louisa picquet, the octoroon: or inside views of - Negro Artist
louisa picquet, the octoroon: or inside views of - Negro Artist
louisa picquet, the octoroon: or inside views of - Negro Artist
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Louisa Picquet, <strong>the</strong> Oct<strong>or</strong>oon 40<br />
free papers to show it?" At <strong>the</strong> same time, looking over her book <strong>of</strong> letters, he<br />
asked, "Who wrote <strong>the</strong>se letters? Where is <strong>the</strong> envelope that came on <strong>the</strong>m, to<br />
show <strong>the</strong> postmark? You've got no envelope here." Then he handed back <strong>the</strong><br />
book and papers, and said he could not do any thing about it. As he went away<br />
he looked at Mr. Hill and said, "She's no negro;" and thus ended <strong>the</strong> assistance<br />
from Rev. Henry Slicer.<br />
CHAPTER XXII.<br />
LOUISA IS INDORSED AFRESH FROM CINCINNATI.<br />
BEING thus repulsed, and virtually accused <strong>of</strong> being an impost<strong>or</strong>, Mrs. P. felt<br />
deeply grieved, as any sensitive and virtuous woman would; but she made no<br />
reply, except to say that she believed she had one <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> envelopes at <strong>the</strong> house<br />
where she was stopping. She had not thought to keep and show <strong>the</strong>m as a pro<strong>of</strong><br />
that she was not an impost<strong>or</strong>, and this was <strong>the</strong> first time <strong>the</strong>y had been called<br />
f<strong>or</strong>; f<strong>or</strong> <strong>the</strong> reader must understand that begging was new business to her, and<br />
that she had not res<strong>or</strong>ted to it till all hope <strong>of</strong> getting her mo<strong>the</strong>r free by any o<strong>the</strong>r<br />
means had fled f<strong>or</strong>ever.<br />
The fact <strong>of</strong> this cold repulse and alleged suspicion becoming known, H. H.<br />
Mattison, Esq., <strong>of</strong> Buffalo (a relative <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> writer), told Mrs. P. to go to his<br />
house and remain till her case could be brought bef<strong>or</strong>e <strong>the</strong> Conference. He <strong>the</strong>n<br />
went to <strong>the</strong> telegraph <strong>of</strong>fice and telegraphed to Evans Co., Bankers, Cincinnati,<br />
to<br />
Page 44<br />
whom Mrs. P. had referred him, to know if Mrs. P. resided <strong>the</strong>re, and every<br />
thing was as she represented.*<br />
* The object <strong>of</strong> this movement on <strong>the</strong> part <strong>of</strong> Mr. Mattison was not to satisfy <strong>the</strong><br />
writer, <strong>or</strong> himself; but to procure fresh testimony from <strong>or</strong>iginal sources, to ei<strong>the</strong>r<br />
convince <strong>or</strong> silence such incredulous subjects as Rev. H. Slicer.<br />
The telegraph operat<strong>or</strong> kindly sent <strong>the</strong> message (amounting to nearly three<br />
dollars) gratuitously, and <strong>the</strong> next mail brought <strong>the</strong> following letter from W. T.<br />
DRAKE, Esq., <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> firm <strong>of</strong> Evans Co., and one <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> first subscribers upon<br />
Mrs Picquet's book:<br />
24.03.2006