Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1893-12-21

Here they are" said MT Dorion
"Something more than hundred q
them. You see their disposition. Al
that are able TO work are aching e
get into the cotton field 10 save dc
crop"
"Would you sell one Of these slaves?'
"Sell one Of them2 Nei Why, I'd
as soon think OF selling one Of my own
girls"
"Do oil planters feel that way2"
81 can't say likely not. / know OF
many who do"
"Is II not true that at the slave.
marts In Now Orleans and Charleston
young girls are sold on the auction
block, and that mothers are separated
from young children"
Mr.. Dorion answered with some
warmth
"You said you didn't know anything
about slavery, my boy; your questions
show me that you have read great
deal about IL. suppose the things
that you speak OF do exist; / don't
know. they are iurt as strange 20 me
as though my life had been passed IN
Siberia. Here is my south-right here,
among these people who raise bale
of cotton TO the acre, and care for their
nigRers as no white man at the north
could be coaxed or driven TO do well,
here we arc, at the edge Of the cotton
fields. Take look therew
looked, and / saw the sight that /
had already seen n dozen times at n
distance on my way down the river.
Hundreds Of acres bursting into the
snowy bloom OF the cotton; n mimic
snowstorIn, with the contrast OF deep
green foliage all about IL, and azure
skies and unclouded sun above IL.
The sight was one TO remember for q
lifetime.
Under the shade Of n broad-armed
oak at the border of tho fields Mr..
Dorion sat down and famed himself
with his hat.
"see here, my boy" he said, GIVE
got something TO say 10 you. ] want
10 talk 10 you like father Sit down
there and hear me-"
/ complied.
"When you came here, last night,
you were no more TO me or TO my fam
lily than any other traveller from the
north would be. You have been with
us but little while, and, I'm free TO
say, you have grown on US. You are
O lad OF sense and spirit; like you.
My wife told me this morning that she
hoped could keep you here awhile.
Now, don't you be too much fattered,
my lad. My wife is sensible woman;
she knows that two of our daughters
are engaged 10 be married, and that
the other Is likely 10 be, very soon.
don't expect any danger from you In
that quarter. But my ovcrseor is get.
ting cranky; he Is northern man, and
he don't use the field hands just as
would like. The idea has been pass
Ing through my mind all night that
would like TO keep you with me, and
learn You all about the plantation and
the hands. Then, In few months,
can dismiss the overseer and put you
In his place. You are northern born;
but feel as II you would be sue
cess In that place. What do you sayP'
felt tempted. hesitated, and
knew not what to say. Then | replied:
"You overpower me with your offer,
Mr.. Dorion. II II were not for my duty
TO Mr.. Bostocls--"
lie snatched me up impatiently:
"Your duty to BostockP You owe
him none. Let me warn you not TO
sacrifice your prospects TO n mere sem
ltiment The man that you think you
owe some obligation TO Is changed,
lembittered man. Do not think that
he will receive you with the cordiality
that he showed you ten years ago In
your northern home. He may not
know you at all. l don't know what
manner of reception he will give you.
Have you thought of this9"
was silent, He was encouraged by
my silence, and went on;
And think, for moment, what you
are exposing yourself toll You are seek,
ing to link your fortunes TO those of a
man who has clouded his life. He has
alienated all the friends that he made
here. There is fearful mystery hang
ing over his past life. do not know
you do not know-how you may be
come complicated with It, II you persist
In going on. only say to you-shur
himl"
heard his words. l refiected; ant
the temptation TO heed them grew lesi
and less. recalled the poverty OF my
life on the New Hampshire farm; my
yearning 10 be with him. when"
thought, did he need friends more thar
nowp" was quickly decided.
II am grateful, very grateful TO you
Mr.. Dorion," said. "But must stand
by Mr.. Bostock."
He looked hard at me, and seized my
hand.
"You are 4 splendid fellow" he said