The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1879-09-11


He's a black nigger as ever you see, and
she's q rale likely bright girl, miss
bright as Ben
Bright refers to complexion, ana de-
notes pale 7shade.s Ben disappeared
at this juncture, taking the horse to tie
to post across the street
"Were the girl and Ben married?''
asked Belle, hesitatingly sShesrespected
Araminta's social position, which was
excellent, although colored one. Still
there was no telling where these class
distinctions offended morals, and where
they did not.
ssMarried? Laws yes, miss. Married
four years ago, in the West Street
Colored Baptist Church. Married as
fast as a spring. ss
"And Ben is such IL nice man! Good
ness! there comes Judge Drake. Well,
Araminta, there's the flannel, and you
. have my measure, and l want you to
make it a real pretty pattern for me-
Ben, I'm sorry you had SO much trouble
with my horse.''s And in a moment
more Belle was mounted and off. Going
home she told Judge Drake the sequel
of the story she had related last night.
Ben seems to be chiefly entitled to
pity in the matter,h commented Judge
Drake. Il conclude that Milly's hus-
band could be induced to return; but
can't see any spermanent prospect. OF
connubial felicity for Benz -.r.ss..r-,
~ think I'll 90 down to Fort Monroe
myself,n Belle ANNOUNCED presently
Judge Drake smiled a superior smile.
He may have considered that Belle had
rather low-lved tastes. Certainly he
thought she must be at a loss for en-
ployment and interest, to concern her.
self so deeply in the haps ahd mishaps
of a parcel of darkies. However, the
next time he rode over to Rose Hill he
found Belle had been as good as her
word, and had gone on her errand to
Hampton. OF the detail of her trip, the
arguments she used, the expostulations
and entreaties with which she assailed
Milly's husband and Ben's wife, she af-
terward had very little to say. On her
return she went to see AIilly.
"Milly," she told her, cit is a mar
ried woman your husband is living with.
| have found out all about it, So of
course she has no more claim upon him
than you haye-not so much. | think
| he is tired of her. If he should want to
come back to you, what would you
say?' @#s6 nj =
He war allays a good husban', ter
me, - said poor Milly, wiping her eyes,
when he did come back, Milly forgot the
injuries of the past, and received her
prodigal as though he had never wan
dered very far from her Belle took
good care, however, that the marriage
service should be read over them with
out delay. 1t appeared that the man
was only too willing to return ssShe
led him life Of it, Belle was told.
The reconciliation of the other parties
was more difficult of adjustment. But
Ben cared very much for his wife, and
| the silly, weak woman herself was taken
/ i'll about this time, and finding herself
forlorn and friendless, was only too glad
/ to return to home and support. Sub
sequently she mended her ways. In
point of fact, Milly showed no greater
forbearance and generosity than Ben, in
spite of the popular deflsion which
would maintain the contrary to be true
After that, N1illy's husband settled down
into a staid, domestic character. He
noticeably avoided long drives; it had
been while driving a wagon-load of mel
ons to Richmond that he had falleninto
! temptation before. -. 4,
Belle breathed sigh of relief when
/ she had untangled the twisted skein of
all these destinies-a sigh. of relief fol-
lowed by sigh of another sort-follow-
ed by letter to Miles,
Belle spent that winter in Belleplaine
after all. She fully made up her mind
that the one uncomfortable evil was to be
cold at the heart, and she was fully per-
suaded that unless she could be with
Miles, this evil must be hers.-Harper's
| Bdzar.