Waterbury evening Democrat., 1889-11-27

1
 ..silas Craig" exclaimed Mortimer. with a shuddor of disgust. "What in Heavens name induces you to encourage the acquatrtan of that man. Augustus?"
 "Pshaw. Mortimer. have mono of your romantic notions. MT. Craig is very re- spectable member of society,"
 "Respectable! Yes; the man who makes money Is respectable, no III attor by what shameful means he makes 1t. Usurer, oppressor of the helpless. traf flicker Tn human flesh-what matters by | what hideous trade the gold is Got2 Tho yellow guineas will not sparkle less-the l hollow world will not be less ready to bow to tho respectable member of so- | ciety.'
 Fool !" cried Augustus, angrily i; "Craig is here. Do you wish him to know | your opinion of him?'
 Mortimer shrugged his shoulders and resumed his conversation with his cousin Adelaide.
 Silas Craig saluted tho ladies with cer- emonious politeness. and. after the first 1 greetings, exclaimed with face expres- sivo of sanctimonious grief and pious horror
 "Of course, ladies, you have heard the news7"
 The news! What news2" cried Ade- laide and her aunt simultaneously.
 'What is 1t possible that you have not heard of Mir. Gerald Leslie's conduct1 All New Orleans Is ringing with the scandal"
 "Wkat ecandal?"
 "Ah, ladies, you may indeed woll ask what scandal for who could believe that NIT. Leslie. one of the principal planters of Louisiana, should have been guilty of such a treason against tho interest of so- ciety at larger"
 Treason! MT. Leslie! What do you mean, MT. Craig!" exclaimed Augustus ! Horton.
 II mean that Gerald Loslio has been discovered, within these lest flow days, ono of his slaves, Quadroon called Francilia, whom he sold to me somc four teen years ago. The girl has been brought up in EnEand where she has re- ceived the education of a princess, and 1t is only through her unexpected return to covered
 "Merciful Heavens" cried Adelaide hiding her face in her hands, "Cora 0 slave'
 "There was one spark of feeling at least" muttered Mortimer, as he watched his cousins emotion.
 "Now," pursued the pitiless usurer,
 according to the Louisiana law, it is criminal to teach a slave to read. What. then must be tho offcnsc of MT. Leslie in sending this girl to first-class English boarding-school,a and having her taught the accomplishments of lady of the highest birth?"
 "A terrible offense. indeed, MT. Craig, " said Mortimer, bitterly, "but this girl is Gerald Leslie's own daughter, is she not?"
 'She is; but what of that? Born of a slave mother, she Is not tho less his slave"
 s'I understand. As worthy member ofsociety. then. as Christian and a gen tlemen-in the sense in which we regard these things-he may sond his daughter to toll sixteen hours a day on his Dlanta- tion; he may hand her to his ovoreeer tC Hogged, If she Is too weak tor 1oo lazy, ac It will most likely be cailed) 70 work; he raay sell her, if he will no matter to what degradation.-no matter to what in fanny but let him dare to love her i"t him dare look upon her with ono thrill of futheTly affection-lo5 him attempt to elevate her mind by education to teach her that there is a frec heaven above her. where slavery cannot be-lot him do this. and he has committed q crime against society and the laws of Louis iana.
 Exactly so." replied Craig. rubbing his oily hands, II see you understan, the law of tho land, Mir. Percy. Nc wonder that Gerald Leslie is ruined man, he has wasted a princely income on the education of this glrl-this slave. "Poor Cora !" exclaimed Adolaidc 'What, Miss Horton, did you know her?' asked Craig. II did, indeed" replied Adelaide; '.w, were educated at the same school-w' were bosom friends" "Mcrciful Hcavenr' exclaimed Craig sanctimoniously; ito what pollution are our daughters exposed, whom thu children of slaves are foisted upon so t ciety in this manner!'
 "No, MT. Craig" cried Mortimer, witt l bitter laugh; "the pollution Is in the , very atmosphere of climo in which | fathers first duty to society is to tramplt on the laws of humanity---the tics o I flesh and blood"
 Hold your tongue. Mortimer" sail Augustus Horton, you know nothing o these things; Gerald Leslie has acte' 8 disgracefully, and this girl must pay tn
 penalty of her fathers folly" 8 That is Louisiana justice"
 Excuse me for two or three minutes Mir. Craig" said Augustus, rising; "
 have few words to say to my cousin. 6 will rejoin you almost immediately; 1 6 | the mos ntime the ladies will amuse you Come, Mortimer" ] The young man followed his cousin s after bowling coldly to Craig. Tho trut
 of the matter was that Augustus Horto , wished to get his imprudent partner ou l of tho way, as he felt that Silas Graf , would take care to spread the report ( 2 Mortimer Porcy' revolutionary principle
 among the outraged Southerners y Left alone with the two ladies, 5iia 6 Craig felt himself very much at u loss fc , conversation.
 He had never married. and he wa
 always silent and ashamed in female SC
 ciety. Accomplished hypocrite as t
 was, he trembied before the keen il
 stincts of a woman, and felt that his re, n nature stood unmasked. ,t But on this occasion he was relieve @ from his em barrassment in a manne l. that he had littlo expected. Just as v was preparing himself to tutor sonao con ' monplace remark, a stentorian voice r ', sounded through the vestibule withou F. "Oh, you needn't announce mo, Sat e the intruder; "everybody knows me. It ,f old Craig, the lawyer, I want to see. an
 know he's here.E ,f close observer might hsve observe le that Silas Crnigs face grow corsiderabI l. paler at tho sound of his voice but b. ST fore he could make any remark the ownt 8. of it had dashed into the room. bangin