The Hope pioneer. [volume] (Hope, N.D.) 1882-1964, 1903-09-24
~
h A Real Daughter [
of the Revolution
BY CAROLINE GEBHARDT.
Copyright, 1904, by J. B. Lippincott Company.
II.-CoSTINUED.

At length they began their prepa,
ations for departure, but ere they
were ready to set forth the colonel
turned to Jane with real concern. SIS
it possible, dear lady," he asked.
"that you are left alone in this great
house with only these blacks? Surely,
'twere a perilous situation, and
must crave the privilege of leaving
with you a guard Of some of my
faithful fellows until your father and
mother return"
d. Jane threw back her head and
smiled at him in a bewitching de-
rision. what a harsh mistress Col
Bessemer must think me-" she re-
marked, that I should needs be
afraid to be left alone with these,
my people. Know you, sir, that every
negro upon this plantation has be-
longed all his life to either my
fathers family or that of my own
mother or my stepmother. Each of
them is bound to us by ties that have
been weaving through generations.
Every one of them is as dear to me
as though he were my kinsman, and
I dare to believe that l am equally
dear to each of them. Nay, colonel,
yousare not half SO safe at the head
of your legion as I am here surround
ed by my black servants"
) She spoke with spirit, the rich color
mantling her cheeks, for it was a
matter of pride with the Ellerys that
TO family in all the colonies could
more confidently claim or better
merit the devotion of their depend
ents. Strict disciplinarians they
were, knowing well that laxity was
mistaken kindness, but liberal and
just always.
"Ah, madam Bessemer answered,
lit is not necessary to tell me that
your people love you. No one could
be associated with you-an hour with
out doing that, much less years"
She swept him a mock courtesy,
and then, in true southern fashion.
accompanied him to the front door;
tits a fashion that even yet southern,
hostesses find it hard to wear them
selves from. Stepping out upon the
portico, she saw that the sky, SC
smiling when they arrived, was over
cast, while banks of ominous black
clouds had gathered in the east.
"Methinks, colonel" she said, there
is a storm brewing. I beg that you
tarry until we see how much of a
one it is TO be, for our South Carolina
tempests are not often mild, even al
this mild season of the year."
Il thank you, sweet lady," Besse.
mer answered, but l fear we have
i%nfringed too long upon your hospi
tality as it is, and that the rebels
will have taken advantage of our self.
Indulgence to be up to mischief
Duty tells Inc I must join my Gen
CORVALLIS as soon as possible, though
inclination iain would chain mt
here"
Even as he spoke the wind rose into
a gale, and swayed this way and thai
the tops of the great elms which
lined the avenue from the carriage
gate to the house. There was ;
binding flash of lightning, a grow
of thunder, and a splash of rain
AN, 10 U'ohSA CACouI dSSu, the Clc
ments let loose their fury.
Itwould not be the first storm tina
Bessenler and his men had breasted
but never had they set out in ONT
from surroundings SO Hospitality in
'iting. Not since they left Charleston
had they seen such lavish display O:
luxurious living as here; and, indeed
few country seats even in rich Vir
ginia maintained the daily scale O:
munifcence exhibited by this Soutl
Carolina plantation.
The storm was ~augmenting it.
force. Bessemer hesitated what t.
do. AS rain began to descend il
sheets, he gave the command for hi.
men to break ranks and pitch thei,
shelter-tents.
"You see, dear lady" Bessemer sait
to her, as she stood watching tn,
soldiers deft work, that the yer,
elements are leaguing for my happi
ness to-day in offering Inc so goo,
an excuse for i%ndulging longer il
your sweet society"
Perhaps" Jane answered, sit i
my pleasure they are considering,
and could he who six months agt