Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1894-06-27
CHAPTER XII.

II dare say you think / mean my
mother. l know it has been said she was
the primo cause Of this fcud But she
had nothing whatever to do with it,
though l believe she declined tho honor
of becoming your grandmother, Major
Overton said, sinking YEARLY back III
his chair. After minute no went OH:
81 was born in Carolina; was q stout
lad of when we came over the noun
tains, so l remember very well how
Jinccy, my mothers maid, moaned and
wcpt on the way, and how the other ne
groes laughed and said tauntingly that
she was crying for her sweetheart, who
had been left behind, though my father
tried hard to bring him. Bob's master
was willing to part with him, but Bob
himself, it seems, had another string to
his bow. At any rate, he declined to
leave Carolina for a new, unknown
country, and six months later some one
wrote my mother that he had married
the yellow maid of his young masters
wife. Jincey was Just Is then, slim,
supple, stealthy thing quick as flash
in all her movements. When my mother
told her the news that Bob was married,
she got ashy and staggered against tho
wall, but said no word. The next Satur-
day night she was married to old Isaac
Bell, the most famous conjurer in the
country, hidoous, toothless old fellow,
who looked all of so. Ny mother tried
in vain to change her purpose. Jincey
swore that she loved him; had no use for
young niggers. SO she had her way, and
old Ike became nightly visitor, his
masters plantation lying broadside to
ours. Soon Jincey became SO slow and
careless about her duties that my mother
said to her, If you cannot do better, l
must put you to spinning. OATS whut
/ want, she said sullenly and from that
day forward she spent her time i'll her
cabin. She was swift worker when she
chose Often her task was done by noon.
Afterward she roamed woods and fields,
staying away sometimes till after mid
night The other negroes stood in NOR
tai terror of her; said she was worse
conjurer than her old husband, who, odd
ly enough, seemed years younger after
tho marriage.
mo doubt you think am wander
ing, garrulous Wait till am through,
then judge if it be So Though my par
ents always treated Jincey with the ut
most kindness, / am sure she hated
them, with the wild, unreasoning hate
of passionate ignorance. If, she reason
cd, they had not brought her away from
tho old home, Bob would be her hus-
band instead of that hated yellow girls.
though no doubt, had she married him,
she would have been glad after little
to cast him aside. 1t was the thwarting
Of her passion that gave it force and
constancy God forgive me if / wrong
her, but l believe my mother died at her
hand of some subtle, sudden poison; my
young brothers and sisters as we'll. am
sure, too. that her hand took away our
deeds, of course by connivance of those
outside, who made away with the rec
ords.
So have believed for years. Latter
ly have found clew, faint, but tangi-
bio enough to give hope of development
You sec, speak frankly toyou, my en-
envy, for pay you the compliment Of
feeling that it is safe to do so.'
Surely" said Allen. ELSE why
should be here? 1t must be as You say.
Is this woman still living?"
Major Overton nodded. The other
went on.
Yesterday the humor seized me to go
through my grandfather S secretary. Did
you know him. sir? He must have been
He was si1 monthsyounger, Major
Overton said. 1--WE played together in
short frocks and got our first trousers at
the same time, but he did not come out
until after my father's death. Naturally,
then, we met only in the courts.
II remember him well, slim, tall
man, of whom was very much afraid.
but ono who impressed me always as the
soul Of honor" Allen said reflectively.
Major Ovorton's mouth hardened
NO doubt he was, as he read such
sninga hesaid. but men Of his stamp