The Canton times. (Canton, Miss.) 1893-1906, 1896-08-14

ana ordered him off to bed after tbnt
INC negro tremblingly obeyed. his las
backward glance revealing the spec;ra
form Of his master, watching his retrea
like the incarnation of some grim. We
familiar fate.
The squire and Gumbo lived alone il
the great house, and pottered about ,
lew truck patches. A blind mare and ;
lean cow or two grazed in the disusec
fields, for most of the large plantation
now lay fallow and useless. Man,
thought that "Meechin' Mugle" had {
iot OF money hidden away somewhere
yet Gumbo remained impervious to al
sly questions, and no one else knew.
One night band of bushwhackers de.
scended upon them, for the neighborinp
mountains were full of these pests then,
They were set of compound rascals
Clad lndlscrilninately in blue and gray,
and equally curse to both confederate
and union sympathizers. They served
Mammon wherever the aid of rope, bull
let or lash could invoke that deity from
the curious hiding-places wherein war
stricken families bestowed their yalua-
bles.
! The squire was routed out, but stood
protestingly en- his dignity. He had but
a few head Of poor cattle left, too Door
even for army beef.
"Durn yer stock, old mani" said the
leader. I'VE want yer money, so rush
aroun' and git it up
Gumbo stood quaking behind his mas
ter. Though not above pilfering the
squire's tobacco. or rifling some hon
roost when fare was hard, he was faith
full to that one great trust concerning
what lay under the hearth-stone.
rs dey unyunners err is dey rebs,
marse?" he whispered.
1T makes no difference. They are
thieves-so hush up. My all is in your
keeping, GImbo. H-s-s-h!"
One of the men, approaching from
behind, laid hand on Gumbo's Shout
der.
I'll bet this niger knows where it
is" he remar ked. We've hearn bout
you and yer one man. squire. Yer've
got money hid away and we're jes' goin'
ter hev Itch, boys?"
An echo of assent from the others fol-
lowed, and the man continued:
Il also hearn what yer said to this |
niger jes' now. So, out with the scads
er we'll find way ter make him talk"
Men," said the squire, though this
is war times, what is mine is mine. If
you get anything out of me you'll work
for it. Don't look for me to help YOU
OUT
Boys" exclaimed the leader, "it's
cold work palaverin' out here! Tote
Their squire inter the kitchen. | see
thar's a fire in thar"
Once all were inside, some pine knots
were thrown on the embers, then the
eader unwound coil of rope from his
waist.
"leb,' he commanded, you and Tom
70 and cut some hick'ries.''
Two men left the room. Gumbo's
eeth chartered with fear and cold, Tor
he was again clad only in a shirt and
lrawers.
"!'ll give yer two minutes ter tell
qulre. After thet'we takes other means
het yer won't be apt ter like SO we'll"
"Meechin' Mugle" had planted him
elf on the hearth-stone. over his idol.
With his ragged dressing-gown fiutter-
1g about his lank limbs, and his
lnched face narrowed by fear and gu
ldlty' he was an amusing and pathetic )
pcctacle. a
Gentlemen" said he, you are troub-
ng your sleeves for nothing. Don't we
'oh poor enough? There is meal in The
'rner, little corn in the cellar and
de or two OF bacon. That is all-isn't
, Gumbo?' y
20 Cord, yes, marse! We-ups makes
'tlee outen con, an rubs oak ashes OH }
, meat in placer salt"
"Shet up, will yer!" roared the leader. ',
Two minutes are about up. Boys, grab :
et cussed niger"
Gumbo was seized by practiced hands.
efore he really realized what was hap r.
ming to him, he was swinging to ii
isl by the thumbs, with his toes barely al
uching the floor. His groans and en- ;s
eaties were pitiful, yet he would tell nj
thing The squire raved helplessly, if
om his station on the hearth. Finally h,
lmbo'' head fell to one side and his
VS. hung loose. h,
Lower him down." ordered the
der. when he comes to we'll put q
wood on him if he don't blab." SO
4 pail of cold water was thrown on eS
negro. He revived, drenched. shiv- ye
ng, and looked round at his master
en- the foolish, faithful creature es
aned:s 80
1 hain't tole yit, marse!" ar
'No-God bless you, boy-you have
L will have satisfaction for this m,
rage, men. Ihave been magistrate, lin
u