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

council. \ sob or two of shame
mingled with his oaths rs 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, il not acute.
", conscious of injury and insult.
81 s'pose he thinks, cause he's a
great gentleman's son, he can do
what he likes" growled Scott Jefiris,
the eldest of the grandsons. 81
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 nN
hitherto spoken, now lHrehed 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 tue
six miles of dim starlight which lay
between the farmhouse and Soner.
Vile. Reaching the tavern they
drank largely of whisky; then they
repaired to Lucc's room to obtain a
confirmation of the negro girls sto-
ry; they found it empty, the window
open, and the string Of blankets
hanging.
"Shc's run away" exclaimed John
Raddle bewil,lercd.
fhe old ifttttf,, equally feff}ekea,,
laughed in his strange, mechanical
way. and said nothing.
"Shc's gone for HIM" broke ont
Scott Jcf1ris; and they started on
foot for the parsonage. \ stealthy,
rapid walk glimpse OF the couple
under the cataipas; whispered
consultation behind a thickct of ro-
SEES; II gliding of two shadows
around the rear al the house; then
Il whistle, and they were all to-
gether.
"Oh, par.' gasped Luce. She
sprang away from her lover with
instructive fright and shame; but in
the next instant she saw the revol
yer in her fathers hand, and leap.
ing ut him, she caught his wrist.
"fou git awayf cried John Rad
die, hinging her violently aside,
while Harris Jeffris seized her arm.
"Look yere, Mr.. Mayfeld, don't you
stir. Stand thar Mhar We be TIL I've
done talking
, \ ghOstly moon came out ut this
moment, and showed the young
man standing with his back to the
house, his face apparently pale in
, the dim light, but his manner cool
and even defiant, aud his hand
ggfasPiBgg a FerelreF.--
Now. Mr.. Mayicld, you know
| what this iheans,' continued Old
, John. "les, you know. l want
$ you to marry that gall
, Even as he made this demand it
+ seemed to him absErd presumption,
2 aud his voice sank and Quavercd
doubtfully over the last syllablcs.
r Never before, to his knowledge, had
. Il man of his class laid such an in.
, junction upon II man of the class OF
Frederic Mayiield.
. IL s'pose yOu know why you
/, oughter marry her." he continued
with IA gasp. 81 s'posc you know it.
b 81 suppose understand you,
!. answered the youth with II frank
f iit.stisl iiHess which slfeMe4-gfeal
1 pride aud great courage.
4 "Well, will do ye it I"
r "No.r
d Both men raised their pistols
o simultaneously, but Luce prevented
Il them from firing; she broke away
r from Harris Jetiris, flung hersel
}, upon her lover, and covered hin
V with her body. You shan't go t
n make him marry me-" she screamed
a "He needn't marry me-
D. Her cousin jerked her Violent,
from her hold, and dragged her
struggling, to some distance.
"That,s right-take her away,
Is said the hard, resolute, pugnaciou
boy for whom she had sacrificed he
lie happiness, and would have sacrifce'
e her life. lie looked as sternly ant
u, impcriously in the faces of the fOu
G. threatening men who stood aroun'
IS him, as a Roman patrician nigh
f. have stared at brawling pIebeiani
o. or Il Polish noble at insolent serfs
" "And you, the rest of You, be of 3!
y he went on, gathering anger. "Ar
~ other word of this bullying, and L
ne send some Of you to -. ~ThOs
III that | miss Ill follow up. I'll hun
YOU out vi the country. III teac
al you to insult and threaten gentl,
O. man.
III So pro,ligious at that date wa
Ii. the terrorism of old planting fam
of lies i'm the South, aud so greatly wei
ed even the we'll to do farmers updt