The Canton times. (Canton, Miss.) 1893-1906, 1896-08-14
GUMBO.
BIZ WILLIAM r. BROWN.


Squire Mugle was tall and cadav
erous. The boys" in Habersham Otter
called him "Meechin' Mugle" because
though locally prominent, and well t,
do, he wore an aspect as of one Away.
looking for forebearance and tolera tior
rather than expecting honor and re
spect.
One felt sort Of pity at sight of his
hollow-chested, angular form, which
was somewhat neutralized by doubt
however, when one noted certain har
lines of minor expression that seemed
to denote the possession OF more forbid
ding attributes.
His wife was dead, and he lived in a
large, tumble-down house, two mics
from the little Georgia town of Haber-
sham. When the civil war came on he
solo his negroes, retaining only Gumbo
to assist in looking after his impover-
ished plantation. His neighbors fouted
him as being unionist, for preferring
Yankee gold to good negroes. But
slave property was growing uncertain ;
gold was sure, and secret hiding places
plentiful.
Gumbo was short, wheezy and tim
orous. Why the squire kept him, the
least commercially valuable of his
slaves, las wondered at; but the squire
knew, reasoning shrewdiy with him
self.
If | lose Gumbo," be would say, Il
lose nothing much but q fat bag of
nuisance. The rest of my niggers were
worth their price,
Nevertheless, when the squire rose
one night and hid his gold anew under
great hearth-stOne in the kitchen, he
saw sight that made him, for the mo-
mfnt, repent having retained Gumbo to
torment and wait upon him. That
saole worthy, barefooted and in SHIRT
and drawers, was staring at his old mas
ter from the doorway, while each hair
lot his kinky head seemed to be slowly
strengthening.
A devilisb transformation convulsed |
squire Mugle's face. Dashing down his
candle, he sprang forward and seized |
Jumbo by the throat, as he stood in the |
pals moonlight streaming down from
without.
Did you see it?' he Kissed. fairly |
choking with passion.
Jumbo gasped, gurgled, and at last
managed to say: Didn't see nuttin',
Eceptin' you, marse.'
squire Mngle slowly loosened his grip,
'ghtened it again, then took his hand
away, hesita;ingIy.
WE'LL" he added, sharply, ibid you
near anything? I'll your fat shout
uers with hickory if you lie!"
! L hea1n suttin', marse I" stamemred
Jumbo, IAN lowed to myself: VIVA
at! l lowed mebby hit mout be a
a-projeckin roun'. SO
ups an slips down, 'twei done glim 'ses
.er down on yo' knees fo' de fab. .Gre't
Aing! say ter myself. Den l hearn t
ustln &C chink-y, chink-y, chink-' 1t
You rascal" The squire made a 4
eeond dive for his servants throat, but t
Jumbo lodged and protested: {
Lar how, marse! CANT holp havin' j
ears can 1? Den ag'In, marse, is yer
eckon l gwine ter blab it roun' where Il
money is? got too much sense fer t
H-s-s-h!" The squire's wrath was t
ierged in sudden terror. lei
Jumbo knewl Where else could he I
'ue ms money? This spot was handy n
,fight under his fingers. so to speak.
:, desired no distant swamp or hollow
no tell-tale tree marks, as place to n
. hunted for or forgotten, as the case OF
'gnt be. He loved his gold with a al
orm' personal affection. Next to he
OF handling it was the feeling that lie
was near by. unseen, yet felt, as by a oy
y OF delicious sixth sense-dead to hi
:. people. yet psychoiogically alive
nlsers and lovers. Ct
rut Jumbo gazed at his old master tie
- something like moisture in his lit
Eyes. He was wounded to the quick nc
me nature Of the squire's evident Gu
'.pieion, and he bore The latter's scru-
.nhg look unfinchingly, though with lea
spec OF r-proach- The squire seized
'noo by the chin. raised the black face gil
glanced At Il harder than ever. rig
= ee released the negro and sighed. w
Fm trust you." be said, at length. ha