The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1901-11-14

m. Constant has treated me differ
emily from the others on his planta-
ton. I have never been put to field
work. Up to the time I was Is he
made me stay about the house, and
after that he put me in charge Of his
best horses. Now, as you know, Mr..
Horace, am his jockey and ride for
him at all the races''
'And from what hear you give him
satisfaction in that capacity" Horace
remarked.
eyes, SIR" said Leon, Except when
he loses a race, and then he curses me
for not Furnishing the horses That |
will not do, for I know they try their
best, as I do mine. But he has never
whipped me-the others, yes, my
mother and all, for he is terrible in
passion, but not me. My mother has
said that do not belong to him, that
am not a slave, that 1 am free, and
he whipped her for telling me 50,
though he never said anything to me
| about it. I do not understand it. Fa-
Their Grhe, who christened me, has
told me the same thing. But l cannot
explain how it is. One day when I
was crossing some horses on the ferry
at Bayou du Lac NJ. Valsin Mouillot
said to me that he had heard NJ. Con
slant admit did not belong to him or
to anybody else.'
"Can this have been true, Mrs. Wy
ley?" inquired Horace.
II am not prepared to say no." re-
piled Mrs. Wyley.
Though have feared to speak to NJ.
Constant about it," Leon resumed, Il
have always believed am not slave
and have hoped that something would
occur to put me in my, freedom. But
my hope has been today destroyed.
All that cheered me has been denied
Please, Mr.. Horace and madame, do
not laugh at me and think me foolish
for what I am going to tell you now.
am in love"-he hung his head like a
guilty child-"and my love has made
me strong, obedient and patient.
love Odette, the maid Of Mile Estellc
Latiolais,. and she has said she would
| be my wife. She is a good, faithful,
true girl. To me she is lovelier than
the yellow jasmine, and the thought of
her has kept me honest and cheerful
and has made me kinder to my horses.
Her mistress loves her and more than
year ago promised to set her free
when I should be ready to marry her.
But last night she met me weeping
and broken hearted. for mademoiselle
had informed her that she could not
give her freedom, because the law had
changed in spite Of Mr.. Horace's noble
opposition so as to forbid the enamel
patton of slaves. I could not console
her. It seemed as If this news took
all my life away. Not moment have
slept since. All the night long I
walked up and down in the stables
save when I rested my head on one Of
the horses and cried like a woman.
But with the daybreak came hope. I
remembered that if myself was not a
slave could buy Odette and make her
free by taking her to free state, and
determined to ask M. Constant to
lend me the price Of my bride, to be paid
him in services in the stable and on
the track as long as would be reasona-
bile. Knowing how set he was on beat
ing Judge Elgee's mare today and that
he had bet heavy sums on the race, l
made up my mind to win it for him
even at the risk Of my neck, so as to
have his favor when should ask him
for the loan, which I would do before
shutdown if my mare kept her feet.
He wO1116 not ref17Sa then T fo1t emo
Again I cried, but from joy, and I
danced with happiness, and whistled
like hooking bird as I patted and
rubbed Charlotte Corday and prayed
Ito her to carry me out Of my trouble
Belle Cheney has better points than
Charlotte, and trembled as saw her
cap to the stand. But when the word
Gas given I leaned down and shouted.
II +. Ess-s