Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1897-01-07

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"Fo' Cord, yes, marse! We-uns makes
coffee outen con, an rubs oak ashes on
de meat in placer salt"
"Shet up, will YER" roared the leader.
1.-TWO minutes are about up. Boys, grab
tibet cussed niger"
Gumbo was seized by practiced hands.
Before be really realized what was hap
pening to him, he was swinging to q
joist by the thumbs, with his toes barely
touching the floor. His groans and en-
treaties were pitlful, yet he would tell
nothing The squire raved helplessly.
from his station on the hearth. Finally
Gumbo's head fell 70 one side and his
jaws hung loose.
"Lower him down." ordered the
leader. when he comes to we'll put
the wood on him If he don't blab."
A 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-you have
MT. will have satisfaction for this
outrage, men. Ihave been magistrate,
and l."
"Will yer shet up?" shouted the
leader. snow boys, throw tibet niger
over 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 tree"
While this was being done, the
leader turned to the squire.
"See here" he said, "if yer don't
give up tibet money yer'll lose niger
right here. We're in hurry. Some Of
Wheeler's cavalry are about and we
hain't over anxious ter tell 'em howdy
tonight. So speak up lively now, er
yer'll be short one u,ore slave-sure as
God made little apples" IN
go Cord, gen'l'men! don't hang q
po' niggah TO- 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.
Glands off, you heartless dogs!' he
cried. "You shall not murder the boy.
II you will have money, come with me,
and may God curse the last one ofyou!'
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 strobe to the hearth-stone, wher1
he again faced the guerrllas.
A confused noise was now audible
down the public road. Two men entered
and whispered hurriedly with the cap
tain. The noise increased to clatter-
ing roar.
"Git outen here, men," shouted the
leader. "Wheeler's men are COMM"
Then to the squire: well be back
ag'in, fust yer know. As fer tibet
blamed nigger-here's fer him!"
A pistol shot beloved through the
room. Gumbo screamed, and the
guerrillas rushed out pell-mell, mounted
and were gone in trice. Other troops
surrounded the house. A mulatto
woman ran in and fell on Gumbo's neck
as he sat disconsolate.
II hearn 'em!" she cried. "We hearn
'em ct mothers. I knowed de soiers
wuz in town a-furragin', SO | up an
run an let 'em know. One on 'em took
me up benin him, an year is-bless
Cord! What's de matter wild yer, Gum
boz"
Gumbo rose to the emergency again,
for his injuries, though painful, were
not serious.
"Why, howdy, Em'lne," he re-
sponded. Eyer all come jes' in de nick
OBJ time-sho'."
Gray-coated cavalrymen now
swarmed in, and shots were fired about
the place. Several bushwhackers 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.
81 didn't tell, marse," said Gumbo
presently.
mo, 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 I
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, I hardly know what does"
"Den yer won't make me Leah yer
wen rs free, marse?" Gumbo looked
up anxiously, scarcely thinking enough
Of the boon, apparently, to say thank
you"
mot II you want to stay-and hope
you do"
"H-how bout Em'line? Me an she
wants ter marry pow'fu don't we, En-.