St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1891-02-07
useful medicines, blisters, stews, ETC., her
medicine shelf afforded, and fastened
acrnSS the Straaf altar fa thar

useful medicines, blisters, stews, ETC., her
medicine shelf afforded, and fastened
across the street after father
Rose and | stood in our doorway, and as
the door was opened now and then to give
more air, or to admit the excited father or
son, we could see the poor woman was in
much agony.
After all this we were in no mood to go
anywhere, and laid aside our hats and
gloves and anxiously awaited further word
from our neighbor.
While thus in suspense. we fell to talk
ing of l.. B., and its people. From some
cause we had never spoken of it before.
That night it all seemed so clearly present
to me-, and wished to talk of it.
"Did you live there so long and have no
friends to whom you wish to return p
asker Rose
thought awhile, | had never before
thought of having friends in Long Branch.
| was about to name Grannie, when |
thought of the wrong she had done in
keeping me from my father, and l an
swered mo"
Rose looked at me questioningly,
! thought again. thought of Title Tull,
and blushed to think should have so for
gotten her, eyes" | answered slowly,
Il had one friend" In all Long Branch
had one friend, and | blush that | should
ever have forgotten her. But rejecting a
moment. 81 do not wish to return" and
the tears almost came into my eyes at the
thought of ever seeing the place again.
Rose did not speak again for few mo-
ments. Then she said, off you had no
friends, had you no acquaintance 2
Strange, | had lived there sixteen years
and could count all the people l knew, in
half minute.
'Yes, knew Grannie and Aunt Kate,
and Mr.. and Mrs. Core, and | knew Farmer
Curry"
WAS that Mr. Cores name Joe p she
asked after little thought.
THAT is the name, think
"Then,' said she. I'VE have another
link to our chain, your mother had but
one brother, his name was Joe, he was a
worthless vagabond."
"Wben an army surgeon your father
found the family, mother and two child
rem at Memphis, Tenn, and sent them
North through pity.
when he came back he became better
acquainted with Pircilla and married her
You know the rest. l do not doubt but
that that Joseph Core is your uncle, and
that he has helped your mother hide you
away there in the bluffs"
Then it was not only possible, but true
that that horrible monster was my uncle.
| wondered if the rest of my relatives were
white, or if some midnight black man
would not next step up and call me neice
or sister.
Just then Aunt Caroline came home.
She wore such solemn look, we dared
not ask till she spoke. At last, after re-
arranging everything about the room that
she could possibly move she sat down to
try to be composed.
Mrs. Tides is very sick woman" she
said at last.
Neither of US speaking. she continued !:
owe must do all we can to help our
doctor. 1t is hard case for one of his
practice to undertake, but as they insist
we must all do our share"
This would seem very strange in most
towns, but we were only country folks at
White Hall.
Then Aunt turned to Rose, "1our ap-
pointed task is nurse. There is no one
better fitted than our ever watchful Rose, y
she added, laying her beautiful hand in
motherly way upon Roses shoulder ~ on
will only have to be watch Bridget will
be there and ready"