Spirit Ran Free
Chapter One / Page Two

Marcellus shifted his eyes on Ennis hoping to hear more about this particular person, but he got the feeling that Ennis didn't care to go any further about the man he'd called Phillip.

The long dirt road winded up along the rich hillside about ten miles south of Vicksburg before Ennis guided his sleek carriage through an impressive archway. For whatever reason, Marcellus felt a calm spiritual reverence as if he was moving through a hallowed arc of destiny. Glancing ahead along the winding carriage way, he saw that the stately white mansion with its huge pillared structure was simply majestically exalted in a breathtaking place that chose to live alone. Quietly, Antoinette's colorful ambience seemed to merge with the early morning splendor. Springtime was in full bloom giving drooping Spanish moss beauty to the magnolia and huge live oak trees that lined the carriage way. And the neatly trimmed hedges complemented the spacious green lawn that featured magnolia blossoms enhanced by circled beds of azaleas. While the lustrous red white and yellow roses stood out pretty amidst flowers, assorted in color and species. Antoinette had an elegant aura that gave Marcellus a quiet rich feeling.

The instant Ennis eased his fine barouche up to the stately white mansion and pulled his horses up, the old slave master of Antoinette was sitting in his grandeur music parlor playing the love song he'd written for his beloved wife. His music had a rich melodic feeling, and just as the plantation was given his wife's name, he'd named his beautiful song "Antoinette" as well. Marcellus heard the beautiful piano music and the musical mood seemed oddly magnificent. It amused him as if his arrival was getting a royal fanfare fit for a prince.

Ol' Jacob Jones, a classy looking servant who was wearing a neat grayish haircut, walked out dapperly dressed in a black bolero jacket. This short, slightly built old slave paused for a second or so, and stared straight into Marcellus' face.

"If any of y'all might care something 'bout it," ol' Jake yelled, "Master Michael done come back here."

Sarah, Leila, Marie, Isabelle, Jada and Joy strutted out onto the veranda, and these Antoinette slave sisters were absolutely sinful. But sadly, their slavish fashion was ungodly. They were stiffly dressed in their drab gray and white outfits matched with white bandannas. Actually, Marcellus hardly noticed the pretty Black women. His keen eyes were focused on the tall, handsome White man who nonchalantly strolled out smoking a slim cigar.

Cont. / Page 3

the author


Forest Hairston