NELLIE BROWN OR THE JEALOUS WIFE, WITH OTHER SKETCHES,
WRITTEN AND PUBLISHED BYTHOMAS DETTER,
(Colored,) OF ELKO, NEVADA. This work is perfectly chaste and moral in every particular.SAN FRANCISCO: CUDDY & HUGHES, PRINTERS, 511 SANSOME STREET.
1871.Entered according to Act of Congress in the year 1871, by THOMAS DETTER, in the office of Librarian of Congress, at Washington.
INTRODUCTION.
READERS—The design of this work is to show the unhappy results of jealousy and misplaced confidence, and the wicked designs of corrupt parties. Man and woman were created for a noble purpose by their Creator; but how often do we see families that have lived long happily together rent in twain by such malignant characters as Mrs. H., Aunt Polly and Martha Lovejoy—more fully explained in the following work. Such characters are to be found in all communities, like hungry wolves hunting down their prey; they often paralyze the hopes of the good and just, cause doubts, gloom and despair to overhang their pathway, where the radiant sunlight of happiness had long beamed. Malicious persons, like Sampson's foxes, are ever scattering the firebrands of hate, mischief and discord, and should be shunned by all lovers of good society.
I ought to apologize for attempting to put this work before the public. I am entirely responsible for it. They are my own ideas, however crude they may be. Knowing that the works of the ablest writers are subject to the severest criticism, I put this book before the public to live or die upon its own merits. I was raised in the District of Columbia, where the education of colored persons was very limited. This work is perfectly chaste and moral in every particular. Hoping that it will receive a fair and impartial perusal, I remain, dear readers,
THE AUTHOR.
CONTENTS.
- I. NELLIE BROWN, OR THE JEALOUS WIFE.
- CHAPTER I—Nellie Brown, the jealous wife (belonging to one of the first families of Virginia), and her conspirators, Aunt Polly, Mrs. H., Martha Lovejoy and an outside lover, defeated in a great divorce case. Sue's devotion to her mistress. Peter's fidelity to his master. 5
- CHAPTER II. 43
- CHAPTER III. 62
- CHAPTER IV—The terrible dream of Nellie Brown a few nights before the trial. 80
- CHAPTER V. 84
- CHAPTER VI—The opening argument of Lawyer Higgins for plaintiff, Nellie Brown. 95
- CHAPTER VII—The eloquent closing address of Lawyer Montgomery for the defence of Mr. Brown. Mrs. Brown's letter to, Mr. Oldham intercepted by her husband and produced in Court. 102
- CHAPTER VIII—The impressive charge of the Judge to the Jurors. 114
- II. THE OCTOROON SLAVE OF CUBA. Redeemed by her sister from New Orleans, who made her the recipient of wealth and affluence at her Master's expense, by stratagem. 119
- III. MY TRIP TO BALTIMORE. 143
- IV. CENTRAL PACIFIC RAILROAD. 149
- V. IDAHO CITY—Its Customs and Future Prospects. 151
- VI. PROGRESS OF AMERICA. 153
- VII. BOISE CITY. 155
- VIII. GIVE THE NEGRO A CHANCE. 157
- IX. UNCLE JOE. 159
