The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1899-06-17

he hurried back. drew his parents out
side the door. and demanded with
beating heart:
5"Well, what do you think?"4
The father said nothing. The mother,
more bold. declared: ,.
| She's too black. No, it's really too
much 1t gave my blood turn"
You'll come round. said Antoine.
Perhaps, but not yet"
| They entered and the good woman
was moved at seeing the negress cook
Ing. Then she assisted. her skirt turn
ed up, active In spite OF her age
The meal was good. twas long and
jolly. And afterwards when they
started for walk Antoine took his
father aside and snld: &
We'll. father. what do you Think"
b. The peasant never committed him
self. Il don't know. Ask your moth
I err" g z,
So Antoine rejoined his mother. and,
as they fell behind. said:
We'll, mother. what do you say
now?"
MY poor boy. really she's too black.
If she wasn't quite so black I wouldn't
say word. But It's too much. You
would think It was Satan" sIEra
He did not Insist, knowing that the
old woman would remain obdurnte, but
he felt storm Of disappointment rIs-
Ing In his heart. He tried to think OF
some way to convince them. surprised
that she did not conquer them rs she
had him. And they all four walked
slowly across the fields. having gradu-
ually relapsed into silence When they
passed m enclosure the farmers np-
pearcd at the fence, the children climb
ed on the rails, everybody FASTENED In
TO the street to see the black" that
Boitelle's son had brought home. In
the distance people were seen running
across the fields rs they do when the
drums beat to announce n living Won
der. Father aud mother BoItelle. star
tied by the curiosity shown by the
wayside at their approach. FASTENED
their steps. and side by side, distanced
their son, whose companion was ask
ing him what the parents thought of
her.
He replied with hesitation that they
! had not yet decided. E
But In the village square the in
mates left their houses en- masse as at
| an alarm, and before the swelling
crowd the old Boitelles took to their
heels and regained their house. while
Antoine. borne up by anger. his sweet
heart on his arm. advanced majestic
ally past the staring villagers.
He realized that It was oil up, that
there was no more hope. that he could
| never marry his negress: she also I'M
derstood. and they were both In tears
when they reached the farm. She i'm
mcdiote!y changed her dress again and
helped the mother to do her work. fol-
n hN t, ta oyy,n tn
the stable, to the chicken-y yard. doing
the greater part. repeating nlways."Let
me do It. Madnmc Bojtelle," 30 that
when evening came the old woman.
touched. but memorable. sud to her son.
She Is Il good gfrl. though. What q
pity she's black. but It's really too
much l couldn't stand It, She must
go back. she's too black"
And young Boitelle said to his sweet
heart: "She won't have It.: she thinks
you're too black. You've got to so
back, I'll take you to the train. Never
| mind. don't worry. III talk to EN-
about It when you're gone"
He took her to the depot. telling her
again to be hopeful. and. having en-
braced her put her aboard the train
and stood watching 1t disappear. his
eyes swollen With tears.
No matter how much he implored
the old people. they would never con-
sent.
Aud when he had told this story.
which everybody in the neighhorhood
knew by heart. Antoine Bo!telle al
ways added:
Since then have had no heart for
anything. No work pleases me. and l
have HEROINE what S,pI "
Some one said. You are married.
! however"
yes. and I don't say that my wife
has dlspleased me since I have had
fourteen children. but IT isn't the other
! one. oh. no. surely; oh. no! The other
! one. you see. my negress. only had to
look at me and I was carried away"