Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1903-11-25
UNDER TWO COLORS
toriginal.l


Elwood Page was owner OF a typical
antebellum southern plantation. His
wife. Adelia Price. was a creole with
raven hair reaching to her heels and an
olive complexion to match. Her maid,
Eunice, had so little negro blood in her
veins that her skin was shade fairer
than that of her mistress. People often
remarked that from their compilations
Eunice could better claim to be white
than Mrs. Page.
Mrs. Page died in childbirth. TWEEN
ty-five years after her death Warren
and Wetherell Page, who appeared in
the world when she disappeared from
it, were prominent young men Warren
In the south and Wetherell in the north.
Wetherell had been graduated at
northern college and, prefeyring the
north remained there Warren had
attended lectures at the University of
Virginia. At twenty-six Warren, who
was fire eater, was killed in an alter
cation with political rival. Wetherell
was at the time just getting start in
his profession. the law, and was en-
gagged TO be married to Evelyn Tole,
lovely girl of strong character Just
before his marriage was to take place
Elwood Page died.
One day Evelyn saw her lover COM
ing up the walk in front of her home
and knew by his appearance and rapid
step that something serious had hap
pened. When he entered he was pale
and haggard.
what is it. wetherell?7 she asked
eagerly.
81 have had a blow"
"a blowy'
'Yes. and have lost you.'
ar,
"We must not marry. 1 have in my
veins-negro blood"
1t was some time before an explana-
ton came; then he told her that evil
dence had been discovered among his
late fathers papers that he (WetherelD
was the son of Eunice, his supposed
mothers maid. His father had taken
him from Eunice and brought him up
as his legitimate white son. He and
his brother were understood to be
twins, though they did not resemble
each other, as most twins do.
When Wetherell Page left his sweet
heart their engagement was broken,
he insisting that if they married their
children would be obliged to take
places with the lower race. He found
it difficult to persuade her to give him
up, but he was immovable in his posi-
ton, and she at last reluctantly con-
sented. Wetherell was not the man to
linger near the girl he could not marry.
He removed to another city, where he
practiced his profession, never COM
municating with her. Consider me
dead" he said to her when they part
ed, and Evelyn was herself too strong
to attempt to break his resolution. He
would not impose himself as a white
man ON the white race, and, as he had
no place with colored people, he lived
entirely alone.
Since Elwood Page left no legal is
sue, several persons contended for his
estate. Wetherell put in no claim.
Efforts were made to divide the es-
tate between the claimants, but each
was so greedy that this was impossi-
BILE, and it was found necessary to try
the case in court of chancery. A Mr..
Clements, lawyer, who had long been
intimate with the Page family and the
manager of its legal affairs, was con-
nected with the case. He subpenaed
Wetherell and the young man was
obliged to attend a trial from which
he would gladly have kept away. When
he arrived, the lawyer pressed his hand
silently. showing deep sympathy.
Il may be able to get you something
out of the estate, Wetherell," he said
Nothing would induce me to accept
a cent" replied the young man.
The first evidence introduced was the
papers of Elwood Page, which distinct
ly proved that he considered Warren as
his legitimate son and Wetherell He
climate by slave. Then came the.
certificate of the death of Warren and
evidence that Elwood Page had no 9th.
er children. AT this point Mr.. Clements
called to the witness stand Lemira Ed
dy, an old woman who had been house
keeper in the Page family for over
thirty years. After the usual prel1ml-
nary questions, the lawyer ELECTED the
following testimony:
"On the evening of the 7th of Novem-
Der, 1860, Mrs. Adelia Page gave birth
to boy. The next day her maid, Eu-
nice, gave birth to boy. Before it
was light the next morning l saw Eu-
nice carry something wrapped in a
blanket into the room where Mrs.
Pages child was sleeping. Following
her, l saw her lay her child in the
place of the other and steal back to
bed My first impulse was to give in
formation of the act, but later it oc-,
Cured to me that held very valua-
BILE secret that one day might make my
fortune. When this suit came up it
brought me my chance, but deter
mined to tell voluntarily and without
rewa rd what I know-that Mr. Wether-