Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1915-01-12

I Vc6kllSS !
: A Story Of Old virsinia.
Z o EUNcE bLAKE
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
That peninsula which hss between
Chesapeake bay and the James river
b replets with interesting associadonA
Il was there that the nrst settlement
was made in North America. there
sprans up the patriarchal system OF
the plantation. and there occurred ono
Of the most noted struggles In a war
that resulted In the downfall OF that
system.
The second of these periods h the
most delightful to contemplate The
descendant Of the cavalier had become
the planter. His sons were 1ne men;
his daughters were possessed Of many
virtues The age Of chivalry had not
ret given way to the more matter OF
fact existence that has pervaded the
south since the war between the states-
About Williamsburg, the seat OF
william and Mary college. were scat
tered families who were the flower OF
the Virginia aristocracy. Edward F1tz-
Herbert, q planter living In this Sec
ton, was blessed with sons and daugh-
ters who had grown up among GUS
toms that had been inherited from the
defenders of King Charles L
At this time. when the family OF Mr..
and Mrs.. Fitz- Herbert were passing
from youth to manhood and woman.
hood, an invalid. Blocker van Tromp.
went from New York to Williamsburg.
hoping that the climate Of Virginia
might restore him to health There
he met Eugenia F1tz Herbert. a typi-
cal southern girl. with wealth or
raven black hair, q complexion like the
mingling Of the magnolia and the rose.
and a bewttching figure.
II there was one virtue among the
southern planters Of those days more
prominent than others 1t was hospital
ity. Blocker van Tromp brought let
tiers to the Fitz- Herberts and was re-
ceived and introduced by them to the
planters Of the peninsula. Eugenia
Fitzr Herbert was drawn to him
through pity for his lack Of strength.
Induced BY Ill health, and he was
drawn to her on account Of an attrac-
tiveness that captivated all who knew
her.
The life lived by these people was
very like that Of the country gentry
Of England. They gave house parties
and rode to hounds. Eugenia was q
6ne horsewoman and fond Of bunting.
but, since Blocker was not strong
enough to engage in the sport from
the goodness of her heart she often
made excuses to remain behind when
hunting parties were formed that she
might alleviate his disappointment
For while bis body was weak his spir'
It was eager for action.
Naturally this attention drew him
closer to Eugenia. Indeed. 1t was NOT
long before be worshiped her. her
father and brothers noticed the grow
ing attachment and frowned upon 1t.
their ideal for q husband for this dow
er of the family being some man OF
prominence, some commanding figure
upon whom the people Of the south
would look as a leader. Van Tromp.
whatever might be bis talents and at
tainments. was not strong enough even
to enjoy the manly sports Of Virginia
gentleman.
Eugenia. understanding this COD
tempt held by her father and brothers
for the want Of vtgor on the part OF
the man she loved was troubled. When
II was referred to by one of them she
replied with Dire In her eye that for
tunately there was way by which a
weak man might show that he was
equal. II not superior. to a strong man
II It became necessary to do 50, and
she referred to the code duello. where
the weaker could pull the hair trigger
of q pistol with the same facility AZ
the stronger.
This defect In her lover continued to
trouble Eugenia. She nursed II and
/ hnn n.
sidered Il q defect, but because sht.
was conscious that her family and her
associates regarded Van Tromp as one
who could not take u position In the
community In which she lived such as
she would desire. At uny rate. abe felt
80 deeply on the subject that she failed
to conceal 1t from her lover.
Not only did the New Yorker learn
LIT from Eugenia. but one OF her broth
lsrs, who was friendly to him. said to
him one day:
"Bleeker, why don't you challenge a
Ia Dire eater and shoot himr That Will
satisfy everybody. and they'll let yon
alone"
Because" was the reply. Il don't
care to kill a man simply 10 prove mat
I'm not a coward"
There came to the peninsula from
New Orleans q creole named lie Bouf.
who was received In the social circle
Of the planters and. being a young man
Of aristocratic manners and having an
aggressive way with him. was very
popular with the women. he was not
q man to brook any obstacle tO bis de-
sires or advancement and was inclined
TO treat those whom no considered bis
interiors With a silent contempt more
lliling than outspoken superiority.
What are now states united In reah'
ty az vel! as in name were then sep
arate colonies. In many respects an
mgonistic. There was certainly moth
ing In common between Louisiana.
which was mostly French. and New
York. which wns mixture Of Dutch
and English. France and England
were especially antagonistic. and the
Louisianan's sympathies were all
with France. This and the fact tina
he was absorbed In himself antagonis
ed him against Van Tromp. and tn
latter's delicate physical condition In