The Durham recorder. [volume] (Durham, N.C.) 1879-19??, 1908-08-11
A Question Of
Home Economics.
BY j. LUDLUM LEE.
Copyrighted. 1905. by Associated
Literary Press.
BY j. LUDLUM LEE.

Wright with great satisfaction as she
gazed through the open window at the
apple trees laden with gorgeous BIOS
SONS. she loved the place aud every
stick and stone on II. II was hers by
right OF inheritance. and she would
leave II for no man.
True, her old nurse. Roxanna. had
forsaken her to become the bride OF
Abraham. the head gardener on the
adjoining estate. and II seemed rs u
landmark had been torn up by the very
roots. One must learn to part with
landmarks. so Eleanor bad promised
to 20 to Roxanna's wedding.
She jumped into the little runabout
which was waiting for her Mt the door.
No groom attended her, for all the
darkies on the place had been given
a holiday that they. too. might attend
the wedding. She drove down the ia
miliar lane to the cabin In the woods,
where hundreds OF darkies had con-
gregated. Only one other white per
son was In sight. tall. 1.-the youth
astride q roam horse. .s.
Most OF the colored men wore white
linen suits. immediately. clean. and
carried canes OF crooked old birch and
Hickory. The women were arrayed to
shame Solomon In all his glory. They
drew aside rs the two white persons
came into their midst. Eleanor drove
up at the side or the house and de-
scended with the aid Of many black
hands. The tall youth stayed on his
horse and took up a stand near the
front door. Arm In arm the bride and
groom came from the house. and under
the old apple tree at the side OF the
cabin the most famous colored preach
er In the south made them man and
wife. Eleanor shook the groom by the
hand aud told him to guard well his
precious helpmate. She kissed the
black face OF Roxanna, who had been
her constant attendant since babyhOod.
Then, blinded by tears, she jumped
into her little runabout and started
ior home.
Cheers and hallelulIahs rang upon
the air. Bright bandannas were flung
high. and hickory sticks wavered In
circles. After twenty years Of persist.
ent courtship Roxanna and Abraham
were married! Eleanor turned to look
back at the happy throng. and her
horse SHE'D.
She was a good little hOrsewoman
and took a firm grip on the reins. but
too late: The horse had the biz In his
teeth and was running at terrific speed.
The light wagon rocked from one side
Of the road 10 another. Eleanor sway.
ing with II. Down the road. past pink
orchards and green fields. swaying.
swaying-and then black nothing.
She opened her eyes TO gaze into
those Of the youth who had attended
the wedding.
I'm Dick Ewing. your next door
neighbor." be explained as he made
her bit more comfortable by propplng
her up. Abraham, Is our gardener. you
know" he continued, "and I saw you
ut the wedding. You seem TO have for.
gotten me. How's your head. chr
Eleanor had known Dick Ewing
when she was child. The last time
they had met be had called "tomboy"
at her as she climbed over the fence
which divided the Ewing place from
the Wright plantation. Then he had
been sent 10 Germany at the behest Of
4 wealthy uncle.
lie seemed 90 divine her thoughts
= got back the other day-just IN
time for the wording" and he laughed
an infectious laugh. But this line Of
conversation Is not getting Jon home
I don't know just how TO do II. don't
suppose there's sober darky this side
~ the Mason. and Dixon line-aH NJ
tie wedding drinking Wright cider
Your wagon Is smashed. oh. ! say.
couldn't you sit my horse. and III walk
alongsIde7 We're most there. you
know"
Tie inspired confidence. Eleanor gath.
cred up her torn skirt and with Dicks
assistance mounted the horse. On the
way home the time was spent In e1.
plantations. lie had much 70 tell Of
student life In Germany. Now full
1edgcd doctor. he had come home 10
practice 10. The. south Tier tale was
more simple. an uneycntfui life nj
Iome. with Roxanna always guarding
her. 49,
II Just don't know how ri eyer get
along without Der. DO Jon know. I
seldom even put hairpIn in my haIrT'
said Eleanor. with a helpless. appeal.
ing expression that touched Dicks
heart as II some tragedy had oyertaken
her. D.
Don't you talk. Expect the IN.
nous gardens Of the Ewing estate can
now 20 10 rack and ruin. for Abraham
will he home making love instead u
welding the hoe" said Dick In a mas.
cullne attempt at sympathy. 80
Eleanor vas safely deposited on the
front porch, with her mother aImos,
hysterical IN gratitude 10 their neigh.
Dor.
II may come again. pIeaseY'' he ssld
~ hs extended Ills hand to Eleanor
Provided. Of couBe. that ! don't have
70 take hand at the garden" be add
ed. with some sarcasm.