Read Ebook: Entre Deux Ames by Delly

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Ebook has 1566 lines and 61929 words, and 32 pages

As soon as I was convinced that it was them, I knew there was no chance of escape. I took refuge in the top of a tree, and the hounds were soon at its base, and there remained until the hunters came up in a half or three quarters of an hour afterwards. There were two men with the dogs, who, as soon as they came up, ordered me to descend. I came down, was tied, and taken to St. Louis jail. Major Freeland soon made his appearance, and took me out, and ordered me to follow him, which I did. After we returned home. I was tied up in the smoke-house, and was very severely whipped. After the major had flogged me to his satisfaction, he sent out his son Robert, a young man eighteen or twenty years of age, to see that I was well smoked. He made a fire of tobacco stems, which soon set me to coughing and sneezing. This, Robert told me, was the way his father used to do to his slaves in Virginia. After giving me what they conceived to be a decent smoking, I was untied and again set to work.

Robert Freeland was a "chip of the old block." Though quite young, it was not unfrequently that he came home in a state of intoxication. He is now, I believe, a popular commander of a steamboat on the Mississippi river. Major Freeland soon after failed in business, and I was put on board the steamboat Missouri, which plied between St. Louis and Galena. The commander of the boat was William B. Culver. I remained on her during the sailing season, which was the most pleasant time for me that I had ever experienced. At the close of navigation I was hired to Mr. John Colburn, keeper of the Missouri Hotel. He was from one of the free states; but a more inveterate hater of the negro I do not believe ever walked God's green earth. This hotel was at that time one of the largest in the city, and there were employed in it twenty or thirty servants, mostly slaves.

Mr. Colburn was very abusive, not only to the servants, but to his wife also, who was an excellent woman, and one from whom I never knew a servant to receive a harsh word; but never did I know a kind one to a servant from her husband. Among the slaves employed in the hotel was one by the name of Aaron, who belonged to Mr. John F. Darby, a lawyer. Aaron was the knife-cleaner. One day, one of the knives was put on the table, not as clean as it might have been. Mr. Colburn, for this offence, tied Aaron up in the wood-house, and gave him over fifty lashes on the bare back with a cow-hide, after which, he made me wash him down with rum. This seemed to put him into more agony than the whipping. After being untied he went home to his master, and complained of the treatment which he had received. Mr. Darby would give no heed to anything he had to say, but sent him directly back. Colburn, learning that he had been to his master with complaints, tied him up again, and gave him a more severe whipping than before. The poor fellow's back was literally cut to pieces; so much so, that he was not able to work for ten or twelve days.

There was, also, among the servants, a girl whose master resided in the country. Her name was Patsey. Mr. Colburn tied her up one evening, and whipped her until several of the boarders came out and begged him to desist. The reason for whipping her was this. She was engaged to be married to a man belonging to Major William Christy, who resided four or five miles north of the city. Mr. Colburn had forbid her to see John Christy. The reason of this was said to be the regard which he himself had for Patsey. She went to meeting that evening, and John returned home with her. Mr. Colburn had intended to flog John, if he came within the inclosure; but John knew too well the temper of his rival, and kept at a safe distance:--so he took vengeance on the poor girl. If all the slave-drivers had been called together, I do not think a more cruel man than John Colburn--and he too a northern man--could have been found among them.

While living at the Missouri hotel, a circumstance occurred which caused me great unhappiness. My master sold my mother, and all her children, except myself. They were sold to different persons in the city of St. Louis.

I was soon after taken from Mr. Colburn's, and hired to Elijah P. Lovejoy, who was at that time publisher and editor of the "St. Louis Times." My work, while with him, was mainly in the printing office, waiting on the hands, working the press, &c. Mr. Lovejoy was a very good man, and decidedly the best master that I had ever had. I am chiefly indebted to him, and to my employment in the printing office, for what little learning I obtained while in slavery.

Though slavery is thought, by some, to be mild in Missouri, when compared with the cotton, sugar and rice growing states, yet no part of our slave-holding country is more noted for the barbarity of its inhabitants than St. Louis. It was here that Col. Harney, a United States officer, whipped a slave woman to death. It was here that Francis McIntosh, a free colored man from Pittsburg, was taken from the steamboat Flora and burned at the stake. During a residence of eight years in this city, numerous cases of extreme cruelty came under my own observation;--to record them all would occupy more space than could possibly be allowed in this little volume. I shall, therefore, give but a few more in addition to what I have already related.

While living with Mr. Lovejoy, I was often sent on errands to the office of the "Missouri Republican," published by Mr. Edward Charless. Once, while returning to the office with type, I was attacked by several large boys, sons of slave-holders, who pelted me with snow-balls. Having the heavy form of type in my hands, I could not make my escape by running; so I laid down the type and gave them battle. They gathered around me, pelting me with stones and sticks, until they overpowered me, and would have captured me, if I had not resorted to my heels. Upon my retreat they took possession of the type; and what to do to regain it I could not devise. Knowing Mr. Lovejoy to be a very humane man, I went to the office and laid the case before him. He told me to remain in the office. He took one of the apprentices with him and went after the type, and soon returned with it; but on his return informed me that Samuel McKinney had told him he would whip me, because I had hurt his boy. Soon after, McKinney was seen making his way to the office by one of the printers, who informed me of the fact, and I made my escape through the back door.

McKinney not being able to find me on his arrival, left the office in a great rage, swearing that he would whip me to death. A few days after, as I was walking along Main street, he seized me by the collar, and struck me over the head five or six times with a large cane, which caused the blood to gush from my nose and ears in such a manner that my clothes were completely saturated with blood. After beating me to his satisfaction he let me go, and I returned to the office so weak from the loss of blood that Mr. Lovejoy sent me home to my master. It was five weeks before I was able to walk again. During this time it was necessary to have some one to supply my place at 'Essil avait raison de trouver fort inqui?tante.

En ce moment, M. de Ghiliac consid?rait avec attention la photographie qu'il venait de tirer de l'enveloppe. Comme l'avait dit M. d'Essil, elle repr?sentait une fillette d'une quinzaine d'ann?es, trop maigre, aux traits ind?cis, aux yeux superbes et s?rieux. Une ?paisse chevelure couronnait ce jeune front o? le souci semblait avoir mis d?j? son empreinte.

-- Une photographie ne signifie rien, surtout si mauvaise que celle-ci, murmura M. de Ghiliac. L?-dessus, la physionomie ne me d?pla?t pas. Les yeux sont beaux, et dans un visage c'est le principal. J'irai un de ces jours l?-bas, et nous verrons.

Il donna une caresse distraite ? Odin, son grand l?vrier fauve, qui s'approchait et posait timidement son long museau sur ses genoux. Le n?grillon accroupi ? ses pieds lan?a au chien un regard jaloux. Benaki avait ?t? ramen? d'Afrique par M. de Ghiliac, qui l'avait achet? ? un march? d'esclaves, et partageait avec Odin les faveurs de ce ma?tre imp?rieux et fantasque, bon cependant, mais qui ne semblait pas consid?rer l'enfant autrement que comme un petit animal gentil et dr?le, dont il daignait s'amuser parfois, et qui mettait une note originale dans l'opulent d?cor de son cabinet.

Un domestique apparut, annon?ant:

-- Mme la baronne de Brayles demande si monsieur le marquis veut bien la recevoir.

-- Faites entrer! dit bri?vement M. de Ghiliac.

Il posa la photographie sur son bureau et se leva en repoussant du pied Benaki, ainsi qu'il e?t fait d'Odin. Le n?grillon se r?fugia dans un coin de la pi?ce, tandis que son ma?tre, d'un pas nonchalant, s'avan?ait vers la visiteuse.

C'?tait une jeune femme blonde, petite et mince, d'une extr?me et tr?s parisienne ?l?gance. Ses yeux ? la nuance changeante, bleus ou verts, on ne savait, brill?rent soudainement en se fixant sur M. de Ghiliac, tandis qu'elle lui tendait la main avec un empressement qui ne paraissait pas exister chez lui.

-- J'avais tellement peur que vous ne soyez d?j? sorti! Et je tenais tant cependant ? vous voir aujourd'hui! J'ai une grande, grande faveur ? vous demander, Elie.

Roberte de Grandis avait ?t? l'amie d'enfance de la soeur a?n?e de M. de Ghiliac et de sa premi?re femme. Il existait m?me un lien de parent? ?loign? entre sa famille maternelle et les Ghiliac. De deux ans seulement moins ?g?e qu'Elie, elle avait, enfant, jou? fort souvent avec lui. Adolescents, ils montaient ? cheval ensemble, pratiquaient tous les sports dont ?tait amateur M. de Ghiliac. Celui-ci trouvait en Roberte l'admiratrice la plus fervente; il n'ignorait pas la passion dont, d?j?, il ?tait l'objet. Mais jamais il ne parut s'en apercevoir. Lorsque, ? vingt-deux ans, il ?pousa la fille a?n?e du duc de Moth?court, Roberte crut mourir de d?sespoir. Elle c?da peu apr?s aux instances de ses parents en acceptant la demande du baron de Brayles, qu'elle ne chercha jamais ? aimer et qui la laissa veuve et ? peu pr?s ruin?e trois ans plus tard.

L'ann?e suivante, Elie perdait sa femme. L'espoir, de nouveau, ?tait permis. La passion n'avait fait que grandir dans l'?me de Roberte. Elle cherchait toutes les occasions de rencontrer M. de Ghiliac, elle multipliait pr?s de lui les flatteries discr?tes, les mines coquettes et humbles ? la fois qu'elle pensait devoir plaire ? un orgueil masculin de cette trempe. Peine perdue! Elie restait inaccessible, il ne se d?partait jamais de cette courtoisie un peu railleuse, un peu d?daigneuse -- un peu impertinente, pr?tendaient les plus susceptibles -- qu'il t?moignait g?n?ralement ? toutes les femmes, en y joignant seulement, pour elle, une nuance de familiarit? qu'autorisait leur amiti? d'enfance.

-- Une faveur? Et laquelle donc, je vous prie? dit-il tout en d?signant un fauteuil ? la jeune femme, en face de lui.

Elle s'assit avec un frou-frou soyeux, en rejetant en arri?re son ?tole de fourrure. Puis son regard admirateur fit le tour de la pi?ce magnifique, bien connue d'elle pourtant; et se reporta sur M. de Ghiliac qui venait de reprendre place sur son fauteuil.

-- C'est une chose que je d?sire tant! Vous n'allez pas me la refuser, Elie?

Elle se penchait un peu et ses yeux priaient.

M. de Ghiliac se mit ? rire.

-- Encore faudrait-il savoir, Roberte?...

-- Voil? ce dont il s'agit: Mme de Cabrols donne le mois prochain une f?te de charit?. Il y a une partie litt?raire. Alors j'ai con?u le projet audacieux de venir vous demander un petit acte -- rien qu'un petit acte, Elie! Notre f?te aurait un succ?s inou? de ce seul fait.

-- D?sol?, mais c'est impossible.

-- Oh! pourquoi?

Les sourcils du marquis se rapproch?rent l?g?rement. M. de Ghiliac n'aimait pas ?tre interrog? quant au motif de ses refus, sur lesquels il avait coutume de ne jamais revenir, -- et cela, peut-?tre, parce qu'il les faisait trop souvent sous l'empire de quelque caprice lui traversant soudainement l'esprit.

-- C'est impossible, je vous le r?p?te! dit-il froidement. Vous trouverez fort bien ailleurs, et votre f?te n'en aura pas moins beaucoup de succ?s.

-- Non, ce ne sera plus la m?me chose! On se serait ?cras? si nous avions pu mettre votre nom sur notre programme! Ce petit acte que vous aviez compos? pour votre f?te de l'?t? dernier ?tait tellement d?licieux!

-- Eh bien! je vous autorise ? le faire jouer de nouveau.

-- Mais j'aurais voulu de l'in?dit!... Quelque chose que vous auriez fait sp?cialement, uniquement pour... nous!

Les l?vres de M. de Ghiliac s'entr'ouvrirent dans un sourire d'ironie.

-- Ah! quelque chose de fait uniquement pour "vous"? dit-il en appuyant sur le pronom, tandis que son regard railleur faisait un peu baisser les yeux changeants qui suppliaient. Voil? qui aurait flatt? votre vanit?, n'est-ce pas, Roberte? Vous auriez pu dire ? tous et ? toutes: "C'est moi qui ai d?cid? M. de Ghiliac ? ?crire cela."

Elle releva les yeux et dit d'une voix basse, o? passaient des intonations ardentes:

-- Oui, je voudrais que vous le fassiez un peu pour moi, Elie!

Pendant quelques secondes, les prunelles bleu sombre, ensorcelantes et dominatrices, se tinrent fix?es sur elle. Cet homme, qui avait certainement toute conscience de son pouvoir, semblait se complaire dans l'adoration suppliante de la femme qui s'abaissait ainsi ? mendier pr?s de lui ce qu'il lui avait toujours refus?.

Puis un pli de d?dain ironique souleva sa l?vre, tandis qu'il ripostait froidement:

-- Vous ?tes trop exigeante, Roberte. Je vous le r?p?te, il m'est impossible d'acc?der ? votre d?sir. Adressez-vous ? Maillis, ou ? Corlier; ils vous feront cela tr?s bien.

Une crispation l?g?re avait pass? sur le fin visage de Mme de Brayles. Elle soupira en murmurant:

-- Il le faudra bien! Mais j'avais esp?r? un peu... Enfin, pardonnez-moi, Elie, d'?tre venue vous d?ranger.

Elle se levait, en rajustant son ?tole. Son regard tomba ? ce moment sur la photographie pos?e sur le bureau. Une soudaine inqui?tude y passa, que remarqua sans doute M. de Ghiliac, car un peu d'amusement apparut sur sa physionomie.

-- Je suis au contraire charm? d'avoir eu le plaisir de votre visite, dit-il courtoisement. Vous verrai-je ce soir ? l'ambassade d'Angleterre?

-- Mais oui, certainement! Puis-je vous r?server une danse?

-- Oui, mais j'arriverai tard, je vous en pr?viens.

-- N'importe, vous l'aurez toujours, Elie... Et je vais vous demander encore quelque chose -- une de ces fleurs superbes que vous avez l?. Oh! je ne sais vraiment comment font vos jardiniers de Cannes et d'Arnelles pour obtenir de pareilles merveilles!

M. de Ghiliac ?tendit la main et prit, dans la jardini?re de S?vres pos?e sur son bureau, un ?norme oeillet jaune p?le qu'il pr?senta ? Mme de Brayles.

La jeune femme enleva vivement le bouquet de violettes de Parme, attach? ? sa jaquette, et le rempla?a par la fleur qui allait lui permettre tout ? l'heure d'exciter la jalousie des bonnes amies, et irait ensuite se cacher dans quelque livre pr?f?r?, o? cette Parisienne du vingti?me si?cle, frondeuse et frivole, mais rendue sentimentale par l'amour, la contemplerait, et la baiserait peut-?tre.

Mais tandis que ses doigts gant?s de blanc attachaient l'oeillet au revers brod? de la jaquette, son regard se glissa encore vers cette photographie qui l'intriguait, d?cid?ment.

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