Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-02-14

W nav q LOuO MNAGDliHR IEuL udEuEQ
over the thoughtful weather-beaten face
OF the horseman.
''Magdalen could not wait. She must
run TO meet her father. God bless her
precious heart" he mustered checking
his horse. "Were you so anxious to see
me, cbeeryheartf''
"Oh, yes, | have been looking and look
ing for yOu," pushing back her tumbled
hair, and catching her breath with lit
tie gasp.
Grant reached down his rlghthand, and
held his foot ready to receive her light
weight.
Jump up"
She obeyed, climbing nimbly up before
him and giving MIN such hug and kiss
as lett no doubt Rs to the sincerity of her
joy.
How has my girl been getting along"'
She grew serious instantly.
VERY bad Pm afraid. | missed my
lessons one day and rode Canter to water
He shook his head, Tightening his clasp
around her.
That wild pony? On, Magdalenw
- es, wish l had not done it," dropping
| her head and looking so penitent her
fathers indulgent heart grew soft as a
wOman's.
''Well, well. You shall not be scolded
this time"
But that is not al" she said, bent on
making full confession. "The boys set
the uogs on my kitten and | slapped one
OF them; and then one morning 1 played
along the road TO school until so late the
teacher had to keep me in at play time;
but indeed, father, could not help it, the
MOWERS were so Pretty and the birds so
gay.'
Mr.. Grant barely suppressed a smile.
'Gou shall be freely pardoned on con-
dition thatyOu try to do better next time"
Il will; | am sure | will"
''All right, dear little sinner. There IS
Manse at the gate waiting for us. Slip
your hand into the left side pocket of my
coat, and see if there is not a new red
turban in it for her."
Magdalen eagerly obeyed, and when her
father swung her down to the ground, she
flew to the old negro, with a great gaudy
red and yellow handkerchief streaming
over her shoulder. 1t was bright enough
to delight the gayest of the gay, and
though a stately, dignitied old African,
Manse received the gift with beaming
eyes, true to the taste of her country.
''Thankee, Marse John; thankee. It's
jes the thing to wear when 20 roun' with
dis yere chile" making a motion towards
Magdalen.
''Marse John" smiled, and walked off
towards the stables with his horse, Mag
dalen at his side. He had been away for
week on business, and just as soon as
the horse was left in the stable boys care,
he went around to inspect the negro quar-
tiers, and to hear the report Of the tenn
pOr2ry Overseer who had looked after
affairs in his absence.
All had gone on smoothly, with one
exception. One ofthe field hands had BE-
haYed in an unruly manner, and openly
disObeyed the new master, as we'll as
talked insolently to him.
Grant listened with knitted DrOws. He
was a kind and just taskmaster, but in
subordinatlon he would not tolerate.
~ will look into tue matter,' he said,
briefly, and later in the evening, when the
interview had ended and the assistant had
gathered up his belongings and started
back to the village he turned his steps
hOmeward.
Passing the quarters, be stopped and
lOOsed his hand from Magdalen's clasp.
run on, daughter, 1 will be there di-
rectly."
She glanced up, soft CLEAN of compass
sion in her large clear ewes.
"Don't-don't punish him too hard,
father"
Il will be just, child"
For few minutes she stood still and
watched him, wondering in her own mind
il HlStACC uGdnb anu AluuuGHBs
Later in life she understood the question
better.
The overseer passed along the line of
cabins, giving kindly nod here and there
to the occupants. Hallway down the
row be stopped and tapped on the door,
which stood only partly open.
"Nealw
.'SahP'
"Come out here few minutes"
plank floor and a heavy, sullen-lOOking
man opened the door wide and stepped
out. Defiance cleaned in his lowering
eyes, and was plainly visible in the hard
lines Of his black, ill-featuTed face. Mas
ter and slave, they faced each other, one
stern but calm, with the Consciousness of
his power, the other cringing, but full of
secret rebellion.
81 have heard a lad report of your be-
haviOr, Neal"
Eyes, sah," not raising his eyes.
81 am sorry. You promised not to give
any trouble in my absence"
''He nit me, marse."
"Sull-"
can l wish l had i'm here now" he
continued in grating voice, n dull, red
glow quivering in his savage eyes.
Grant looked at him curiOusly, think
ing it would not be pleasant to have this
"What would you doY'
"Kiil imp with such intense but quiet
fury the answer would have wavered, re-
treated il he had not been man of strong
will aud great courage.
"Do you know what you are saying?
Once for all tell you there must not be
any more such conduct. You must behave
yourself or carry the lash. lido not want
to whip you. 1t is my last resort, but
cannot have rebellion here. Be quiet and
orderly and you will do well; disregard
my words and you will be justly pun
ished.'
JUSTIFY
He fancied the word fell from the slaves
lips, but not being sure, let it pass un-
noticed.
"What do yen sayp
you're my MASTER"
"Then obey me and l will never ill-treat
YOU"
He turned and walked away and with
slow, heavy steps Neal rs.entered his
cabin, his expression anything but sub
missive. He was new addition to the
Cammack slave property and bade fair 10
prove a disturbing element on that we'll
ordered, peaceable plantation. He had
been bought OF OF slave trader bya West
Indian, who finding his temper unman-
ageaOle sold him 10 Mr. Cammack.
Grant went 10 his supper with a thought
full frOWn on his face hut the ais ht OF Mac