Claiborne guardian. [volume] (Homer, La.) 1877-188?, 1877-08-29

criticism, SUD SuDstrVlent 10 their
council. A sob or two of shame
mingled with his oaths as he now
told them what lie had to tell, and
asked them what should be done.
They, too, (Old Zeke, his wife, and
his two grown grandsons, Scott and
Harris were sullcnly, if not acute's
ly, conscious of injury and insult.
81 s'pose he thinks, cause he's n
great gentleman's sou he can do
what he likes" growled Scott Jefiris,
the eldest of the grandsOns. al
say let's git after him, an if he
won't do what's right, kill him.
BY -, that's what say
The grandfather, who had not
hitherto spoken, now lurched TO-
ward the mantle. piece, took down
his always.loaded rifle, and led the
way to the stable, followed in silence
by the others. In ten minutes four
armed men were riding through the
six miles of dim starlight which lay
between the farmhouse and Somer.
vile. Reaching the tavern they
drank largely of whisky; then they
repaired to Luce's room to obtain n
confirmation of the negro girls stO'
~; they found it empty, the window
open, and the string of blankets
hanging.
"She's run away" exclaimed John
Raddle bewildered.
The old man, equally perplexcd,
laughed in his strange, mechanical
way, and said nothing.
"She's gone for him." broke out
Scott Jefi'ris; and they started on
foot for the parsonage. y stealthy
rapid walk n glimpse OF the couple
under the catalpas; whispered
consultation behind a thicket of 70
SEES; gliding of two shadow
around the rear OF the house; theI
, whistle, and they were all to
| gether.
; "Oh, par, gasped Luce. Sh
sprang away from her lover will
instinctive fright and shame; but il
+ the next instant she saw the revo|
=, yer in her fathers hand, and lear
Hing at him, she caught his wrist.
A "You git away!r cried John Rad
). die, flinging her violently aside
p. while Harris Jefiris seized her arm
"Look yere, Mr.. Mayfeld, don't 20
> stir. Stand thar whar ye be TIL Nv
}. done talking.n
V A ghostly moon came out at thl
G moment, and showed the yOuu
q man standing with his back 10 tn
/. house, his face apparently pale
o the dim light, but his manner Coz
v and even defiant, and his han
5. grasping a revolver ----
d Now, Mr.. Mayiieid, yon kno
h what this means continued Oh
" John. "Yes, yOu know. l wal
s you to marry that gall
% Even as he made this demand
n seemed To him absurd presumption
10 aud his voice sank and quaverC
i. donbtfully over the last syllable
n Never before, to his knowledge, Ia
!. "A man of his class laid such an il
IL junction upon man of the class
Frederic May6eid.
=. IL s'pose you know why yc
4, oughter marry her. he continue
n. with a gasp. IL s'pose you know il
n 81 suppose ] understand YOU
il. answered the youth with u fran
Ne hauabtincss which showed gre
I'd pride and great courage.
,lf "Well, will do ye it !"
er "No.n
I'd Both men raised their pistt
to simultaneously, but Luce prevents
I'd them from firing; she broke avn
er from Harris Jetiris, flung hers
%, upon her lover, and covered hi
ey with her body. "You shan't go
en- make him marry me-" she screamt
a ale needn't marry me.'
ID. Her cousin jerked her violent
from her hold, and dragged h
struggling, to some distance.
THAT'S right-take her ava,
lis said the hard, resolute, pugnacic
boy for whom she had sacrificed
de happiness, and would have sacrific
ng >hef lite. He looked as sternly a
IN, iHperiously in the faces of the ft
ic- threatening men who stood arou
his him, as a Roman patrician mit
fif have stared at brawling plebeia
ro' or Polish noble at insplent SCI
ay "And you, the rest of you, be OF
oy- he went on, gathering anger. 81
ely other word of this bullying, and
the send some Of you to -. Tn
ful that miss I'll follow up. Ill hi
You out of the country. I'll tel
gal you to insult and threaten a gen
ig- man.
lad So prodigious at that date
ill. the terrorism of old planting ia
of lies IN the South, aud 80 greatly "
40 10 g.. -