The Rathdrum tribune. (Rathdrum, Idaho) 1903-1963, 1904-03-04
UNDER TWOCOLORS
[Original.]

than that of her mistress. People OFTEN
remarked that from their compieSions
Eunice could better claim TO be white
than Mrs. Page.
Mrs. Page died in childbirth. TWEEN
ty-fve years after her death Warren
and Wetherell Page. who appeared In
the world when she disappeared from
1t, were prominent young men-Warren
In the south and Wethcrell In the north.
Wethercll had been graduated at i
northern college and, prcferring the
north, remained there. Warren had
attended lectures at the University Of
Virginia. At twenty-siX Warren, who
was fire eater, was killed IN IN alter
cation with a political rival. Wetherell
was at the time just getting start In
his profession, the law, and was en-
gnged to be married to Evelyn To,e, 4
lovely girl of strong character. just
before his narriage 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 hep
pened. When he entered he was pale
and haggard.
What is it, Wetherell?" she asked
eagerly.
81 have had a blow" -:
a blowW
"Ycs, and have lost you.' -
~"
I'VE must not marry. l have in my
veins-negro blood"
1t was some time before an explana-
ton came; then he told her that evi-
dcnce had been discovered among bis
late father's papers that he (WetherelD
was the son of EunIce, his supposed
mothers maid. His father had taken
him from Eunice and brought him up
rs his legitimate white son. he and
his brother were understood to be
twins, though they did not resemble
each other, AZ 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 Ia take
places with the lower race. He found
tip, but he was immovable in his posi-
tion. and she at last reluctantly con-
sented. Wethercll was not the man to
linger near the girl he could not marry.
Tie removed to another city. where he
practiced his profession, never COM
mn nj hn,.
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 n 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-
bic, and 1t WAS found necessary to try
the case in Il court of chancery. 4 Mr..
Clements, Il lawyer who had long been
Intimate with the Page family and the
manager of its legal affairs, was con-
nected with the case. He subpnnaed
and the young man was
obliged to attend trial from which
he would gladly have kept away. When
he arrived, the lawyer pressed his hand
silently. showing Il deep sympathy.
Il may be able to get YOU something
out of the estate, WetherelI,' lie said.
Nothing would induce me 10 accept
cent" replied the young man.
The first evidence introduced was the
papers Of Elwood Page. which distinct
y proved that he considered Warren as
his legitimate son and Wethercll lille.
climate by slave. Then came the
OF the death OF Warren and
that Elwood Page had no 9th.
n children. At this point Mr.. Clements
allied to the witness stand Lemira Ed
ly, an old woman who had been house
ioeper in the Page family for over
hirty years. After the usual prelilni-
lary questions. the lawyer elected the
o!lowing testimony
On the evening of the 18th Of Noycm-
Ter. 1850, Mrs. Adelia Page gave birth
o boy. The next day her maid. Eu.
lice. gave birth TO boy. Before IL
vas light the next mornin. saw Eu-
lice carry something wrapped in
blanket into the room where Mrs.
ages child was sleeping. Following
Ter, ] saw her lay her child in the
lace of the other and steal back to |
ed. My first impulse was to give in
of the act, but later it oc-
urred to me that held a very valua-
lie secret that one day might make my
ortune. When THIS suit came IN II
ronght me my chance. but deter
lined to tell voluntarily and without
swau what know-that Mr.. Wether.
II Is Nr. and Mrs. Pages legitimate
mite child and Mr.. Warren was tie
hid Of Mr.. Page and Eunicc.v
Wethereli Page was sitting where he
'uld look the witness full in the faca.
-e continued to stare ut her for some
me after she had finished, then. like a
'ddenly reprieved criminal, sank down
collapse
Later, when Mr.. Clements led him ont
court and got into the carriage with
m, the former said:
i have known that this would ban.
n from the day l sent you the SUBJ
CnQ, which I know ,voo tho o,,l,, 49,.