USA > Kentucky > Livingston County > Chronicles of a Kentucky settlement > Part 10
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Ada had never before heard her sister speak in such a manner. There was alternatively pride, compassion, submission, overwhelming love, and hopelessness in her looks and tones. Ada was surprised, astonished, alarmed ; she tried to speak but could not, whilst great tears-drops rolled down her cheeks ; seeing which, her sister caught her in her arms, kissed her, and said : "Forgive me, darling, but-I forgot myself ! Now I am calm ; and, as you have seen how weak and foolish I can be, let us be careful in future to avoid this subject."
They walked on and gathered a few wild flowers. From a hill-top they watched the setting sun, and the clouds of purple and gold that lay motionless in the western sky. Cawing crows flew overhead, slowly flapping their wings as if returning to their nests wearied by a hard day's work. There was the twice repeated call of " Bob White-Bob White" that came
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from the fence beside the wheat field, followed by the rapid whirr of wings as another partridge responded to the call. From over by the barn-yard were heard the mournful notes of the turtle dove. Blue jays were impatiently flying from tree to tree, looking for some oak with a thick, bushy top, in which to find a secure roost for the on-coming night. Nimble squirrels were seen here and there, now bounding, now creeping along towards their home in some hollow tree. A timid rab- bit bounded past and disappeared beneath a pile of brush. Out on the road were the lowing cows, return- ing from the creek bottoms where the tender cane and richest grass were to be found, to the lot to see their little ones, and to give up their store of rich, creamy milk. The woods, the fields, the earth, the sky, were full of pleasing sights and sounds, but none of these received more than a passing glance or momentary thought from the two sisters. It seemed as if a thick mist had crept around them and shut out all save the echoing and re-echoing of the words that had been spoken, and glimmering visions of what "might have been."
CHAPTER X.
Adair and his Sister-in-Law-Viney, the Cook, and her Story- Benton Gives in " His Experience "-He Makes " An Offer- ing" of Himself-The "Case" Adjourned - Brantley Tells his Story to Adair-Henry Rudolph Suspected-Adair as Brantley's Friend-Brantley Leaves Salem.
A FEW weeks after the events narrated in the last chapter, Adair's sister-in-law and her children were comfortably domiciled in a two-story brick resi- dence which stood on the north side of the street, and near the centre of Salem. The kitchen, also of brick, was a detached one-story building in the rear of the dwelling, and was presided over by Viney, a negro woman whom Adair had hired as a cook.
Mrs. Adair-her Christian name was Sarah, but she had always been called Sally-was now about twenty- six years old, but she looked somewhat older. Her hair had at one time been of a light chestnut color, but now had a faded appearance, and in certain lights looked to be almost gray, though really not so. She was rather above medium height and very slim, her nose slightly aquiline, and her lips thin and almost colorless. She had, in early womanhood, been consid- ered attractive rather than beautiful, but was now
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somewhat faded from prolonged ill-health and depres- sion occasioned by her recent bereavement. She was quiet and unassuming in her manners, and her voice, which was usually low and soft, would have been - rather musical but that it approached too nearly to the plaintive and complaining. She was really attached to her "brother Joseph," as she called Joseph Adair, and was solicitous that she and her children should be as light a burden on him as possible ; but her children required, as she thought, so much of her time and atten- tion that much was left, in the management of house- hold affairs, to Viney, the cook. The eldest daughter, Sada, aged eight, and the second, Jenny, aged six, were slim, delicate, fretful children ; but the youngest, Anna, aged three, was a rosy, round-faced, chubby chit, and was from the start her uncle's favorite.
Adair still retained his sleeping-room over the shop of Adair & Duncan, but instead of dining at the hotel, he now took his meals with his sister ; and so pleased was he with Viney's cooking that he soon came to consider her as an invaluable servant. The truth is, she did her best to please her " Mahs Jo," for, as she expressed it, she was "tired of bein' knock'd 'round frum pillar to post," and wanted him to buy her. That she had been so knocked about was due to the fact that she had belonged to minors, whose guardian-as was the almost invariable rule in such cases-hired out at public auction, on the first Monday in January of each year, the slaves belonging to the estate. It thus hap- pened that Viney had been hired out annually for ten years. But it was now understood that she was to be sold, the following January, in order to wind up the estate, and hence she was looking around to find some
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kind master, and try to get him to buy her. She had mentioned the matter to her " Mahs Jo," who had said lie would think about it. She was now about thirty years old, and was what a trader would have called a "likely woman," but she was very near-sighted-an unusual thing among negroes-and always wore spec- tacles, which gave her an older and graver appearance than most of her race at her age. When asked about her husband, she hesitated for some moments, and appeared to be adjusting her spectacles, but was in reality wiping her eyes and collecting her thoughts. As soon as she could rid herself of a choking sensation, she told her little story somewhat disjointedly. Its
substance was that, about twelve years before, Mingo and she had " took up togeder " as husband and wife ; that Mingo had belonged to Mr. Penn Wilson, the son of Mr. Jim Wilson ; that Mr. Penn had, some time before, been accused of killing a man over in Illinois near the Cave, in consequence of which he left home and went down South, where he was taken sick and died ; that Mr. Jim Wilson was at times a cruel master to his slaves, and his son Penn, knowing this, had, before he went away, let his sister, Miss Catherine, have Mingo as a kind of body servant : that Mr. Penn was a young man of violent temper, which often got him into trouble, but was much attached to Mingo. who had at one time rescued him from drowning, and consequently he always treated Mingo well ; and that Miss Catherine was a kind young lady, and that it was a pleasure to Mingo to do everything he could for her.
" An', Mahs Jo," said Viney, in conclusion, " I've had two chiluns, but de good Lord took 'em bofe. An', Mahs Jo, Mingo 's a mi'ty handy man, at' I's
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mi'ty fear'd me an' him 'll never get a'gether ag'in ; fur I reckon he'll hev ter be sol', an I's drefful 'feard will be tuck away down Souf."
"I will do what I can, Viney, for you and Mingo," said Mr. Adair.
" Thankee, Mahs Jo, thankee ! I knows yer will do all yer can even fur poor culler'd folks," said Viney as she curtsied and withdrew.
Adair had, as soon as possible after his return from Hopkinsville, entered upon the discharge of his duties as Deputy Sheriff. Horace Benton had also by this time obtained his license to practise law, and had attended a session of the Court in an adjoining county. He was now at home, and Adair wanted to have a talk with him and learn what success he had met with ; so, on returning to town one evening after a long ride in the country, he rode by the Clerk's office, where Ben- ton had his office and assisted his brother Robartus when not professionally engaged. Adair found his friend and invited him to go home with him and take supper. Benton readily accepted the invitation, for he had heard of Viney's fame as a cook. and he desired an introduction to his friend's sister-in-law.
The supper was a good but not an unusual one. There were good coffee and rich, cold milk, cold boiled ham and broiled chicken, various vegetables, excellent egg-bread and hot waffles with indentations made by the irons just large enough to hold a sufficient quantity of fresh, sweet butter, and an abundant supply of pure maple molasses. Conversation was not carried on very briskly at the table, for both men were hungry and ate heartily. Benton found Mrs. Adair affable and polite, while she could but be interested in the oddity and
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quaintness of her guest's conversation, which would prep out on nearly all occasions.
After supper, and while Mrs. Adair was engaged in putting her children to bed, the two gentlemen seated themselves on the front steps. The first question by Adair was as to Benton's success at the law. The lat- ter soon " gave in his experience," as he termed it.
"And I am satisfied," he concluded, "that the question of success or failure rests mainly with myself. If I don't succeed it will be because I don't work hard enough to deserve it. You know my constitutional laziness : that, I am striving-but I fear in only a feeble way-to overcome. But," he continued, after a short pause, " that other matter is causing me much uneasiness. To be plain about it, I am now convinced that Miss Ella Ritchie, before she was aware of my love for her, did entertain a warmer affection for Walter Gowan than I supposed. But, it is certain, she is now really alarmed-is, in fact, afraid of the man ; and so, I half suspect, are her father and mother. It appears Gowan very recently formally demanded Miss Ella's hand in marriage, and, being kindly but firmly refused, flew into a violent rage, and swore that, certain prom- ises having been made him, the matter would now admit of no 'backing out' ; that he did not intend to be thwarted ; that have her he should and would, and that all hell could not prevent him. The presumption is," Benton added, ""'that the man was under the mnad- dening influence of liquor, or he would never have acted and spoken thus; for he is, as you have doubtless heard, a well educated man, of an old and distinguished family, and a nephew of one of the most prominent statesmen of the United States. I cannot think that
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any man in his posiiton would, when sober, attempt such a thing as the forcible abduction of a young lady, for it would be a dangerous game, -one of which Judge Lynch might take cognizance. But, that Gowan is a reckless and headstrong man, there is no doubt, and there is no telling what such a man, when inflamed by liquor, may not attempt. Now, what think you ? "
" Well, upon my word," answered Adair, "this does surprise me ! There appears to be but three courses open : first, Miss Ritchie and her friends should be on their guard-prepared for any emergency, -and the young lady should herself be armed with a dagger to defend herself in the last resort ; or she might leave home for a time-visit, say, some of her friends ; but, should Gowan find out where she had gone, he is, I fear, devil enough to follow her. The last, and to my mind, decidedly the best plan, is for you, Horace, to marry her as soon as possible, and thus place her under your protection and beyond his reach."
" As to the last course," replied Benton, " I amı, as you know, in no condition to maintain a wife, other- wise, I should not only be willing but delighted to accept the charge at once. I have been thinking of explaining my fears to Miss Ella and her parents, and of suggesting, yea, even urging that, under the cir- cumstances, my early union with the daughter would not only be warranted but advisable."
" I would certainly do so !" said Adair. "They can but excuse if they do not approve an offer made under such circumstances. And you will, at least, have the satisfaction of feeling that you have done your duty. That Mr. Ritchie can and will assist you, until such time as your profession will maintain you and your
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wife, I have no doubt. But even if you knew he would not do so, you should not let it deter you, for you have friends who can and will assist you if necessary."
" My dear Adair," responded Benton, " I am glad to know that you approve of my making an 'offering' of myself, and for your words of encouragement. But, are you aware of the fact that, in advising me to rush into matrimony and trust to others to help me if neces- sary, you are going counter to a law you lately laid down for your own guidance, but which I hope you have found good reason to repeal ?"
"My law," replied Adair, "is certainly not like those of the Medes and Persians, irrepealable, but so far I have seen no reason to change it, and have not done so. Your case and mine are certainly not analo- gous. If I thought that Miss Howard's safety or hap- piness depended upon me, I would to-morrow go to her and offer her my hand and heart. Moreover, a fresh reason has presented itself to make me adhere to my resolution. I have told you of my father ; that he is old and feeble and poor ; and that he has a family of children, by his second wife, growing up around him. The news of my brother William's death was a sad blow to him. I now have in my pocket a letter from him in which he speaks of his great anxiety to see me and the widow and children of his lost son. I fear if he does not come, before another winter sets in, he may never be able to come ; and so I have written him to come at once, and to bring with him his youngest son, Daniel, a boy now some fourteen years old, whom I wish to have remain with me, and for whose education I will provide. Daniel is a handsome and sprightly boy, and it will be a pleasure to me to have him with 10
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me. So, you see, Benton, I will be a man of family anyhow, and have plenty to engage my time, attention, and affections."
Benton well knew that his friend's closing remark. which was made in a slightly jocular tone, was really an effort to cover up and hide a heavy heart, and he determined to cheer him up a little if he could.
" Well, well," he said musingly, "you do 'bang Bobtail' [a celebrated race-horse]. You have 'gone and did and done it again !' But I reckon it'll all come right in the long run. All I can say is, if you don't, some of these days, make a fortune and get the wife you want, it won't be because you don't deserve both. But," he added, "I must now be going, and will go in and bid your sister good-evening. I have some writing to do to-night. And to-morrow, if my courage does n't ooze out, as did that of Bob Acres, I will make that proposition to ' the powers that be,' for this tintinnabulation on the diaphragm of my heart is rapidly getting my nervous system out of order."
A few days later the two friends met again, when Benton hastened to inform Adair of the news.
"Well, I did it !" he exclaimed. "That is, I went to do it, but she had flown. However,
" No rude hand hath won The young bird from her nest away.
I was, under the seal of secrecy, informed of her where- abouts, and can only say I am satisfied she will be secure from any molestation. I told the old folks of the fears I had entertained, and of my plan for their daughter's security and happiness. They thanked mne
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for my 'thoughtful consideration,' but added that, in the absence of their daughter, the decision of the case must be indefinitely postponed. And, furthermore, as the present visit of their daughter would afford her an " excellent opportunity-such, in fact, as she had long desired-to pursue certain branches of her education, hitherto somewhat neglected, they would regret exceed- ingly to have the current of her thoughts-already perturbed by recent unhappy events-further disturbed by the proposition I had laid before them. They would not, however, object, with this restriction, to my corresponding with their daughter ; they, further- more, promising, on her return, to inforin her of my 'honorable and flattering proposal ' ; and that, after ' due deliberation ' on her part-which they doubted not she would exercise in future,-they would cheer- fully abide by any decision she, their daughter, might arrive at. I, of course, may not have quoted their exact words, but have sought, in my feeble manner, to indicate the solemn impressions made on my mind by their judicial and, possibly, judicious decision. So, you see, my friend," he went on without any apparent distress at the turn affairs had taken, " I had-but, of course, with much reluctance-to ' knock under,' and adjourn the case until some session of the Court when all the parties in interest can be present, and the result of my courtship be finally decided."
" I do not doubt," Adair humorously replied, " of your success at the bar of that Court, or of any Court in which you take so deep an interest in the decision to be rendered."
"Why, man alive !" exclaimed Benton, "I hope never to have another case-however varied my prac-
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tice or my practices may be-in which I take so deep an interest as in this ; for a few such would be the death of me. But," he continued, "have you seen Brantley to-day? I met him this morning and he said he wanted to see you."
" No," Adair answered, " I have not seen him. I left town early this morning and have just returned. I will look him up."
Jefferson Brantley was genial and cordial in his man- ners, liberal in the use of his money, and constant in his efforts to promote all kinds of sports and pastimes ; hence had obtained some notoriety and a large circle of acquaintances ; and many, both old and young, would have been sorry to see him leave. He was ready to bet-to gamble if you will-on any and every- thing in order, as he expressed it, "to have a little excitement and fun "; and horse-racing, foot-racing, jumping, wrestling, cock-fighting, pitching quoits, crack-lieu, and a variety of games with cards were then in vogue. Brantley was not above resorting to certain little tricks in order to win, or have " the joke on the other fellow," but these were no worse than those his opponents resorted to. There were some who still considered him as a mere gambler, and either avoided him or watched him suspiciously. This he knew, but, instead of being offended by it, admitted that, consider- ing his introduction into the town, and the manner of his life, he had no right to complain. But, while so genial and good-natured, it was soon found out that he could be aroused-and terribly aroused ; and had any man called him a " black-leg," there would have been, as Benton once expressed it, "a desperate fight, or a desperate foot-race."
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Adair did occasionally play at cards, and was, on the whole, considered a successful player. He had thus met Brantley at what was considered a social ganie. He, Adair, was, moreover, very fond of the game of chess, and was really a good player ; and as but few persons in the town understood the game, and none of those a match for him, he soon found in Brantley "a foeman worthy of his steel." In this way the two men became somewhat intimate, the more so as Adair gradually came to entertain a much more favorable opinion of the showman than he had in the beginning.
After his supper, as Adair was walking down to his shop, he met Brantley, who at once told him he had been looking for him, and asked if he had leisure to grant him half an hour's conversation, to which Adair replied in the affirmative ; and, taking chairs from the shop, they seated themselves on the pavement where they could readily observe any one approaching and prevent being overheard.
Brantley was the first to speak and said : " I desire to leave here soon ; and; before going away, there are some personal matters I wish to speak to you about. One to you in your official capacity, and others as to a gentleman with whom I am willing to intrust some of my secrets. Have I your permission to speak freely- you yourself to be the judge of how much of what I have to say shall be regarded as confidential ? "
" Certainly," answered Adair.
" I will make iny story," Brantley resumed, "as short as I well can to make it plain. My parents died when I was quite young, and I went to live with an uncle, who was a widower with several small children of his own. He was not an unkind man to me, but
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was careless and indifferent-let me run about and do pretty much as I pleased ; and, as he lived in a town, I, of course, picked up a bad sort of an education. Afterwards I was sent away to school and stuck it out - for nearly two years, when I got so tired and sick of it that I ran away. Perhaps I should n't have run away but I was ambitious, like many boys, to be a showman ; and, an opportunity offering, I joined a circus com- pany. That was when I was about sixteen years old. Since then I have had many ups and downs, have travelled much, seen much, and, if not the worst side of life, certainly many hollow shams, false faces, and showy spangles. But I was never guilty of any crime, was never charged with a crime, and was never in jail. I am now twenty-six years old ; a showman and sports- man such as you know me ; no better, no worse !
" The first exhibition," he continued, " that I gave in this town, I saw in the audience a young lady whose face and form pleased me as none other ever did before. I sought and obtained an introduction to her ; have since visited her at her home, and my admiration for her has ripened into love. You doubtless know it is Miss Emily Wilmot to whom I refer. I have told her who and what I am-just what I have now told you, only more in detail. I have told her of my love and have proposed marriage. She has not rejected me -has in fact given me some encouragement ; but, like a sensible woman, says she must know more about me before she can give me a definite answer. To this I have not objected, nor do I object. The question is, how can I go about proving that I am not, and never was, a married man, and am no worse than I have admitted myself to be? for that is, I suppose, about
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the extent of the information desired. It appears that Miss Wilmot has a warm friend in Miss Howard, to whom you are well and favorably known; and, talking the matter over with Miss Wilmot, she suggested to me that, as her father was old and infirm, and her brothers, who are farmers, but little accustomed to writing, you, a disinterested party, would perhaps, give us your assistance in the matter. I will add that she could not have suggested any one more acceptable to myself. Are you willing to oblige Miss Wilmot and myself in this matter ? "
"I am," Adair promptly answered. "But what means of obtaining information do you propose to furnish me?"
" I have here," Brantley answered, taking from his pocket a paper, "giving you the name and address of my uncle, of whom I have spoken, and of the principal of the school from which I ran away ; also the names of three other gentlemen, well known in their respec- tive towns, who have known me since I was grown. I would suggest that to my uncle and the schoolmaster you should write direct. To the others you can write direct or to any official in their town-the postmaster, sheriff or clerk of the county court-and request them to see the gentlemen, whose names I have given you, and obtain replies to such questions regarding me as you may choose to ask. I would, however, request," he added, in a jocular manner, " you to explain to the parties that you desire the information because of my having proposed marriage, etc., so that they may not sus- pect me of having gotten into some kind of devilment."
"All right !" responded Adair. "And, do you wish to see a draft of the letters I am to write ? "
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" No, I don't care to see it," Brantley answered. " But it would, perhaps, be well for you to send a copy of it to Miss Wilmot ; or, better still, for you to call and talk the matter over with her."
" I will do so," replied Adair.
" Then," Brantley resumed, "I come to the next matter. You know that recently I have sported a little with your townsmen. Well, on the whole, I was yes- terday a little ahead ; that is, after paying my expenses I had rather more money than when I arrived here. Nearly all I have won has come out of the pockets of a few young gentlemen who form a kind of clique, one or two of whom are as cross as a sore-headed bear, and have vowed to get even with me in some way. They have heard that I thought of leaving here, and, no doubt, supposing I would never return, one of them -and I am almost certain I know which one-robbed me last night of nearly every dollar I had. I am, as I have said, almost certain I know by whom I was robbed ; how I was robbed is quite clear. As it was quite warm last night, I opened my window when going to bed. A certain man was passing at the time and heard me open the window, for I observed him, dark as it was, stop and turn as if attracted by the noise. My bedroom is, as you know, on the ground floor, and the window on the west side-the one I opened-is not more than five feet from the ground on the outside. The thoughtful thief, without attempting to enter the window, used a long pole or rod, to which was no doubt attached a line and hook, and, in this way, fished my pantaloons, which contained my money, out of the window ; and, after rifling my pockets, left my pantaloons on the window sill. I have this morn-
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