Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1912-03-07
CHAPTER !.
The Boy at the Bsrony.

The Boy at the Barony.
The Quintards had not prosnsred
on the barren lands Of the pine woods
whittier they had emigrated 70 e.
cape the malaria OF the low coast, but
this no longer mattered, for the last
OF his name and race, old General
Quintard, was dead In the great house
his father had built almost q century
before and the thin acres of the
Barony, where he had made his last
stand against age and poverty, were
TO claim him, now that he had given
up the struggle in their miAst.
Though he had lived continuously
at the Barony for almost q quarter OF
q century, there was none among his
neighbors who could say he had
looked on that tain, aquiiiAS face In
all that time. Yet they had known
much OF him. for the gossip Of the
slaves, who had been hia only friends
in those years ne had chosen to deny
himself TO other friends, had gons far
and wide ovsr the county.
That notable man OF business, Jena
than crenshaw, was olosstsd In the
library with q stranger to whom
rumor hxod the name OF Bladen, sup
posing him 10 be the legal repre-
sentative OF certain remote oonnsc-
lions OF the old generals.
Crenshaw sat before the Fattcpped
mahogany desk with several account.
books before him. Blaasn stood by
the window.
7 suppose you viii buy IN the prop.
erty when It comes up for saIsY" the
latter was saying.
Crenshaw nodded.
"Hs lived entirely alone, saw no
one, I understand" said Baden.
"Alons with hiB two or thrss old
aiavss--yss. Sir. RE wOuida't esea
see me"
There was brief pause. then Cren.
shaw spoke again. Il reckon. air, II
you know anything about the old gen.
tleman's private affairs you don't feel
no call to speak on that point7" be
observed.
"All I know Is this: General GUM
tard was a conspicuous man in these
parts atty years ago; he married q
Beaufort"
80 he did," said Crshshsw. and
there waa one child, q daughter; she
married a South CaroliHiah by tho
nams OF TurbsrVfile Great folks,
those TurbsrviilSa, rolling rioA."
"And what became Of me aauSkter
who married TurberyilIsT-
"Daed years ago" said orenshaw.
They we're Interrupted by q knock
et the door.
"Come In" said CTenshaw. The
door opened and a small boy entered
the room dragging after him q long
rife. Suddenly overcome By a shy
ness, he paused on the threshold 10
stare with round, wondering eyes ~
the two men. well, sonny, what do
you wantr- asked Mr.. CroAahaW In
diligently.
please. sir. I want this Aers old
spdtin' rife" said the child.
II reckon you may keep it--at least
Ire no objection" Crenshaw gIanoed
at Bladen.
"oh. By all MEANS" said the lRttsr.
Epaamp OF delight shook the small
figure. With q murmr that was meant
for thanks he backed from the room,
closing the door. Bladen glanced In
quiringiy at Cranshaw.
''You want 10 know about him, sir 7
Well, that's Hannibal Wayne Ha9ard
But who Hannibal wayne Hazard n
just wait q minute, air"--and quit
ting his chair Mr.. Crenshaw hurried
from tho room to return almost im'
modiately with q tall countryman
mfr. Bladen, this is Bob Yancy. Bob
the gentleman wants 70 hear about
the woman and the child; that's youI
story"
"Howdy. sir," said Mr.. Yancy. HE
appeared TO mediate on tia mental
effort that was required OF him.
1T was four years ago come nexi
Christmas" said Crenshaw.
"Old Christmas" corrected Mp
Yancy. THE evening bsfo', II was
and I'd gone to Fayetteville to set my
Christmas fixin's. Just at sundovR
hooked up that blind mule OF mine "a
tho cart and started TO home. A mile
out OF town / heard some one slosh
ing through the rain after me.
pulled up and waited, and then l made
out 1t was a woman. She spoke whsr
she was alongside The cart ard says
Can you drive me ON 10 the HaronyH
When got down TO help her into the
cart | saw she was toting q child IN
her arms. Well, sir, abe hardly spoke
until we came to the red gate. whez
she says, stop, II you please; n
walk the rest OF the way. TAe Last
/ seen Of her abe YVES hurryinI
through the rain toting the child IN
her arms"
Mr. Crenshaw took up the narrative
when morning come she wal
gone, but the child dome stayed ~
hfnd rye heard Aunt Aisidia ten N
how the old general said that morn
/ lng, pale and shaking like, You'll End