The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1894-05-11
GUILTY. HANDS.


clouds blew up from Richmond, but the
inhabitants Of 'oBe Squire Godbolt's"
quarters were the only ones who knew
that sign. Marin Hubby originated the
idea. She would stand in the midst Of
cmclave Of woolly heads, andpointing
to shadowy clouds Just rising above the
horizon would roll hereyes in most orac-
ular fashion, and her words would
emerge ponderously, as the telling blows
Of sledge hammer.
de smoke am 'cendin, she would
say, land de YaRks am hittin hard
Chillun, we am gwine to lebe hero
soon.S
No enc doubted her, They had great
faith in Marin, Hubby, and she told their
fortunes in coffee grounds and chased
tho witches away from their beds. But
there was cpe man who did net believe
in signs. That was Terror Fire. He
would grunt disdainfully at her prognos-
tications and heap ridicule upon her
signs
"Nebber yo' min, Terror Fire, +" she
would scream wrathfully, ''some OBJ my
signs am gwine ter be yo' ondoin. Now,
times by a moccasin fer muffin. OATS
sign enuff dat de dobble am in yer.
Now, all yo' piggers .hear me talkin?'
"We hears yo', Mann Huldy," they
would say, and Terror Fire would laugh
loud, slow laugh and trot of to his
cabin. Etc was great, Terror was BE
was the surly, cynical Diogenes Of the
plantation, and Squire Godbolt often
found it in his heart to obstruct some of
his sunshine, and ONCE he was aided and
allotted by Marin Hubby. You see it
came about this way:
Attached to the ''big house" and not
far from the quarters there was poul-
try yard, and in this poultry yard there
fiourished and grew many fowls of both
sexes. They were beautiful birds and
tho pride of Mrs Godbolt's heart. Very
we'll. There were 1pore hens than reost-
ers; consequently the latter were rare
and much priced. However, there were
several roOsters buS one big fellow, who
was sultan Of the harem. He ruled the
roost, and every morning just at day
his voice was tho first living sound to
be heard. This felioN was named Adam
and was the apple Of Mrs. GodbOit's eye.
She knew his crow from all tlIe others
and every morning would arouge herself
to catch the liquid notes of his early
salutation; then she wouldtfan asleep
again, satisfied that he was there.
But one day abe awolze and Esteemed,
and listened in vain, for the call Of the
chanticleer The shades OF midnight
vanished, and the rising sun pecped in
through the cracks, and still no sound
had reused the sleeping world. Not
cock had crowed. They were waiting for
the great lord to have his 'tsay. 2" but the
great lords voice was silent, and Mrs.
Godbolt's heart shraldered within her.
She awoke the squire. and together they
repaired to the fowlhaase. There, on
the roosts and in The .nnsts and ON the
GROUND, were all tho chickens, safe and
sound all but-Adam. Mrs Godbolt
gave a little scream, and the squire
rushed into tho hoGae and blew the horn.
Madly, fierccly, he blew it, and the
sounds brought all the negroes into the
yard.
Now" said Squire Godbolt, II
want you ell 60 listen, FIR have got
something tosay. You are all paying
attention."
''Yes, sah," they chorused, and Marin
Hubby whispered, ''De Emancipation am
done come; de smoke am a cendin from
Richnond.'
But she was wrong; the next words
showed how wrong, and scattered all
ecstetic hopes.
"Well, - roared the squire, "Adam
is gone, and / ann going to find him.
Now, the Niger who has that rooster
step up and hand him over. "
His words fell Like tlzunderbolt
They all knew Adam, and they saw
from the squire's determined look that
he meant What he said.
Gland him over, reiterated the
squire, and every nesro's knees shook.
''But we amt got him, squire, am
how can we han him ober when we
amt got him?''
1t was Terror Fire who spoke, and
some of them wondered at his nerve, but
Mann Hubby smiled anglshoolz her head.
''Thundorationi" yelied the squire.
"Well he's gone, and scnebody's got
him, and Iznean to filld out where he is. .
They argued there for two hours and
at the END of that time swexe no wiser
than at Rrst Then Mhgfn Huldy came
to tho rescue Sic stepped up to the
squire, and droptfslg a fcurtsy" wished
10 have word in private. The negroes
we've duznfenndsd
Marin Huldy couliln't a-stole dat
rooster" they Sid. ''Aiarin Hubby am
hones'r'
Bat whatever Marin Huldy was con-
Tossing it pleased the sqrire, and he
bowed his,head and ssailed two OF three
times during tSssle discourse, Then Marin
Huldy stepped back, and the squire ad-
vanced TO the fsost
You raay all go now. he said, ''but
tonight us O'clock I want to see you
al back in this y5rfl--every chick and
child" And they departed.
Manyof them Stunned Marin Huldy's
cabin during the day, but the old wom-
an was busy up at tie big house and
was not aware OF it.
Night game and with it all tho handg
from the Quarters. They were ali there
ee'T O'Clock shaf-D Ts7i rtin,tss ras'