Waterbury evening Democrat., 1889-11-29
THE OCT0ROON
4 STORI OF SL4 VERY DAYS.

4 H7Otl OF SLA VERY DA YS.
 If ghost ri~en from the grave had stood before him. SilaS Craig could scarcely have appeared moro terrified than he did at the sight of this man.
 "So I've found you at last, my worthy Craig, have r. cried the stranger. i've been over every inch of ground ln New Or leans, think, looking for you. At last somebody told me you were at MT. Hor- tons. Very well, then says l, 'here goes for Mir. Horton's, and here am; ; but how is my dear Craig You don't seem glad to see me-"
 "His dear Craig! Vulgar ruf1lan !" nut tered Sllas ill an undertone and then, with an effort to overcome his enbarrass- ment, he said, e'Why, as for being glad to see you, my dear Bill, of course I'm glad but you see-you see the truth was l Thought you were in California.
 Yes, where you sent me to dig for gold and keep out of your way. No, the climate didn't agree with me, and didn't find any gold, though l soon spent had powerful friends in New Orleans, I thought the best thing could do would be to come back and throw myself once moro on their generosity"
 Silas Craig bit his thick under lip till the blood started beneath hs teeth.
 But say, Craig" said the stranger, looking at the two astonishod women. ''where's your manners? Aint you going to introduce me to the ladies?"
 "Oh, to be sure," replied Silas, with increasing embarrassment. "My dear Mrs. MOntresor, my dear Miss Horton, allow me to introduce to you MT. Bill Bowen. formerly capcain of @ slaver."
 ''Captain of a slaver!" exclaimed Ade- laide.
 Don't be frightened, miss," said Bill i; "your brother was one of my best cus- toners. I've done many bit of bus mess in the nigger trade with him."
 The young girl shuddered as she turned away from the speaker.
 Il know my dress ain't quite the thing for ladys drawing room." he said looking down down at his ragged shirt sleevea and clay stained clothes, " but we'll soon set all that to rights. My friend Craig will recommend mo to his tailor and lend me the money to pay his bill. fit comes to that, won't you, Craig?"
 'Oh, certainly, as far as that goes, in consideration for past services"
 "Yes. in consideration for past eer- vices." repeated Bill Bowen, rather sig nificantly. II tell you what, MT. Craig, as you seem doing the civil to these la much to relish my company, I'll slope now, and drop in and take a bit of dinner with you at your own house by-and-by Whats your hour?"
 ''Six o'clock" muttered Craig, with ill., concealed vexation.
 'Six o'clock. I shall be sure to be punctual," said Bill Bowen, "for I've got ma'am. Good morning. miss, he added, nodding familiarly to the two ladies, as he strode out of the room.
 What horrible creature Y exclaimed Mrs. Montresor. How can you tolerate him. NIT. Craig?"
 ''Why, the truth is," replied Silas ''the man has been of use to me in some trifing matters of business. He has served me for a long tims one way and another, and I've got used to his queer ways. He's an eccentric sort of animal, and he works all the better for being humored, so 1 look over his uncultlvated manner"
 II would not advise you to encourage him in running after you into peoples drawing-rooms," said Mrs. Montresor. pointing to the clay left by Bill Bowen's boot upon the rich colors of the Pctsian ca a1pet.
 Silas reddened and an angry frown contracted his sandy eyebrows.
 "Ill forgive him if he ever plays me this trick again. he muttcred. You are quite right, Mrs. Montresor, MT. William Bowen requires to be taught a lesson, and think Slas Craig is the man to teach it him. Pray excuse the incon- venience you have been subjected to, and permit me to wish you good morn ing"
 II cannot tell you how dislike that man!" exclaimed Adelaide, when her aunt and she were alone; "he ins pires me with disgust for which I can scarcely account. And, then, again. how cruelty he spoke of Cora! Poor girl, poor girl! slave-a slave like Myra, or Daisy, or Rose. or any of our servants. The friendship between us is broken forever, and henceforth I dare not look upon her as my equal"
 Tho iron hand of prejudice had so strangled every warmer emotion Of the soul, that this girl, whose heart was nat urally good and generous, was prepared to abandon forever the friend and con- panion of her youth, because the taint of African blood was in her veins. the brand of society WAS stamped against her name-because she was 8 slave!