Gloucester County Democrat., 1912-04-11


Y YHEN rode up our lane in the
m dusk found my father and
wv mother sitting in the cool of
the front gallery, and, giving
my rein to one Of our boys, 1 flung my
self down on the steps near by and
now and again joined in their conver-
sation.
was much surprised to learn that
our whilom guest. Gordon Orme, had
taken sudden departure during my abb
sence. he having been summoned by a
messenger from the village. who he
stated brought him word that he must
forthwith be on his way to Albemarle.
He had asked my father If he cared
to sell the black horse. Satan, to which
he had taken a fancy. but this had
been declined. Then 1t seems there
had come up something Of our late
meeting at the village. and Orme.
laughing, had told of our horse break
ing and wrestling in way which it
seemed had not detracted from my
standing in my parents eyes None Of
us three was willing to criticise our
guest. yet doubt if any one of us
failed to entertain a certain wonder.
not to say suspicion. regarding him.
At least he was gone.
Our talk now gradually resolved it.
self to one on business matters. !
ought to have said that my father was
an ambitious man and one of wide
plans. | think that even then he fore
saw the day when the half patriarchial
life of our state would pass away be-
cial sort He was anxious to hand
down his family fortune much increas-
ed. and, foreseeing troublous times
ahead as to the institution of slavery
In the south. he had of late been TAX
ing large risks to assure success in
spite Of any change of times. Now.
moved by some strange reasons which
he himself perhaps did not recognize.
he began for the first time, contrary to
his usual reticence, to explain to my
mother and me something of these
matters. He told US that in connection
with his friend. Colonel William Meri-
wether Of Albemarle. he had invested
heavily in coal lands in the western
part of the state in what is now West
Virginia. This requiring very large
sums of money he for his part had en-
numbered not only the lands them
selves, but these lands Of Cowles'
Farms to secure the payment. The
holder of these mortgages was bank
ing firm in Fredericksburg. The inter
est was one which in these times would
be considered cruel one. and indeed
the whole enterprise was one which re-
quired sanguine courage. precisely as
his, for have said that risk he always
held as challenge and invitation.
"Does thee think that In these times
thee should go so deeply in debty ask
ed my mother of him.
Elizabeth" he said. 'that is why
have gone in debt. Two years from
now and the value Of these lands here
may have been cut in half Ten years
from now the coal lands yonder will be
worth ten times what they are today"
"John." she said to him suddenly,
"sell those coal lands or part Of
them.''
Now. that could not do,' he an
swered. ''for half their value. The
country now is fuller OF war than of
investment. But come peace. come
war. there lies fortune for us all.
For my share there remains but one
heavy payment. and tomorrow ride
to raise funds for that among our ten
ants and elsewhere. | admit that my
bankers are shrewd and severe-in fact.
think they would rather see the pay
| ments forfeited than not AS Meri-
wether is away. it is with me to attend
to this business now"
That coming day my father rode
abroad as he had planned. taking black
Satan for his mount. since he needed
| to travel far. He had collected from
| various sources, as his account book
| later showed, sum of over $1,000,
which he must have had in gold and
| negotiable papers in his saddlebags.
| During his return home he came down
| the deep trough road which ran in front
OF the Sheraton farms and ours. He
| passed near to a certain clump Of
bushes at the roadside, and there that
happened which brought to sudden
/ end all the peace and comfort OF our
lives and which made me old before
my time.
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