Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1901-10-17

She began to dance lightly about the hGtL.
thought myself to look at the captain
1t was easy to see that the thrall Jaque-
line had been weaving about him was
complete.
"Jaquelinew
Miss Pinkley had entered the hall
and stood looking at her severely.
Jaqueline stopped as suddenly as if
she had been moved by electricity and
the current had been turned off.
'I'm astonished at yo'," said the lady.
s'Yo've made the acquaintance of these
gentlemen only this afternoon, and
here yo' are dancing befo' them as if
yo' were a soubrette in a theater."
.sMy dear madam" interposed, 'tyou
have no idea of the pleasure she has
given US. She would be grand sue
cess on any stage"
.sDo yo' think so?" queried Jaqueline
@triumphantly. "I'd love to dance on
the stage II
"Jaquelinew again cried Miss Pink
ley.
'What's the harm, auntie? I'm not
Oh the stage"
eyes, but you want to be. To think
of a Rutland on the stage! Yo' pa
would be mawtified to DEATH"
She passed up stairs, and Jaqueline
began again to rattle on in her singular
way. Suddenly it struck her that she
wanted Ginger's banjo, and, calling
Cynthia, she sent her for it. Then,
after testing the strings. she began to
play and sing. The music was light,
but sweet, being composed chiefly OF
those unique negro melodies born under
the slave system as delicate plants
sometimes sp.ing ZIP anong poisonous
weeds. j. ". =: ~ sst.s s.s;5s,.
fWithout warning she put the banjo
down and began 10 talh again, skipping
from one subject TO another. astonish-
ang us by her condolences. sometimes
asking questions. but seldom waiting
for an answag. Presently spoke of
mystay With the Stanforths.
i1eThe Stanforthsrs she cried. lido
tou know 'em" ',.ssaR
Eyes. Do you?'s
thought to; they're my cousins. Did
Sou see Minervas"
ss.1'No. WHO'S Minerva?s
sHer real name Is Helen. we called
her Minerva at school. went to school
with her two years. She's older than
!, though"
tI have met Miss Helen Stanforth."
fIf you refer to the young lady we
met today" the captain remarked,
"she's very beautiful and high bred
woman, much like our !Geowgia beau'
! ties.'
4She knows everything" said Jaque.
Nine; theology, geology, biology, psy.
Ghology. Any more Of 'em"
S\"That's quite enough" admitted.
ibid you see Buck?"
ssOh, yes. Buck and I became quite
friendly"
"FEiendIy! Buck was born to be
hanged"
What makes you think thatl'
s'Most fiery, pestiferous little imp 70
ever sawA Doesn't stop at anything"
''Mere flashes of strong nature
When he grows up, he'll control 1t and
be all the stronger for it."
.'Think so2S If he was black and
owned him, I'D have him whipped
every day."
A colored woman came in and told
the captain that Miss Pinkley present
ed her compliments, and room was
ready for him whenever he chose te
occupy it. She also Informed him that
I could have room.
Captain" / said, II Nave no reason
to get away from YOU. Indeed,
wouldn't leave your guar dianship JUS
gov for plantation. The man wht
has accused me is in league witt
others who are interested in getting mt
out of the way. Now, If you'll permi
me to go to bed without a guard II
give you my word of honor mot t.
leave this house till after the wat}h hal
been resumed tomorrow" W
NOW, captain" put in Jaqueline} be
fore the officer could reply, "let the poo
man go to bed"