The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1901-11-07

ture. Binker WILEY, her stalwart son,
was the abstemious tireless overseer,
who had announced on taking charge
that the lash was only for oxen. mules
and dogs and to whose shrewd, frugal
management was due the fact that the
prosperity Of ''L'Esperance" was second
TO that OF no plantation in the parish of
AVoyelles, with the possible exception
OF Baldouino's. on Bayou dss CLASSES.
The dwelling was brick structure of
two stories, with broad, covered veran-
das projecting from the second in front
and rear On the ground floor, which
was tiled, were at one side of wide
nall dining room and housekeeper's
sanctum, at the other an office. library
and medicine store, in which were kept
considerable quantities of indictments
OF approved use on large planta tions.
The second story contained Darlor and
sleeping apartments, high ceilinged and
spacious, separated by a hall CORE
spending with the one below and reach
ed by exterior stairways piercing the
verandas. The furniture was heavy
cid and rich. An acre set in pecan, wal
nut and fig trees and inclosed by a high
White fence made a shady lawn be-
tween the house and the public road
along the bank Of Bayou Claire. On
the left were the overseer's house and
plantation stores, hundred yards far
Their the negro quarters. barns. stables
and cattle sheds: on a bend Of the ba-
you was the steam cotton gin and at
the rear Of the fields the brick sugar
mill. with long, low rooted purgery and
massive chimney for bagasse burning.
The warm day was closing Oakfell
sat at the western window of the office
near table on which lay written re-
ports which had been left with him by
the overseer. From perusal Of them
he had turned to volume of English
poetry and read these lines:
He finds his fellow guilty Of skin
Not colored like his own and, having power
TO enforce the wrong, for such worthy cause
Dooms and devotes him as his lawful prey.
And what man, seeing this
And having human feelings, does not blush
And hang his head to think himself man?
The book was closed upon his finger,
and with lowered eyes he pondered
these thoughts when the open doorway
was filed by the generous figure Of
Mrs. Wyley.
"Mr. Oakfell, where is E7ariste to-
day?' she asked. II have not seen him
since morning."
HE went to attend the races at Man
sura, believe" Oakfell replied.
"You will not, hope" she said. set
Ting herself comfortably in a rocker,
think me meddlesome if question the
proprlety of one so young freQuenting
such gatherings, where gambling, drink
ing, profanity and sometimes homicide
are the features. l forbade them to
Binker. Evariste goes to them so Of
ten" The old lady's manner evinced
the sincerity Of her anxiety.
II appreciate your interest and de-
sire you always to speak your thoughts
without restraint on any subject which
may concern my BROTHER" said Oakfell.
"In this instance, however, l think you
need have no apprehension. Horse rae
ing, you know. is expressly encouraged
by our law, which puts betting at it
on an equal footing with other con-
tracts. 1t has received the countenance
of our best citizens and has thus had
it's responsibility preserved. Were such
as Evariste to absent themselves the
turf would soon degenerate to a mere
gambling affair and contest of chican-
cry. SO long as honor rules the track
the excitement is healthful to men. |
have no misgiving Of Evariste He is
thoughtful and prudent beyond his
years, has a perfect control over him.
self, which l envy him. and his spirit is
too high and proud to yield to a low
temptation or to be led by an un Unworthy
example, My faith in him is perfect.
and 1 love him as if he were my son."
How blessed he is to have such a
brother" said Mrs. Wyley, her fears
for the one forgotten in her admiration
of the other.
There he is now!" exclaimed Oak
fell. rising and going to the door, "Was
there ever such little man beauty as
he? And he is so free from vanity
that do not believe he is at all aware
of his good looks"
Evariste had alighted from his foam
ing horse at the gate and. having
thrown the bride to a negro boy, was
walking up the bricked path to the
house with the easy step and calm air
of one returning from a short and
leisurely stroll in a shady grove, his
regular breathing betraying no sign Of
the hard run of II miles he had given
the painting beast now being led to the
stables And Horace's tribute of un-
consciousness Of self was scarcely sus-
tanned by the faultlessly fitting suit,
unlocked collar and fashionably adj
5usted neckscarf, the dainty shoes and
carefully oiled locks resting on his
shoulders in glossy black roll And
suspicion Of dandiness might hav>'
had confirmation in the delicate per
fume scattered from his handkerchief
as he passed it across his brow.
"How was the sport today, my boy"
Horace asked cheerily as Evariste en-