The Press., 1884-02-21
A MASQUERADE.

We were going to give masquerade party, and we spoke to the general about l it. He was a fne black eyed, white hair ed, red-cheeked old gentleman, courteous ill the extreme, and always amiable; but when we said to him, Wont you join us and take a character ?" he drowned down, on us from his six feet of height, and said, without any attempt at civility whatever: ssNo, Iwon't. I'll have nothing te do with masquerade and marched away. In few minutes, however, he repented, and marched back.
 s'Ill tell you why," he said, Eff you care to listen. I was born Tn Georgla, you know, and there lived while was young. We were very sociable set of people, and enjoyed ourselves in every way. One win. ter we took to having masquerades, and made good success in my characters. Other people were found out, but never l. I had fresh disguise and a good one every time. I took pains about 1t, and al- tered my voice and my walk, as an actor 1 should, to suit the role. In no case had any one found out who was until un- masked. And now the last masquerade of the season was to be given by MT. and | Mrs. Payton-under their auspices, rath. CT, for it was really Miss Sally Peyton's party. sI was anxious, of course, not to lose my reputation as an actor, and racked my brains to think of a new character. At last I determined to go as negro, and having seen comical rascal on the road, l made myself up as much like him as possi- ble, in green baize jacket and white ap- ron, with big standing collar of striped pink and white, and woolly wig of inn mense proportions. Instead of wearing q mask, blacked my face with prepara- ton winch was an excellent imitation of the genuine black skin, and wore comical mustache and side whiskers, which gum med on. My sisters were going to the party, but I would not ride with them, for I believed that secret was never safe after | it was divided, and dressed after the oth- CTS had gone, and rode over to the Pey- tons on horseback.
 ''It was long way and the night was cold, and though I had my cloak about me, I certainly would have been more comfortable in the close carriage. The houses that passed stood back from the road. Though it was winter, the pines were still green, but the other trees were bare. The ground was frosty, and echoed nnder my horses tread, and as approach ( d the tavern the lights looked bright and cheerful.
 'sI think I should have stopped to warm my toes at the fire and my inner man with something of which you ladies doubtless disapprove, but that my disguise forbade it, and after staring in at the door mo- ment I rode on, not without sigh. As I did SO saw a man who stood at the door make sisral to another who made haste to join him. Perhaps they recognized my horse, and it provoked me to think that I might be betrayed. I put spurs to my horse, and when I heard the sound of hoofs behind me rode faster. It was at point where three roads met at bridge over rapid stream thatmy pursuers gain ed upon me, and two armed men arrested my progress.
 "'Halt, or we frer ? cried rough voice at my ear, and my bridle was seized, as I supposed, by highwayman.
 Generally I carried pistol with me but in the excitement of making up for my character I had left it behind me. I was unarmed; but, after all, reflected if I could pass for negro might ride on at will, my handsome cloak perhaps the only forfeit. I threw it off, and in my best i'm itation of the negro style exclaimed:
 "'What massa want of poor ole brack Ben? Ole negger goin' on ali errand. Ole nigger got no money, got no watch, got no nuUln. Ol0 .ben an G QOn6 nuIIln wrong, sartin sure, massa-'
 ,'' Hold your tongue, you rascal ? cried cried one of the men. 'This is our man, clothes and all. You're MT. Whitney's Jim. You robbed him of fifty dollars yes terday and ran away. I knew you atsight, you black thief you. But whose horse you've got passes me. Ride between us, or if will he the worse for yO11
 'Gentlmen,' I replied, in my most civil manner, you have made very excusable mistake, but can explain who I am. I am not negro. am no more black than you are.'
 At this the men burst into roar of laughter, bade me hold my tongue, and ride on. saw that they were both very much intoxicated, and though I hope I am no coward, I-had no wish to die-shot for thievish runaway negro on the high road.
 "'It will be mere joke when the truth comes out,' I said to myself, and rode on in silence to the gate of the Smiths place.
 " MT. Smith in? ? cried one Of my con- ductors over the fence We've got Jim.'
 "An old negro stumbled out of the kitchen door, rubbing his eyes and staring.
 'sHi, got Jim!' he said. Dat are berry bad darkie. I'se 'shamed ob dat nigga. Done gone rob Marse Bill, an den run away. got no use for niggas ob dat kind. Dat ain't de kind ob boy to b'long to 'spectable folks. An dear me what am de worl' comin' to?
 "'Sam, you go long, send one ob de men. Hold your tongue, and call MT. Smith,
 "sCan't do it. replied Sam-'can't do it, nohow. All de white folks is gone to maskyraid ball over to de Peytons. Tse settin' up for 'em.'
 ''The men swore furiously, and inquired what was to be done with me; and felt that this was quandary indeed, for I he'd calculated on enjoying the joke with Smith i; but Sam was intelligent.
 "'Come here, boy said. T want you to look at me-
 "'I ain't got no use for nobody like you. I'se seen huff O you, has, replie d Sam.
 "'But you must come here,' said. I'm not Jim. Look at me. Do 1 speak like Jim?'
 "'De dodges ob deceivin' niggas is won- derful. Dey can put on any kind ob ways said Sam. But knows dat jack ct, Jim, eben in de dark, an knows dem whiskers. I'se got de office key, marse j; lock him up dar; dere's bars to de win ders he can't Oot ont noh0w dat's Sho