The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1895-05-02
A WOMAN'S DARING.

Many southern women were placed In
positions of infinite discomfort and re-
sponsibility during and Immediately after
the struggle between Ae states, especially
those who had to fly from their luxurious
city homes and seek refuge among the up
country towns and plantations of South
Carolina and Georgia. Ofttimes these
women were In charge of numbers of
slaves, not only those with whom they had
been associated since infancy, but many
others, almost strangers to them-negroes
who had been employed on plantations
which their owners seldom visited and
which 1t was deemed best to leave off oul-
tivating when the fighting seemed likely
to last long time. AS the close of the
great struggle approached and rumors
were rife concerning the probable freedom
of the slaves some of these negroes exhib-
ited disorderly spirit that was difficult
to control.
Many interesting experiences of south
ern women have been recorded, but the
courageous feat of one Carolina girl, tran
scribed below, has never appeared In print
and She to whom the story refers would
never dream of being accorded either ap-
plause or admiration for her bravery.
You re to get ON that train, Andrew,
and report to Mrs. Tenant In Columbia.
Help Rosina look after the children and
see to the luggage"
"Yes, ma a'am, said the negro, respect
fully touching his hat "but amt
a-goin."
II don't think you understand what
said. You're to go to Columbia ON that
train. 1t will start in a few seconds"
Yes, Miss Mary, understand, ma am,
but l ain't a-goin."
The mans manner was quietly deter
mined, though he spoke respectfully and
again touched his hat.
The young woman glanced around her.
There were not many people about the
little country station. A few feet away
the engine was putting and Kissing, eager
to be gone. She felt that the negro's de-
termination to have his own way was deep
rooted. She was equally resolved that he
should obey her orders. She took from the
pouch which depended from her waist a
small revolver IL cleaned bright In the
sunlight as though 1t were well cared for
~You see this, Andrew, 4" she said quickly
"My father taught me how to use it. His
orders were that should not permit a sim
gle act of disobedience to go unpublished.
You must go to Columbia ON that train.
Get on at once, or will shoot you.''
The stalwart slave glanced hesltatingly
at his mistress face. 1t was flushed with
excitement but there was a look of resolu-
tion In the brown eyes. The girls heart
was beating rapidly, but the hand which
raised the pistol did not tremble. She was
wishing with oil her heart that the man
would not disobey her, She wondered If
she could shoot him II he did, but If he
went back to the plantation in the mutt
nous spirit he was in there would be worse
in store for her.
you've no time to lose, urged the
mistress. II am determined that you
shall obey me. -
The brown eyes looked unilinchingly
into the dark, rebellious face. There was
an instant of lrresolution Then the
stronger spirit conquered perhaps re-en-
forced by the long inoulcated habit Of
obedience inherent In the negro. The man
got on the train just as 1t started from
the station.
Mary Lansing drew breath of relief.
She had met and surmounted an ordeal
Now that the excitement was over she felt
somewhat unneryed She had intended
taking that train herself. II was only the
discovery that certain box Of yaluables
was not among tho other baggage that
made her decide to return TO the planta-
tion fox. II andioarry 10 with heS In tbs