The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1912-05-04
CHAPTER l.
The Boy at the Barony.


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
Quintard. was dead In the great house
his father had built almost a 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 midst
Though he had lived continuously
at the Barony for almost quarter OF
a century, there was none among his
neighbors who could say he had
looked on that thin, aquiiine face in
all 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 a stranger to whom
rumor fixed the name OF Bladen, sup
posing him to be the legal repre-
sentative of certain remote connec-
lions of the old generals.
Crenshaw sat before the fiat-topped
mahogany desk with several account
books before him. Bladen stood by
the window.
Il suppose you will buy In the prop
srty when it comes up for sale?" the
latter was saying.
Crenshav nodded.
He lived entirely alone, saw no
one, ! understand" said Bladen.
Alone with his two or three ord
slaves-yes, sir. He wouldn't sven
see me-"
There was brief pause, then Cren-
shaw spoke again. II reckon, sir, II
you know anything about the old gen.
tleman's private affairs you don't feel
no call to speak on that point?" he
observed.
"All know is this: General GUM
tard was conspicuous man in these
parts fifty years ago; he married a
Beaufort"
$50 he did," said Crenshaw. land
there was one child, daughter: she
married a South Carolinian by the
name OF Turberville. Great folks.
those Turhervilles. rolling rich"
And what became OF the daughter
who married Turberville?"
Died years ago." said Crenshaw.
They were interrupted by a knock
at the door.
Come in,' said Crenshaw. The
door opened and small boy entered
the room dragging after him long
rife. Suddenly overcome by shy
ness, he paused on the threshold to
stare with round. wondering eyes at
the two men. well. sonny. what do
you wanti, asked Mr.. Crenshaw' in
diligently.
= please, afr. want this hare OLD
ypo'tin' rife" said the child.
Il reckon you may keep tat least
I've no objection" Crenshaw glanced
at Bladen
"Oh, by all MEANS" said the latter
Spasms Of delight shook the small
figure. With 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 Z?
Well, that's Hannibal Wayne Hazard.
But who Hannibal Wayne Hazard is
just wait minute, sir"-and quit
ting his chair Mr.. Crenshaw hurried
from the room to return almost i'm
mediately with a tall countryman.
MIR. 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
eat that was required of him.
1T was four years ago come next
Ct ristmas," said Crenshaw.
~Oid Christmas" corrected Mr..
Iancy. The evening befo', it was,
and I'd gone to Fayetteville to get my
Christmas fixin's. Just at shutdown |
hooked UP that blind mule OF mine to
the cart and started To- home. A mile
out Of town l heard some one slosh-
ing through the rain after me. l
pulled up and waited, and then made
out Il was woman. She spoke when
she was alongside the cart and says,
Can you drive me on to the Baronyy'
When got down to help her into the
cart saw she was toting a child in
her arms. Well. sir, she hardly spoke
until we came to the red gate. when
she says, Stop, If you please; III
walk the rest of the way The last
I seen of her she was hurrying
through the rain toting the child In
her arms"