The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1901-12-05
MASTER S I F ! }: qn0
!: SLAVE e? f'f: THORPE
CHAPTER IX-Continued.
Copyright, 1901, by T. H. Thorpe.

in enthusiastic chorus.
"Softly! Softly! Not so fastv' ex.
claimed Quillebert, humping the table
with his glass. "All that fine logic
may do for the day of trial or it may
not. The judge truckles to the Ameri
cans too much for my TASTE"
Gle does," assented Pratjean.
Therefore" Quillebert continued
I'VE would be fools to run to him. Slow
is the word. Delay, postpone, put off
tire them out. threadbare the case
starve it, so that when it finally gets
into court it must be carried on a lit.
ter. You can do that, ell. Tibource?'
THAT is my forte." the lawyer an
swered, chuckling.
"Meanwhile," Quillebert went on,
''prove to your neighbors, your wives
and daughters that it is all an aboli-
ton trick: that the people are being be-
trayed by this Dragging American and
the aping lowland creoles. Why, that
Latiolais girl is already ashamed to
speak French in company"
"Bahw calculated three of the listen
ers and spat on the floor.
when the true French get to under
stand rightly what this case means,
Oakfell will not have courage to try it.,
or, if he does, the judge will not dare
to decide in favor Of the negro" guile
bert emphasized this forecast with a
noisy blow from his fist upon the table.
"But, Constant" De Roux inquired,
what about Leon in all this delay?"
II have considered that" Quillebert
replied. ''The rascal has gone, spirited
away, Of course, by Oakfell. tracked
him to the steamboat wood pile on the
Atchafalaya near Simsport and will
hunt for him no farther. If win this
case will sue Oakfell for $4,000
damages for abducting my jockey and
$4,000 more for defaming me. I will
teach him what it is to threaten a
Frenchman with lynch law. And old
Latiolais shall weep a bucketful of
tears for the meddling of his pearly
granddaughter, for l hold $4,000 of his
notes.
AYE, vi vi! Leonidas be hanged!'
cried Dede, and the glasses clattered
approval.
$50 you see there is a fine campaign,
with spoils for you, Tibource," said
Quillebert.
And planned with the skill of a
general" the lawyer declared, his mean
little eyes sparkling, while his tongue
caressed the jumping lips.
And now" Quillebert produced
tor
has heard Leon admit he was my
slave?'
II at the race track" answered ia.
dot, Brille and Titbout
And at the church." said Portvie.
And I"-Dedes utterance was thick
and his pose unsteady fright here
with me-"
Never mind, Dede; you can be spared,
but the rest Of you will remember this
when called as witnesses at court" he
said to the others, writing in his note
book
I'VE will, sure, sure, sure" they prom
Used. and he returned the book to his
pocket.
Bon" said Quillebert. "Fulgence,
tell old grandpere to let you have
that gun, and / will pay him for it
next Thursday. Aristides, come to me
tomorrow and sign new note at one
year. I'll give you the old one and not
count the interest. Martin. you can
come and drive those two sows home
any time after tomorrow. Homer, tell
Iatln to pay your taxes and bring the
receipt to me, and have pretty sill
yer cross for your little girl Felice
Fill your glasses, my friends. 1t is late.
Dede, have you the TASKS ready, as l
wished?"
Every one full, corked and in the
hot ashes," Dede assured him pom
pously
"Then''-Quillebert raised his glass
Il drink confusion to Americans and
abolitionists and success to the sons
Of old Gascony."
Down with the Americans! Victory
to the Gascons" cried every man, ris-
ing to his feet and emptying his glass.
Dede brought forth the nine TASKS of
hot rum and distributed them among
the company for sustenance on their
ride in the chill night air, and, quietly
mounting horses and ponies, this re-
markable gathering dissolved. The last
to leave were Quillebert and Pratiean.
The latter said admiringly:
You are genius, Constant"
mo fool. at least. l hope" laughed
the latter. disappearing into the dark
Eess of the swamp road.
There were but two sessions of the
court each year for the trial of suits of
a civil nature, and these were arranged
to meet the agricultural convenience of
the people, one in February in advance
OF planting, the other in September be-
fore the commencement of harvest.
Hence the procrastination prescribed
by Quillebert was no very difficult feat.
Dllatory pleas put in by Pratjean sery.
ed to toll the case over two terms.
spanning year. His professional en-
gagement in the court of another, par
ish and the sudden sickness of Portyie
an important witness for Quillebert.
ID w,