Mower County transcript., 1894-06-13

from the villages and plantations In
droves, and the two or three, women
whom Uncle Ben induced to enter into
service at the Haven disappeared with
the first dark night.
While Marian Percy felt distrust Of
Mrs. Baxter, the woman was SO re-
spectful in demeanor and rendered her
| self in all ways so useful that the feel
ing rather diminished than increased.
Uncle Ben, on the contrary, grew to
hate her worse and worse as time passed
on. He could not conceal his dislike
Of her, though he restrained his tongue
from denunciation. He realized that
under the circumstances it was not only
policy but duty to do SO. One day he:
found opportunity to say to Marian:
Miss Sunshine, do yo' member what.
dun told yo' befo' we left Winchester
bout dat Missus Baxter?" T.s
Eyes" she replied, but l think you
were mistaken. She is a little queer
about some things, but on the whole q
very good woman. l don't know how
we could have got along without her."
''Mebbe was mistooken, +" said Uncle
Ben as he thoughtfully scratched his
head, "but dar' s heap O. things can't
jest make out. Who yo' reckon dun bin
writin letters to her?''
"Her husband probably"
"Den why don It dem letters cum wild
yo' mail when I dun bring it up? I'ze
seen a strange man ridin by on mewl
who brought letters to her three or TO-
times. I'ze seen her writin letters two
or three times, but she nebber did send
'em to town by me. What all dat mean,
Miss Sunshine?''
''Oh, it's just her queer way, Uncle
Ben, and there is nothing to worry
about" replied Marian, though his
statements filled her with surprise.
"Quare ways, eh? Waal, 1'ze gwine
to keep boat my eyes open all de time.
Sunthin gwine to cum from all dis,
Miss Sunshine. Sunthin bound to come.
White folks doan' act dat way onless dey
means mischief. hain't gwine to say
muffin to nobody, but I'ze gwine to be
prepar'd fur trouble!"
When Mrs. Percy fell i'll, Ben sue
ceeded in securing for awhile the serv-
ices Of an old colored woman who seem
ingly had no longing for liberty, and
such assistance as the neighbors could
extend was freely given. The doctor
who had been called lived seven miles
away, and the old man had frequently
to ride back and forth over highway
on which very few farmers had located.
On one of these excursions, and when
within mile of home on his return trip,
he caught sight of a man and woman as
they moved out Of the road and disap-
peared in a thicket. He was, close
enough to be satisfied that the woman
was Mrs. Baxter, and that the man was
a Confederate officer, and their anxiety
to avoid him aroused all his suspicious.
He intended to communicate with Miss
Marian at once, but circumstances pre-
vented, and next day the household was
surprised by a call from Captain Wyle
and his cavalry company. He stated
that he was on detached duty in that
neighborhood.
While the captain had been given tc
|
and while Marian fully realized that
he had done and was still doing all in
his power to degrade and disgrace the
man she had accepted, she nevertheless
felt that it was policy to receive him
courteously and shun anything tha
might lead to arousing new feeling o.
enmity against Kenton. On his par
the captain was careful to say nothing
that might wound or offend, and hi
hours visit was therefore very agree
able one. He extended his sympathies
offered to do anything in his power t.
relieve their anxieties and rode away
with smile of satisfaction on his face
He argued that Marian was waverinG
in her faith in Kenton, and that time
and circumstance would bring about
the change he desired.
Mans most frequent boast is that h
can read and understand woman, an(
yet it is in that he is oftenest deceived
Few women can read and understand
themselves.
During the captains visit Marian
had been forced to notice the demeano1
Of Mrs. Baxter. She seemed transformed
into new smiling, laughing
and appearing to. be full of joy owe
something. When the visitor had de
parted, she was fulsome in his praise
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