Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1904-03-10
CHAPTER I.
ARRIVALS

cascHtH'S, HOW pU1'ilE out INC JIMMY
curtains in white clouds. and again
drawing them against the tiny pancs
of the long French windows, which
had been set ajar that Miss Ellery
might enjoy the balmy air and also
tupcrintcnd work in the flower
garden upon which they opened.
One need not wish to look upon
prettier picture than this young
mistress made as she stood that
morning by a little deal table in the
great Ellcry dining room. washing
with her own hands the breakfast
china and at the same time issuing
orders to the negro slaves.
A huge. bibbed homcspun apron
protc ted her figured cotton morning
dress n white kcrchief was demurely
crossed beneath her chin, and Il
snowy cap sat coqucttishly upon her
brown head, in which gold and red
fought hard for supremacy. Her
sleeves were rolled above the elbow,
displaying a handsome arm, while a
small. slippcred foot now and then
tapped iniperiously upon the polished
floor as she gave some command.
The room itself was receiving its
morning cleaning. The druggct had
been taken up from the polished
floor and was having a good beating
out on the lawn at sufficient distance
TO keep tie dust from flying into the
house; Aunt Rachel was rubbing
down the great mahogany dining
table an, the smaller breakfast
hi ~
silver: .Judit'. wa; looking over the
table linen that had been used for
breakfast and the last nights supper
to see if there were stains that should
be removed or worn places darned
before it was consigned to the
laundry; Enos was at work upon the
silver and glass candlcsticks. while
in the garden outside tncle Peter was
busy among the flowers, singing the
while at the top of his cracked old
voice.
In the detached kitchen. some 20
feet from the house, Aunt Esther
nnd Aunt Deborah were sending up
quavering contraltos in rivalry Ct
Uncle Peters bass, accompanying
themselves with the rattle of pots
end pans, and interrupting now and
then TO shout command or threat
at their crew of picaninny assist
ants.
The watchfui eyes of the mistress
were everywhere. for the hand which
held the domestic rens during her
stepmother's absence was not lax.
and il took no little vigilance to
keep that army of lazy. grown-up
black children to their tasks.
Uncle Peter" she called. in her
mellow southern voice. 'methinks
you have been resting full ten min
utcs upon that rake. Is the sun
then So hot that you cannot work?"
Hist, missy whispered the old
harky, sticking his white cotton head
in through the window, "thah's a
band of Britshahs ridin' up de
av'new. Ole Petah hab bin watchn'
der red coats tro' de trees
"And if So" said the mistress calm
w. as she placed her china upon a
silver tray and herself carried il to
the china-closei, n stoop-shouldered
affair with glass ,knobbeG doors be-
low and an overhanging shelf above
on which were arranged such pieces
as were kept out for display and
could not find room on the tail, col
Umned sideboard laden with silver
esndlesticks and glass decanters.
gold-chased 1ankards, and fat
goblets, land if so,' she re-
peated. what Of it? Are we
such poor royaists that we need
fear his majesty soldiers? Tut,
1u;. pick up your cloth, Aunt Rachel,
and go on with your cleaning. Think
you the British will know that you
remember Mr.. Washington in your
prayers. and in your heart espouse
the cause of your old master, my
Uncle Eliiah?"
For lately James father had
bought from his brother Il number of
blacks whom that patriots circum-
stances, reduced by the war and his
espousal of the American cause,
would not permit him longer to sup
port. Aunt Rachel,and Gabriel were
among these. and they had brought
the principles they had borrowed
from their old master into their new
home.
Just then Sampson appeared at the
door leading from the dining room
irto the hull and announced in his
most expressionless tones, while he
held himself like very stiff paste
board figure
mai. Broadus to see Miss Ellerv."
Jane knew that he had been too
wei! trained by her stcpmcther ia
voluntarily bring stranger into her
presence with 50 little warning. and
she surmsed the British officer had
persisted in following at his ncels
II was somewhat haughtily, there.
fore, shat she drew down the sleeves
of her gown and turned to meet the
visitor, who stood in the entrance.
He looked both astonished and EN-
ba raised as ner beautiful young
face came within range of his vision
E,idently, he had not expected to bt
confronted by so much youth ant
loneliness. Pardon me. but are yo,
--ah--the mistress of the house," ht
asked hesi:atirgly.
THE temporary mistress, yes
ste answered. My father ant
mother are frorn ho2le. Is there
aught | can do for yoI?"
Col. Bcss-lpcr bids Inc present hi:
ccp,yI mamie and ranupSf fha nri vi