Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-05-12
husband. whose name was Everett James.


were both from Massachusetts.
Mrs James dtsliked negroes, and those on
this plantation she most cordially hated.
We were busily engaged in conversation
when her husband entered. 1 made ar
engagements for my supper and lodging with
him, and what was of more importance to
ME. obtained permission to trade with the
negroes, some of whom had learned from
Mrs. James were very much dissatisfied.
Bob was lazy, 10 sick. Dick ugly. and so
on. Dave was the worst, and though often
whipped, would never give UP.
I'm short" said Mrs. James. II believe he
is an Oboe man.
An Oboe man, in negro belief, is species
of sorcerer or wizard. The poor class of
whites, and indeed many quite intelligent
planters, are believers in the supernatural
power of the Oboe man.
What is that power? Truth to tell, al
most believe in 1t myself. In those days I
would have hesitated before offending an
Oboe man. Call ii mesmerism or hypnotism,
II you will, 1t cannot be denied that the
weird. uncanny power that rules mems
minds, that leads them to loathe, fear and
obey. is possessed by the Oboe man.
Ignorance is easily influenced by fear of
the supernatural. l know many an overseer
who dare not strike an Oboe man for fear
that the curse of a withered arm will be
laid upon him.
l once knew a gentleman. an able man,
literally educated, very Intelligent, and an
eloquent preacher of the Gospel in southern
Georgia. Yet, with the advantages of his
education and reading to combat his in
fuence, he firmly believed in the Oooe man,
and feared his power. What wonder that
The negro feared him.
OF course, this reputation gave Dave con-
tinual control over his credulous country
men.
Night came and the tired hands came
struggling home from the fields. 1t was
noised about that a peddler was at the
overseer's house, and after supper they
came, bringing their little boards of bits
picayunes and quarters to exchange for
rings, combs ribbons and all Iha little
ceteras of a peddler's ~stock--tne cheap
hnery so dear to the negros heart.
Closely L watched-the Oboe man came
not. Him I had decided to venture with.
1t was late when he Joined the throng.
born African, he had not forgotten his
native tongue. nor had he forgotten that he
naughty when he threw his spear or
welded his war club in the wilds of the
Congo forests. and Indifferent as he APP
peared. was sure that his negro curiosity
would bring him to me. although he seemed
not to notice my presence.
Among my wares were some music boxes.
One of these l set to work; the attraction
was too strong for his African highness
and he crowded his way toward me. Bid
ing my time, l watched him. When his
attention was absorbed. dropped one SEN
the rallying cry of the slave hunter on the
west coast. He turned to me. Speak
again. white man." he said; its many
years since heard that tongue"
night in the old gin house."
Yes, answered he.
No was said. At midnight there
We're hidden in that deserted building the
French Deddler and Dave, the Oboe man.
Friends he had none. Once a leader of
men. now a slave, there craven
blood of captive people in his veins. A
few words In his native language Suf-
ficient to unloose his tongue, and in that
monotonous tone that marks the spirit
broken man he narrated his past history.
unfolding the hopes and miseres of life
time of slavery. That night when We sepa-
rated he had the feeling that he was a
free man, and with his terrible Congo OATH
agreed to be at the forks of the road one
week from that night, with twenty of Ray
mond's men and as many from the neigh
boring plantations as could be induced to
go.
In all our talk we had used nothing but
west coast dialect, and if overheard 1t
would make no difference for not man |
in the parish could understand a word. |
After the interview 1 stole back to bed at
the overseers and did not wake until |
breakfast time. I feigned sick and unable |
to walk until about 2 pm. when 1 took the |
road back, Travelled until dark, pitched the |
balance of my wares into the slough. and |
made my way to the store, elated and very
much excited. George laughed at me. took |
the cart and went back to the slough. |
f1shed out the pack, burned what was left |
any of these things are found near or in |
our store the people will move the earth |
to find that French peddler. and, If found. |
it will be very bad for that peddler."
To this agreed.
Now, Brad" said George, you are In |
charge. What is the next move?"
Don't ask me, George; you have had ex-
perience. Suppose you take charge"
No, will be lieutenant. By and by you |
will be jealous, and say to yourself, George |
Wesner is running this concern l want |
you to take this on your hands. I will be
free enough with advice, only you lead off"
well" L replied, lets wait until one |
week from tonight. That will bring it to
Tuesday evening. Look at the almanac
and see If there is moon.
Moves moon sets ten minutes past 10 |
p. m.." said George, after diligently consult
ing our almanac
THAT'S fine; by - 1t will be dark at we
will be there, and by 3 we will be a mile in
the swamp. Let's go to bed on that"
The next morning we were up betimes,
and when the first customer struggled along
We're ready for him. The week wore away
the eventful night, came at last, it hap
pened. cloudy but pleasant At 10 o'clock
George, as a negro. and myself as the ped
dler, We're lying under a live oak shaded by
the long festoons of Spanish moss and
closely hidden from view. This friendly
tree was near the road and at no great dis
lance from the forks.
Dawes instructions were to strike direct
ly toward New Iberia across the prairie.
and stop under the trees before reaching
the main bayou road, keeping as far as pos
SlDle from lne main ROAD. Inc bayou
was but little used. and the road to Ray
mond's scarcely any. The main road to
Opelousas might have some belated travel
ers, for there was large up-country trav-
ell, and persons often travelled by night to |
avoid the hot sun. Dave and his party
must come out of the Coverly road, which
was not much better than cart track |
quite near our place of concealment, and, as
the trees were some distance apart, we |
could see them.
(To be contnued.)