The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1881-03-05
Dad" DENT.
Ono Of the Most Dramatic Tragedies on Record

Several years before the war there Orcurreu
q tragedy in the eastern part Of Tennessee,
near the present site of Rugby, that aroused
the Indignation of the entire community. Sew
eral days ago the concluding chapter was en-
acted. In the neighbol hood mentioned there
lived q young man named Abraham Dent, a
man of fine education, usually kind IN disposi.
ton, but of 50 violent nature when aroused
that he WAS known as Bad" Dent. He was
tall and handsome, possessing remarkable
physical strength and an activity thut had
made him favortc on the sch0ol-house play
ground He was wealthy, to which influence
he owed his escape from Imprisonment, for he
had killed man, ard was only cleared after
the best legal talent lad been employed In his
defense He was not addicted To the use OF
liquors, but would, as'h his companions termed
1t, get on spree of Ill.humor. On such Occa-
sions he was morose, quarresome and danger
Gus. HIS freaks were strange and unacCOunl-
able, He would help friend out of an alter
cation and Immediately turn and knock hun
down. Among his companions was young
man named Louis Guill--a noble fellow. He
was as brave rs lion-intelligent, kindheart
ed, and faithful to every obligation. HIS faith
err and mother were dead having willed him n
farm and several BLACK folks" The friend
ship between Gull and Dent was a subject of
remark, tor where Dent was violent GULL was
genial; where Dent was I'm for II fight" GULL
favored an adjustment and hearty laugh. Yet
the two young men were friends. 1t seemed
that they had been born friends. Their moth.
ers insisted on having the same kind of coffee
the same kind Of cooking; had the same Ideas
regarding children, and, of course, were fast
friends.
One day at picnic the two friends engaged
In u quarrel. -.
"You told mo that you were not going to
dance with that GIRL" exclaimed Dent.
~ know did, Abe, but couldn't we'll ge.
out of 1t. The boys arranged the set and AS
signed the partners"
at wouldn't make any difference to me what
the boys did, | wouldn't acknowledge that
had told id lie"
"If man tells lie 1t Is better to acknowl-
edge 1t. hope have not offended you"
SBut you nave When man tells me a
ID lie, hold him accountable for IT,"
"Abe, you are on one of your sprees to-day.
Let the matter drop"
~ am not in an i'll humor, and you utter a
i'd lie when yon say So"
"Abe, this has gone far enough"
ut shall go just as for as want IT, meant
what SAID"
Are you in earnest!"
| 81 am"
go away, then. Don't call me liar again.
If you do, I'll knock you down" .
| Several friends rushed up, among them a
colorcd man owned by Gull. He was his
masters friend as well rs servant, and would
have risked his life tor the man who could
make his existence miserable or pleasant, and
who nobly chose the latter.
| MARS Louis" said the darkcy "doan hab
no truck wild la, man. He doan kere no noah
fur blood den he do fur water" and he put his
hand gently on his masters arm.
| Get away, Buck" said GULL, he has insult.
ed me and must pay the penalty"
Let him alone" coolly remarked Dent, and
the next instant he lay full length on the
ground. Recovering suddenly he drew Bar
low knife, and as Gull stopped over to raise
him he uttered an oath and plunged his knife.
blade into Guilps breast. Such stampede
followed that Dent escaped. GULL lay on the
bosom of his faithful slave.
Buck, I'm dying" he said. ut was muir
der Buck, are you here"
"Yes, Mars Louis, is heah"
"If Dent is not hung by law, I want you to
kill him"
Yes, Mars Louis"
"But don't take advantage of HIM. Fight
HIM with knife. Do you promisey"
"Yes, Mars Louis. III follow him ter dc
end Of dc earth! Ill-oh, my poor master
Is dead"
The tragedy sent thrill Of horror through
everyone. Old men shed tears when they saw
poor GULL lying on the ground, with his hands
full of grass, pulled up with the grasp Of
death.
GULL was buried in little orchard near the
old farm house. Buck delivered the funeral
Grafton. Several ministers offered their scrv
Ices. but the colored man claimed the right
and a. DO man could doubt the friendship
r which existed between master and servant, nc
one disputed the right Of the faithful man tc
conduct the ceremonies. On sunday after
noon, when the sun shone bright on the apple
blossoms; when the bluejay fitted and the
Isapsucker" pounded the old black trees, Buck
stood at the head Of his masters grave. Friends
and neighbors gathered around, and children
Ipeeped over the red mound into the deep cavi
lty, shuddered, and drew back. For full Aye