The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1940-11-28

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think it was because he owned
some valuable jade or didn't be-
lieve in banks or something
Wasn't that it, Aunt Maggie?"
1T was not at all unusual fol
houses to have secret rooms back
at the time this one was built,
she pointed out. THE story, as
always heard 1t, was that he had
to keep large sums of money on
the place. And, Of course, there
was his jade. You know the fam
lily moved to Roswell along with
the Kings and Bullochs and Dun
wodys and others from Darien
Georgia. who established colony
here on account of the climate.
Most Of the others built in what
became the town of Roswell, but
your great-great-grandfather ac-
quired this land farther out. The
families were all intimate, how
ever, remember hearing my own
grandmother tell about being a
guest at Mittie Bulloch's wedding
at Bulloch Hall when she married
Theodore Roosevelt. Grandmother
said they brought ice for the we'd
ding all the way from Savannah.
Atlanta wasn't much of place
In those days"
Wonderful" applauded Kirk,
who always egged Aunt Maggie
on.
That's all very pretty" Eve
interrupted, "but what became of
the jade? Is it still in the secret
room? claim my share as a des-
cendant if it is found"
Warned by Aunt Maggie's flush,
hastily began to explain that, as
remembered the story, the Jade
had been sold after the Civil War
when the family hadn't much else
to carry on with.
But while Aunt Maggie's tone
was low-pitched, / could still
hear her admonishing Eve. Don't
give yourself airs. Evelyn Pruitt.
You are not a descendant. Your
great-great-grandfather was only
a second cousin of the Graham
who built this house. You are
descended from the black sheep
of the family"
"Was the jade very valuable?"
Claire asked politely.
Called Out
IT DON'T know" Aunt Maggie
L admitted regretfully. HE had
been great traveller. remember
hearing that he thought more of
his jade than he did of this whole
plantation and maybe his family.
He kept a journal in which he
set down most of his expendi-
lures. but never what he spent for
Jade. He was also a great reader.
He assembled most of the books
in this library. It was in one OF
them that L"
Just then Andrew came in to
collect the coffee things. Excuse
me. Miss Maggie. ma'am," he said.
but here's one of your papers
you dropped. Leastwise. think
it is. It looks like one of them
old papers you are always work
ing with"
Taking the proffered sheet.
Aunt Maggie unwound the chain
which held her glasses at the
shoulder, adjusted them on her
nose and glanced at it hurriedly.
"Oh. thank you. Andrew. Yes. in
deed" she said. And then, as
though suddenly reminded that
duty calls. she rose to her feet. "If
you will excuse me. have some
work to do"
No duchess could have smiled
with more conscious graciousness
as the men arose. And so, bidding
us an inclusive good night, Aunt
Maggie swept from the room.
Eve Immediately launched into
dissertation on jade. I was not
surprised when the group began
to melt away. Some powder" as
polite excuse. "a spot Of
brandy" Soon only Eve and I
were left.
Lets round up the others and
60 down and try the new game
ROOM" said, when the subject
OF jade and I were both ex-
hausted.
I'D like a little powder" said
Eve.
'I'1l just speak to Bessie a mo-
ment," / answered.
Bessie'S ideas and mine agree
perfectly about breakfast. Now
we could not decide between
chicken hash or country sausage
with waffles. so we compromised
on both.
"And you know, Miss Sally"
Bessie reminded me, ''Mr. Bill
amt had nothing. lessen they's
eggs"
Gall right, scrambled eggs and
some Of that Virginia ham. And,
oh, yes, Bessie, you brought along
some Of those fig preserves didn't
your"
'Yes'm. and jar of that wild
strawberry jam, too"
Fine, let's have some Of both"
This conference could not have
consumed more than a few min
utes. Leaving the big, spicy
smelling kitchen, which originally
had been the dining room, I
passed on into the breakfast room.
The original kitchen had been a
detached building, as was the case
with so many ante-bellum houses.
Cutting of, at the back, a part Of
the long central hall to use as q
breakfast room had been one OF
the changes made since the place
came into our possession.
was thinking Of all this, as I
gave the room a final appraising
glance before stepping out into
the little back paSsageway be-
yond, with its steps leading down
TO the basement and the new
game room. From this passage
way, back steps also ascend up