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


rouze on Sundays. 1t seems they had
known each other in France. By the
request Of Queyrouze, Quillebert stood
as godfather at the child's christening
| at Mansura by Father Grhe, who had
but recently arrived In this country.
Queyrouze was very fond Of this child,
but was greatly displeased for some
cause with the mother, Olive, who,
with her children, was his slave. The
| year the cholera was so bad-I think it
was in 1S33-on returning home from
visit to New Orleans he told his over
seer, Belisaire Poydre, that he intended
Leon to be free and directed that he be
sent to me to be raised. The following
day he died Of the cholera. He had be-
friended my husband in serious trou-
Bile, so that when, two days after his
death, a nurse came to US with the
child and message from Poydre con-
veying the wish Of Queyrouze we con-
sented, and I took charge Of the little
one OF course he was favored by US
and never caused me to regret our ac-
ton. AS child and boy he was good ma
tured, respectful and obedient.
"Queyrouze was bachelor, and his
heirs lived in France. His will in
structed Poydre to wind up his af-
fairs, sell his property and deliver the
proceeds to the heirs. This he did four
years later. Quillebert bought Olive
and her three other children. Leon
was not included in the sale, but re-
mained with me. Belisaire Poydre died
Of yellow fever in 1910. My poor hus-
band was carried off by the same dis
ease in 1S43. About six months after
my husbands death received re-
quest from Quillebert to send Leon to
visit his mother and receive some pres
ents from his godfather, and, suspect
ing no trick, I did so. Leon did not
come back. I wrote Quillebert note
asking why he detained him. He re-
| turned the verbal answer that the boy
preferred to remain with his mother.
This I did not believe, but l felt myself
helpless and took no further steps in
the matter. This Is all know Of it.
1 do not pretend to understand the law,
but l have always thought Leon was
free"
At these last words. Icons face
frightened, and he looked eagerly and
anxiously to Oakfell.
"And my thought agrees with yours"
said the latter.
"Oh, thank the good Godr' e1claim-
ed Leon, falling on his knees. "And
you will secure and protect NE in my
freedom, Mr.. Horace? You are white,
you are rich, you are wise, you are
powerful. Defend me from this man
who enslaves me against law and JUS
tice."
"I will, poor fellow, to the utmost Of
my power" Oakfell promised. "And
If I succeed in establishing your free
dom will lend you the money to buy
Odette."
Leon wrung his hands in paroxysm
Of joy, but could not speak his graft
tude. Mrs. Wyley, however, was NOV
ed to say, God will be on your side in
the fight, Mr.. Oakfell."
~ can only prevail by the humanity
and justice Of our laws" said Oak
fell. "Listen to me, Leon. l must
proceed in this undertaking with de-
liberation. My course will arouse bit
ter opposition and bad feeling, which
should not be provoked prematurely.
Meanwhile you must be absolutely un-
der my direction and pledge implicit
obedience to my instruction, though it
may involve suffering. 1t is proper
that at the institution Of your suit for
freedom you should be under the ap-
parent control Of Quillebert. You must
not be fugitive when you sue for
freedom. Therefore you must return
to his plantatio though he may put
the lash to you for being away tonight.
Do not disclose that you have spoken
to Mrs. Wyley or myself, though he
should torture you to extort the con-
fession, for if he learns that you have
conferred with us I do not doubt he
will kill you. Can you keep your
counsel and ours and endure his cruel
ty until I send for you and give you
further instructions"
"Mr. Oakfell, will take the lash
and any pains he can put me to II
can gain my freedom and Odette, and
neither whip nor fire can force from
me one word about this meeting"
"Go, then," said Oakfell, "and be
firm"
"God help me to be firm and to be
grateful for your goodness and that Of
Mrs. Nyley," Leon replied and with
drew.
"What IS all this, brother?" said E7-
ariste, smiling and entering the Office
with noiseless step. care you holding
abolitionist meetings and receiving
messages by the grapevine line? Be
ware, for there is danger in that"
Oakfell explained fully the evenings
incident, requesting Evariste's secrecy.
Certainly" said the latter; Il Will
be silent rs the tomb. But indeed
warn you there is more peril in your
undertaking than in genuine abolition
srapeTine conclave. That fellow Quille-
bert is q devil incarnate. He is as ven
omous as an adder and as conscience
less. To deliver 4 thrust from behind
or q shot in the dark is as easy to him
as gulp Of absinth. He IS a relentless
hater and already has his evil eye on
YOU as an American and as the champi-
on Of Estelle Latiolais. More cover, he
has following among the lowest fel-
lows Of this parish. Reflect before you
draw the ire of such a rascal for the
sake of q saffron jockey who never can