The mansion is a
quadrangular building, about sixty feet long by fifty wide, built of
wood, two stories high, having upper and lower verandas.
We pass the dilapidated gate, and reach it by a narrow passage
through the garden, on each side of which is a piece of antique
statuary, broken and defaced. Entering the lower veranda, we pace
the quadrangle, viewing innumerable cuttings and carvings upon the
posts: they are initials and full names, cut to please the vanity of
those anxious to leave the Marston family a memento. Again we arrive
at the back of the mansion where the quadrangle opens a courtyard
filled with broken vines, blackened cedars, and venerable-looking
leaks;-they were once much valued by the ancient and very
respectable Marston family. A few yards from the left wing of the
mansion are the "yard houses"-little, comely cabins, about twelve
feet by twenty, and proportionately high. One is the kitchen: it has
a dingy look, the smoke issuing from its chinks regardless of the
chimney; while from its door, sable denizens, ragged and greasy, and
straining their curious faces, issue forth. The polished black cook,
with her ample figure, is foaming with excitement, lest the feast
she is preparing for master's guests may fail to sustain her
celebrity. Conspicuous among these cabins are two presenting a much
neater appearance: they are brightly whitewashed, and the little
windows are decorated with flowering plants. Within them there is an
air of simple neatness and freshness we have seldom seen surpassed;
the meagre furniture seems to have been arranged by some careful
hand, and presents an air of cheerfulness in strange contrast with
the dingy cabins around.
Pages:
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25