Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1914-09-03
EStelle Martindale'S
PlOw
Story OF a Duel That Did
Not Come Off
By RUTH GRAHAM

1000 tudL AuelDert SWl1t SIduudleu
from a northern university and. hav-
ing heard a great deal about planta-
ton life in the south. concluded 20 go
there with q view TO becoming plant
er. He had inherited some means with
which he might buy and stock plan
tation; but. realizing his ignorance OF
the art OF filling the soil, he felt that
II was prudent for him to gain some
knowledge on the subject before max
ing an investment
In order 10 do this he conceived the
idea of obtaining a position as tutor
in the family of some planter. The
hours he would be required TO teach
would not be many each day. and he
would have time TO familiarize himself
with the workings of plantation. He
was not long in finding a position in
the family of Colonel Southgate In
South Carolina. The Southgate planta-
lion was a very large one. including
some 500 negroes. Swift found he had
not made a mistake in assuming that
there was great deal to learn in run
ming plantation. One Of them was in
itself community consisting Of two
main branches. the planting branch
and the business branch
Swift, being young and not yet ener-
waited by the climate. occupied a por-
ton of the day riding about on the
plantation observing the methods used
and asking questions. He volunteered
beside to handle the colonel's accounts.
TO which he devoted himself during
the evenings.
The south has always been noted for
the hospitality of its people, and Swift
was made at home in the families of
the planters in the vicinity of Colonel
Southgate's manor house. Indeed, he
received more invitations than he had
time to accept, which was a source of
trouble to him. fearing that when he
declined one of them 1t would be set
down as slight.
Not far from the Southgate planta-
ton resided Miss Estelle Martindale.
Her father was supposed by many to
be the owner of the plantation he man.
aged. He had married its owner, who
had died and left him with little girl,
Estelle. Martindale had contrived to
get into debt to his wife for a con-
siderable sum. and she had made q
will leaving him an amount equal to
his Indebtedness. bequeathing the resi-
due TO their daughter.
Estelle was about Adelbert Swift's
age. She had inherited from her moth
er not only the plantation. but practi-
cal nature, and was principally occu-
pied in checking an impractical father.
whose chief idiosyncrasy was to sink
money. She had learned as her moth
or had learned before her that to save
her property from being wasted she
must keep it and her finances in her
own hands In managing her father
she was very adroit. Nothing hurt his
pride so much as to have any one
think that be was his daughters en-
ployee. Consequently she always spoke
of the plantation as his and consulted
him about everything. though, match
ing her own good against his poor
judgment. the consultation always
ended in her views being carried out.
Swift. having been highly educated.
made an impression upon Estelle Mar
tindale. He found her particularly
congenial, and she preferred him to
any of the young men OF her ac-
quaintance.
When Albert Martindale noticed that
an intimacy was springing up between
% Swift and his daughter be fancied he
saw the end of his administration. He
was not a bad man. Indeed. he was
an honorable man. but it was impos-
sible for him to contemplate with
equanimity his daughters marriage.
since her husband must learn that his
wife's father had no right in law to
the plantation or its management 1t
is very easy for one to find reasons for
preventing what is not TO his interest
and oftentimes to believe his reasons
to be sound.
Martindale said nothing to his daugh-
ter about the prospect before him.
but showed-he could not help showing
his antagonism to Swift. When they
met. except at the Martindale home.
he bowed to the young man coldly. In
his home he would have scorned TO
treat any guest except. with an APP
pearance at least. Of cordially. Es-
telle saw what was in her fathers
mind. though Swift did not
d. What began between Swift and Miss
Martindale with friendship developed
into love Swift called frequently at
the Martindale home. Then came flow
ers. a sure sign that there were inten-
lions. Martindale watched the process
with disquietude.
Martindale. himself an ardent south
erner. had friend. Major Marston,
who was much prejudiced against the
north Marston, meeting his friend
one day. spoke OF Swift's attentions 10
Estelle and asked IL Marttndale were
gUing to give his daughter TO a north
erner. This was the straw that broke
the camels back. Martindale made an
evasive reply. But the die was cast
From that time he began 10 lay plans