The Illegal Marriage — page 37: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

THE ILLEGAL MARRIAGE, 29 family portraits and other works of art, and had built a mansion that served not only as a residence, but as a fortification in time of danger. During the Indian wars, it had been still further strengthened, but when peace came it was some- what improved in appearance, but showed its earlier strength and solidity. ‘For this reason it was called “The Castle,” or at the time of which we are speak- ing, it was known as “Old Morgan’s Castle,” short- ened to its former name in familiar conversation. The plantation was a fine one indeed, and noted throughout the State for the fine quality of its cotton, and its large crops. Besides this, the place was universally remarked for the beuaty of its grounds and gardens. The large mansion, with its airy veranda, half- hidden by creeping vines, its broad hall, its large windows with Italian shades and blinds, its general air of comfort, merited more than a passing notice. From the road it was partially concealed bya number of fine magnolias; while the well-tended garden, with its pastures of flowers, was barely visible through the thick althea bushes which formed a hedge. The gate was broad, and from it a graveled walk, hemmed in by rows of box, and higher rows of rose- bushes led up to steps. On each side were beds of dahlias and violets inclosed in figures of evergreen shrubbery. Looking up this walk one saw into the broad hall, in which a number of pictures were hanging, with an enormous pair of elk’s horns from which were suspended hunting equipments. Behind “The Castle” was a cottage house for the overseer, and around it, arranged in the form of a quadrangle, were the negro cabins, Standing upon Gomicboo cS (Eo)