A Southern Love Story

The Eekly plantation ltea near CampbelVe Bend, on the Arkansae side oí the iMiississippi river. Old Major Bekly, US owner of the plantation, lias ie anany respecte the unstrung lïberaliity oï tihe ideal planter, yei iln otlier rc.p-is lie is prejuliced and narrowly wlf-opinioned. Zaaiie, the major's daughter, was rega.rded as the haindsainest glrl oí a eommumity in wlaicli handsomc girls were Hot rare. She had made au ionpreseion upon th brilliant social lile of iNew Orleans and had receivel oiiers ai marrlage from many wellhnown (men, but tod refused them. Tüie i rutii i, he loyed a moM named r.icklcs, a youing fellow without fortume, wiïliout prospect s, and, stili woreé, wltflioiiit particular todustry. Bicklee was bright and pleaslngly liumoTOus, he tolö ajnusjpg gtortes in ia lazy t-urt "i way whieh vas oí itself atmirüve, and the oíd majoi' was exceedtogly frtendly toward him until Bicklea one day began to upeai of Zallie. He told the old major oí bufe great flove for her. The oíd man turned upon iv.m wiith fury: "Why, conioumd your ünpudent liide, get out of my toouee," the major yelled, "üet out ! Doe't stop to say a word. I oould tolérate you so Tong us I miinfWnfl KCUl to bo súuply am ajuustog pauper, but íinding that you are uurstog a design against my- my- get wt, I t-ell you." Wait a minute, major, you will turely güve me a chance to deíend myeelí." "Xo, I won't," Bhouted the major. ■Then jou compel me to take ït. N.0W, thè ooly way to meet tlife tro-ublc- and dt geems be a serious tone- ia to meet it without excitement. Now walt, dbn't ily to pieees, for, ii scattepeö, ypu wiüJ be in no conditilon to Jeal wïfcbi thls subject.' 'Don't tooi i-ourself, young man. ïly Bret objectioo is my affection fo my daughter." ""Wïuat's that got to do with it ?' "It'8 feot thfe to do with it; I aoai't wamt lo see her marrLed to a man who is not able to take care of her. You have no money, bJit." ■Won't ïeed much money. We coiild live iiere with yon." "Oh, you oould, you triiliing raoal." "Yee, ooniM live here very comiortablj-. I could take charge oi the pla'ntation and cooild relieve you of a great deal of trouble." "Oh, B-es; I've no' doubt that you could relieve me of everythimg I've got." "I would promise that you shoulü uever regret our marriage." Oh, I reckon eo. You woum run me eo completely crazy that I should uot have tense enough to regret anythSmg." ■I would wort: íaithfully." "Yes, ohi yes; work your jaws wheu Bomettoing was put between them." "Mention some of your otlwr objectione." "It's not neceseajy; the one unaei discussiooi answers every purpose." "It may anewer all your purposes, Irat It öom't answer mime. Let me teil you .th,at your laughter loves me 'aawl that 1 promise to work iaithluilly, if you give your consent, but that ii ö'ou aotofii I wfll run away ■with her without making any promices 'at all." -Ohs Is that a fact," the oia mau earcastically rejotoed. 'Kun away wdth dier, eh ? All right, I WU1 101low alo'iig and Beek an early opportimity of liiling your liide so full of Holes tliat it woulcto't hold wheat frtraw. Loves you, does she ? Ab, toh, lovee you ! Well, uow, I'll cali lier and you may start to run away witli lier riglit at oince. Bet ter roll vip lyour breeeftüe.) beCore you start. Ixrves }-ou, áová sae ?" "Yes, I öo" Tiic girl stepped out Tipou tlui veranda. The major turaed angriiy upon her. "Yes, 1 do," she repeated, "but I wtU no marry 'him without your contsent. For gracionue sake, don't say anytliing more íor here comes Gen. Griddleton." Bickles wRhdrew; Gen Griddleton, au old feltaw with a pompous air and lirokem veins in lite face, disinounted at the gate. He aml the major were the wannest pi iriemds. For each otlher's sake they were heroically selftsacrificimg; they wouiIkJ figlvt for each other, amd, at poker, they had olten yoll eacli öther's money. 'Ah, good moraing, generiu. "Ah, Unajor, good morniing." "Beautllul veather, general." "Major, ïnagniïiceait," Ttoie form of greetiing ehanged only with 'the weather, and people who -were accustomed to eee the two old meo meet each other, haxi long since ceased to smile at tbeir ludierous gallantry, eo familiar bad the system of salutatiian beoome. 'Zallliie," Maid the major, "go in the house. I have eomethimg particular to eay to the general. What do yxro thimk ?" ke added when the Kirt had withdrawn, "that infernal Kkkles wamts to marry my daughtr.' "Tlie tri'fling rascal," the general exdaiamed. "And he sw-eara," the major meo. hat W I doe't Riive my consent, he wiil rum ,away -with her." "Oh, the ■vemoni'cme wolf," the general eried. "He te a pauper," saüd the major. "And a wretdhi," deolareü the genClíll. "General, you have always stood y me." "And I always wffll." "Gh-e me yo-ur lvannd." Tliey shook hamds and thcn entered imto tlve cTose aind absorbing communiton of a game of poker. A lew -weeks later, the major and tire general wtot d'awn to New Orleans, and, as they were returning ot a Bteamboat the general guddenly exelaimed: "By George, major, yorader is a maaVho áül me a favor im Havana. Yes," gaztag intently, "t&iat rs Vio torKmzolas, one ef ttoe most prominent planters in Cuba. He's coming tule way." The general advanced to meet .the Cubam, wliio carne walking with au easy, graceful ewimg down the cabin, bowed, Imade an open-arm gesture and paiid: "Pardon me ií I make a mistake, but ís not tliis the Bon. Víctor Dinzolas V" The Ctibaai. aíter a moment e refleetion, recognized the general, and. with ëracefwl hearttaess, siezw.1 his ha ad AVhen the major had been tatro'duced, Uve party withdrew to the tar. Dimzolas was not an ill-lookitur imán; he wore enorraons black Irfsker and aong hair, and poke Bnglfeh easHy, but with a slight Spanfeh accent. After severa -raunds" at the bar, the general proposed a game of poker. No objecttons were raieed; the Cuban was nocommodating. They wnt to ft private apartim-nt. and were Boon deep in the thrMling anxiety of the "great American pastime." From the very first, Dimzolas begam to win. Tlve major enorted and the general fumeil. l)ut the Cuban, undisturbed, contimued to rake in the money. It must Ivave Ix-en nearly daylight ■svhen the major shoved back his chiaiT, ipaid: "I'm broke." "So am I," the general took oecaPinu to remark. 'I am very sorry, gentlemen." the Cuban deelared, -for I have just begun to get interested to the game. Have you notlnimg that you can put ■■No." the major remarked, -'As r have oltom been compelled to remark, I lNrre nothing left except my plantatiom, my soul amd my daughter.' "Ah," ealfl the Cutoan, "and would you not like to put up one of them -the plaMation or the danghter ?' "Slir !" exoiaiimed the major, springimg to hU feet, "what do you mean?" "Oh, ïio oifence, I assure you. I have more respect for my trtand the general tlían to insult hils friend. I omce won a young lady-please be seated. major; rton't be excited, for I assure you that I meazi no insult.' "Major, hear .what he's sot to say," the general interpoort. Tlie unajor 6at down; the Cuban continued: "Once, in the City of Mexico, I played for a gentleman'.? dnugtoter aed won her. An agreement was drawn up, readtag vloit thds wav: 'I apree to gitvc the er my daughter so-and-so, provtdea lie can gata lier consent.' I won ttoe paper bearing these wordls, but Bb truth tïid not win the girl. She spurmed tne. Perhps I should be more fortúnate amother time." "WHl t,xm excuse the major and I il we re.iuest a prívate interview'? ' the gemcral asked, addressing Víctor Din zolas. 'Moet assurcdly; I will witiidi-aw." ■■Don't t'bis beat anythiMR you ever hcard of," saad the major when the Cu'ban lvad withdrawn. "Ilather peculiar, I must sáy; but lét me teil you I see good in, iit. Agree to hfe proposal- put tip Zallie." 'General, do you take me for an infernal barbarían ?" "Oh, no. Now, ií you put up your datighter amd lose her, thie Culan mig'ht come arouiwl, and- well, -he miKht care the liife out oí Bickles." The major glapped the general osa the ehoulder. "Yoti are the smartest man ín the world, general. Cali that halfnigger-lookúng iellow." The Cuban resumed lite place, put up $1,000 against Zallie and won. Shortly afterwards the boat landed at Campbell's Beawl. One afternoon, several days later, the major asid the general sat on the veranda overlooking the broad field of eottom. "Major, is Biekles still hanging aroinnid ?" "He was h-ere yesterday, but left eomewtoat dmvmcast, as Zallte positively refu6ed to marry liitn without my consent. Who iis that coming thraugh the big gate ? By gracious, it's that iniemal Cuban." "That's who it ie." "Caafoujul my fooi hkle. I wish I hadn't done that caper. I would not have done it if I hadn't been half (trant. Now, that's a nice piece of paper he'.s got. WiBh Bickles was here. I'd soom have them chewing eacih other. I doxi't know what to do." Zalie cajne out on the veranda. 'Oh, who is that ?" she askcd. The Cuban disniounted at tlie yarü gat. "Oh, but doesn't he look like a hero of a novel !" 'Zalle," thmidered the major, "go toto the houee." The Kirl obeyed. The Cubain came up tlie steps. Ah, general, glad to see you again; amö the major, I hope he has not forgotten me." "No," aiid the major; "sit down." The Cuban took a eeat and began to fan himself with his broaü-brimmed hat. The major snorted; the general hemmed and hawed. 'Ali," said the Cuban, "is Mies- Miss- let roe see (examinlng tlie paper) ah, Mise Zalie. Is she at home?" "Look here," Bakl the major, "I want J-ou to uuderstand that my daughtter is mot a elave." "Oh, ijertainly, I understand that, but ïsbe is mime if I ca-n win her. Tliis paper - " "Hang the paper I" "But, as a gentleman, yon net- ah, giive me a word here- canuto repudíate." "That'g a fact," the major adraitted. "W1U yon cali her ?" The major's face grew livid wlth rage, but lie ealled Zalie. She came out, odid when the Cuban was present-ed, she bowed with charmkiR graoe. "A very handsome girl," said the CWban. "Sbe hae many fine pointe." "Sir," thundered the major, ispringlng- to h'ife ieet. "lío offence. Will my friend, the general, explaiin tai objett of my ■v-ftiit ?" I will," the general answered, bus wouJd first like to eend lor a íriend of mime, Mr. Bk-klcs." "My time is limited. Will the Renei-al explain ?" The genei-al explafned; the girl listeJied with deep interest. "Oli, how runiantic," she sai'd, -how eharmlngly uucommpsa ! Sir," extendiiiK te bands toward the Cuban, "111 go wittli you." 'ÏSVhiat !" the major roared, "go witii thiö barbarian ? No, not iï tot had fiXty plamtatioas." "A comta-act signed by -a gentleman," the Civba.n eaid, ■iö a document of luanor." The major sat down. "Yon are right," he saild, "jrou are right, but I do-n't .undei-stand my daughter; dön't uitflerstand Hei. I thought üJie was a wennan of pride, but I j'om't onderstand her." "I do," eaid the Cuba-n. He snatched off hifi false whiekers amd long hair, revealtog the familiar features of Blcklee. The major saiorted like a irightenel horse. For several moments he rould say notlning. Tiien he turneU upan tda general. Yon old- old- " Hoid oai major," said the general, laughüng. "Here ia the money tihte Cuban won fi-oan you on the boat." The major took the money, and, toickijii; it into his vest pocket, remai-ked: "Bickles, ycw've got more semse thaa I thought you had, and I reckon ril have to stand by my contract."- Opie P. Eead, in Milwaukee SentineL