Sharp County record., 1896-11-20
CHAPTER XVIII.
"AUYT MAG, wETAvE FOUND A MON VIVA
wEEL MANAGE THE BALANCE"

AUNT MAJ, W Il ia l. EOGND A NUN W lila
wEEL MANAGE THE BALANCE"
On the morning of September 5, when
the Sunshine passed down the river
from Kendall, seated in the cabin, o
position she was allowed to occupy as
IN old family servant, was Aunt Mag,
Rnd it was noticed that she was better
dressed than very many of the female
passengers who were not Of the African
race.
Arrived at smithville, Mag proceeded
to the cottage of Widow Bruce. As she
entered the gate Jennie Bruce saw her
from the open doorway,
What" she exclaimed; Aunt Mag,
Is this you?"
at just is, honey; it's ole Aunt Mag,
suah enough"
"Come right in, Aunt Mag. But what
could have brought you to Smithville?" ."
Use come down, Miss Jennie, to suit
with you and the ole missus."
Margaret Bruce here entered the
room.
Mother, this is Aunt Mag, for many
years Mr.. Loyd's housekeeper."
"Weel. an wha' do We be wantin'
here, Aunt Mag? I ken ye did not come
here for naught, Mayhap ye came to
tell Margot Bruce that her son murdet
your old marster?"
"Shut the door, mistress, and shut
down the windows. Can anyone hear
me but you two?"
"Why, no, Aunt Mag; there's no one
else here. Tobe is away somewhere.
Speak out, you dear old soul; ] know
il is something important"
''That it is, Miss Jennie, that it is"
"Oot with it, woman, DOT with it."
"I'm that skeered, missts, that can't
oot with it. My very life is at stake"
"Wait, Mag; thou shalt have summit
to warm thee up bit. Lass, bring
Aunt Mag q glass Of wine. Now can'st
thee spcak?"
"Missis, what I speak you must keep
inside this house alone and say nothin',
for the time amt come yet, but--but
I came to tell you that Marse Angus
didn't kill my marster."
II ken weel that, Mag, but thou run
nest heavy risk to tell 1t to Margot
Bruce. Did'st run AVA from hame to
do SOP"
"No; Marse Herbert sent me here"
Herbert Lathrop send thee herel
lie has confessed2"
"No, no, and never will confess. He
sent me to spy and find out what you
thought Of the murder, how much you
knew and what you thought of Black
! Beard. I wanted to come, and said
things that caused him to send me-"
"It was thou that screamed, Mag, at
the bathroom door? Did'st see the blow
struck"
'I saw the sharp blade glide under the
arm Of Angus and sink into my mar
ster's breast, 1t was Herbert Lathrop
who guided It, screamed, and he
seized me by the throat and said; "A
nigger's oath don't go in court, but il
you speak one word, Aunt Mag, III have
your life"
81 knowl know! you could not save
my son. Angus heard the scream, but
the door was closed ere he could reach
thee; however, time will briug all to
light, Mag, and the name Of Bruce be
cleared"
"But, misses, what good will IL do
MOrse Angus or you? tw0nt to bring
Herbert lAthrop to justice, but it can't
help MOrse Angus, now that he's turned
pirate, and heaps Of money offered for
his head"
"0nc thing at time, Mag. Never
thee mind about Black Beard and the
bloody pirate, and the money on the
head Of me ain boy, The murderer first,
Mag, and then let Black Beard look after
his ain hcNd."
"Does Fannie know that you came to
Smithyille2" asked Jennie.
Dress yer no, honey; no one knows It
but Marsc Herbert lie done sent her
over to spend the day with Miss Clara"
"When does the wedding take place,
Aunt Mag2'
"rhc 10th OF October honey, ut eight
o'clock 0t night in the chopolatOrton;
but dcrc's two woddm's ot the time,
that's what hurriog me 80, You see,
tothrr couple is Norsc Herbert and
Miss Clara Hin, and thu0ouc must not
take place"
Great heavens Clara wed Herbert
lNtmop; impossible" y
=" tink It wII he Impossible; but
that's the Engagements, but specs she
just goin' to marry him To suit her mn
she must be- saved from Tint Gntc."
said Margaret bruce,