The Richmond palladium. (Richmond, Ind.) 1906-1907, 1906-11-17


which, IN my mind. doth always ham
per the extreme of enthusiasm.
This woman. Madam Tabitha Story
was widow Of considerable property
owning 4 plantation and slaves. ant
I.e,... no- wen knowu. gone
mad with zeal i'll the cause Of Nathan u
ieI Bacon and had furnished him with
money, and would herself have fought
for him had she been allowed. But
Bacon. though no doubt with graft
tude for her help, had. as / believe is
the usual case with brave men when
set about with .doring women, but
little liking for her. 1t was. in faith.
q curious sight she presented as she
entered that hall of Barry Upper
Branch with the men rising and bow
ing low and the other women eying
her, half with defiant glages as of
responsibility on the defense and half
with admiration and eomradeship, for
she was to the far front in this re-
bellion as in the other. Madam Story
was Il woman SO tall that she exceed
ed the height of many a man. and she
was clad IN black and crowned with
a great hat feathcred with sable like
hearse. and her skin was of Il white
ness more dazzling against the black
than any color. Her face had been
handsome had it not been so elongated
and strained out OF its proper lines of
beauty. and her forehead was of
wonderful height, a smooth expanse
between punches Of black eurls, and
in the midst was set that curious patch
which she had worn ever since Bacon's
untimely death, it being, as | live,
nothing more nor less than 4 mourn
ing coach and four horses, cut SO cum
ningly out of black paper that it was
a marvel of skill.
She stared with scorn at the one
black woman approaching her with
the silver tray, then she turned and
stared at Nick Barry, sitting half over
come with drink, lolling against the
other. He east a look of utter sheep
ishness at her and then Strengthened
himself and rose like the other men,
and Dick Barry motioned to both OF
the black women to withdraw, which
they did. sinking out darkly, both
with a fine rustic of silks.
Then Madam Story saluted the other
women, though somewhat stiffiy, and
Dick Barry, who was never lacking
in i certain gloomy dignity, though
they said him to be the worse of the
two brothers, stepped forward Mad
am he said, Il pray you to be seat
ed" With that he led her with a
courtly air to a great carved chair
in which his father had been used TO
sit, and she therein, somewhat molli-
fed, her black length doubled on itself,
and that mourning coach on her fore
head, was wonderful sight.
Then arrived Major Robert Beverly
md another notable man, one Of the
ourgesses, whose name / do to this
lay conceal in consequence of VOW
% that effect, and then two more.
Then Major Beverly, who was in fact
'unning greater risks than almost any,
nasmuch as he was clerk of the as
'embly and was betraying more of
rust, after he had saluted Madam
Story conferred privately with Dick
Barry and my Lord Estes and Parson
Downs, with this effect.
Dick Barry, with such q show of gal
antry and seriousness as never was.
prevailed upon the three ladies to for
i've him his discourtesy, but limited
BROADLY that in an enterprise fraught
With SO much danger it were best that
zone but the ruder sex should confer
ogether, and they departed, Mistress
4ongman enjoining upon her husband
o remain and deport himself like
nan of spirit, and Mistress Allgood
,-hi if,sr witt ha N
God mans alarmed ear, he nodding
he while in token Of assent.
But Madam Tabitha Story paused
II the threshold ere she departed.
landing back on her heels with
marvellous dignity and waving one
)ng, black draped arm. Gentlemen of |
-irginia," said she in a voice of such !
as 1 had never heard ex- |
elled, II beseech you to remember |
he example which that hero who has |
eparted set you. l beseech you TO /
orm your proceedings after the fash
IN of those of the immortal Bacon, I
nd remember that if the time comes
hen woman's arm is needed to 1
trille for freedom, here is one at your .
ervice, while the heart which moves
beats true to liberty and the great /
ead.''
Nick Barry was chuckling in a
laudlin fashion when the door closed !
ehind her. and Parson Downs great
ice was curving upward with smiles
Ike wet new moon, but the rest were
,ber enough in spite of some overin-
ulgence, for in truth it was grave
after which they had met to decide
ld might mean the loss Of life and
berty to one and all.
Major Robert Beverly turned sharply I
pom me as soon as the women were |
)ne aud accosted me civilly enough,
oUgh the memory Of my convict eS-
tie was in his tone. Master Wing
sld,'' said he, may | Inquire
SIR l replied. for 1 had SO made up
Y mind, Il am with you in the cause,
Id will so swear if my oath be consid-
ed of sufficient moment
know not how proudly and bitter
l said that last, but Major Beverly
oked at me, and kindly look came
to his eyes. Master Wingfield," he {
id, "the word of any English gen |
imam is sufficient" AndN | could
we blessed him for il and have ever