The Northern Pacific farmer. [volume] (Wadena, Minn.) 1878-1885, 1881-07-07

ySoAo OAS "AVA VIZ Ao$3 W AAOCNOAA " 90 uAAo
furled from the flag staff of the Place
d'Armes, the flag that brought with it new
prejudices against old social customs, aud
the Black Code, which made marriage be-
tween black and white a penal offense,
while the interblending Of the race was q
matter which the law left uninterfered with
by any statutory prohibition. This beauti-
full, brjght-eyed, intelligent little creole,
while the men who made New Orleans
famous in those days were almostin daily at
tendance upon her, admiring her charms
and enjoying her conversation, was led to
the alter by Jacques Paris, carpenter of
her own color. The ceremony took place
at the st. Louis Cathedral, Pere Antoine
officiating, and Mazereau, the brilliant lead
er of the bar, being one of the witnesses.
The union was short and happy one.
When Marie had been welded only one
year jacques suddenly disappeared and as
no one knew where he had gone or what
had become of him, she was left neither
wife nor widow. After waiting year and
no tidings of the missing jacques, she
consented to be the bride of Capt. Christie
phe Dominique Glapion. The latter seems
to have been man of much character, and
served with distinction throughout the war
of 1915 as officer in d'Aquin's gallant San
OoLnAuSO OatUalAou. "AeA pohco "do CO.
tablished, Marie became mole sought after
than ever. She lived all her life in little
adobe house covered with red tiles, situated
in St. Ann between Rampant and Burgundy
streets. It was built by the ea1ly French
settlers $50 years ago. Not brick was en-
ployed in its construction. The walls were
formed of peculiar combination of clay
and moss. The entrances we're made very
low, and the panes of glass in the door were
of small size and peculiar make. When
this interesting residence was erected, it
stood on the very outskirts of the town.
Rampant street was then wilderness, and
later it became line Of intrencnment. At
that time the cottage was considered the
handsomest dwelling house in the place..
All the other houses then existing have been
torn down and more modern buildings
sprung up, so that the quaint Laveau man
sion, with the high, half broken down fence
in front, and the branches of several an
Gent trees peeping over, seemed relic of
the New Orleans of long ago.
III this place Marie received the celebri-
ties of the day. Lawyers, legislators, plant
tiers, merchants, all came to. pay their re-
spects to her and seek her Offices,
and scancal as any of the historical saloons
would not send ship to sea before con-
sulting her upon the probabilities of the
voyage. Marie entertained her guests in
royal style. Her cuisine was excellent,
and all who possessed characteristics en-
titling them to more than ordinary consid-
Grafton were welcome to her table. Those
who came from the parishes of other states
were compelled to take up their quarters
under her roof, for she would allow no
other house to be called moro hospitabl!,
than her own. Coming in daily contac
with the best informed men of that period,
and possessing remarkably retentive
memory, it lis no wonder that she acquired
large store of valuable information. She
was by no means backward in delivering
her opinions, end as her predictions nearly
always came true, and the course she
suggested generally proved the wisest,
Matte soon posed larger clientele than
the most astute and far.seeing legal coun-
se1or. Aud it was not alone for advice that
men and women of all conditions called On
her. Her skill in medicine, already re-
ferred to, and her ability as nurse made
he1 desirable at the sick bed. Marie had
a large, warm heart and tender nature, and
never refused summons from the suffer-
ing, no matter how dangerous the disease.
Wherever she went she labored faithfully
and earned life long friends. During VEL
low fever and cholera epidemics she
proved herself q noble, disinterested wo-
man, going from patient to patient, sd
ministering to the wants of each and saving
many from death.
People were not all as enlightened and
unprejudiced as they are now, aud, failing
to understand how she arrived at her con-
illusions, they could imagine no better
source than Voudouism. At first she en-
couraged this idea, and delighted to cover
her actions with an air of mystery. Nurses
would frighten their charges into silence by
the name of the Voudou Queen, and the
children thus grew up ir fear of her. Many
older people had more real cause to dread
Marie. There were very few secrets of any
nature which she did not know. Where
ever there was skeleton in the family
closet Name held the key. But she was
true to the confidence reposed in her and
did not turn knowledge to any unjust ads
vantage. She knew of many proud home
where whisper concerning the faint of col
ored blood would have spread CONSERVATION,
money for not overthrowing their standing
! in society. She was often placed on the
| stand to testify concerning such matters,
but no threats of imprisonment could force
her to unseal her lips. It was only where
the families had become naughty and ar
rogant, and were cruel and brutal to their
dependents that she told all she knew, and
her disclosures brought terrible disgrace
upon those who had called forth her wrath.
In moments of passion she shrieked out
imprecations and curses, and her relatives
say, and tremble as they tell it, that even
when she launched the doom of death
against those who had merited her dis
pleasure her words came true, the victims
expiring with frightful agonies at the stated
time.
Captain Glapion died on June 26, 1855,
leaving Marie, who had been the mother
of his fifteen children, to mourn, his loss.
His death caused q great change in her life,
and che turned to the church, which she has
never been accused of deserving, for con-
ISOLATION. Not only did she increase he,
own devotion, but loved to bring others in
to it's bosom. Marie would often visit the
cells Of the condemned, and turn the
i thoughts Of those soon to be led out tc
atone for their crimes to their Saviour. Hel
prisoners, because if they would excite he,
pity her powerful influence would often
obtain their pardon or at least commute.
ton of sentence. About five years ate,
the death of her husband she became i'll
and Was some time confined to her bed. Ar
she grew older her ills increased, fand final.
| ~ she could scarcely leave her bed. She
lay in large, old fashioned walnut bed
stead, in the front room Of the little house
which she had never left and in which he.
mother had lived before her. When he1
eyes opened in the morning, and before
their closing At night they rested: on saored
pictures and cEuoiaxes. She erected
IN altas h heF room, ead w taPegs ven