The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1885-09-10
a DOMESTIC TRAGEDY.
The Philosophical Manner in Which the
Negroes Accept the DEGREES of Provi-
dence.


The Philosophical Manner in Which the
Negroes Accept the DEGREES of Provi-
dence.
Last summer while the writer was in
Amelia County, Virginia, the following
incident occurred. illustrative of the
philosophical manner in which negroes
accept the DEGREES of Providence
Amelia, it will be remembered. is one
of the black counties. The negroes
occupy most of the old homesteads, and
are given over to ignorance and super
sntion. The Wigwam. the old Harri-
son place. house we'll known in Vir
ginia, is surrounded on every side by
hordes of negroes, who own small tract:
of land. and farm them. One of these
settlements is at 1.-The Lodge" once the
property of Mr.. Robert Archer. a dis
tinguished Virginian gentleman of the
old regime, now, with all his descend
ants, dead and gone. My hostess and
l were peeling peaches on the broad
veranda, when Mary Caesar, the dairy
maid. appeared.
Miss Anna, gimme piece o light
bread, please. marm."
"WhO is sick. Marv?" said Mrs.
H. light bread being a luxury re-
served for the i'll negroes.
"Sister Rose Archer. -marm." All
colored people claim the fraternal rela-
ton, whether there is any in reality or
not. if they are members of the same
church. or have experienced a change
'.Whv, l thought Rose Archer lived
in Richmond. What is the matter with
HERO
Mary's large greasy countenance,
which rivalled a bombazine dress for
blackness. fairly shone.
We'll, Miss Anna, you member Sis
Rose was married to INK Crutch Henry
Archer's son William, en- dey moved
fun de Lodge to Richmond. Bout
three weeks ago SIS Rose en- Willum
he'd fight bout some'in', en- Sis Rose
hit Willum Archer er lick on de head
wild stick er wood, and it kilt him. it
pintlv did. Willum Archer always was
a sicklv niger. Well. Miss Anna, she
done all she could. en- gin him er tuner
al. en- den, bein' ez she was a oCidder,
and pore, she come up to de Lodge to
STAY here longer Willum's daddy en-
nanny INK Crutch Henry were
mighty 'flicted 'bOuten Willum being
kilt, cause he were de onlieSt son whar
he had, but Sis Rose say she gwine dar
to be all de company she ken for Viii
lum's folks"
The peach knife fell. Mrs. H,
though SchOoled to Amelia eccentrici-
ties, stood transtixed. Then she gasped:
And Williams father and mother
let her stay there after killing their only
son?"
Miss Anna" said Mary in a pecu-
liarly soothing voice, Junk Crutch
Henry done AK Rose buck um she come
to kill Willum Archer. en- Sis Rose say
she DON'T knOW bWc5 I'M"
This was Monday. Sunday afternoon
Mary reappeared. an expression of tri-
umphant excitement in her eyes, though
her manner was as gentle and depreca-
tory as ever.
ISIS Rose Archer dead, Miss Anna"
she announced.
Dead, When did she die?"
Mary SmOothed her apron.
well, Tuesday mOrnin', Miss Anna,
Br'cr Jeames Barksdale went to Court
House. en- de sheriff sort Sis Rose word
to Git ready. cause he was comm to de
Lodge Monday mOrnin' to git her en-
hang her for KILN of Willum Archer.
En- Sis Rose say eff dc sheriff were COM
in to hang her. ez she were porely
enyway, 't,ca'n ruth vItiie to git up, 50
she CRIME die
"NOnesenser' cried Mrs. H. LAS
if people could die when they chose!'
ISIS Rose done die" said Mary stout
ly. "She say 't'0a'Ht ruth whiic TO qit
up jest to be hanged. en- she die last
night. en- please, Miss Anna. femme 60
to de funeral. INK Crutch Henry
gwine gin her mighty nice buryin'.
bein' Ell she was widder, en- Willum
Archer was de onliest son he he'd. II
G. Cabel, in Editors Drawer, Harper'S
MagGzine.