Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1893-11-10
that everybody in vicksburg knew

As we sat there, my host inquired of
several loungers, one after another, IL
they knew the object of my search
Not one had ever heard of him
81 do not gay zere is not such man."
said the Frenchman. But have been
here four year, and have not hear ze
name"
"Who was it?" man asked, coming
in for a drink.
"a planter named Pierce Bostock."
He gulped down his brandy, wiped
his mouth with the back of his hand
and began to mediate.
"Bostock? l declare 1 have heard the
name I'm up and down the river all
the time, and things gifts away from
nv head in a week; but IL | amt clear
outen the channel man with some
such name was mixed up in a fight
some time ago. Wasn't it so, Frenchy?"
II tell you know not ze name"
Rather detected, l was about to re-
tire, resolved to start out in the morn
ing and make systematic search for
information, when a communicative
old negro approached me. He had
heard my inquiries and told me that
"'bout seben year ago, or mebbe
longer" he was lone of Marse Bos-
tocks boys" SIe remembered the
place well; he could tell me just where
to find it. I slipped a half dollar into
his hand and encouraged him to go on.
"Oh, yo' can't miss EN-, young maus-
sa! Great big house, bout three mile
back from de ribber; with great v'ran-
der all round"
But how far-and what road?"
Its right smart ways. / specs as
much as five or seventeen miles. Yo' go
up to de bluff road, an yo' follow him
down right smart; den yo' branches off
at de Muddy Corners; after awhile yo'
turns to de right, an den go ares do
rayi o, YOU find him"
Not much encouraged by this rather
cloudy direction, but glad to find
somebody who had some faith in the
existence of the object of my search,
took a nights rest. The morning found
me early astir. / succeeded in hiring
mule, being assured that there was
no other mode of carriage practicable,
and after breakfast l mounted and
pushed out on my quest
The reader who has ever tried to
make his way over the roads of the
south Of thirty years ago, to say moth
ing Of later day, and to gain infor-
nation as he progressed about dis
tances and localities, will not be sur
prised to learn that I consumed the
whole of that long June day in finding
the plantation of my search. Doubts,
ignorance, and very little positive in
formation. were surprisingly mingled.
Had not the patience of my mule been
matched by my own, | think | should
have turned back in despair before
meridian. Whether white or black
were inquired of, the general uncer-
tainty was the same. Some had heard
of Mr.. Bostock; some had not. OF
those who had heard of him, some
thought he had been killed some way;
they could not tell how. Others
thought he had moved away some
where, they knew not where. Still
others there were who were sure that
Mr.. Bostock still lived on the big plan
tation, but whether it was five miles
away or fifty. they had not least idea.
can only guess how far / travelled
that day, advancing, retreating and
prospecting-I should presume about
forty miles. And should say that the
great big house, about three miles
back from the river, with veranda
all round" where l halted at sunset,
was about half that distance from
vicksburg.
A negro came running down the
lane to me. 'Maussa say yo' come
right up was his salutation.
/ dismounted and he took my mule.
walked up the lawn. A Gne-looking,
middle-aged planter, portly and pleas
ant, rose from group of ladies sitting
on the veranda, and advanced with
extended hand.
"Good evening, sir-good evening.
Come right in. Have you come far?"
From Viclsburg."
"Well, well; you're tired and hungry.
Miranda, my dear, go tell Classy to
make some corn-pone and fry some
chicken for the gentleman. Sit down
here, sir; or you'd like to freshen up
after your hot ride. Randy, tell some
of the women to fix up a chamber for
the gentleman. What news, sir?-and
where are you from?"
The easy cordiality of the man,
mingled with decided inquisitive-
ness, was something that had to be
known to be understood. As he
escorted me up the broad steps saw
numerous house servants, of varying
shades, peering around corners and