The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1896-09-04

touching the floor. His groans and en-
treaties were pitiful. yet he would tell
nothing The squire raved helpIeSSlv-
from his station on the hearth. Finally
Gumbo's head fell to one side and his
jaws hung loose.
Lower him down. ordered the
/ leader. when he comes to vveII put
the wood on him if he don't blab.-
pail of cold water was thrown on
the negro. He revived. drenched. shiv-
ering, and looked round at his master
Then the foolish, faithful creature
moaned:
II hain't tole yit, marse,"
"No-God bless you, boy-vou have
Mt. / will have satisfaction for this
outrage, men. have been magistrate.
and /"
''Will yer shet up?" shouted the
leader Now boys. throw thet nigger
over a barrel and nachilly warp the
hide often him with these hick'ries''
Soon the kitchen resounded with
Gumbo's cries; Yet still he would not
tell.
Up with HIM" shouted the captain.
now furious. Put ther rope roun' his
cussed neck. Take him out ter a tree"
While this was being done, the
leader turned TO the squire.
See here" he said. If yer don't
give up thet money yer'H lose a nigger
right here We're in hurry Some of
Wheeler's cavalry are about and we
hain't over anxious ter tell 'em howdv
tonight So speak up lively now. er
! yer'll be short one more slave-sure as
God made little apples
''Fo' Cord, gen'Pmen, don't hang a
| po' niggah fo' stickin' ter his po' ole
marsea-"
All! Gumbo was in the air now. He
was struggling. while merciless hands
tugged at the rope The squire leaped
at the cord, cut it with his knife and
stood over his PROSTATE slave, his eyes
blazing like Goals.
Hands off. you heartless dogs,- he
| cried. You shall not murder the boy
If you Will have money come with me.
and NAV God curse the last one of vOul"
He loosed the rope, raised Gumbo up
and led him toward the kitchen. while
the astonished bushwhackers followed.
talking among themselves. The squire.
still grasping his slaves arm. entered
and strode to the hearth-stone. where
he again faced the guerrillas.
\ confused noise was now audible
1
and whispered hurriedIy with the cap
tain. The noise increased to a clatter-
| ing roar
Git outen here. mem" shouted the
leader. ''Wheeler's men are comm
Then to the sqfire: We'll be back
ag'in. fust yer know. As fer thet
blamed nigger-here's fer him.
\ pistol shot beloved through the
room. Gumbo screamed. and the
| guerrillas rushed out pell-mell mounted
and were gone in a trice. Other troops
surrounded the house. \ mulatto
woman ran in and fell on Gumbo's neck
a. he sat disconsolate-
Il hearn 'em," she cried. "We hearn
'em et mothers. l knowed de sojers
wuz in town a-furragin'. so 1 up an
run an let 'em know. One on 'em took
me up benin him, an year 1 is-bless
Cord, What's de matter Wild yer. Gum
bop"
Gumbo rose To the emergency again.
for his injuries, though painful, were
not serious.
why. howdy. Em'line," re re
sponded. Yer all come i-s' in de nick
OBJ time-sho'."
Gray-coated cavalrymen now
4
the place. Several bushwhacllers Were
captured, and guard was left. at the
squire's request. lest the scoundrels
were to suddenly return. Meanwhile
Emeline made Gumbo some corn coffee.
a soldier gave him a drink of sorghum
rum, and he began to feel quite clipper
| again. His master watched him with
kindly eyes.
4 diIn-t al N
presently.
NO, you did not, but you have placed
your old master under a deeper debt
than mere money can repay. Gumbo-
The New Year is pretty near here, and l
am going to set you free-yOu rascal.
You might have run away TO the
Yankees, but instead you have stood
your masters best friend through thick
and thin. If that doesn't deserve free
dom. hardly know what does"
Den yer won't make me leab yer
wen Is free, marse?" GumbO looked
up anxiously. scarcely thinking enough
Of the boon, apparently, to say thank
you"
Not if you want to stay-and hope
you do
'H-how bout Em'line? Me an she
wants ter marry pow 'ful, don't We. En-
iine?-
&c way. niggah, hain't talkin'
now" And vet Emeline looked pleased.
''W-e-@ll" The squire hesitated.
1t was easier to give Gumbo freedom
han gold. The negroes would probably
all be free before long. anyhow. Times
is mighty tight. but you can have the
old mare. Gumbo. and-yes- hang me
if / don't Emeline can have $50 for
house fiNings.'
"Fed'rit money, marse ?'' asked Gum
bo. anNiously.
"No-goldi" shouted 'Meechin' Mu-
gle" desperately. though he gulped
somewhat emotionaily afterward- It's
| eNtravagant - it's wasteful; but -
you've earned it, boy-tbat's alli,
The squire hurried off to bed to
escape thanks and to reconcile himself
to his own liberality. Gumbo threw his
arms round Emeline.
Fifty COLE dollahs an de ole blin'
mari" he shouted, ecstatically. En-
line-honey-we's richi"-New Bo-
Too Good to Use in Spanking
Almost incredible sums are some
times expended on slippers Thus not
| long ago a countess had a pair made.
ornamented with rubies. emeralds and
diamonds, costing 100000 But at a
masked ball given by the duke of Man
chester some years ago lady imPeTsoR-
| ot5po CinJaraIla wore "A nair of sinners