The state herald., 1890-02-21
WHITE MARIE.
A GEORGIA PLANTATION STORY.

Marie have been commanded to marry. The
sccac is the night before the double we'd
ding.
Suzettc's cabin is lighted by tho red
glow of sputtering pine knot in the
chimney. She bends over the smoke
dyed flame, her handkerchief-covcred
head sunk deep in her fat and shining
arms.
She looks over her shoulder into the
darkness behind her. Her own bulky
form is exaggerated into u shadow
giantcss on he wall, and round this
silhouette, weird, snake-like sprites of
fhade, born of tho ropes of smoke
from the pine, pirouett, gleefully.
Traces Of dricd-up tears arc in the
wrinkles of the dusky woman's
checks. Her work-hardcncd fingers
trcmblc on her knee, and her frame
quivcrs convulsivcly.
40 my Lawd!" sho prays, in deep
anguish, "sliow POI Suzcttc dc right
way. Now wat kin she do in dis yer
trial en- tribulation? Dis is dc fus time,
you know, l aciu'ly give in. Deb aint
or spank er light in de wilderness, ell
it's fill wild swamps Gil dark ez pitch
en- no way ont. Oh, my Lawd! you
/ ,nuu' iii my pou,, o,.r;,, -
She ceases TO pray, but does not look
up when SLOW, light step nears the
door oil the dew-covercd grass. Marie
stands or the threshold, picture Of
youth in the clutches of dark despair,
drawn on the vast space-canvas which
is stretched from earth to the stars.
Since Marie can remember, Suzctte
has not failed TO meet her with smile
tile smile is not foi Incoming to-
night. As the girl languidly place,
her hat on the bed, she eyes the defect
cd old form in u way that showU that
she fully comprchcnds the woman's
feelings. Sic signs and turns to the
door. She peers out into the far
sp cading blackncss as one in dream
secs strange, threatening aspects and
feels unable to fee from them.
Sometimes, when the rapidly scur-
ring clouds arc thinncst in front of the
moon, the majestic convcxity of the
nearest mountain shows, clear cut,
against the sky.
Sounds Of nnalloycd merriment from
Elvira's domicilc subordinate the sing
Ing of the breezc-touched trees near
by. They are the harmonious thump
of banjo and the resonant, drum-likc
beating Of bare feet on punchcon
floor. Now nnd then snatches of
happy, plantation songs are sung amid
bursts Of hearty laughter.
This merrymaking is intended TO do
honor to the dawning wcdding-day of
Ike and Elvira. Neither had sough;
marriage, perhaps for the reason that
they had not been taught TO think and
decide for themselves in matters where
their own welfare was conccrned; but
now that their banns had been cried by
their masters relentless ngcnt, they
could raise 10 word Of objection. In
decd, after the frs, family queer sen
sation was over, they began TO feel
quite happy in being the cause Of the
jewellers turbulent fun-making.
The "banio player" and 'my crowd"
rs hc terms tho stcn,orian-lungcd
loungcrs who Join In the chorus TO the
rhymclcss sianzas he invcnts, arc seat
cd, some In the door Of the cabin,
others on the floor, with willowy bend
Ing bodies and clapping hands. Cries
one:
"Dancc, Ike; shuttle yo'sc'f!'
"Shakc dat long foot, You fool
dsrkyl" shrilly pipes n pickaninny who
Is wriggllng aud gyraling In corner
and kicking and slnpping tho wall
with his feet and hands ms II bcwitch-
cd with the music.
"Mck um bofu EifrrR do high wcddin'
iling!" sings out another Then from
the mouth Of the leader:
"De hollcr or his foot mex or hole In de
groun',
Hole In lie groun', hole In dc groun',
Who. been yer scnoc ! been gonoi
Er long, slim drrky wli cr white shut on"
Willing Ike rises from the floor with
= Notwithstanding grin, and plants
himself In tho 'ccntro OF tho ring of
faces, mud begins his performance by
simply swaying his body to and fro
md row and then 'lapping his brognn
solc ngninst the door.
"Git ont, I'm wild you! Dis noo'
mint gwine tor hol' me. oh, I'm cr
slldln' down do snow mouniain!"
"iluinp, hump, hc humps or long,
20 ole inrkcy aInt much strong"
chimes In tho deep voice OF tho random
s3loist.
"llc rctiln' In cr woaviD' way. Ike,
4, go bcs'- .eut he; clean ,hrool
Shoa dm wis YOU been raiscd!"
siou,, ap enthusiastic ndmircr In n
tpasia of CLEO
"Alek Elvirn jinc iin!" yclls the
banjoi., "Pull or ont, mex or show
~. Dey alni hiicn' ter marry lcss'n