The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1905-10-20
AT TWELVE
O'CLOCK
TheOBEAH MAN
OF JAMAICA
Bv MARION DOWNING
tORIGINAL)

A LITTLE back from the city OF
~ Kingston, Island of Jamaica, tow
ers the lofty peak of Mount Leguinia.
Though within sight of the sleepy town,
but few of its Inhabitants have ever
climbed its rugged sides. Yet there is
a well-beaten path leading nearly to it's
summit, and it has been worn almost
wholly by the feet of two men; one, an
aged negro, the other young white
man, and it is the latter whom we see
hurrying up the steep and narrow road,
In the first gray dusk of evening.
AS the darkness settled over the scene
the midst of the dense foliage at the top
Of the elevation and continued to burn
steadily.
"Ah, Castroni is at his nightly labor,
concocting his obnoxious drugs for his
credulous patrons" laughed the trav-
eler. But they are harmless, as the
poor old man himself"
How do you know dey am harmless,
boy? l hab got up dere, in dat cabe
(cave) stuff what yill cherry man in ia
maica, s'pose dey take um."
'Ah, Father Castroni, had no idea
that you were so near, for had but this
moment caught a glimpse of your fire
yonder''
Dat fire done burn desc yere two
hours" At this the negro stepped out
into the pathway, and most grotesque-
looking individual he was, too.
He was naked to the waist, save
broad necklace of the plated skins of the
yellow snake, which he wore about his
neck Around his loins, and reaching
below the knees, were wound several
yards of gunny-cloth, or coarse bag
ging, while his woolly hair was twisted
into number of little tails which stood
out straight, making his head resemble
a huge black burr.
why am you come to de mountain
tonight, SOM" asked the African
0beah-man, for as such a character he
posed among the ignorant and super
stitious negroes. 81 see you lieb de
town afore de sun went down-so OATS
what bring me away from de boiling
pot. But come up to, de cabe and tell
you ole brack ladder what am de mat
ter" And CastI oni turned and led the
way to his rude abode, which was moth
ing more than spacious cave nearly at
the top of the mountain.
Now, den, my son" began the Obeah-
man as he seated himself before the fire.
What hab you got to say? Doant be
afeerd to speak, for if ole Castroni hates
oh orEh ole IN
(loves) you, and hab eber since you poo
fader, de captin, put you into desc yere
brack arms jest afore he died in de
boat"
Il know, my dear friend" replied the
young man. grasping the negro's hand
fervently, 'that possess your affection.
But, Castroni, am miserable"
What am you mis- able fob, boy?"
Because love the daughter of Hiram
Emery, the richest man in Kingston!"
do dat make you mis'able? When
lubs anybody Use happy. Why doan't
you marry de girl?"
= do you suppose the wealthy banker
would allow his only child to wed the
poorest clerk in his employ? No, no; ]
must be content to gaze upon the object
of my love as would poor prisoner upon
the sun, through the bars of the win
dow of his cell"
Now, you is fool, fob suahi Hab /
not allus tole you dat you am as good
as anybody in Jamaica, and dat after
Use gone dead you might be as rich as
any oddel man in de island?"
Truly you have, Castroni. But I am
afraid that would be feeble argument
to bring to bear upon the naughty IA
ther'
At this the Obeah-man placed his ell.
bows upon his knees and allowed his
chin to rest in the palms of his bony
hands, while he sat for several moment;
in silence. At length, he began: .sYou.
name am Robert Stewart. Dat were