Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1874-06-05

THE ROMANTIC STORY GROUND OUT BY NEW Or
LEANS REPORTER.

From the New Orleans Bulletin.
When the reputation of New Orleans as n
future emporium had travelled across the
water, and strangers from all parts of the
world began to flee here. gentleman resld-
ing on one of the Antilles caught the preva-
lent fever and came to this city to pay court
to dame fortune. Fifty years ago, the fourth
district was not what it now Is. Ihe pala-
tin residences and beautiful gardens there
ne were not dreamed of, and even at Jack
SOL street open columns stretched away,
leaving the eye to wander on 70 the old
Delachaise plantation. OF a thrifty DISPOSE
ton, the gentleman had saved money, and,
accordingly, invested it in a square oil ground
which has since become very centre OF re-
finement and wealth. lie purchased some
slaves. and after putting up dwelling,
which still stands, he went through the
groove of quiet life, and one spring morn
ing, as the mocking birds were holding
carouse in the neighboring orange trees, he
gently stole into the other world and opt of
this. lie had favorite slave, Il house girl,
who was deaf and dumb. for whom he had
kindly feeling, and when his will was open
ed it was seen that he had made her lega-
tee. He gave her one lot of ground. and
her freedom when her eldest daughter should
arrive at certain age The rest of the square
he gave to an old maid relative, who had
followed him from the West Indies. Time
rolled on, and this maiden lady, Knowing
little of business, asked the counsel and ad-
vice Of 4 relative OF hers, who was then en-
gagged in business here, and who nov is Il
wealthy. retired merchant. This merchant
hegan gradually to assume more and ,noIe
management of the old lady's affairs, and it
was not long before he was master in the
premises. lie paid the taxes, rented out
portions of the square for tillage, and hardly
gave the hereSs the neceSsaries of life. At
last the time was fast approaching for the
old slave and her three daughters to become
free. and something had to be done to pre-
vent it. He therefore sent the Oldest out Of the
state and sold her. for she was the only one
who knew anything concerning the will. and
20 the track would be hidden. The mother
and three daughters he kept in slavery over
twenty years. and retained possession of a
lot donated to them by their dead master.
The war came on, and after the emancipation
proclamation the daughters and old dumb
mother remained abont the old place a long
time In lS66 the old slave died and the
three daughters went out rs servants. Years
passed on, and it was only through 4 garru-
lous old lady who had been. over quarter
ola century before. a witness to their mas
ter'> viii that they learned of their owner
ship Of the ground and their bondage through
fraud. They have now obtained legal ad
vice. and their attorneys are preparing to
sue the retired merchant for the land and
900 damages for keeping them in slave
~ for eighteen years. 1t i said that great
interest in their behalf i shown by some
prominent families up town. Rolling in
luxury, their hard taskmaker has laughed
lt their demand for the ground, and viii
make no reparation. The lawyers are hard
at work searching through Oh dusty man
u~cript>, finding out aged witnesses and
our courts will soon have a cause celebre.
The mills @ the god. grind SLOWLY
But they do grind exceed NJ lne.