Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1897-02-18
TAURMONT Frederick County, Maryland Thursday February 18, 1897


Then she gave q laundering rap.
When the door was set cautiously ajar,
she thrust her foot within and pushed
it wide, saying, with sniff:
"'Tain't des nobody but me, Teddy
Barton. You needn't t ter be 'fraid. Why,
dc lawsy, Marse Benl How come you
yere in de sto' dis tiy1e er nighti"
"Oh, that you, Aunt Phemyp Como
in," Mr.. Topmark said. stepping back
a pace. There was scuttling OF feet
behind him. Two figures moved to the
store front, which lay almost in dark
ness. But Aunt Phemy had seen enough
"A beak nose nearly meeting sharp
chin, pair Of beady eyes and thatch
Of coarse gray hair surmounting a tall
figure that wore woman's Rarb, albeit
there was nothing womanly in the face.
She had seen, too, q handsome, sullen
girl, black browed. red Tipped, tall and
voluptuously rounded, moving ut the
old woman's 8 elbow and evidently trying
to keep in her shadow. But there was
no hint Of such seeing in her face as she
made known her wants, nor did she
more than check her hobble, when, up
on passing outside into tho big road,
she saw, further, lank, bullet headed
fellow sitting horse as lank as himself
aud holding the reins Of two others
which wore sidesaddles.
But when the outer dusk had swal.
lowed her so far that she could move
unobserved by the man, who was evil
IDENTIFY on guard, she put down her stick
and parcel, took off her white turban,
mufllcd herself by flinging her black
skirt over her head and crept noiselessly
back to stand beneath the window, lis
tenng listening, to the talk within.
She caught only fragments. Most
times the voices We're too low. But now
and again they We're raised as in anger
or cxultation. The girl said little. The
old woman was indeed the chief speak
er throughout tho conclave. eyes, l do
want all that belongs ter me, al mo-
cf kin git it," the black woman heard
her say clearly. She heard, too, sniff
from Mr.. Topmark, though she could
not catch his answer. Then tho girl
said IN the slow, drawing speech that
is the characteristic of the poor whites:
1000! Shurks. Aun' Mani Jest ask
that thar ma-nn ef he'll pay money, as
we kin tote erway. Cord kno-ows l
don't want no land. l amt fit ter
wu.urk it, IN you know 'Noch wont
WI -urk nothin'-
"No! You oughter not work; that's
fac, Miss-Miss'-
"Magnolyer Tubbs! said her namo
out plain" the old woman interrupted
as Mr. Topmark hesitatod. Aunt Phe-
my started littlo at the words and
muttercd under her breath: Huh! Dat
gal kin er yourn, den. You wus Tubbs
yourself An you hrer Bill he took All
married ono or dem gals er ole man
Pickins', an all dee went off ter dc free
states. Wonncr how come she ycre?
'Tain't fer no good, I'm bound. Wish
deed talk up loud some mo-. l like ter
fno out whut meanness Ben Topmark
Is up ter now, right at de las
Then a shiver ran over her. Her teeth
even chartered q bit. She mut1led her
self closer and slipped away, noiscless
as q shadow, unseen as spirit of the
air.
Inside the talk was now carried on
in whispers. Tho man with the horses
yawned, nodded, swore. then settled
himself we'll forward in the saddle and
slept comfortably, with long drawn,
resounding snores.
It was II o'clock and white moon
high in heaven before he was disturbed.
Tho women came around the house,
with Mr. Tormark in their wake. Mrs.