davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Dakota chief. (Gann Valley, Buffalo County, S.D.) 18??-1913, 1894-07-19

wig
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: Final. !
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S Of town
ard me
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very man
ter rifle.
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ther sun
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be crowd
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The Dakota chief. (Gann Valley, Buffalo County, S.D.) 18??-1913, 1894-07-19

solemn, church music was MAKING
everybody miserable.
Inc enchantment was broken. The
nuoler put the instrument away with
a neavy heart and he played no
more that night. ~
Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1894-02-07
CHAPTER XIV.
THE FRIGHTFUL TRUTH.

The path was so narrow we We're
obliged to go in Indian file for a part of
the way, but as the forest grew thicker
and denser about US the path broadened.
Huge expresses barred our way; long,
drifting moss dangled in our faces; brack-
ish pools wet our feet, but on, on we
went. Through clusters of huge fern,
over logs rising like reptiles from the
water, our road lay. Around us
stretched those sullen solitudes, oppress-
i've and hideous. To my excited fancy
it seemed that ghostly hands were reach
ing out to impede our progress or to trip
US as we walked. Closer clUng to
Maurice's side, and tighter his hand
gripped mine.
And now, as on the first night l had
seen this desolate place, I was conscious
of a strange impulse urging me on.
Who was it calling me? What was it
that beckoned me? could not go fast
enough, but longed for wings to fly.
sOh, what is it," whispered to Mau-
rice. "What does it mean? Weare los
ing time. Let us hasten"
"Hushy" he gently said. eyes, time
has been lost, but we are not too late"
Suddenly a mournful sound was borne
through the forest-a monotcnous drol-
ing wall, horrid, harsh and threatening.
And then at quick turn in the rath &
bright light glowed through g If "a the
black foliage, and I saw a.siSht ! can
never forget.
In little clearing was o bonfire
Round about this fire circled slowly,
with lugubrious cries, ring Of half
naked black men and women. Back Of
the circle on rough throne built Of
boxes and logs sat the horrible old ne
gress Jezebel. Her rags duttered in tie
night wind; her scanty locks We're tossed
over her bare, skinny shoulders. In one
hand she held forked stick, and in the
othe-, dreadful to relate, a writhing,
wriggling snake. As we looked, rising
from her throne she held the serpent
aloft and waved her forlied scepter slow
ly three times. 1t was the signal for
wild, unlicensed dance, an abandoned,
lascivious measure, IN which was nor
rifed to trace resemblances to Portia's
audacious outburst in the hall a few
nights before.
"Those are Portals friends" whis-
pered my guide. :'What Go you think
of them:"
"Oh, is it not terrible:" nlurmured.
"We must-we must save her!"
Old Jezebel shook her serpent. The
negroes leaped and bounded in frenzy.
Many fell exhausted on the ground,
foaming at the mouth and clutching at
the fire.
Itwas the most awful sight had ever
seen. ':Oh, let US go bacll!' I moaned.
"What can we do here?
sour work is only begun" " said Mau-
rice. "Nerve yourself now, little Bun
ker Hill, for what is coming"
By this time the negroes had fallen
down and lay insensible here and there.
Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1894-02-07
CHAPTER XVII.

SlDONlE.
ga slave! echoed, "a slave! But the
likeness to Portia?'
"Ah, yes," said Maurice sadly, "that
likeness to Portia broke my aunt's heart.
wish you could have known Portals
mother, Prudence. A sweeter, daintier,
better woman never lived, but her love-
ly life was clouded by the shadow Of a
sin. She died early, wasting away after
she discovered that cruel secret. But
you must rest now, little Bunker Hill. !
will tell you the story later"
81 cannot Sleep" 1 cried. "Let us go
for walk in the garden, and you shall
unravel this mystery for me. After that
will think about rest"
He saw that was determined to hear
the story at once, and SO after we had
been served with coffee we went out
into the fresh morning air and strolled
up and down while he smoked in silence.
He was not quite ready to tell the
strange tale. But was patient.
It was just sunrise when we entered
the rustic arbor where had sat with
Daphne on that eventful night. Here
and there the birds were rousing, shak-
ing out their wings and voices. The
dew yet sparkled Oh the grass. The
fountains near by were splashing softly:
The air was delightfully."- fresh and in
vigorating after the hours passed in the
siclToom.
Does it seem possible that only a few
hours ago we were searching that ghast-
ly place yonder:" suddenly asked Mau-
rice.
NO" replied earnestly. II seem to
have lived lifetime since midnight
But tell me, how did you discover the
truth? And Sidonie-tell me about her.
Oh, begin, begin! My curiosity is de.
vouring me-"
Mr.. Raymond smiled.
"Whoerer would fancy to look at you
strong, plain, stanch little body-that
YOU would admit so feminine a weak
ness? And yet you are thoroughly wom-
anly."
"Never mind whether l am womanly
or weak. I didn't come out here to be
analyzed, but to hear about Portia the
real and Portia the pretender. Come,
make haste, for I must soon return to
see how our sufferer is faring."
"Sit down here then," returned Mau-
rice, 'sand I will tell you all can.
There are several links in the story
which Portia alone can supply. To be-
gin with, I suspected mischief from the
moment first saw the woman who was
posing as my consin. Physically she is
very like Portia, Or as the latter might
be if in robust health. But have a
keen scent for crime. reckon my pro.
fession has made me acute in that re-
spcct. Our hostess was nervous, highty,
passionate and suspicious. Portia Vane
was none Of these. Of course made
all necessary allowances for poor health
until, by judicious inquiries, discovered
Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1894-02-07
CHAPTER XVIII.
A DISAPPEARANCE,

The sudden death of old Jezebel broke
up the voodoo performances in the
swamp. All the planters in the neigh
borhood bestirred themselves and gave
strict orders TO their slaves to keepaway
from the accursed place, If these prac-
tices were continued, it was secretly and
in some other locality. No longer were
our ears disturbed by unearthly cries;
no longer were strange lights seen at
dead of night. A pail Of silence settled
down upon the swamp, and the wind
that muttered among tho pines told an
other story-a tale of cruel wrong ANA
terrible justice, of a sullen priso,er
doomed to perpetual solitude within 'Ike
gloomy environments of this uncarny
swamp.
This was the punishment meted oui to
Sidonie, to suffer as she had caused her
gentle, amiable mistress to suffer; to see
no faco save that of her duslsy jailer; to
hear no voice save his thick accents as
he bade her cat and drink.
Net Il dissenting word was raised
agaiustthis retrihution. Colonel March
mont, humane and kindly MASTER had
endeared himself to his slaves, but their
love for Portia amounted to a reverence.
Had Sidonie fallen into their hands she
would have Jared far less gently. Dur
ing her short reign her arrogance and
natural cruelty had engendered a feel
ing of intense hatred among the slaves,
and when they learned the true state of
affairs they had no mercy for her,
Deed she oughter be tohn limb from
limb" declared one.
"Ef wuz mars, I'd fay her alive9'
was the general opinion delivered on the
matter.
AS the days went bv. and Portia how
Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1894-02-07
COPYRIGHT 1888 eY AMERICAN PRESS ASSOCIATION.

come up to the house with me. I've
work for you yet tonight"
Up to- the great silent mansion we hur-
ried-+'.s steps, the piazza, the hall and
now the library.
Colonel Marchmont had risen at the
sound Of our footsteps and stood facing
the door.
"Jezmyn," said Maurice in a voice
choked with emotion, "Jermyn, have
brought home your poor wife"
He laid her tenderly in her husbands
arms. Colonel Marchmont stared at
Portia as he might at Il specter.
as it t-,ue:' Re whispered hoarsely.
"Is it true? Have you como back from
the grave, darling?"
His pathetic words moved US all, and
George, one Of the biggest, blacklist ne
groes on the place, suddenly burst out
crying like baby.
Possibly that act saved his masters
reason, for he, too, wept then, laying his
face close to the hollow, sunken cheek
of the woman he held to his heart.
Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1894-02-07

cred between life and death, many were
the angry looks cast toward the swamp
and many the maledictions called down
on Sidonie's head by her fellow slaves.
The gate to the swamp stood open
now, but no one save the big negro ap-
pointed TO watch Sidonie went in and
out. I sometimes strolled in that direc-
ton and looked down into the melan-
choly vista of somber shade and desolate
bog, wondering how the criminal-that
beautiful, intense, tropical creature,
stripped of her stolen fnery, clad III the
coarsest raiment, fettered like an ami
mal-was existing. What anguish, what
despair must be hersl No hope, no ray
of light!
AZ such times pitied her. | remem-
bered her beauty, her gayety, her grace.
recalled her words of tragic prophecy,
"Remember, Prudence, whatever comes,
that l loved him as few women love. :"
Poor, wretched, misguided Sidonie! Her
lin had been that she loved too well.
Then, when I returned to the sickroom
ind looked at my friend, when / heard
the means of pain and witnessed the
struggle for life, all my pity for Sidonie
vanished, and every outraged instinct of
my nature cried out for revenge upon
the heartless. soulless, brazen creature
who had wrought this havoc and disas-
ter.
Inow come to an event so awful, so
frightful that even the remembrance,
dimmed as it is by the mists of years,
causes a wave of terror to roll again
over my being. sometimes live it over
in my dreams and wake screaming and
sobbing, and if should live to be a
hundred years old l can never efface
that terrible scene.
Let me tell it as calmly as possible. 1t
was one dull November afternoon, when
ghostly mist was settling down over
the landscape and fine spatters of rain
were beating irregularly against the
window panes, that George, Sidonie's
jailer, rushed into the library, where
the colonel, Maurice and I were sitting,
and with trembling voice and shaking
hands implored his masters forgiveness,
for Sidonie had escaped.
"Escapedp cried Colonel Marchmont
in terrible voice. "You black rascal,
what does this mean?"
"Deed, mars" cried the man, rolling
his eyes in terror, "it mus be de debbil
hisself holp her. Wen lef' her to come
up fer her suppah, she was chained all
right. Allus look de las ting ter see
eff she's fastened. Wen goes back JUS
now, she's gone, de chain broken in two"
"Send for jake" interrupted Colonel
Marchment imperatively. Come, Mau-
rice, we must not lose moment. Think
of that creature free to do further mis-
chiefr'
Presently The plantation was astir.
Negroes ran liither and thither, the bay
of the bloodhounds was heard, and Jake,
Maurice and the colonel, with crowd
of negroes. were Eurrying toward the
swamp, intent upon rccalturing the
fugitive.
went to Portals room to see # the
unusual tu,nult had annoyed or alarmed
her. She had reused from her sleep
Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1894-02-07

We auent out into the fresh morning afr.
that up to the time Marchmont went to
England his wife was a superb specimen
of physical strength and endurance.
Then this woman's remarkable loss of
memory set me thinking. The search
for the tattoo mark on her arm con-
frmed all my suspicious. When rec
ognizcd the mark I had put on Sidonie,
the slave girl, knew directly there had
been foul play. What feared was that
my cousin had been murdered.
"But am getting far ahead of my
story. Let me go back to my boyhood.
AS you already know, was born and
brought up on the Vane plantation. My
mother died when Twas very young, and
my aunt became my second mother.
My earliest rccollections circle round
my sweet little cousin Portia and her
playmate, Sidonie, the daughter Of a
beautiful, accomplished creole, whom
my uncle bought in New Orleans as
present for my aunt. l recall now q
scene l witnessed when child, which
did not of course then understand, but
which nevertheless impressed me deeply.
These little girls were romping across
the lawn one day, rolling and tumbling
about like two graceful kittens. My
aunt and uncle were sitting on the pi-
lzZa, and was on the steps repairing q
kite. Suddenly my aunt called the chill
lren to her. They came flying UP The
steps, black curls waving, eyes flashing,
cheeks glowing-an exquisite picture Of
happy, healthful childhood. Ny aunt
caused them to stand at her knee and
looked steadily for some time in their
faces. She was very pale when she dis
missed then, and as they ran shouting
back to their games she rose, tottered to
the hall door and fell senseless across
5he threshold. She was neve:' well after
that and drifted slowly out of life"
Mr.. Raymond was silent moment,
md shadow settled across his face.
Presently he went on:
THE children grew into lovely young
iris. Portia was finely educated as you
know, ard in addition to her convent
facilities had governesses aud masters
at home. Nothing would do but that
5idonie, my Sid she used to call her,
must have these advantages too."
eyes" / said, interrupting him, 81
remember, she used to speak of pretty
slave girl to whom she was greatly at
tached. but had forgotten the name"
Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1894-02-07

"Escapcdm c1>ted Colonel Marchmont.
and raised herself with difficulty on one
slender arm. Her great eyes questioned
me, and she feebly asked:
What is it, Prudence?"
Nothing, dear; do not distress your
self. Lie down; lie down."
81 heard the dogs baying-I heard
angry voices. What is it? Tell me. /
will know"
I hesitated.
"Tell me-" she repeated, and faint
red spot appeared On either cheek. 81
must know. There is trouble. is there
not2 A slave has run away-who is it?"
/ could not speak.
"Ah, know!" she cried. "I know-1
feel-it is Sidonie?"
l bowed my head.
"Where are they? In the swamp All,
yes, beating the place with dogs and
guns. She will be taken, shot, perhaps
torn to pieces. Oh, my poor Sidonie! !
have forgiven her. Let her 60. Pru-
dence," wildly, "go quickly. can trust
you. Follow them to the swamp. Find
Jermyn and tell him that I, Portia, beg
him to let Sidonie go-tell him it dis
tresses me. l cannot bear it. I forgive
her with all my heart" and she fell back
exhausted on the pillows.
] summoned the nurse as quickly as
possible, and as Portia still urged and
insisted I should carry her sublime mes
sage to her husband I set out through
the mist and the rain to Dead Mans
swamp.
Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1894-02-07

Old Jczcbel ShooE her serpent.
The old woman sank back upon her
throne in stupor. She held the snake
pressed to her withered breast. l was
sickened, terrified, faint.
'sDo you see that wretched hut yon-
der?" said Maurice. "That is old Jeze-
bells home. We must enter it,"
"Oh, whyT" asked in terrified whis-
per.
"Because there only is the talisman
which will save Portia," he answered.
Creeping stealthily forward, we passed
the stupid voodoos, worn out with their
disgusting orgies. The hut, quite over
grown with trailing vines, was scarcely
fit for swine to inhabit. Through the
half open door the red CLEAN of the fire
darted, lighting up the miserable room.
In one corner was wretched pallet OF
straw and rags, and on it something lay.
"Come here" said Maurice solemnly,
taking off his hat as if in the presence of
death; "come here, Prudence.
+ looked--and, oh, God! Oh, God!
What was this?
Worn and wasted to q skeleton, clad
in filthy rags, pale as marble, insensible,
dead perhaps, lay-Portia
Yes, the real Portia-not the hand
some, bold pretender up at the great
house yonder. but my Portia-my Por-
tia, the friend of my girlhood, the cousin
of my Maurice.
I flung my arms about the wasted
form. kissed The pallid brow. wept
and moaned as mother might over q
dead child.
"You recognize herr" said Maurice.
"Oh, my Portia, my dear friend, who
has done this cruel thing? Let us take
her away" I sobbed.
Maurice bent down and lifted her in
his arms. AS he did so faint moan
escaped from her lips.
"She is aliver' I cried joyfully.
Slowly she opened her eyes and looked
straight in Maurice's face.
"Oh, home, home!" was all she
moaned.
eyes, dearest" said Maurice tenderly,
"you are going home"
Gathering her closer, he strobe from
the hut. I followed more dead than
alive.
Pastthe sodden voodoos, back through
the night and the noisome swamp, we
fled with our precious burden; back to
the gate guarded by the faithful serv-
ants. Jake flung it open when he heard
our footsteps.
care you all right, Mr.. Raymond?'
he cried, advancing to meet us. You
were so long I was afraid something
had happened. My God, what is it:'
tsStrike match, jake" said Maurice.
The man obeyed.
"Come closer, and you, Tom, andy
George" he added, "and tell Ino who IS
this"
The men bent their ragged faces.
.Great God!" said Jake, "Alr3 March
mont"
.1t's missus," cried the others. "Den
who?'
"Yes. Who-who is the other?' cried
Maurice, white with rage. Il know
who it is. You were al blind to what
was going on, but knew her from the
first. Lock the gate. Jake. and YOU men
Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1894-02-07
CHAPTER XVI.
A FIGHT FOR LIFE.

What night that was!
AS recall ii now it was shifting
panorama Of action and tumult. There
were ringing of bells, rousing Of serv-
ants, lighting Of fires, preparation of
baths and cordials and a hurried sum-
mons Of the physician from the neigh
boring town, who sat by the bed till day
break tanning the feeble flame Of life
which threatened to go out forever.
"Shc has been dosed and drugged so
long DR.. Spencer SAID, "that greatly
fear it will not be possible to save her.
However, I'm going to make a fight for
the poor lady's life"
Oh, it was pitiful to see her, mere
wreck Of herself, helpless as baby, at
times moaning in distress and only say
ing feebly over and over, Home, homer
Her arms were one mass of scars. The
doctor examined them gravely. Here
is where they have injected their poi
son." he said. cts marvel sheis alive.
This has been going on for two years.
She has been starved and drugged. ]
cannot understand why they didn't kill
her outrigf It would h&vo been inf
nitely more humane
do you sce:' said Maurice to Colonel
Marchmont, lifting one Of the thin arms
and pointing TO a mark, DO you see,
Jermyn? There is the little tattoo mark
I gave her when boy. had tattooed
my hand here and he Showed the place,
"and when she saw it she begged should
tattoo her arm. Then nothing would
do but Sidonie must have one too. How
ever, ! made different mark on that
devil"
Don't, my dear boy" said the colonel
gently. Don't speak about her now"
The scene in the drawing room when
Maurice forcibly tore back the sleeve OF
our hostess suddenly came to me. Iknew
now for what he was looking.
But who and what was this other
woman-this Sidonie, who was the exact
counterpart of Portia, and who had for
sorrs wicked reason brought all this mis-
cry on a happy home?
Beyond this mention of her, she seemed
to be forgotten that night. I knew she
was locked in her room and that Maui
rice had the key which would release
her. What would be done with her? If
PorSia were to die, she, that beautiful,
graceful, accomplished creature would
be her murderer!
I recalled many things-the wonder
full instinct which had caused Colonel
Marchmont to despise and hold at arms
length this preteuier to his affections
ch, love after al las language of its
ovn-the wilcs of this sorceress, tin
priastess of voodooism, mad never lUrel
him from the memory of q gentle, pur
wo-4anhood. Thank God, he had been
true to his ideal
And little Daphne's piteous cry, "Oh,
mamma, mamma" REQUIRED to me. Had
she, too, in some occult fashion caught
the intimation from her guardian angel
that this woman was not her mother:
I recollected my own unaccountable
distrust of this creature. Why had l
not persisted in following up thosevague
suspicious which SO tormented me on
my arrival? 1t was maddening to think
that while we were idly eating and
drinking and dawdling life away that
Portia was being slowly tortured to
death in that place of horrors.
Just before dawn, at the hour when
Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1894-02-07
The men half dragged, half carried her
6O1C1 stairs,

dOlC7L stairs.
she has imprisoned Portia for two long
years. There she will stay, watched day
and night, until we know whether my
cousin will recover. If Portia live, she
will simply be confined there for the rest
of her life. If she die''- He broke off.
His silence was ominous.
But do not yet see why you do not
put her in prison. Let the law deal with
her." cried excitedly.
"Let the law deal with her? Why,
Prudence, that creature has no standing
in the eyes Of the law"
The horrible truth was breaking on me.
"Why-why''-
"Shall 1 tell you why? Simply this:
The woman who has been masquerading
here as mistress is chattel-a piece of
property-a slave"
Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1894-02-07

Honorable discharged soldiers sailors who ninety days.
the late entitled if now partially wholly dabled
ordinary manual labor whether disability caused by service
not, and regardless of their pecuniary circumstances
Widows of such soldiers and sailors entitled M not marred)
whether soldiers death service not dependent
upon their labor for support Widows dependent their
Children entitled f under sixteen in almost all cases where
entitled soldier left netherwdow provided
pendent upon labor support 1t makes difference
served died late regular army navy
Soldiers of the late pensoned under may apply for
higher under other laws without losing rights.
Thousands of soldiers drawing from 50 $40 per month under
the old law entitled higher rates under law, not only
disabilities for which pensoned hut also Others
whether due to service or not
Soldiers and disabled time duty regular army
navy the entitled whether discharged for disability
not.
Survivors, their widows of the Black Hawk Creek Cherokee
Florida Indian Wars of 1882 to 1S2 entitled
der recent act
Mexican War soldiers their widows also entitled if sxtytwo
years of age disabled or dependent
Old claims completed obtained whether
has been granted under later laws or not
Rejected claims reopened and settlement secured, rejection
improper illegal.
Certificates service discharge obtained soldiers
sailors of the late who have lost their papers.
Send for information No charge No fee
less successful. Address,
THE PRESS CLAIMS CO.,
JOHN NzEDDERBURN Managing Attorney
p. o. 463. WASHINGTON, D. C