The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1872-12-05
50 90 A YEAR.
MANHFESrATIONS.

made to my pet friend, Fannie Mason,
on leaving, Madam Chegaray's, visited
her charming Virginia home Fannie
was an only child, and they lived on a
beautiful estate on the James, the natural
attractions of which were enhanced by
refined taste and unbounded wealth. To
enc accustomed, like myself, to the prim
and quiet neatness of New England
towns, the want of method was, at FIRST
glance, strikingly apparent A more
intimate acquaintance afterward, however
inclines M TO the belief that nature is
more lovely and picturesque in her negLige
than when arrayed in the studied garb OF
formal neatness.
The house itself, an old homestead
handed down through generations from
father to son, had never been removed to
make way for more imposing mansion.
1t was one of those spacious, roomy,
wooden buildings which, in the earlier
days of the South, formed the homes of
many of the so-called aristocracy. Across
the entire front ran a broad gallery Tor
piazza, the innumerable slender columns
supporting it completely hidden by
clinging vines of ivy. In summer the
view from this stoop over the sloping
lawns and gardens, with glimpses of the
river sparkling through the interstices Of
| the graceful branches that overhung its
banks, must, indeed have been exquisite.
Even now, when nature took her winter
sleep, and vegetation seeminly lay dor
mant, it was very beautiful. The season
had been unusually mild, and many of
the trees were not yet shorn of their
crown of leaves, while others, like giant
sentinels, their bare branches assuming
every weird, fantastic shape, kept their
grim watch over the dancing current ut
their base.
There was landing on the bank where
the boat III It's early trip to the city fire.
quenty left visitors and took away pas
sengers. With the exception of the
whitewashed huts of the negro quarter
there was no human habitation 10 be seen
for miles. At the time of my visit the
family consisted of Colonel and Mrs.
Mason, Cecile Warner, cousin from
New Orleans (another old school friend, }
Fannie and myself had been mt "Ivy'
about week when a letter from his faith
er called Colonel Mason to the city
couple of days on business, and, as we
assured her that We could keep house
alone for that time, Mrs. Mason accom-
panied him. / remember as if it were
yesterday, the sensations that oppressed
me as we waved a farewell from the land
ing. Northern born, and from a village
where only an occasional specimen Of the
Ethiopian race penetrated, and none ever
fingered, had an underlined feeling OF
mistrust, if not of actual fear
My heart sank as i thought that even
the overseer was a colored man, and we
three helpless girls were the only white
persons within circuit of six miles. --
These were my first feelings with regard
to the race but | will here state, subse-
quent observations fully convinced me
that, for kindly affection and answering
devotion, the Southern slaves, with few
exceptions were above praise. In the
numerous families where | had full OPP
portunlties for observing, the relation be-
tween themselves and their owners was
really touching to me, from the childlke
devotion on the one side to the paternal
care on the other. But to return to my
story: kept my fears to myself during
the best part of the day, but, as after
noon merged into evening, could not re-
frain from imparting them in confidence
to Cecile, who, accustomed to such sur
roundings from her infancy, was amused
at my fancied danger. Cecle was "A glo-
rious specimen Of creole beauty, with the
sensitive organization of tropical plants.
AT night violent storm burst very
suddenly, and under its subduing infiu-
ence all her bouyancy and courage van
ished. BY ten o'clock we had not only
worked ourselves up TO actual panic, but
inoculated annie, SO she entreated uncle
Dave, the venerable Butler, to send a
boat to Mr.. Aliens, distance of seven
miles, and ask Mr.. Willie, cousin of
hers to come over. Uncle Dave soon re-
turned to say that no treat or bride
could induce one of the men to venture
on the river at night "They say bad
sperits roams abroad in storms" apollo
getically put in our sable protector, "and
even if the men 'ud be willin' TO start,
the boat would sutinly capsize. But
never you fear, young ladies, I'll purtect
you well this night"
1t is customary to have servants at the
South sleep in out-buldings, apart lit
tie from the main dwelling, but at our
entreaties Uncle Dave consented to re-
main as protector. We also decided to
occupy the company room, as the enor-
nous bed could accommodate all three of
us girls. ResOlutely putting away from
us all subjects of terror, we endeavored
to amuse ourselves, and sat up very late
so as to make the night as short as posi-
bic. 1t was after midnight when we en-
tered our room. A large wood fire,
burning brightly, gave a feeling Of com
fort and security, SO we speedily locked
the door and began to prepare for bel.
A heavy, massive bedstead, an heirloom,
was so high it had to be reached by
mounting three or four steps, and sort
of curtain attached to the pretty chintz
spread fell to the carpet, producing an
imposing effect of throne ike character.
Fannie was already in bed, and / just
ready to follow her, when Cecile, who
had knelt down to say her prayers, start
ed suddenly suddenly up and beckoned
me to her.
hear n stranger breathing under the
bed, she whispered, turning as white as
her night dress.
"What folly, Cecile" / answered,
laughing, at is Fannie in the bed
To reassure her, raised the end Of
the curtain slightly, and, TO my horror,
revealed pair Of thick black ankles; at
tached to heavy hob-nailed shoes. With
a united shrek of helpless terror we
burst the door open and rushed out, ut
terly forgetting poor Fannie, who follow
ed in blind amazement. Uncle Dave,
armed with heavy poker, came speedi-
ly to our aid, and embOldened by the
regular breathing, ventured to raise one
side of the curtain and peer under
There we saw, enjoying her still unbro-
ken rest, Lucy, the maid, who, tired Of
rating for ne had In darkev fashion