The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1901-10-30

sumed his body and mind, Gre
- ating hallucinations peopled
by Odette, Oakfell and Estalle,
whose names were oftenest on his
parched lips. The excess Of his punish
ment was discussed throughout the
parish in terms condemnatory Of Quille-
bert, to prosecute whom should the
jockey die determination was express
ed. The medication Of Dr.. De Roux
seemed impotent, profound and omi-
nous gloom settled upon the slaves on
all the plantations, the patrol Of con-
stables was nightly REINFORCED by vol.
unteers, Quillebert's bottle and card ia!
miliars obscured themselves, and he
felt deeply disturbed by the entire situ-
alton. He drank brandy at home and
rum at Dede's cabaret at Mansura. In
this latter he was blasphemously in
Weighing against the Doctors unskill-
fulness when Dede remarked:
at is you who lack sense. Why
don't you stop throwing away money
on De Roux and drop geld eagle in
the lap Of old Mother Deshautelles.
Laure Luneau's grandmother"
"What can she do, you pitted IDIOT"
Quillebert snapped.
"She can cure your jockey and save
you from being tarred and feathered.
you Gascon hog" retorted Dede. "She
is doctress served by the saints them
selves. Alexe Boudreau's fine trottcr
could not touch his right hind foot to
the ground for four days. Alexe called
on Mother Deshautelles. She gave him
dry piece Of flannel to put on the
horses hoof. he did so and dealt him
sharp blow. Down went the hoof.
and the horse has not limped since.
During 4S hours Tatin's boy could not
swallow. He was carried to Mother
Deshautelles, who laid her hand on his
throat just for one second. AS soon as
he got home he ate a quart Of gumbo
and can now swallow an egg without
breaking it. Bertrand Duflho called to
his wife one night for a candle. She
asked him, Where is the candle? For
three days she kept repeating, Where
is the candle, where is the candle"
She did not eat or sleep and continued
saying, Where is the candle. where IS
the candle? DR.. Leme was called to
her, but he could do nothing. Her
strength gave out. and they had to put
her to bed. Still she went on asking,
Where is the candle, where is the
candleT The priest was sent for. and
he burned candles and incense and
sprinkled water and talked Latin, but
she kept on asking. Where IS the can
die, where is the candle? Finally
Bertrand brought Mother Deshautelles.
she sat by the bed and heard the feeble
voice whisper, Where is the candle,
where is the candle? and, touching her
lips with q candle she had carried
there, said to her, There, the candle'
Nine. Duflho opened Ter eyes and,
looking first at the candle and then at
Mother DeshautAlles, closed therl again
and Immediately fell asleep. From that
day to this she has never asked, Where
is the candle""
"Do you take me for fool, Iede, or
are you really simple enough yourself
to, believe such crazy stuf?"
"Crazy stuffw exclaimed Dele. 81
tell you, Quillebert, those are facts,
anG ere are hundreds more known.
She is the most powerful doctress
since the old nun Bazilia died, who
cured the bishop Of Natchez Of q snake
bite. But it isn't every one she will
serve, for she IS pious woman. She
may refuse you, who are such fool
as not to believe what you cannot un-
derstand, VINO do not believe in God
OF the saints or the devil. When your
jockey dies and the planters begin to
hold meetings, perhaps you will no
longer believe in rum, cards, OK whip
and yourself, which thus far have
made up your creed.'
Quillebert's philosophical skepticism
was demolished by this last stroke Of
Dede's, and, visibly frightened, he said:
"And do you think this old witch will
not sell her charm for my gold?''
Though she takes it, gold cannot
buy her." Dede replied. ''You risk fail
ure if you depend upon yourself and
gold alone, for the priests have put on
you the brand Of hereto and On your
gold the mintage mark Of hell"
Except what I give them" snarled
Quillebert.
"That's plain" laughed Dede. "They
purify by excrcism whatever goes to
their holy uses. But there is just one
chance for you, Constant, and 1t should
be good one"