The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1903-02-08
LOVE IN A SUGAR CAMP.

was in the hands of the Greens, Barlow and Betsey
their and daughter Israel and Ivory Love- and
north hill SIDE the Cold Spring camp,
consisting fifty trees quarter of mile
away from the other was run by old lame Luke
Switchboard Maria his wife, and their niece Seraphiny
Seraphny Switchboard wanted hne clothes and wanted
them badly but old Lukes rheumatism AFFLICTED him so
nightly that he could work but little.
part the camp proceeds the greater part, had
be sacrificed to the and coffee gods.
Early March there two days freeze that
ended thaw. About two o'clock in the
night single Seraphinys bed in the loft
permitted bit Of melting ice to drop directly on her
She awoke with start. and at the drip OF the
gurgns the foot of the nll fei on her
ears drowsy if the sap hal began to nm
Monty is de cole north side. she reflected
-"dey befo de sun sthacks 'em termorrer
noon niggers trees is runnn now, III De
willin' bet dime!
suddenly something promted her to rise throw her
clothes rusty hood and shawl and in her stocking
feet she crept steathy ladder leading from her
loft and past foster parents, who snored heavily
in their four-poster The door closed behind ner
she drew shoes and taking two big tin buckets
went hastily to north camp She stopped oy
felt the sumach spilehe ice in 1t was nara as
a Quickly and decisivey she lifted her oucke's
again and set the Three Oaks camp Inc
water dripped nosy the pals there-some Of them
were already full Seraphiny hurriedly filled her two
buckets tramped hack to her own camp where she
poured their precious empty barrel Her
arms soon ached and her feet heavy with wearf-
ness but until at last the barrel was
trimming Of water carried from the Three Oaks
ar q
AS she left the laboriously carrying the last
two buckets crunching noisily among the dead
the path the sound OF other Footsteps sent
faintness her-nothng living was visible aitnoush
n her excited fancy the branches waving in the
full light of the like human hands pointing
her
Clip Cummins stopped at the swineboard's that day
and the solicitation OF the old people renamed
partake of the midday meal
He well knew and suspected that Uncle Luke knew,
soctous attentions from wish 10 De near
seraphiny rather than from charitable desire to help
afflicted He drank his coffee now happy that Sera-
phny had poured despite her scornul air his look
admiration rested her face during the en-
tire meal And intense disgust during the after
noon at the camp caught his adoring eyes on her
turned in the direction of the two wood
when gifts my summuh outfit she unused over her
steamng kettles my chip hat wifi black velvet tmmin
and such likely BOYS as Hiram Badgett and Lsh Swope
and Brent Carter is standn' round knee deep. beg
gin fun my company I'm jes gwsne let dat tarfaced
long necked shufin Clip Cunmns know fun good AID
all 1 ain g'wine hab him hangn' round me!'
There was strain of Indian blood mingled with the
white and negro blood in Seraphinys veins nfus-
ing a cellar olive in complexion giving grace and
symmetry figure dainty smallness to her hands
feet, a brilancy to her black eyes. and withal
proud naughty demeanor that while it rendered her
beauty in the OF her male acquant-
ance was dspleasng youthful female associates
"seraphinys Indian pride 6 wine to hab a comedown
some day. they hopefully predicted
Sunday the day of the monthly meeting at Big Rock.
found Seraphny and her aunt and uncle clad in their
good spirits seated in the old blue spring
wagon white mules head turned IN the oirec-
ton of the church of which they were all members IN
good standing. proud thought to the SWINE
beard family that of them had ever peen before
the church for any misdemeanor.
After the unusually short the pastor announc-
ed that brother brought in charge against one OF
that required investigation and ne request
ed that the accusing brother his witnesses come
laff from hanr
deacons occupied the front the right This DONE
the preacher solemnly said:
Brother Green will please lay de complaint befo de
deacons representa- de church.
Ion Monday mawnin, bredderin'," Barlow Green POM
pousy dramatically began long bout uh quarter O.
an hour befo sun-up de buckets and me and my
son Israel de Three Oaks sugar camp with me
and my privileged tub De water had been
runnin all night had oversep our selves we
lowed tub fine pals all mosy full and runnin over
An spose foun? De buckets wah consid bic
EN- drap half full. and at de fur end de
towards de hill wha de Cole Spring camp run
Switchboard family is. da wah some wooden pals
jars pufectly empty, And when got tub dem
hill uh movin fgger wild two tin buck
cts in de hands hit. Dat water wah toted from de
Three camp Stole. sstuhs and bredderin by Sis
tub Seraphiny Switchboard"
Everyone had listened ntently and with mouth agape
to Barlows recital and when he to the
accused every turned towards Sepaphiny who
defiant her blazing like Goals in her
ashen Barlow sat down and Israel rose to cor
roborate his fathers statements.
comforting a few minutes together on the out
side the house deacons filed grimy in and
bounced that ready render their verdict
but desired that forward and face
them seraphny struggled to her feether defiance all
dragged trembling limbs past her admirers
placed for her. and sank into ii with eyes
,ast down
Maria wept aloud. and Barbara Warren sympa-
hecally kept company. number of other matrons
uttered distressed "Uh mes" but few of the
younger spirits whom Seraphny had been uncon-
uerabIe rival gigged maliciousy Brent Carter Hiram
disturbed Clip Cummins. sitting in mouthed
distressed. served OF model for statue Of
Misery.
I'VE is found de young woman guilty Of wilfu theft.
he spokesman said gravely. and Importantly,
proceeded detail punishment to be meted out
o be delinquent Ten dollars to be imposed
ine-onehaf be paid the owners OF the conscaed
hurch In addition 20 paying the fine the offender
O remain the space OF six months away from
whatever the end of the time she could
ring certificates behavior and proof Of having
enaned away any towns stipulated she would
- received bach in church from which she
pmmarly turned out.
There was a OF conversation like the
.-zzing of bees which silenced by the preacher
gain rising
.Breddering and said impressiveiy. 'es-
ice say should be tempered wild mercy De