Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1893-12-16

get into the cotton field to save de
crop"
Would you sell one of these slaves?"
Sell one of them? Ne? Why, Id
as soon think of selling one Of my own
girls"
do all planters feel that way?"
II can't say; likely not know OF
many who do"
lis it not true that ut the slave
marts in New 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 it. suppose the things
that you speak of do exist: ! don't
know: they arc Just as strange to me
rs 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
niggers as no white man at the north
could be coaxed or driven to do. We'll,
here we are. at the edge OF the cotton
fields. Take look there!"
looked. and saw the sight that
had already seen dozen times Mt
distance on my way down the river.
Hundreds of acres bursting into the
snowy bloom of the cotton: mimic
snowstorm with the contrast OF deep
green foliage all about it. and azure
skies and unclouded sun above 1t.
The sight was one to remember for a
lifetime.
Under the shade of broad-armed
oak at the border of the fields Mr..
Dorion sat down and famed himself
with his hat.
"See here. my boy" he said, "I've
got something to say to you. ] want
to talk to 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 u.s. You are
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 fiattered,
my lad My wife is sensible woman;
she knows that two of our daughters
are engaged to be married, and that
the other is likely to be. very soon. ]
don't expect any danger from you in
that quarter But my overseer 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 a few months,
can dismiss the overseer and put you
in his place. You are northern born;
but feel as If You would be sue
cess in that place. What do You say"
felt tempted. hesitated, and
knew not what to say. Then ] replied:
lyon overpower me with your offer,
MT. DOrlOu. III IL vert hOI loT my uuS5
to Mr.. Bostock-
lie snatched me up 'impatiently:
your duty to Bostock? You owe
him none. Let me warn you not to
sacrifice your prospects to mere SEN
timent. The man that you think you
owe some obligation to is changed,
embittered 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 Mt all. don't know what
manner of reception he will give you.
Have you thought of this?"
was silent. He was encouraged by
my silence, and went on:
"And think, for a moment, what you
are exposing yourself to! 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. l. do not know
you do not know-how you may be-
come complicated with 1t, II you persist
in going on. only say to you-shun
him.
heard his words. reflected; and
the temptation to heed them grew less