Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-07-24

CHAPTER xvIn.-CoNTINUED.

si.-s3-z-d~d.sa''
CHAPTER xvIu-CoNTINUED
The days dragged slowly one after
another and stiIl no word came to the
anxious waiting woman. 1t was only two
days now until the day fixed for the sale
She asked the sheriff to come and see
her He was a brutal illiterate hench-
man Of Legree, who had been appointed
to the Office TO do his bidding. He was
a brother Of the immortal Hog" Scog-
gins. who had represented an adjoining
county in the legislature.
Mr.. Scoggins, I've sent for you TO ask
you to postpone the sale until DR.. Dur
ham returns from Boston. I expect to
get the money from him TO pay the tax
bill"
cant do Il. Mum. They's err lot er
folks comm ter bid on the place"
But tell you am going to pay the
Sweii, Mum, hit'n have ter be paid
afore the. time sot, er I'll be erbleeged to
sell"
'Tm sure DR.. Durham viii get the
'sFf he does. hit II be the fust time hits
happened in this county sence the sales
begun"
In vain she waited for a letter or a teIe-
gram from Boston. Charlie went faith
fully asking Dave Haley, the postmaster,
two or three times on the arrival Of each
mail.
''I tell We there's nothin' fur YEP he
yelled as he glared at the boy. EFF ye
don't go way from that window, I'll
pitch ye out the door!"
The scoundrel had recognized the let
ter in DR.. Durham's hand writing and
had hidden II. suspecting its contents.
When the day came for the sale Mrs.
- he "A hroxyalV
But II was too much for her. When she
saw a great herd OF negroes trampling
down her flowers, laughing, cracking vul-
gar Jokes, and swarming over the porches
she sank feebly into her chair, buried her
face in her hands and gave way TO
passionate flood OF tears. She was
reused by the humping Of heavy feet
in the hall. and the unmistakable odor OF
perspiring negroes. They had begun to
ransack the house on tours Of inspection
The poor woman's head dropped and she
fell TO the floor In a dead swOon.
There was sudden charge as Of an
armed host the sound of blows, wild
scramble. and the house was cleared.
Aunt Eve with fire shovel. Charlie with
a broken hoe handle, and Dick with a big
black snake whip had cleared the air.
Aunt Eve stood on the front doorstep
shaking the shovel at the crowd.
''Des put 20 big fat hoofs in dis house
EIElna II tUAlN 70 nEdnH haA1 bRIhs
You black cattlel'
Dat we Will" rallied Dick as he crack
ed the whip at a little negro passing.
Charlie ran into his mothers room to
see what she was doing, and found her
lying across the floor on her face.
Aunt Eve. come quick, Mama's dy-
ing!" he shouted.
They lifted her to the bed, and Dick
ran for the doctor.
DR.. Graham looked very grave when he
had completed his examination.
Come here, my boy, must tell you
some sad news"
Charles big. brown eyes glanced up
with a startled look into the doctors
face.
''Don't tell me she Is dying. doctor. I
can't stand it, 70
The doctor shook his hand. You're get
ting TO be a man now, my son, you will
soon be thirteen. You must be brave.
Your mother will not live through the
night"
The boy sank on his knees beside the
still white figure, tenderly clasped her
thin hand in his, and began to kiss 1t
slowly. He would kiss It, lay his wet
cheek against 1t, and try to warm 1t with
his hot young blood.
It was about nine o'clock when she
opened her eyes with a smile and looked
into HIS face.
MY sweet DONE bue whispered.
"Ohl Mama, do try 70 live! Don't leave
me-" he sobbed in quivering tones as he
leaned over and kissed her lips She
smiled family again.
Eyes, I must 60, dear. am tired.
Your papa is waiting for me. 1 see him
smiling and reckoning TO me now. must
CO."
A sob shook the boy with an agony no
words could frame.
There, there, dear, don't" she sooth-
ingly said. you viii grow TO be brave
strong man. You will fight this battle
out and win back our home and bring
your own bride here IN the far away days
Of sunshine and success see for you.
She will love you. and the flowers will
blossom on the lawn again. But I am
tired. Kiss mel must 60"
Her heart futtered on for a while, but
she never spoke again.
At ten o'clock MRS. Durham tenderly
lifted the boy from the bedside, kissed
him, and SAID as she led him to his
room:
"She's done with suffering, Charlie.
You are going 70 live with me now. and
let me love you and be your mother"
The preacher had made a profound i'm
preston on his Boston congregation.
They were charmed By his simple direct
appeal to the heart. His fiery emphasis,
tmpaSSiOnate QOgmaIic Iallns MS tender-
ness and the strange pathos Of his voice
swept them of their feet. At night the
big church was crowded TO the doors, and
throngs were struggling in vain TO gain
admittance. At the close OF the services
he was overwhelmed with the expressions
OF gratitude and heatfelt sympathy with
which they thanked him for his mes
sages.
He was Toasted and dined and taken out
into the parks behind spanking teams,
until his head was dizzy with the un-
accustomed whirl.
The preacher went through II all with
heavy heart. Those beautiful homes with
their rich carpets. handsome furniture,
and those long lines Of beautiful car
riages in the parks, made a contrast with
the agony OF universal ruin which he left
at home that crushed his soul.
He FASTENED TO tell the story Of Mrs.
CASTOR to a genial old merchant who had
taken a great fancy to him.
A tear glistened in the old mans eye
as he quickly rose.
"Come right down to my store. I'll get
you money order before the postofflce
closes. I've got tickets for you TO go to
the Coliseum with me tonight and hear
the music-the great Peace Jubilee. We
are celebrating the return of peace and
prosperity, and the preservation of the
Union. It's the greatest musical festival
the world ever saw"
The preacher was dazed with the sense
OF its sublimity and the pathetic tragedy