The Chickasaw messenger. (Okolona, Miss.) 1880-1900, 1881-02-17

cleveland (O.) Lsader.l
Several years before the war there
occurred a tragedy In the Eastern
part Of Tennessee, near the present
site Of Rugby. that aroused the in
dignation Of the entire community.
Several days ago the concluding
chapter was enacted In the neigh
borhood mentioned, there lived a
young man named Abraham Dent,
man Of 6ne education, usually kind
In disposition, but Of so.viOlent na
ture when aroused that be was
known as "Bad" Dent. He was tall |
and handsome, possessing remarka-
bly, physical strength and an activity |
that had made him q favorite on the |
school house play ground. He was
weslthy, to which influence he owed |
his escape from imprisonment, for
he had killed 8 man, and was only
cleared after the best legal talent had
been employed in his defense. He
was not addicted TO the use Of liq-
uors, but would, as bis friends and
companions generally termed it, get
on spree of ill-humor. On such
occasions be was morose, quarrel
some aud dangerous. His freaks
we're strange and unaccountable.
He would help a friend out Of an al
tercation and Immediately turn and
knock him down. Among bis com
panions was a young man named
Louis Guill-a noble fellow. He was
as brave as a lion, intelligent, kind
hearted and faithful to every obli-
CATION. His father and mother we're
dead, having wiled him, the farm
and several "black folks" The
friendship between GULL and Dent
was a subject Of remark, for where
Dent was violent GULL was genial
where Dent was Sin for a Aght,"
Quill favored an adjustment and
hearty laugh. Yet the two young
men we're friends. 1t seemed that
they had been born friends Their
fathers we're friends. Their mothers
insisted upon having the same kind
I 81 coffee, the same KIND 0I co0Eing
had the same ideas regarding chill
dren, aud, OF course, were friends.
One day, at q picnic, the two
friends engaged in q quarrel.
"Y0u told me that you we're not
going to dance with that GIRL" ex
claimed Dent.
II know Ibid, Abe, bat couldn't
we'll get out Of it. The boys arrang
ed the set aud assigned the part
ncrs"
"It wouldn't make any difference
/ to me what the boys did, / wouldn't
acknowledge that / told : id
lie"
"If man tells q lie it is better TO
acknowledge it. hope | have not
offended you"
"But you have. When . man tells
me a d-d lie / hold him acoounta-
bic for Il"
"Abe, you are on one Of your
sprees to-day. Let the matter
drop"
II am not in an Ill humor, and you
utter a id lie when you say so"
"Abe, this has gone far enough"
"It shall go just as far as | want
it. meant what I said"
care you in earnest 2"
Il am"
go away. then. Don't call me a
liar again II you do, Il knock you
down"
Several men rushed up, among
them a colored man owned by GULL.
He was his masters friend as well as
servant, and would have risked bis
life for the man who could make his
existence miserable or pleasant, and
who nobly chose the latter.
"Mars Louis" said the darkey,
"doan hab no truck Wid dat man. lie
doan kere no noah fur blood den he
do fur watef." and be pat his hands
eentlyon bis masters arm.
"Get away, Buck" said GULL.
che has insulted me and must pay
the penalty
"Let him alone," coolly remarked
Dent, and the next instant he lay foil
length on the ground. Blood flowed
from his mouth, and for 3 time be
seemed 10 be insensible Recover
ing suddenly, be drew 3 barlow knife
and as GULL stopped over to raise
him be uttered an oath and plunged
his knife blade into Guilrs breast
Such stampede followed that Dent
escaped. Gull lay on the bosom oI
bis faithful slave
"Buck, I'm dying" he said. I'll
was a murder. Buck, are you
here ?"
! Yes, Mars Louis, rs heah."
"Il Dent Is not hung by law
want you 10 kin him"
ayes, Mars Louis"
"But don't take advantage Of him
Hkuh hin WlNu AuttNs ~ -
; promise p
c Yes, Mars Louis. III foller hin
! TO de end ob de earth Pll-ohs my
) marster Is dead
The tragedy sent a thrill Of hoTrOl
! through every one. Old men shed
! tears when they saw poor GULL ~
{. ing on the ground, with his hand
{ full Of grass, pulled rp With thl
{ grasp Of death.
1 Gull was buried Ii little orchaT'
e near the old farm house. Buck de
& llvered The Funeral oration. Sewers
0 ministers offered their services. bu
!. the eolored man claimed The rlghl
q and. 80 no one could doubt b
|. friendship which existed boteeel
master and servant, 10 one dlspule'