The Emmett index. [volume] (Emmett, Idaho) 1893-1925, 1914-03-26

|
Mars Arthur gasped Sam. II for
give you, but | wouldn't forgive n,
udder marster In de worl'''
Adelia St Clair learned the secre
that her husband could not force him
self to tell her from the boys mother
who frantic with grief. went to her t.
entreat her to do something to save heI
from being separated from her boy
The blow was almost as severe upon
the mistress AS upon the slave. But
she kept her head and sent Susan away
assuring her that If there was anything
she could do to prevent the calamity
she would do 1t. but. knowing her hus-
bands financial straits. she could give
no hope
AS soon as Sue had departed Mrs st.
| Clair sent for her husband. The Gus
| tom of gambling was so prevalent
among the planters OF that day that
she did not reproach him. She could
not but recognize that he had been
weak to risk the happiness of fam
fly whom both he and she considered
committed to their charge by Provi-
dence, but she knew nothing was to be
gained by holding up to him his sin.
and she knew he suffered keenly for
what he bad done. She began at once
to confer with him upon some plan by
which sum might be raised to buy
back the boy. In vain they went over
everything they possessed that could
possibly be mortgaged. All such prop
erty had been mortgaged already. Be
sides, there was no time to negotiate.
New Orleans was the nearest place
where such a matter could be attended
to, and to go there. make a loan and
return would require several days.
Sam came in just as they had agreed |
that nothing could be done to save |
his boy to him. He looked anxiously |
from one to the other to see If there |
was any hope. st. Clair nodded to his |
wife to speak for both.
There is no time in which to pre-
vent the separation" she said. Your
master has received a message that
Billy will be called for tomorrow. We
can only promise that If we can keep
a knowledge of Billys future where
abouts we will buy him back if it
should be possible"
There was no comfort in this for
Sam. He knew his masters proneness
to drift financially and believed that
he would get deeper and deeper In
lebt. With moan he turned away to
mpart the sad tidings to his wife. =
The news that little Billy had been
sold and was to be taken away on .
Christmas morning cast gloom over
Ill, white and black. on the plantation
"Dis won't be no Christmas at ALL"
'aid one
"Wha' mars go sell Billy TO- to go
way on Christmas? He ought TO had
no sense than dat" said another.
'Yo' shet up. nigga" said third.
Mars wouldn't "a done dat If he hadn't
lad to done It,"
These criticisms. though plentiful 5
mong the negroes. were not mingled 6
With much blame. They all knew
heir master and had perfect conf
ence in his intentions.
AS soon as st. Clair had finished his
reakfast-a cup of coffee-he left the
lantation in order TO avoid being pres
Mt at Billy's departure. About 10
clock a house servant announced to
lrs. St Clair that a man had come I
or Billy. Mrs. St. Clair went to
ewel box, where she found the re-
lodged. Taking mental inventory
them. she could not possibly make
1t their total worth at over $500
be sighed at not being able to find =
nything more.
Taking the remnant of a property -
at had been In her family for many L.
snerations she went downstairs. She
as surprised to find well dressed la
an. not at all like one who might =
i've been sent for negro boy. He
Sc deferentially as she entered. =
II am surprised" she said. lat see N
6 gentleman. Are you the owner
the boy you have come forT' N,
"Yes, madam" nj
May l ask who you are?" she added =
riously. w
"A gambler. madam"
"A gamblerY w
Yes. madam. | am the gentleman
10 won the boy from your husband"
This looked hopeful. Mrs. st. Clair w
,duced her jewels and was begin
lg a speech as to their value when -
, man interrupted her. w
Is your husband at home. MADAME
No. l expect he went away to get Fo
of seeing this poor family lose Mc
ir treasure" -
l did not notice, madam. when l W.
k bill of sale from your husband
t the property was to be delivered Z.
Christmas day. | have come my
to see Mr.. ST. Clair to impress W.
IN him the folly of playing cards 1
money with professional gambler. uT
ound him an easy prey" Taking W.
a wallet. he handed the lady roll
bills and paper. then added Go'
lere is the amount. madam. | won -
n your husband, and there is the
of sale for the boy" The latter he -
, into bits and threw them into a FO
burning on the hearth. ~ thought "
istmas would be a proper day, Sec