and how
thankful they should be, when her own maid
came in with a whispered message.
cit is poor Elva," said the excellent lady,
breaking off her strain; ''she has taken a
strange fancy to see us all in her room. The
maid said she spoke of having something to
tell but Of course it is only a fancy Of the
poor creature-stilI | think we should GO
What do you say, Mr. Carkson Pit will re
mind us of our latter end and no doubt en-
courage poor Elva."
We all rose-the two couples and myself
for Mr.. Fosbrook said, 'Come along, Clark
son." and proceeded to Elva's room. 1t was
neat and orderly, as she had always kept it;
the morning sun was shimmering through the
whte-curtained window, and the scent of
flowers came in from the garden beyond. The
woman, who was to be encouraged on her last
journey, sat up in bed, wan and worn with
sickness, but looking more lively and energet-
ic than ever she had seemed in her deep stitch
ing-days, and with deeper light in her deep
black eyes. :..
''How are you, Elva?" said Fosbrook, com
ing kindly forward
Not very well, master; but l am going
home, said EIva, ''to the long home prepar
ed for black and white; and there is some
thing want to tell you all before l go-par-
ticularly the mistress here;" and Elva fixed
her eyes on the mistress she was said to have
been so much attached to, with look ofsuch
piercing power as for once in her life struck
that lady speechless. ''Did not you buy me
away from my husband sixteen years ago,
when he was sold far west, and L never saw
him no more? Did not you sell my only
child away from me, till she died of fever on
the edge of the Dismal Swamp? and wasn't
it all in the order of Providence, or it never
could have happened? You told me so; and
was to believe it, and not repine. Now, FL
tell you something that must also have been
in the order of Providence-for it happened,
too. 1t was not my daughter that died on
the edge of the Dismal Swamp, but your own!
It was not your daughter that went in the
carriage and the finerY to be marriedin Charles
ton church, but mine ~
''What do you say, woman p cried Mr.. Eos
brook, LOSING all command of himself
Il say the truth and I'll tell you how it
happened The children were born on the
same day, and the mistress sent me word that
they should get the same name, and be bro't
up together; but | knew that my child could
be bought and sold as its father and mother
had been. The poor slave was not used to be
CdIGu lOT, ike buG TlCll lduy, anu COuIu up
sooner So in the dead of the second night,
when the monthly nurse had taken too much
peach brandy, and slept sound y, | crept into
the room, and made fair exchange black
one may be you'll call it; but colors don't
show much at that time of life. | left my own
child in the fine satin covered cradle and took
Mrs. Fosbrook's baby to the basket beside my
bed. The one was mine, and the other was
hers, ever after. There is my daughter, the
heiress of Fosbrook Hail." she continued, adj
dressing her mistress; land yonder lies yours,
in the churchyard by the Dismal swamp
That is how the whites can make out blood
and race; but it was all in the order Of Prov
idence, or it couldn't have happened, you know"
and EIva flung herself back with burst of
vengeful and triumphant laughter that made
the roof ring.
'You wretch, its all falsehood Where
do you expect to go top cried Mrs. Eos
brook
Madam, it is most probably true" said
the Colonel, who had stood silently listening
at the foot of the bed, like man-stricken and
admonished-'i is most probably true. Let
the dying woman alone the past can neither
be recalled nor altered and she has followed
our example, in calling our own sins and sell
ishness the works of Providence. Come
away"
We all walked back to the drawing-room,
and the ladies did not faint. AS for myself,
and every soul that heard Elvas confession,
we felt convinced that it was true. Of course,
in law, the testimony of a revenegful slave
would count for nothing; but we all had eyes
and memories, and their evidence was not to
be set aside as regarded poor sold Lefty, and
the fair face which had been such cause Of
jealousy and despite Moreover, the revela-
ton could not be kept secret-it was too
publicly made; many of the servants had
been within hearing, and nobody doubted it,
though Elva could not be induced to give any
further particulars. Perhaps the woman had
none to give; at any rate, she spoke little af-
ter that wild laugh, but gradually sunk, and