The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1912-05-15

The Boy at the earony.

Tne Suintards had not prosp0rod
on the barren lands OF the pine woods
whittier they had emigrated to es-
cape the malaria of the low coast, but
this no longer mattered. for the last
OF his name and race. old General
ouintard. was dead In the great house
his father had built almost q century
before and the thin acres OF the
Barony. whore hs had made his last
stand against aga and poverty, were
20 claim him. now that he had given
up the struggle In their midst.
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 thin. aQufline face In
al that time. Yet they had known
much OF him. for the gossip OF the
slaves. who had been his only friends
In those years he had chosen to deny
himself to other friends. had gone far
and wide over the county.
That notable man Of business, Jona-
than Crenshaw, was closeted In the
library with stranger to whom
rumor fixed the name of Bladen. sup
posing him to be the legal repre-
sentative OF certain reInci,, connec-
dons OF the old generals.
Crenshaw sat before the iat-topped
mahogany desk with several account
books before him. Bladen stood by
the window.
II suppose you will buy In the prop
erty when 1t comes up for sailor" the
latter was saying.
Crenshaw nodded.
He lived entirely alono, saw no
one. understand" said Bladen.
alone with his two or three old
siaves-yes. air. He wouldn't even
sse me-"
There was brief pause. then Cren-
shaw spoke again. II reckon, sir, II
you know anything about the old gen.
tieman's private afIairs you don't feel
no call to speak on that point?" he
observed.
"All I know is this: General Quin-
tard was conspicuous man In these
parts nfty years ago; he married a
Beaufort"
so he did" said Crenshaw. land
there was one child. a daughter; she
married South Carolinian by the
name OF Turbervtlle. Great folks,
those Turbervilles. i,lling rich"
"And what became of the daughter
who married Turberville?"
"Died years ago." said Crenshaw.
They were interrupted by knock
at the door.
Come In" said Crenshaw. The
door opened and small boy entered
the room dragging after him a long
rfne. Suddenly overcome by a shy
ness. he paused on the threshold TO
stare with round. wondering eyes at
tho two men. Well, sonny, what do
you want?" asked Mr. Crenshaw In.
DILIGENTLY
Please. sir. I want this here old
spo'tin' rifle" said the child.
Il reckon you may keep tat least
I've no objection" Crenshaw glanced
at Bladan.
"Oh. by all MEANS" said the latter.
6pasms OF delight shook the small
ngure. With a murmur that was meant
for thanks he backed from the room,
closing the door. Bladen glanced In
Quiringly at Crenshaw.
you want TO know about him, sir?
Well. that's Hannibal Wayne Hazard.
But who Hannibal Wayne Hazard is
Just walt n minute, sir"-and quit
ting his chair Mr.. Crenshaw hurried
from the room to return almost i'm
mediately with tall countryman.
Mr.. Bladen. this is Bob Yancy. Bob,
the gentleman wants to hear about
the woman and the child that's your
story"
"Howdy. sir" said Mr.. Yancy. He
appeared TO mediate on the mental
effort that was required OF him.
1T was four years ago come next
Christmas" said Crenshaw.
"Old Christmas" corrected Mr..
Yancy. The evening befo'. It was,
and Id gone TO Fayetteville to get my
Christmas flxin's. Just at sundown 1
hooked up that blind mule OF mine TO
the cart and started 70 home. A mile
out OF town 1 heard some one slosh-
Ing through the rain after me. |
pulled up and waited, and then made
out II was a woman. She spoke when
she was alongside the cart and says,
Can you drive me on To- the Barony?'
When got down 20 help her into the
cart 1 saw she was totlng child In
her arms. Well. sir. she hardly spoke
until we came to tho red gate. when
she says, stop. II you please: ri
walk the rest OF the way. The last
I seen OF her she was hurrying
through the rain tDting the child In
her arms"
Mr.. Crenshaw took up the narrative.
When morning come she was