按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
Molly's parents were of the class； more numerous in North Carolina than
elsewhere； known as 〃old issue free negroes；〃 which took its rise in the
misty colonial period； when race lines were not so closely drawn； and the
population of North Carolina comprised many Indians； runaway negroes；
and indentured white servants from the seaboard plantations； who mingled
their blood with great freedom and small formality。 Free colored people
in North Carolina exercised the right of suffrage as late as 1835； and some
of them； in spite of galling restrictions； attained to a considerable degree of
prosperity； and dreamed of a still brighter future； when the growing
tyranny of the slave power crushed their hopes and crowded the free
103
… Page 104…
THE HOUSE BEHIND THE CEDARS
people back upon the black mass just beneath them。 Mis' Molly's father
had been at one time a man of some means。 In an evil hour； with an
overweening confidence in his fellow men； he indorsed a note for a white
man who； in a moment of financial hardship； clapped his colored neighbor
on the back and called him brother。 Not poverty； but wealth； is the most
potent leveler。 In due time the indorser was called upon to meet the
maturing obligation。 This was the beginning of a series of financial
difficulties which speedily involved him in ruin。 He died prematurely； a
disappointed and disheartened man； leaving his family in dire poverty。
His widow and surviving children lived on for a little while at the
house he had owned； just outside of the town； on one of the main traveled
roads。 By the wayside； near the house； there was a famous deep well。
The slim； barefoot girl； with sparkling eyes and voluminous hair； who
played about the yard and sometimes handed water in a gourd to travelers；
did not long escape critical observation。 A gentleman drove by one day；
stopped at the well； smiled upon the girl； and said kind words。 He came
again； more than once； and soon； while scarcely more than a child in years；
Molly was living in her own house； hers by deed of gift； for her protector
was rich and liberal。 Her mother nevermore knew want。 Her poor
relations could always find a meal in Molly's kitchen。 She did not flaunt
her prosperity in the world's face； she hid it discreetly behind the cedar
screen。 Those who wished could know of it； for there were few secrets in
Patesville； those who chose could as easily ignore it。 There were few to
trouble themselves about the secluded life of an obscure woman of a class
which had no recognized place in the social economy。 She worshiped the
ground upon which her lord walked； was humbly grateful for his
protection； and quite as faithful as the forbidden marriage vow could
possibly have made her。 She led her life in material peace and comfort；
and with a certain amount of dignity。 Of her false relation to society she
was not without some vague conception； but the moral point involved was
so confused with other questions growing out of slavery and caste as to
cause her； as a rule； but little uneasiness； and only now and then； in the
moments of deeper feeling that come sometimes to all who live and love；
did there break through the mists of ignorance and prejudice surrounding
104
… Page 105…
THE HOUSE BEHIND THE CEDARS
her a flash of light by which she saw； so far as she was capable of seeing；
her true position； which in the clear light of truth no special pleading could
entirely justify。 For she was free； she had not the slave's excuse。 With
every inducement to do evil and few incentives to do well； and hence
entitled to charitable judgment； she yet had freedom of choice； and
therefore could not wholly escape blame。 Let it be said； in further
extenuation； that no other woman lived in neglect or sorrow because of her。
She robbed no one else。 For what life gave her she returned an
equivalent； and what she did not pay； her children settled to the last
farthing。
Several years before the war； when Mis' Molly's daughter Rena was a
few years old； death had suddenly removed the source of their prosperity。
The household was not left entirely destitute。 Mis' Molly owned her
home； and had a store of gold pieces in the chest beneath her bed。 A
small piece of real estate stood in the name of each of the children； the
income from which contributed to their maintenance。 Larger
expectations were dependent upon the discovery of a promised will； which
never came to light。 Mis' Molly wore black for several years after this
bereavement； until the teacher and the preacher； following close upon the
heels of military occupation； suggested to the colored people new
standards of life and character； in the light of which Mis' Molly laid her
mourning sadly and shamefacedly aside。 She had eaten of the fruit of the
Tree of Knowledge。 After the war she formed the habit of church…going；
and might have been seen now and then； with her daughter； in a retired
corner of the gallery of the white Episcopal church。 Upon the ground
floor was a certain pew which could be seen from her seat； where once
had sat a gentleman whose pleasures had not interfered with the practice
of his religion。 She might have had a better seat in a church where a
Northern missionary would have preached a sermon better suited to her
comprehension and her moral needs； but she preferred the other。 She was
not white； alas！ she was shut out from this seeming paradise； but she liked
to see the distant glow of the celestial city； and to recall the days when she
had basked in its radiance。 She did not sympathize greatly with the new
era opened up for the emancipated slaves； she had no ideal love of liberty；
105
… Page 106…
THE HOUSE BEHIND THE CEDARS
she was no broader and no more altruistic t