The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1907-07-13

Tn the Iongleaf pine forests CT
southwest Louisiana and southeast
Texas. usually in places remote from
settlement, lives peculiar people !"
cally known as the Red Bones. Inc
name ia a hated one and must be USED
with caution. 1t Is applied to class
IN whose veins is the stain OF negro
blood and who are, in consequence
social outcasts.
A good many years ago young boy
left a Red Bone colony In the Cai
casieu parish, Louisiana, and driiteo
to New Orleans, where he lived for
time the life of the streets. In wnat
dark shops and alleys the first years
of this struggle we're passed there Is
no record. He emerged, after con-
siderable interval, from the cellar OF
an Italian oyster shop to take the posi-
ton of night Waterman In an once
building. Here opportunities and the
inclination for an education first met
and he entered a private school he
was quick with his lessons, cookbook
ing and ready to adopt the ways OF ms
betters, among whom he passed as
| Creole. His connections remained I'M
discovered, and his people had long
since forgotten him.
At the school Ambrose, as he called
himself, did very well, and on several
occasions received congratulations
from his instructors. On graduation
he decided to try medicine, and en-
tered Tulane university.
When Ambrose had taken his de-
gree he was not long waiting for prac-
tice He had a striking appearance
a 1.-THE, quick figure, small hands, an
eager, wistful countenance, and black
eyes.
1t happened one night that Ambrose
was a guest at the house OF former
member of his faculty where whist
party was assembled. The rubber was
but half over when a cab dashed up
10 the door and negro servant
,, rushed In, saying that ais mistress
must have a physician Immediately
Ambrose said that he would go. he
was driven to remote part OF the
. city to an old-fashioned French man
sion with pillars and balconies, and
a garden with broken fountain
. There was a light In the window, ant
: as Ambrose came up the steps tn
door was opened and an old woman II
:. white cap seized him by the ham
= and pulled him inside.
MY daughter is very Ill. Save ne
= f: mel
= he was led upstairs and down
long hall to the sick room.
The room was somewhat meagerl
ID furnished, but exquisitely clean an
n with those touches which belong
~ people of refinement. 1t was all
~ white, and two candles burned on tn
~ table beside crucifix and flowers.
y. high bed stood in one corner, and
y. the bed, beneath a gauze canopy,
H. young girl was tossing restlessl
~ you will save her for me?" I'VE
= yes" Ambrose went up and took h
wrist. He started. Such hair. sue
of a throat! Slowly the eyes opened
on glorious eyes! Ambrose looked, gre
IN. weak, lost count of the pulse.
so Suddenly Ambrose became avail
en- that her eyes were open.
us What is your name?"
ng "Dr. Ambrose"
AZ Am / going to die?"
en- do not excite yourself. You "
ew not die"
It please do not let me die, doct'
Please. / will tell you why. Coz
here and will tell you. Kneel the
ry- beside me. Your head little near
rly There. Because-because- But
a will not tell? Remember you mustI
ish Because 1 have not-felt-love."
asst She sank back on the pillows, c.
lur- fused, a little exhausted, and put VI
AZ finger, smiling. "A promise, RENE
rec ber."
the Next morning the girl seemed /
a ter. and Ambrose went to town, pre-
Using to return that evening. When
came back, the patient had takel
to turn for the worse The poor old W.
new an was frantic She chung to him
the besought him not to leave them. 4
the brose consented to take room in
are house and turn over his other patie
lie. to an assistant He had become
'ent sorbed In the case, and he put int
OF all the skill and devotion he possess
uais Every night he sat up with
OF nurse, himself almost as pale
'tru. worn as she. His great dark eyes
ltrai Elected the delight, the passionate
ted' erness, the despair induced by ev
~ change in her condition. One nj
I
,cial very ia'e' NC =. .a.a =,
49,. he became aware of eyes fixed U
10 him. He turned. She was beckol
: =, to him. He tiptoed past the sleel
aora nurse and bent over her., DOT
,,,,, I have been watching you long t
~ And now must tell you something.