The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1884-04-12
Select Storg.
THREE casters.
BY ANNIE j. DUFFELL

| FIRST EASTER.
1t was in the interior of the State of North
| Carolina that the events transpired which
am about to chronicle.
1t would be difficult for any one who has
not been in this section of the country to real
ize the primitive habits there prevailing lg
norance, prejudice, superstition run rife, and
reduce the few inhabitants to the level of the
early aborigines. Large tracts oftimber lands
here abound, which, with the thin population,
makes life as desolate and barren as the wilds
of some uncivilized country.
1t was at the close of an extremely unpleas-
ant day that SAKE Spencer found himself in
one of the most unlovely points of this unlove
ly section. He was the representative of a
large northern lumber firm, had come south
at their bidding to examine some forest tracts
for which they proposed to open negotiation,
provided the investigation was satisfactory;
| and now having become separated from his
guide and attendants was in the disagreeable
predicament of being lost in an apparent inter-
minable forest with night fast approaching. In
hastily reviewing his situation, he perceived
no way by which he could extricate himself
from his dilemma. The only course open to
him was to press on in the hope of coming
across some wood choppers hut, or the hab
itation of some of the low whites or negroes
that find life possible in this dreary region.
Beside him was a dull, sluggish stream,
| from which a slow but dense mist was even
now beginning to arise in the early evening
hours. He decided to follow the stream. The
wisdom of this instructive course was manifest
ed to him when, half an hour later, he arrived
at point, which, by courtesy, might have
| been termed settlement.
In all his life SAKE Spencer had never be-
held anything quite so desolate as the scene
here presented.
Before him, and across the stream, which
was the incarnation of miasma and disease,
reared the square, angular shape of a frame
house, which, altogether having never been
completed, was beginning to crumble into
decay. In this dim, dreary hour it appeared
| like huge skeleton rearing its grim shape
through the night shades fast falling. A few
crumbling posts, visible at long intervals, in
dicated that fence had once surrounded the
grounds, now gone to waste, and several low
out buildings in the worst state of dilapida-
tipn Increased the forlorn aspect of the place,
SAKE stood for a moment in silent contem
plation, then crossed the attenuated plank
spanning the creek, and made for the house.
As he mounted the shaky steps, the broad
form of an aged negress appeared around the
neighboring angle. This was an encouraging
circumstance, the more in that the fat, good
natured countenance in no way partook OF the
weird character of the scene.
SAKE made known his condition and wants,
and thereupon was conducted to a door in the
rear of the building, which evidently led into
the kitchen. Thence he followed his con-
ductress into long, low hall, extending the
whole length of the house, and which was
apparently the favorite apartment of the
household.
! Crude, but strong, chairs were plentiful !;
tables were strewn about, Uttered with guns,
ammunition, fishing tackle, and upon one q
banjo and tambourine were visible amidst the
chaos, while huge, rusty stove gave forth a
pleasing heat in the cavernous hall.
The negress, whom he subsequently ascer-
taind to be named Venus, drew up couple
of chairs to the fire, one of which she motion
ed Spencer to accept, herself occupying the
other, and proceeded to regard him with an
expression that invited conversation.
| "What an extraordinarily lonely situation
for house - observed Spencer.
Venus emitted a sound between grunt and
q chuckle.
"Tain't half as lonely as them as is in the
house, she observed. "Lor' but It's a aw-
full place, mas'r."
Spencer Strengthened himself. His counte-
nance took on look of interest He began
to scent Q mystery,
"You do not live here alone?" he observed,
encouragingly.
mo. There's five of 'em sides me. Once
there was more'n that; they're dwindlin
down. It's the fault of the curse"
And then, to Spencer's unmitigated aston
ishment, the old woman suddenly covered her
face with her apron and burst into wheezy
| sobs.
''We's drefful set, mas'r,'' she continued,
after an interval of weeping on her part and
of uncomfortable silence on his. Lori |
don't know when Use see wisitor-not for
nigh onto five years. You've come into an
unlucky place, masr. It's got curse hang
ing over it. !"
An exclamation broke from Spencer. His
gaze had been attracted by the portrait of q
beautiful girl which hung upon the opposite
wall. He rose and went to it eagerly.
"How lovely! How incomparably lovely"
| he exclaimed.
For few moments he remained in absorbed
contemplation, after which he became con-
scious of his companions utter silence.
Turning, he was startled to see that the old
woman had bent forward in her chair, with
her hands thrown out in front of her, and her
wrinkled visage wearing look of mortal
fright and horror.
Spencer stared at her stupidity.
''For the Lords sake,' she finally gasped.
''Mas'r, what for did you go straight to that
picture ?"
SAKE.
Venus gave hollow groan.
sits the curse-it's the cursen' she NUT
tered, and, rising, hobbled off to the remote
regions of the kitchen.
Deeply mystifed, Spencer had scarcely
seated himself when loud stamping at the
main entrance, and fierce baying of dogs. ap-
prised him of an arrival.
In the next moment the door was thrown
violently open, and there entered man of
gigantic stature, accompanied by young girl
and followed by half dozen hounds of various
size and breed.
Doubtful of the reception he might receive
from this fierce-looking stranger, whom he at
once surmised to be the master, SAKE rose to
meet him.
On their part, the newcomers seemed to ex-
perience more of curiosity at the sight of their
guest than any other emotion, and peered
searchingly in his countenance, the girl ap-
pearing almost stupehed
Spencer proceeded to explain his presence
at once.
"You are welcome the man at last ex-
claimed, reaching forth his hand. ssTal<e a
chair-make yourself comfortable. Visitors
are scarce. eh, En- ?''-turning to the girl,
who still stood as though dumbfounded.
"Run and tell Venus we are waiting supper,
and bid the witch give us plenty"
The girl flung down her gun, to which were
strung several brace of birds, and left the hall
upon her errand.
/ At the first glimpse of her, Spencer had
hoped to have found in her the original of the
picture; and at the second he perceived his mis-
take; she was younger-being not over six
teen-and in every way less attractive, though
bearing sufficient similarity to the portrait to
give rise to the possibility of developing into
equal beauty as maturity approached.